30 Days of Television: Day 13

Favorite childhood show

Woo-oo! What kid of the 80s/90s didn't LOVE this show? I watched it EVERY weekday, I LIVED for the new episodes. I own ALL of them on DVD now - because, let's face it, they are a CLASSIC SHOW. Disney has plans to remake it and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm not a fan of their Disney Jr. computer animation at all, so I don't have high expectations that Ducktales won't be destroyed by poorly done computer graphics.

I have always loved Donald Duck, that's no secret, I can't remember a time that Donald wasn't my go to character of the Fab Five. So the look into his crazy extended family works right into my fangirling from a young age. I loved Huey, Dewey and Louie. And I ADORE Uncle Scrooge. Launchpad and Doofus were loveable bumblers... and I never did figure if Gyro was male or female.

Their show's theme song is definite a top 10 all time best. It's on my iPod, that's how much I love the song/show. The 80s/90s were the best years for tv for kids. Disney had great shows. DuckTales, Gummy Bears, TaleSpin, Darkwing Duck, My Little Pony, Care Bears (okay the last two I'm not sure count as Disney)... good times. good times.

30 Days of Fangirl-ism - Day 15: Favorite fandom collectible that you most cherish

My grandfather is downsizing, hoping to move into a Senior Residency closer to where we live, and so we've been getting a lot of his old stuff. One of the things that I've recently been given is one of the old cookie jars that sat in the kitchen my entire childhood. I'm not sure how old it is, but it's Donald Duck - my absolute FAVORITE Disney Character.

His paint has seen better days, and he's well loved and used, but I just love him. Not only because of it being Disney and Donald, but because of the memories of my grandparents' house... and the cookies... so many cookies... over the years.

So this is the collectible that I will always cherish. I absolutely love it. I'm never giving it up. Ever.

30 Days of Disneyland - Day 15: Favorite Atmosphere (Fur) Character

Day 15 - Favorite Atmosphere (Fur) Character

DONALD DUCK! Anyone who knows me KNOWS I love Donald. He is probably the very best character Disney has ever created - and they've created a lot of great characters. I have such a good time meeting him wherever he is in the parks. I especially like him in Disneyland because it's the only place I've ever met him when he is in his classic/signature look (sailor suit).

I've loved Donald Duck my whole life, partially because my Uncle Rick (probably my favorite Uncle EVER) does a spot on Donald Duck voice. He is known in his hometown as Donald Duck, he's that good! The other reason is I grew up in a time when Ducktales was one of the best television shows in the afternoon line up. I watched it religiously every day. Donald was not in many of the episodes, but I love the whole Mc/Duck family.

Donald in the parks is so much fun. He's just as egotistical and hilarious in the parks as he is in his shorts. One of my favorite ways to interact with him is to tell him he's my favorite and that he's #1, forget that old Mickey Mouse. He only partially disagrees with me (and that's only when other's are in ear/eyeshot). Also, ask to give him a kiss on his beak, and then tell him we'll keep it between us. Don't let Daisy know! Hee hee!


Oh, yeah, 91 days to go. I'm comin' Donald!

30 Days of Disneyland - Day 9: Favorite Frontierland Attraction

Day 9 - Favorite Frontierland Attraction

Anyone who knows me knows this answer - I would hope, anyway. It's the ride that at WDW for my 24th birthday Erin and I sat and rode it five times in a row (four of those we didn't even get off the ride as there was NO LINE. BEST DAY EVER!). Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the first Disney coaster I tackled back in 2001. Dad was determined to break me of my fear of the things. We were on the high school band trip and he didn't want to do the rides I wanted to go on (Jungle Cruise, Pirates, etc). He won the argument as we took a vote with my friends. I'm so glad I lost that argument.

Big Thunder is the kind of thrill I can handle. It's fast-ish, high up-ish, and I feel well contained in the seat. Another great thing about this ride is that it's different in each park. The effects and storyline is different at Disneyland compared to the one at WDW, but both hold true to the overall theme. Disneyland's just got a huge refurb where they've added new effects using new technology and it looks AWESOME. I cannot wait to ride this ride in September.



We're 97 days away from Disneyland! And it's Donald Duck's 80th birthday today! Happy Birthday to my most favorite of Disney characters, without Donald there'd be no Disney (just ask him, he'll tell you)!

A Tasteful Countdown: The 3 Cabelleros Double Feature

Taco Salad - simple, easy and awesome.

On the eve of another themed dinner, I'm writing a post about last weeks very yummy - and somewhat simple - dinner. I finally got my hands on a copy of Donald's feature films "Saludos Amigos" and "The Three Cabelleros". It is a double feature DVD that I got on Amazon as they are both considered Classics. In my quest to have all 50+ classics I HAD to have them, so I finally bit the bullet and ordered them after getting my monthly paycheck.

But I digress, the meal was simple in that it was one of my favorites: Taco Salad. I am not a big Mexican food fan, but I LOVE tacos the way we make them. And if I can't have that, then I go for taco salad. Problem is - I don't like frying in oil (after setting the kitchen on fire - unknowingly - with oil on the stove - again, unknowingly - I just won't touch it!) so I decided to try to bake the shells like they have shown on pinterest. Problem is mom is gluten intolerant so she can't have the traditional flour tortilla, so I had to bake a larger corn tortilla. They don't make them as big, and they didn't turn out quite how I hoped.

If you're going to bake the shells, make sure to follow the instructions. And find one that gives the tip that you need to warm the tortillas up for about 15 seconds in the microwave before trying to put them in the bowl or you will end up tearing every single one. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but the shells were not crispy everywhere and were extremely tough where they didn't crisp. I'm thinking it had to do with how much oil was used on them - either not enough or too much, I can't be sure without experimenting more.

I'm not a fan, but I'm told they be "delish"!

With such a "simple" dish for the main course, I decided to tackle a traditional Mexican dessert of Soppapilas. Mainly because my best friend Kassy said she would come to dinner if I did. She lied, but I made enough for a small army anyway so that she could have some the next day.

What's that you say? You thought I was afraid to cook with oil? I AM! I still am, even after all the fun I had frying my (homemade all the way) dessert. I had mom be my "spotter" as if flames started up I would've once again been out the door and letting her deal with it (as opposed to when I caught the kitchen on fire - for that I called 911!). With that done it was down to watch the double feature.

Not to be negative, but I've found that the movies - that I'd never seen all the way through - were not my favorites. Don't get me wrong I LOVE Donald Duck - favorite character, just ask my neice, she will tell you! - but the movies are dull compared to some of the other classics. No fear, though, because they still will hold a special place in my collection. I have to both Walt and Donald are in them!

I made more the day after for a Church function, and Kassy
took the rest home. I think she ate them all herself.

Next week (as in tomorrow) we're jumping to Mary Poppins. Going to do a Shepherd's Pie and rasberry tart with rasberry ice. Should be good!

Disneyland 2012: Photographic Countdown 6

It's been a few days since the last picture shared. We're now down to 38 days till Disneyland! I've been busy with work and photography and life, but it's still going by super slow and I just know that when I am actually down there it will go super fast, but it is what it is, right?!



Today's picture is not from Disneyland, but it is Disney. It was taken at the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Donald Duck's star is forever visited by his best bud, Mickey outside of the Soda Shop next door to the El Capitan. We did not get ice cream last time, I want to go this time. I want to visit the theater as well... Hollywood's changed so much since Walt was a part of all the action, but he still lives on and influences every part of entertainment in the USA.

30 Days of Disney: Day Twenty-Eight

Day 28: Favorite Disney Cartoon Show

I grew up in the late 80s early 90s so I got the best Disney had to offer for tv. Ducktales, Chip & Dale's Rescue Rangers, Gummy Bears, Tale Spin, Darkwing Duck! The list goes on! It was a fantastic time to be a kid, that's for sure!

My favorite then and now and forever is Ducktales. Maybe it's because it's about Donald's extended family, I don't know, but I loved Ducktales and would never miss them on TV. I had them on tape (and I want them on DVD) and I loved the antics of Huey, Dewey, and Louie and Webbygirl! Launchpad McQuack added to the hysteria and who doesn't love that ol' softy Uncle Scrooge McDuck?

30 Days of Disney: Day One

Day 1: Favorite Character

Oh, this is simple enough. From the time I can remember it's always been about Donald Duck. Sure, every little kid that grows up with Disney knows the Mickey Mouse Club Theme (I even taught it to Haille Rae) and so you're immediately brainwashed to believe it's all about the Mouse, but it didn't work that long on me. Part of it may be due to the fact that my mom's youngest brother sounds JUST LIKE HIM when he talks to little kids. Haille kept calling him Uncle Donald Duck the entire week we were at their house for Judy's wedding. He's just way talented in that way.

So it may be genetics, but Donald Duck has always been my favorite. I'm very much like him, too, very quick to anger... very proud... very full of myself... ha ha! After all I have this blog that almost no one reads, right? Why? Because I like talking about myself. Duh. It's all about me... or, in this case, the Duck.

Tonichelle & Donald Duck Disneyland 2011