2018 Virginia Beach Planning

2018 Majestic
2018 “Majestic” by Seibert Realty

We’ve reserved a beautiful house for the 2018 Virginia Beach trip.

See Majestic

This gorgeous semi-oceanfront beach home offers over 4000 square feet of space with room for the entire family.  Beach access is just across the street. The huge 3rd floor Great Room offers plenty of leather seating as well as a 52″ Flat Panel TV and open access to the dining area with multiple tables to seat our whole family. The Kitchen is a chef’s dream with Granite Countertops, 2 Ovens, 2 Dishwashers and plenty of space to create those gourmet delights! There’s a total of 13 Bedrooms and 13 full baths (2 with Jetted Tubs) and two half baths including 10 King Master Suites and One Queen Suite.

The first floor Recreation Room features a Theater area with a 72″ Flat Panel TV, Blu-ray Disc player and Surround Sound – plus a Pool Table, Air Hockey Table and Foosball Table. There’s also a Wetbar with a full size refrigerator that’s conveniently located by the pool for easy access to snacks and beverages. Multi – level decking on both East and West sides of the house offer you many options for soaking up the sun or just relaxing in the shade plus views of both the beach and the bay. After a day on the beach or sight-seeing, you can even enjoy the luxury of riding the elevator to your room – great for carrying in groceries and luggage too! Best of all, you even have your own Private Outdoor Swimming Pool to cool off after a day of fun in the summer sun.

Deposits are Due by September 1st

Bedroom cost is $1,481.87.  The following table shows the deposit you owe and your total cost including food.  Deposits are due by September 1st via Facebook or PayPal if possible using this link ->  PayPal Me

We had some confusion last year on alcohol purchases.  The rule was that people are responsible for their own alcohol and occasionally the cost got mixed in with family food expense.  We will keep these expenses completely separated for 2018.

 

 

Disney Updates

I try to follow developments at Disney both as a stockholder and as a 15-visit fan. The news coming out of the D23 convention in California this weekend was very exciting and somewhat overwhelming. It looks like we will have many reasons to continue our visits.

 

Star Wars Hotel

This is probably the most exciting announcement.  This is a fully immersive experience.  Not only with the theming be entirely based on Star Wars, but all cast members will act like they have always lived in the Star Wars universe.  The rooms look awesome!  This will be a luxury resort.  Better start saving now.  (read more)

Disney Cruise Lines

  • Three new ships are being built to augment the current four-ship fleet (Fantasy, Dream, Wonder, Magic). We sailed on the Dream and would love to do another cruise. The new ships will sail in 2021, 2022, and 2023. (read more)

EPCOT

  • A new Ratatouille 4D attraction will be added to the France pavilion.  The attraction is based on the animated movie and duplicates the popular Paris-Disneyland attraction.  Opens 2021.  (read more)
  • Universe of Energy will be re-themed to Guardians of the Galaxy.  Looks like this might happen more quickly than normal since they’ve announced Universe of Energy will close on August13, 2017.  (read more)
  • A “Mission-Space” restaurant is being added next to the attraction.  (read more)
  • The 360-degree movie in the China pavilion will be upgraded.
  • Journey into the Imagination will be re-themed based on the awesome movie “Inside-Out”.  This one is just a rumor

Disney Studios

  • The last date for Great Movie Ride is August 13, 2017.  The Ride will be closed forever.  Its not clear what will be done in this space, but perhaps an expansion of Star Wars Land.
  • Art work for Star Wars Land (now called “Galaxy’s Edge”) was revealed.   Disney is continuing the process of creating immersive experiences that was started by Universal with the Harry Potter worlds.  Disney California did an amazing job with Cars Land and it looks like Galaxy’s Edge will be awesome.  (read more)
  • One of the new attractions in Galaxy’s Edge will be a ride in the Millennium Falcon

Magic Kingdom

  • A Tron light-cycle roller-coaster will be coming to the area near Space Mountain.  Initially it was reported that the roller-coaster would replace the Tommorowland Speedway.  However, the concept art shows the speedway to be intact.  The Tron roller-coaster duplicates the ride from Shanghai-Disneyland.  (read more)
  • A new theater will be added to Main Street.  This will be for live shows.  Its not yet clear where this will be constructed nor what will be impacted. (read more)

Transportation

Disney is implementing an exciting new way to get around with the Disney Skyliner gondola system.  The gondolas will have stations in EPCOT,  Disney’s Studios, Caribbean Beach Resort, and Art of Animation.  (read more)

MinnieVans – DisneyWorld will offer a new Uber-type transportation option with appropriately-themed MinnieVans.

Lodging

Disney Riviera Hotel will be a new Disney Vacation Club resort.

2018 Memorial Day Camp Out

Planning is underway up for the 2018 48th annual Phillips Family Memorial Day Camping Trip at World’s End State Park.  We are rapidly evolving with another generation of campers.  We’ll be looking for some help to make sure we pass along some of the old traditions and create some new ones for the next generation.  What are some of the traditions that you remember, and what traditions need more attention or need to emerge?

Camp out dates are Thursday, May 24th through Monday, May 28th, 2018. However, Mark and Brian are probably going up on Wednesday and would welcome anyone who’d like to stay an additional night.  Actually, we had so much fun last year that we might go up on Tuesday. Continue reading 2018 Memorial Day Camp Out

2017 Memorial Day Camp Out

Planning is underway up for the 2017 47th annual Phillips Family Memorial Day Camping Trip at World’s End State Park.  We are rapidly evolving with another generation of campers.  We’ll be looking for some help to make sure we pass along some of the old traditions and create some new ones for the next generation.  What are some of the traditions that you remember, and what traditions need more attention or need to emerge?

Camp out dates are Thursday, May 25th through Monday, May 29th, 2017. However, Mark and Brian are probably going up on Wednesday and would welcome anyone who’d like to stay an additional night.   Continue reading 2017 Memorial Day Camp Out

Changed Thinking

When I was 38 I contemplated beginning a two year Associates Degree in Radiography. I was talking to a friend and had almost talked myself out of doing it. I said “I’m too old to start that. I’ll be 40 when I get my degree.” My friend said “If you don’t do it, you’ll still be 40, but without the degree.” I’m nearly 60 now, and that degree has been the difference between making a decent living, and struggling to get by.  –luckyhenry

Continue reading Changed Thinking

Recipe Index

You will find 20 posts in the category Recipes on this blog.

Jump to A, C, E, F, H, I, M, P, R, S

Spritz Cookies

Great basic butter cookies

These are best made using a cookie press.  They are fun to make and kids love to help with decorating them.  We make tree cookies at Christmas time and decorate them with colored granulated sugar.

Spritz Cookies
Print Recipe
These are basic "Spritz" cookies that use a cookie press to form interesting shapes. The dough can also be rolled out and traditional cookie cutters can be used, but the pressed cookies are thicker and usually not a dry as rolled cookies.
Servings Prep Time
2 dozen cookies 20 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
10 minutes 10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
2 dozen cookies 20 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
10 minutes 10 minutes
Spritz Cookies
Print Recipe
These are basic "Spritz" cookies that use a cookie press to form interesting shapes. The dough can also be rolled out and traditional cookie cutters can be used, but the pressed cookies are thicker and usually not a dry as rolled cookies.
Servings Prep Time
2 dozen cookies 20 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
10 minutes 10 minutes
Servings Prep Time
2 dozen cookies 20 minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
10 minutes 10 minutes
Ingredients
Servings: dozen cookies
Instructions
  1. Place butter and shortening in large mixing bowl. Cream together on medium high speed.
  2. Add sugar gradually. Beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes
  3. Add egg and vanilla; Mix well using medium speed.
  4. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. Add to butter/sugar mixture in three (3) additions; mixing well after each addition. Dough will be stiff. You may need to add more flour to the mixture to ensure that the dough is stiff and not sticky - otherwise it won't work well in the cookie press.
  5. We use a Pampered Chef cookie press. We've tried other manufactures and this one works most consistently and has been long lasting. Please note that we didn't have much luck with the electric models sold by Procter-Silex.
  6. Assemble and fill the cookie press with dough. Select an disc for desired shape.
  7. Press cookies on ungreased, uncoated baking sheet.
  8. Bake at 375° F for 10-12 minutes or until light brown just starts to appear around the edges. Do not overbake.
Recipe Notes

Decorate cookies before baking by brushing them with slightly beaten egg white and adding one of the following:

  1. Sprinkle with white or colored granulated sugar.
  2. Place a nut of chocolate chip on center of cookie.
  3. Decorate with small pieces of candied fruit, chopped nuts, coconut or chocolate sprinkles

When using this egg white glaze you may need to increase baking time by about 1 minute.

(Davis family note: We've never used the egg white and it seems to work out).

You can also decorate cookies after baking by:

  1. Placing a small amount of jam or colored frosting on top.
  2. Brushing tops with sugar glaze then sprinkling with chopped nuts, coconut, decorative candy bits, etc.
  3. Roll warm cookies in powedered sugar.
  4. Dip half of cookie in melted semi-sweet chocolate then sprinkle with ground nuts.
  5. Brush with thin glaze.  Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 4-5 teaspoons hot milk, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.  Mix well.
  6. Make sandwich cookies by placing frosting between two cookies.
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Virginia Beach Menu – 2016

The menu plan is still evolving – and probably will evolve even while we are getting crispy in the sun – but here is where we are as of 6/15/16.

  • SeafoodNightSaturday…………Pizza & Calzone
  • Sunday……………Seafood night.  Need to work on alternative for those not having seafood.
  • Monday………….Montreal Chicken
  • Tuesday…………Mexican Night
  • Wednesday……Smoked pork, ribs, corn on the cob
  • Thursday……….Lasagna
  • Friday…………….Leftovers