Thursday, December 31, 2009

Christmas Day 2009

I wanted a few things for Christmas, but the main thing was peace and harmony on Christmas Day.

Over the past 10 years, my family has become more and more dysfunctional. Not my parents, but my extended family. We used to be super close, but then some super important stuff got between us...not. Mostly it was crap with less significance than the gum under your chair. That happens, I guess. So as a result, holidays are more stressful and tense than they should be. Christmas is awkward. I prayed that just this once, things would be something resembling normal.

I got my wish.

Aunt Donna kept singing Beyonce (which was bizarre in and of itself), Nicholas stayed cheerful the whole day and helped everyone open presents, and everyone was happy in general. It was the most perfect day.

:)

Monday, December 21, 2009

the most wonderfully-tasting time of the year

4 days until Christmas, 12 days until Caro and I leave for WDW!

Excitement is in the air.

Whenever I'm in a good mood, or simply bored, I like to be in the kitchen. I like cooking, but I love baking. The other day I made a chocolate cream pie for my boss's birthday, and I tried a homemade crust for the first time. Dude. I'm never buying the premade kind again. (I probably will....if I get lazy...but I shouldn't, because homemade rocks, and it's easier than it looks.)

Then I made three coconut creams for my dad's friends, because they always fix my car. I made the biggest mess ever making these pies, because I don't clean the kitchen as I go, but it was so worth it.

For Christmas Day, I'm thinking of trying out fondant for the first time, in the form of a bow, on top of a red velvet square cake with white buttercream. So it'll look like a cute gift box!


Kind of like that, but with the colors inverted. And I want a bigger bow!
There isn't much quite as satisfying as holiday baking.
xoxo and merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

breaking news in the DIS world :[

Roy E. Disney, son of Roy O. Disney and nephew to Walt, died this morning at the age of 79. He'd been battling cancer for a while. It's strange because yesterday was the 43rd anniversary of Walt's death, also from cancer.

Roy Jr. was underestimated by many people. Many people don't know who he is because he wasn't one of the "original" Disney brothers, but I remember seeing him on the Disney channel before movies played when I was a little girl. He was proud of his surname, and poured his heart and soul into the company even after the death of his dad.

During the later years of Walt's life, there was constant tension between him and his brother; many sided with them, calling themselves Team Walt or Team Roy (sound familiar)? Walt was the dreamer, never practical, and Roy was strictly business, constantly worrying about his brother's lack of care with financial matters. They made two parts of the whole, and they were both necessary for Walt Disney Productions and the legacy that followed. Roy Jr. took the best of both worlds and continued the Disney dynasty, saving it from financial crisis in the 80s when the company was nearly bought by the formidable stockbroker Saul Steinburg.

Roy ensured that Disney movies and parks remain true to his uncle's vision. There was a slump in the 70s and 80s when the Disney movies that were being made - to be blunt - sucked, at least for the most part. Roy brought in new management, who breathed new life into the company. The results were classics such as Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, favorites of the 90s.

I fear for the company's future now without the last Disney man guarding the empire. What's to become of the pixie dust?

DISers will never forget him...may he rest in peace.

Roy Edward Disney, January 10, 1030 - December 16, 2009

Sources: Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler;
Storming the Magic Kingdom by John Taylor

Saturday, December 5, 2009

dear santa,

This is what I would want for Christmas if the world were perfect.
Note: not in any specific order.

1. ALL A'S. I think this speaks for itself.

2. Respect for life. Love for all babies, everywhere.



Did you swoon when you looked at that baby? So adorable.

3. A library like Belle's.



Yeah. English major's ultimate dream.

4. For everyone to laugh like this, every day.



5. Pick one, Santa:
Disney annual pass;
all the music from the parks straight to my iTunes;
or a membership to Club 33.





Oh, for anyone who likes Disney music...go here. You will be astonished.
And if you don't like Disney music, go there. You might change your mind.


Good luck if you've got finals this week, everyone.
And shout out to Ms. Kelly. She has her birthday the day after Walt Disney had his, isn't that special?