A Walk on the Wild Side

So being in Florida is all grand and everything, but I was beginning to miss my family so I broke down and requested time off and bought a ticket to California!

 I flew out on Saturday September 11th. And let me tell you I had an amazing experience. I had just got to the airport around 8:30am and was almost to the security bag check when a security person went through and ordered everyone to stop what they were doing. Most of the guest waiting to get through were puzzled, and I was one of them. We asked one of the security people what was going on, and they replied that they were having a moment of silence. It was amazing! It was so profound and reverent in that busy airport. It was a privilege to be there for that. There was so much respect for the people that gave their lives on those airplanes and on the ground on September 11, 2001.

(The view from the airplane. This is Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.)

When I got to California I wanted to go to Yosemite, so one Monday my mom, dad, and sister Christina all went to Yosemite. 

(mom, me, and dad below Bridalveil Falls)

(There was not very much water coming off the falls. I was a little disappointed about that.)

(My dad and I at the top of the trail for Bridalveil with the little water that was coming down in the background)

(Christina eating Subway for lunch at Yosemite)

(My parents with their lunch. Dad wanted to eat by the river, but the fence was blocking us from it so this is the closest we could get.)

(Christina looking crazy)

(Sisters!!)

Of course dad has to fish while we are up here. We left him for a few hours but when we went to go get him he was not done fishing. So we hung around and I took a few pictures

(dad fishing when we first got back to him)

(Mom got comfortable, she know this might take a while)

(Me just goofing around. You can see my dad still fishing over my shoulder.)

(I love this picture of my dad fishing)

So I was sitting on a rock reading my book when my dad yells my name. He had caught a fish and wanted me to take a picture of it. I tried but I was to far way. This was the best one I could get. So I tried to run as fast as I could over the rocks without falling or cutting myself. Just as I got to him and looked up the fish swam away. It was so sad.

(you can see the little splashes from the fish in the water)

So I stayed closer to him after that. He finally did catch another fish!

(catching the fish with the net)

The man with his kill (well sort of, he let it go after)

(I was so proud of him!)

Here are a few of the pretty pictures that I took while on our trip

(Half Dome)

(A random tree and the river)

(The river by Happy Isles)

Ultimate Chicken Fingers

I love trying out new recipes. Some turn out disgusting, while most turn out great. Tonight I was looking around for an idea for dinner and I happened upon this recipe in the most peculiar  place, my Bisquick box. I made it, and they were AMAZING and so easy (with easy clean up also).

Ultimate Chicken Fingers

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips

2/3 cup Original Bisquick mix

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp salt or garlic salt

1/2 tsp paprika

1 egg, slightly beaten

3 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted

Heat oven to 450. Line cookie sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. In 1-gallon resealable food storage bag, mix Bisquick mix, cheese, salt, and paprika.

Dip half the chicken strips into egg; place in bag. Seal bag; shake to coat. Place chicken on cookie sheet. Repeat to use up remaining chicken. Drizzle butter over chicken.

Bake 12-14 mins, turn halfway through bake time with pancake turner, until no longer pink in center.

I cut up a red potato and put some of the butter and salt and pepper on it and baked it with the chicken. It turned out very good. I hope you have a great time with this recipe and also others that you find like I found this one. 

You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!!

The first two months I work at Typhoon Lagoon I worked at Happy Landings, which is our ice cream shop. We sale sundaes, cones, and the infamous Garbage Pail. It has Vanilla and Chocolate ice cream, hot fudge, carmel, strawberry sauce, waffle cones pieces, walnuts, oreo pieces, whipped cream, sprinkles and cherries all served in a sand pail to be eaten with a shovel. 

Of course I had to get a picture with me and my first Garbage Pail!!!

This one I actually came with Ashley to Typhoon Lagoon before I had to go to work. She hung around until I went on break and I met up with her and we came and got a Garbage Pail. Half way through she tells me that she is not a sweets person...yicks! I was determined to finish the thing by myself. Needless to say I had to go back to work before I could get the whole thing done. I was so sick from eating to fast and I had to go back to Happy Landings to work. It was pain to look at that ice cream after that.

Typhoon Lagoon is not the only place that has a big bowl stuffed with ice cream...we have the Kitchen Sink!

One evening my roommates and I got a few people together and we went to try to devour this monstrosity. Here is a few pictures of the night and our conquest.

It starts by going to the Yacht and Beach Club resorts and finding the restaurant Beaches and Cream.It's small so you may have to wait to get in. We found a lounge right by to wait in the air-conditioning.  

Then you look for the Kitchen Sink on the menu and order it!! YUMMY!!

After all you need to do is take some random pictures while you wait. Like these...

I took a lot of really random pictures and Christian was the only one paying attention and smiling in ALL of them. Way to be the star Christian

Jenna and her BIG green eyes! I love you!

Now when it arrives you must hold off for a few minutes while you get a group picture with it

 and then you have to be selfish and take a picture by yourself with it. (he he he you could fool people with it saying you ate it by yourself later)

But everyone knows you shared :)

And NOW you can dig it!

Then the question comes...."Did you finish it?"...Well did we?...

HECK YES WE DID!!!!

Soooo Knocked Ooovveeerrrr!!