When planning a trip to Walt Disney World, it's so easy to focus on getting the most out of your time in the parks.  Planning to arrive at Rope Drop, touring the parks until lunch time then heading back for a break, making sure you get FastPasses for all the  headliner rides....plus the other details can really take over your planning.  But what about the fun Disney has to offer outside of their parks?  In fact, you could spend a whole day just doing fun activities and not even have to use a park ticket!  In fact, that is typically the plan for our family on one day of our trip.  We set aside one day {usually our arrival day} to explore our resort, the pool, and other parts of Disney that aren't in the parks.  So, for today's {FAVORITE} Disney Tip, I want to share our Five Must Dos Outside of the Disney Parks.

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Sarah from Fantastical Sharing of Recipes back again for a little dessert sharing. Last month, I shared my daughter’s pick for her birthday cake and this month, I’m sharing my son’s pick for his birthday cake. He turned six in March and decided that he wanted a Rolo Cake.  This cake is awesome – it’s a butter cake with a caramel swirl topped with a very delicious chocolate caramel buttercream. Plus you garnish it with Rolos! The butter cake was my favorite part of it though. It was very moist and flavorful.

Rolo Cake

Recipe from Cookies & Cups
What you need:

For the Cake:

• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 sticks salted butter, room temp
• 1 cup milk, divided
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup caramel, divided

For the Chocolate Caramel Frosting:

• 18 oz. milk chocolate chips (about 3 cups)
• 12 oz. semisweet chocolate chips (about 2 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1 1/2 sticks butter, room temp, cut into cubes
• 2 Tbsp. caramel, plus some
• Rolos candies

Directions:

For the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350* and whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Add the butter and 3/4 cup milk and beat until combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, 1/4 cup milk, and vanilla. Add this to the flour mixture.
4. Pour batter into two 9-inch pans that have been greased and lined with parchment paper..
5. Swirl 1/2 cup caramel into each pan.
6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7. Let cool completely.

For the Frosting:

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring sugar and water to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes.
2. Reduce to medium low heat and slowly add heavy cream, stirring until smooth.
3. Place chocolate chips into a bowl and pour heated mixture over the top. Stir until the chocolate iscompletely melted and smooth. Refrigerate for one hour.
4. Remove from fridge and beat in butter. Refrigerate for another hour. *Note: bring to room tempbefore frosting your cake.

For Assembly:

1. Trim two layers to even out for stacking.
2. Place one trimmed layer onto a cake plate or whatever you are using.
3. Dollop a healthy heap of frosting onto it and spread. Add 2 Tbsp. caramel and spread within an inch of the edge.
4. Top with other cake and frost it and the sides. Garnish with Rolos and drizzle with caramel sauce!

Thank you Carrie & MFF readers for letting me steal a moment of your time today! Hope you enjoyed today’s dessert and I’ll see you next month for very cute dessert that is perfect for summer.

Even in the magical Walt Disney World, our little ones always need a nap. Actually we all need a nap, but when you have kids of multiple ages, that’s not always going to happen. Like it or not, your toddler or preschooler will need a nap during the day. I was blessed to have a child that slept in a stroller. But, I have to do some tricks to pull this off! I want to share these with you today!

Magic Kingdom-

There is so much to do in the Magic Kingdom, but by about 1:00, my son is cranky, hot, his belly is full from lunch, and this is prime time for a nap. In this park.. I don’t leave him in the stroller. I always go and get onto the Peoplemover AKA The Tomorrowland Transit Authority, or as some people say just a good ride to rest your legs. If you catch this at a good time, you can ride and your little one can get a nap. There is a good breeze, air-conditioned in the indoor areas, dark, not too loud. With a smaller one, this works well.

EPCOT-

By far the best scenery to stroll with a sleeping child, The World Showcase. I always take a stroll around the World Showcase when my little one is napping. I can actually see things, go in and out of shops, and I don’t have him crying and wanting out of the stroller! I can usually walk thru the entire thing, because as long as I’m moving he stays asleep!

Hollywood Studios-

I always use his naptime to hop over to Hollywood Studios from EPCOT. We take the walkway and walk between the parks. It takes about 25 minutes to walk it, but it is an easy walk! There is a pathway between the two parks, and it’s even lighted at night. It’s a perfect naptime and you know all you Mom’s and Dad’s want to do a little more walking!

Animal Kingdom-

As long as your child is a stroller sleeper, I would suggest Pangani Forest Exploration Trail in the Africa area or Maharajah Jungle Trek in the Asia section. These are great walks that will take a little while to go thru and also help entertain some older siblings.

Always remember, if you can fit a break into your schedule I always advise a small break time back at the resort, let the older kids go play in the pool with one parent, and younger have a quiet/nap time in the room. This will overall make the trip a little more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Angela is a Disney Vacation Specialist and Orlando Travel Expert with Destinations in Florida. She specializes in traveling with young children, and children with food allergies. She would love to plan your next vacation! You can contact her on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaDestinationsInFlorida or email at angelas@destinationsinflorida.com

Hey there, friends!  I'm excited to be back again with more style tips.  Recently, as I was reading People magazine, I saw the "What's in my bag" section and thought why not do something like that with my makeup bag for this month's post?  So here it is...

A quick note before I start unpacking the bag: This post is not sponsored in any way by any of the companies I'm about to mention except for the sunscreen at the very end.  You'll see that I'm not loyal to one particular brand; I've shopped around and found my honest favorite of each thing, so I'm telling you what they are.  No one gave me anything free {darn!} or paid me {bummer!} although if anyone wants to send me something now I wouldn't say no!

These are the honest to goodness things I use every day.

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Whew!  I can't believe it's Friday!  In case you missed it, this week I shared......

3D Paper Flower Wreath

10 Easy DIY Disney Vacation Countdowns

S'Mores Monkey Bread

Easy Hammered Earrings

Also, my Minnie Mouse Centerpieces made to the Top Twenty in the One Crafty Contest at One Artsy Mama!  Now it's on to compete in the other rounds.  If you stop by and check out the projects on One Artsy Mama, vote me me, K?  But, I can't tell you which one will be mine.....

I'm also pumped because I had two projects accepted to Looksi this week-my Distressed Beach Sign and my 3D Flower Wreath!  If you haven't checked out Looksi yet, you really need to.  It's super awesome for inspiring creativity.

The spring season is in full swing, isn't it? Are you sprucing up your home and getting your spring crafts going? If not, maybe you'll find some inspiration at this week's party! Last week's most viewed links were:

How to Make A Milk Bottle Prop at Shaken Together Life 

Brownie Ice Cream Sundae Cups @ Heather's French Press

Let's Party!  Show us your best creativity!  We can't wait to see what you come up with!

Holy smokes!  I can't believe it's Thursday!  If I hadn't checked my Google+ page and seen that Sam @ Atkinson Drive had posted her Pinworthy Projects features....I probably would've forgot!  And, looking at her features, it looks like we're on the same page with a few of them...or we were both just hungry when we were choosing!

Speaking of being hungry...I picked up some Biscoff Spread at the grocery yesterday.  What's the best way to eat it?  Any good recipes I could use it in?  I REALLY want to try it....might be my after school snack today!

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You know that we love us a good Disney Vacation Countdown in our house!  This year is my {FAVORITE} one I've ever made...and I have to say there are tons of super cute ideas out there!  In fact, you'd be surprised what you can come up with by using a little scrapbooking paper, stickers, posterboard or canvas, and other odds and ends around your house!  I hope these 10 Easy DIY Disney Vacation Countdowns will inspire you to put one up in your house!

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Today's Pick Your Plum deal is so super cute!  Ribbon is one of my {FAVORITE} crafting supplies....and I'm sure these Ruffled Ribbons and Colorful Threads from Pick Your Plum won't disappoint!  To be honest, Pick Your Plum is one of my {FAVORITE} daily deal sites.  I've never been disappointed with anything I've ordered from them.  And, it's a great way to try new or unique crafting materials at a deep discount.

 
10 spools of thread in on-trend colors paired with three different colors of ruffled ribbon coming in at 65% off!

What can't this dynamic combo do?

You are going to find so many uses for all these 10 amazing colors in thread and paired with the 3 yards of ribbon in your favorite color choice of mint, watermelon, or gold? Well, your friends just may never see you again once you enter your crafting corner!

Better yet snag some for them too and have a party

These are the perfect light weight items to take outside and craft with while trying to keep the kid's otter pops from adding that "special something" to your project.

Head over to Pick Your Plum ASAP and get yourself some cute ribbons and thread!  Think of all the fun summer crafts you can make with these....rosette necklaces, headbands, embellish summer parties....you'll think of something!

Happy Tuesday you lovely readers of My Favorite Finds!!  Ready for another breakfast recipe??  A breakfast consisting of chocolate, graham crackers & marshmallows with some biscuits & butter thrown in for good measure???

That's right, we're having S'mores Monkey Bread!!

I'm not even sure I can accurately describe with words the yummy goodness that this breakfast is.  Buttery biscuits covered in sugar & chocolate graham crackers then drenched in butter & brown sugar.  Then topped with melted marshmallows.  YUMMMMMMMM

So, what time should I expect you for breakfast?

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cans (12 ounces/10 biscuits) canned biscuits ~ I used Pillsbury Grands! jr Golden Homestyle Honey Butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 package (about 10 cookies) chocolate covered grahams, ground ~ I used a food processor
• 2 sticks butter
• 3/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2-3 cups mini marshmallows

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

First, make sure all the biscuit cans are very cold.  I worked with one can at a time, leaving the remaining cans in the fridge.

Open all the cans of biscuits and cut the biscuits into quarters. Fill a large Ziplock bag with the granulated sugar and ground up cookie crumbs. Seal the bag and shake it around until the crumbs and the sugar are totally combined. Add the biscuit pieces to the bag, seal it and shake/toss it around until all the biscuit pieces are coated in the sugar. Pour the pieces into a bundt or tube pan and set it aside.  Go ahead and pour that extra sugar mixture all over the biscuit pieces to make sure they are good & coated.

In a small pan over medium heat, melt the 2 sticks of butter then stir in the brown sugar and vanilla until just barely combined. Pour the mixture all over the biscuit pieces, scraping the pan to get all the butter & brown sugar. Let it settle for a second, then place the pan in the oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top of the biscuits are golden brown. Then remove the pan from the oven and set it on a rack. Let the pan sit for at least 10 minutes (but no more than 15), then turn the cake out of the pan onto a cake plate.

While the monkey bread is cooling, in another small pan over medium heat, melt the remaining 1/4 cup of butter & the marshmallows.  Feel free to do this in the microwave if you'd like ~ think like you're making rice krispie treats.  Once the monkey bread has cooled & is on a cake plate, spoon the marshmallow sauce on top.
NOTES:

So if you're like me & you don't check the size of your pan or the size of the biscuits you buy - you'll end up with just a tad too many biscuits & the pan will overflow.  You might want to cook this with a baking sheet on a rack below the pan to prevent any butter from overflowing on to the bottom of the stove & when you go to make dinner your entire kitchen filling up with smoke.  Or buy smaller cans of biscuits, whichever you think is easier.