Author: Tracy Cleland

Tracy Cleland is a middle school teacher, wife, mother, and grandmother. She loves to visit new places and share her experiences with the world.
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Daffin’s Chocolate Kingdom

If you live in Northwest Pennsylvania or Northeast Ohio, you’ve probably heard of Kraynak’s and Daffin’s. These two stores are located only two miles apart on the same street; one in Sharon, PA, and the other in Hermitage, PA. And, both of them are wonderful places to visit throughout the year. However, spring is an especially great time to take your family to visit these two shops.

Last Saturday we had two of the grandbabies  for the day. Ady had gymnastics in downtown Sharon in the morning, so we decided to take her and Josh to visit some of our favorite Easter places–Daffin’s and Kraynak’s.

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Where to Find Cinderella at Walt Disney World

When our daughter, Meghan, was young, she loved Cinderella. She watched the video EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  She watched it so many times that I just knew that when we went to Walt Disney World, we weren’t coming home until she met her favorite princess. Fortunately, I knew just where to find Cinderella. And, with a little luck and some pixie dust, I was able to make the perfect  reservations so my little Meg could meet her favorite character.

Many little girls (and big ones too) love Cinderella. She’s the perfect heroine–she perseveres despite her evil stepmother and awful stepsisters. She is kind and loving, and she definitely deserves the perfect Prince Charming.  Luckily for us, Cindy can be found in many places throughout Walt Disney World which makes her one of the easiest princesses to meet.

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Reading Roundup: February 2019

February is a wonderful month for reading. It’s still winter which means it’s a great time to curl up on the sofa with a cup of steaming hot cocoa, a warm, fluffy blanket, and a great book.  This month, I was able to take advantage of my time indoors with several great books.

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Utah and Nevada: Vacation Planning 101

I’m currently in the middle of planning our next trip. Because it’s my big birthday trip, I was supposed to be surprised. However, that’s not how it’s worked out. Dennis did have some great ideas, but none of them worked out with the time we have off work. Somehow, exactly how I’m not sure, I took over planning, and it’s been a quagmire from almost the beginning. I wanted to say “disaster,” but it’s not quite as bad as it could be. However, we will be headed out west, no matter what. Our plans now involve visiting Utah and Nevada.

Pinterest pin with photo of Arches National Park in winter for Utah Parks and Las Vegas
Vacation planning for the Utah National Parks and Las Vegas

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Disney’s Boma: A Restaurant Review

On our recent trip to Walt Disney World, we were determined to eat at every single restaurant that the Animal Kingdom Lodge housed. (Okay, I was determined; Dennis didn’t care as long as he got to eat.) The only restaurant that we’d been to before was Boma, the buffet featuring African specialties along with American favorites.

Open for both breakfast and dinner, Boma is a buffet specializing in dishes from 50 different African countries served alongside familiar American favorites. Guests dine under thatched roofs, surrounded by brilliant colors which invoke the vibrant textiles found in Africa. We’d eaten dinner there before, but hadn’t ever visited for breakfast. Because we would be staying at Jambo House, I made both breakfast and dinner reservations for our long weekend stay.

Disney's Boma Restaurant buffet at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is a feast for the senses. Continue reading “Disney’s Boma: A Restaurant Review”

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Reading Roundup: January 2019

One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2019 was to keep a list of the books I’ve read. I read a lot, but I’ve never managed to keep up with a list. This year I decided to write down the books I finish in my calendar and share them with you. So far, it’s working well. Without further ado, here is my January reading list.

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Where in the World is Donald Duck? Disney World, That Is

Headed to Disney World? Want to see your favorite duck? If you’re looking for places to find Donald Duck at Walt Disney World, here’s your list!

Donald Duck, that quick-tempered, yet lovable creature, is one of Disney’s Fab Five. Donald and his girlfriend Daisy are friends with Mickey, Minnie, and the gang.  “Born” in 1934,  Donald marks his 85th birthday on June 9 this year. Fans of Donald can find him throughout the parks, dressed in his iconic blue sailor suit with canary yellow trim and a bright red bow or in various other outfits. Donald is popular with fans of all ages, and even today’s little ones are familiar with Donald through his appearances on The Disney Channel’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse program.

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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: A Room with a View

Looking to splurge a little on your next Walt Disney World adventure? Love exotic animals? Look no further–Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is for you!

While there are several impressive hotels on property, many of them are priced well beyond the scope of my everyday budget. However, when the opportunity to book the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Dennis’s dream hotel, came through the mail in the form of a generous pin code discount, I threw caution to the wind and booked it.

So, why should the average person splurge on Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge? There are several reasons, including the exotic animals, the magnificent lobby, the amazing restaurants, the impressive artwork, and the knowledgeable cultural ambassadors.

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Niagara Falls: Winter’s Wonderland

Niagara Falls is a magical place, no matter what time of year. While many people think of the falls as a spring or summer tourist destination, there is plenty to see and do throughout the year. Winter gives the viewer an entirely different perspective of these magnificent waterfalls, especially when they are surrounded by snow and ice. Plus, if you visit between mid- November and January 31, you be able to see the beautiful Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights.

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Easy Appetizers Everyone Will Love

It’s the time of the year for parties–Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and even the Superbowl. If you’re invited to a  party or are hosting your own, appetizers are an important part of the menu that shouldn’t be overlooked.  Here are three easy go-to appetizer recipes everyone will rave over.

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