Sunday

Happy Easter Pals & Gals!

Hope yours is an Eggs-tra Special Day!!!Magic Kingdom Easter Parade
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Photo Flashback

Circa 1986

Friday

New Disney Line for Dogs at PetSmart ~ Review


Einstein Meets Mickey! 
Recently PetSmart® introduced a new Disney line of pet apparel and toys which I wrote about in an article, HERE. I was super excited when PetSmart® sent us a surprise package for review. We immediately called in our pet product expert and Disney dog Einstein to assist in the review. 

Einstein loves presents and whenever the UPS or FedEx trucks bring packages to the house he assumes they are for him. When the PetSmart® Disney goodies arrived he knew it was for him and couldn't wait to see what was inside the pretty crinkly wrapping paper.

While Ein sat patiently staring up at the package I put on the cute red Mickey bandana. It fit perfectly around his neck and was super easy to put on with the Velcro tabs. No more getting hair stuck in the knot or struggling to untie the knot while he wiggles around.  PetSmart® has a Minnie Mouse bandana in pink and I saw a Kermit style if that’s more your dog’s style.

New PetSmart Disney Apparel and Toy Line

When it was time to get all decked out in the Mickey and Pluto "Hug it Out" t-shirt I found it to be a super soft material that's easy to get on and off even for a long legged furbaby like Einstein. This was a size large and I realize now I should have asked for an XL to allow for all of his fur. He weighs 45lbs which is a large but his heavy coat makes him more of an XL. He looked adorable and I think he felt pretty cute too in his Mickey duds!


New PetSmart Disney Apparel and Toy Line
As you can see from his worried look in the picture on the bottom left, he didn't want to let go of the Mickey plush toy. He just wanted to play not pose for the camera. Mickey squeaks and the cloth fringe is fun to tug on. It's light enough to toss in the air. He cuddles with it, sleeps with it, plays with it and the true sign of his love - he brings it to the door to greet everyone who enters the house. 
The new Disney PetSmart® Mickey gets a 4 paws approval rating from Einstein.

There's quite a variety of Disney styles in the line. You’ll find some really cute toys, leashes, bandanas, t-shirts and bows featuring characters such as Tinkerbell, Tigger, Donald Duck, Pluto, Mickey, Minnie, Miss Piggy, Disney Princesses, Grumpy and more. Let's just say the whole gang is at PetSmart®.
Do you shop for souvenirs for your pets while you are in Disney World? I do! It's a lot of fun bringing home surprises for Einstein. Last time we bought a set of Mickey body parts. I love that we can now get our Disney fix by shopping online or at our local PetSmart®

To celebrate the introduction of the new Disney line, pet parents can enter to win a grand prize of $10,000 in the PetSmart® “Pin It to Win It” sweepstakes featuring the Disney products, March 4 through April 1 on PetSmart’s Facebook page. The Facebook photo gallery will showcase nine new Disney products each week and allows fans to pin their favorites directly to their Pinterest accounts. For every one product pinned per day, contestants have a chance to win one of 15 weekly prizes and are entered into the $10,000 grand prize drawing.  No purchase is necessary to enter or win.
Check back! We will be offering a PetSmart® Gift Card Giveaway as part of our Super Spring Giveaways!



Focused on the Magic Disclosure

Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday ~ Disney Hats Oh My!


Disney+Wordless+Wednesday+Blog+Hop Focused on the Magic
Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

This week's theme is Disney Hats, Caps, Bonnets and BowsSilly, saucy, big and small, we all wear them. Let's share them! 
Disney Hats Layout Focused on the Magic
The template used in this page of our park hats and headgear is from Mousescrappers Week #160 Template Challenge. I had a good time looking through our pictures but choosing just a few was really difficult. We love our hats!

Monday

Stuff Your Easter Basket GIVEAWAY!

Stuff Your Easter Basket Giveaway
4 Prizes = 4 Winners
Are you ready for another Super Spring Giveaway?
I have teamed up with my friend Jodi at the Magical Mouse Schoolhouse to bring you super Disney prizes this week! There are 4 separate GIVEAWAY gifts to STUFF YOUR EASTER BASKET!

  • Wreck-It Ralph DVD
  • $25 Disney Gift Card (image on card may vary from one pictured)
  • Bohemian-style Mickey-inspired Vinyl Decal
  • Disney’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2 CD
4 prizes = 4 winners!
Contest opens at midnight Central US time on March 25, and closes at 11:59 PM on Saturday, March 30, 2013. We will announce winners Easter Sunday!

Remember to enter all optional choices to increase your chances of winning. 

Good luck! 
Happy Easter!

Dooney & Bourke Disney Parks Handbag Giveaway

Dooney & Bourke Disney Parks Charms Barrel Bag Giveaway

I am super excited today to announce a new Disney Dooney Giveaway here at Focused on the MagicI have teamed up with a great group of Disney Bloggers to offer one lucky winner a Dooney & Bourke Disney Parks Charms Barrel Bag! 

My "Charms" bag is one of my favorites. It's perfect for around town and in the parks. Someone will be delighted to receive this lovely Dooney prize, but to win it, you need to enter, which you can do right here on this blog post!

The contest will run from Midnight, March 25, 2013 until 11:59PM, April 1st, 2013 — and no, this is NOT an elaborate April Fools Joke!

Winners will be notified by email at the email provided in the Rafflecopter entry form within 48 hours of contest closing. Any winner notification not responded to or returned as undeliverable may result in prize forfeiture and another winner will be chosen. 

To enter, you need to complete the entries listed in the Rafflecopter code below. Make sure you enter, and keep checking back, because you can tweet about the giveaway, and you can share the contest, all for extra entries! Thanks, and good luck everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Special thanks to the great group of Disney sites who have participated and made this giveaway possible! Make sure you stop by and visit their sites. 
My Dreams of Disney 
Magical Mouse Schoolhouse
Disney’s Cheapskate Princess
Magical Vacations by Me
The Disney Tip Curator

Focused on the Magic (you are here)

Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday ~ Welcome Spring!


Disney+Wordless+Wednesday+Blog+Hop Focused on the Magic
Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

This week's theme is Spring Fever to celebrate the first day of Spring! 
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Time to link up!

Tuesday

Our Favorite Restaurants Outside the Parks

The Garden Grove at The Swan and Dolphin Resort
Garden Grove 
When it comes to dining outside of our usual Walt Disney World favorite locations my first choice is The Garden Grove Restaurant located in the Swan & Dolphin Resort Hotel.
I've dined at the Garden Grove quite a few times with my husband and two sons, with just one son and as a large multi-generational family group. 

I have never had a problem getting a last minute Advanced Dining Reservation ( ADR), even during the busiest of times, they have always found openings for us. It is my "go to" dining spot when the parks are crowded for festivals or holidays or when I haven't an ADR in my plan at all. It's so difficult to plan where we are going to have dinner months in advance. I like knowing I can go here at almost the last minute and have a wonderful dining experience.
Goofy at the Garden Grove The decor is reminiscent of a tranquil Central Park with a paper lantern decorated 25 foot oak tree as the focal point of the large circular dining room surrounded by tremendous windows. At night the lights in the tree twinkle creating a lovely atmosphere. It is casual table service dining experience. The food is great and the servers are always very attentive and friendly.


The Garden Grove manages to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters in our family with nightly themed all-you-can-eat dinner buffets.
  • Friday night the theme is called "Seafood Sensation" with seafood offerings from lobster to shrimp. There is even beef on the menu which is a welcome sight for my husband who doesn't care for seafood. The Garden Grove prides itself in being gluten free too but you will have to mention any other dietary restrictions to your server. They are very accomodating. I find there is always some great choices for my lactose free son.
  • Sunday, Monday and Wednesday the theme is "Southern Barbeque". Examples of dinner offerings are Smoked Beef Brisket to North Carolina Pulled Pork. I'm not a big barbeque person and even I enjoy those nights.
  • Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday is "Mediterranean Night" and my favorite menu with Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken, Beef Bourguignon and Mrs Cibs Meatballs to name a few.

Sunday

Raglan Road Irish Soda Bread Recipes

Raglan Road Pub and Restaurant in Disney Springs is known for its festive atmosphere and traditional Irish foodie fare. One of the most irresistible dishes is the Irish Soda Bread.

Every year about this time  I make sure I either make or purchase Irish Soda Bread. Our local Wegman's bakery had just made fresh loaves when I walked in so it was a buy for me this St. Patrick's Day.

The amazing chef behind the traditional recipes served at Raglan Road is Chef Kevin Dundon. Here he is in this video showing us just how we can create Irish Soda Bread in our own home.

 What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's  Day! 
Need a little more kick in your Soda Bread? Check out this wonderful Irish Brown Bread with Guinness Reduction recipe from Disney Parks.
I like to make Irish Soda Bread at home with raisins for sweetness and Kerrygold Irish Cream Butter for added richness.

Irish Soda bread, Focused on the Magic


Irish Soda Bread

Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice (I use 4 tablespoons of Kerrygold Irish Butter)
1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
optional: 1 cup dried currants or raisins, a sprinkle of caraway seeds
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants or raisins with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.

Knead the dough on a well-floured board or marble slab to form a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. 


Bake for 45 to 55 minutes. Tap the top of the loaf, it should sound hollow.

Cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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Focused on the Magic Happy St. Patrick's Day, Mickey  Ear hat
Saol fada chugat,
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
For More Food Favorites Click Here.

Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday ~ Flowers and Gardens

Disney+Wordless+Wednesday+Blog+Hop Focused on the Magic
Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.

There is a theme each week that you can follow if you wish. This week's theme is Flowers & Gardens in honor of The 20th International Flower & Garden Festival. If you'd like to read my article about the festival you can find it HERE.

Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, Focused on the Magic


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Time to link up!
  • No linky posts allowed (it would take away from the other bloggers linked up here) and a direct URL to your post.
  • Please leave a comment below after you link up and tell me what you think of the theme, my picture and whatever else is on your mind this week! I love reading your comments!
  • Help spread the word in the Disney Facebook and Twitter online community about your post and the hop. The great success of this hop is because you spread the pixie dust with your efforts each week!       Thank you!

Focused On The Magic
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Thursday

PetSmart® Introduces New Disney Pet Products


“Pin” Disney Products on Facebook for a Chance to Win $10,000




Mickey Mouse Tee

 Top Paw™ Mickey Mouse Tee 


NEWS – PetSmart® has introduced a new line of Disney pet apparel and toys. Characters such as Donald Duck, Tinker Bell, Kermit the Frog, Tigger and, of course, Mickey Mouse will add fun and magic to more than 30 new products available at all PetSmart stores in North America and at www.PetSmart.com.

“Disney characters have a special place in many pet parents’ hearts, and this new PetSmart collection allows them to share the magic of Disney with their pets in a fun and fashionable way,” said Laurie Taylor, PetSmart’s vice president of dog and cat hardgoods.

From bandanas and tees to ropes and squeaky toys, the new assortment of Disney products includes:

  • Tinker Bell Flirt Dress: Hot pink trim, black lace and Tinker Bell provide a little fairy magic to a dog’s day.




  • Tigger Plush Rope Stick: This durable rope toy will keep up with dogs that have Tigger’s boundless enthusiasm. The large plush head squeaks, and the tongue and ears are great for tugging play.



  • Mickey Mouse Point Tee:  The “I’m with Goofy” imprint helps dogs point out their goofy pet parents with the help of Mickey Mouse on this fun blue shirt.

Mickey Mouse Toy ~ Focused on the Magic
  • Minnie Mouse Bottle Cruncher: With lots of texture and fun crunching sounds that come from the plastic water bottle hidden inside, this pink and pretty toy will keep dogs busy and happy.

  • Kermit the Frog Tee: Of course it’s green! With Kermit’s friendly face, it’s perfect for lounging around the house or for a walk in the park.

To celebrate the introduction of these products, pet parents can enter to win a grand prize of $10,000 in the PetSmart “Pin It to Win It” sweepstakes featuring the Disney products, March 4 through April 1 on PetSmart’s Facebook page. 
The Facebook photo gallery will showcase nine new Disney products each week and allows fans to pin their favorites directly to their Pinterest accounts. For every one product pinned per day, contestants have a chance to win one of 15 weekly prizes and are entered into the $10,000 grand prize drawing.  No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

To view the Disney collection at PetSmart, visit: http://www.petsmart.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=19565426
Kermit Tee ~ Focused on the Magic

About PetSmart and why I promote them:
Since 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc., an independent non-profit animal welfare organization and the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, has provided more than $165 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities®, PetSmart has helped save the lives of more than 5 million pets.

Follow PetSmart on Twitter: @PetSmart
Find PetSmart on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PetSmart
See PetSmart on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/PetSmart


I'm really excited about this new line of pet products. My dog Einstein is going to love the Mickey Mouse Bottle Cruncher. What do you think of the of Disney PetSmart merchandise?

Tuesday

Wordless Wednesday ~ Epcot In Spring

Disney+Wordless+Wednesday+Blog+Hop Focused on the Magic

Welcome to The Disney Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop here at Focused on the Magic.com where each week we gather with other Disney Bloggers to link up and share our Wordless Wednesday or Almost Wordless Wednesday Disney related picture posts.
There is a theme each week that you can follow if you wish. This week's theme is your March calendar shot. Post a picture that you feel best represents the month of March and one you would put on your calendar if you were to make one.
When I think of March in Disney World I'm reminded of beautiful sunshine filled days, St. Patrick's Day celebrations, The Flower & Garden Festival and Easter.

Epcot in Spring Flower & Garden Festival




Tiggerific Trivia ~ Tribute to Irish Poet Patrick Kavanagh


Patrick Kavanagh, Irish Poet, Bronze Statue, Downtown Disney


Just before you enter the Raglan Road pub in Downtown Disney there's a  bronze statue of the great Irish poet, Patrick Kavanagh sitting on a park bench. 
Regarded as one of the foremost poets of the 20th century, Patrick Kavanagh's best known works include the novel Tarry Flynn and the poems Raglan Road (thus the name of the pub) and The Great Hunger. Patrick Kavanagh was often seen relaxing alone on a park bench by the Grand canal in Dublin. 
When he passed away in 1967 after a long struggle with lung cancer, he was commemorated with a statue by the banks of the Grand canal in Dublin. 
To this day, after every St. Patrick's Day parade you'll find his friends gathering at the bench. 
Today, a specially commissioned replica is found right outside The Raglan Road Pub and Restaurant in Downtown Disney!


Raglan Road


On Raglan Road on an autumn day I met her first and knew that her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue; 

I saw the danger, yet I walked along the enchanted way, And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day. 
On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion's pledge,
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay -O I loved too much and by such and such is happiness thrown away.
I gave her gifts of the mind I gave her the secret sign that's known
To the artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone
And word and tint. I did
 not stint for I gave her poems to say.
With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking n
ow 

Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow that I had wooed not as I should a creature made of clay -When the angel woos the clay he'd lose his wings at the dawn of day.

~ Patrick Kavanagh

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Focused on the Magic Deb
 Focused on the Magic Disney Tiggerific Trivia fun


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