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The 45th Annual Mesopotamia Ox Roast

Mesopotamia

I spent today in a small town that’s dear to my heart: Mesopotamia, Ohio, home of the famous Ox Roast. Mespo, as it’s affectionately called, is a small town in Northeast Ohio. nestled in a bucolic setting. Approximately 3000 people live in the township, many of them Amish. The center of the town has a green at the intersections of State Routes 87 and 534, known as the “Commons.” Twenty-eight buildings surround the square–21 of which were built before the civil war. The cemetery dates from 1818; several generations of my family are buried there. Continue reading “The 45th Annual Mesopotamia Ox Roast”

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Early Risers: Making the Most of Your Time at Walt Disney World

Most of us have heard Benjamin Franklin’s saying ” Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise;” however, many people have not applied that wisdom to the Walt Disney World Resort. However, we like to make the most of our vacation. By waking up early, we can do and see more than most people do at Disney. Continue reading “Early Risers: Making the Most of Your Time at Walt Disney World”

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Independence Day: Remembering Our Dog on Her Gotcha Day

Today’s post isn’t about traveling–it’s about staying home. It’s about our family, a family that is missing an important member today, our chocolate lab Indy. And, while I may be crying as I write, it’s not a sad post; it’s a remembrance of the joy this special dog brought to our lives. Continue reading “Independence Day: Remembering Our Dog on Her Gotcha Day”

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Zoo Membership: Discovering the Magic

Kids love animals, and a visit to the zoo is fun and educational for both children and adults. Living in northeast Ohio, we are blessed to have several within a two-hour drive, including Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Erie, and Akron. This year, we decided to become members once again.  Continue reading “Zoo Membership: Discovering the Magic”

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Dining at Walt Disney World: Seven Ways to Minimize Costs and Maximize Your Food Dollars

Seven Easy Ways to Save Money on Food During Your Disney Vacation

Food at the Walt Disney World Resort can be expensive.  Believe it or not, the average character dinner buffet costs approximately $46 per adult and $26 per child ages 3-9. These calculations don’t even include the most coveted reservation of all: dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom’s iconic castle which runs $70-$80 per adult and $38-46 per child depending on the time of year.   No doubt about it, eating out at Disney is not cheap. However, there are ways to minimize your costs if you plan correctly. Here are seven easy ways to minimize food costs while enjoying your time at the most magical place on Earth. Continue reading “Dining at Walt Disney World: Seven Ways to Minimize Costs and Maximize Your Food Dollars”

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Top Three Books to Plan the Perfect Disney Trip

For many families, a trip to Walt Disney World is a once in a lifetime opportunity. For others, it’s a yearly tradition.  In the 47 years since opening day, Disney World has become an international destination with nearly 20 million visitors each year. The days when you could pop into a park and just wing it are gone (unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to live nearby and have an annual pass). Disney takes planning if you have time constraints and a limited budget, and the best way to plan includes books. Continue reading “Top Three Books to Plan the Perfect Disney Trip”

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Traveling to Canada: Border Requirements for U.S. Citizens

Living less than 150 miles from the U.S.-Canadian border and having family on the other side, we travel to Canada several times a year.  I often have people ask questions about border documentation, especially since the passport requirements came into effect in 2007. There are several misconceptions when it comes to traveling with children.

Canoeing on Long Lake

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Disney Dreaming

I’m busy here planning our next trip to…Where else? The most magical place on Earth–Walt Disney World in Florida! We don’t usually go away in the summer due to Dennis’s job, and this year is no exception.  It’s actually worse because he and my brother are buying Dennis’s company. See me if you need a mover in Northeast Ohio or Northwestern Pennsylvania–I happen to know a few. Here’s a link to Dennis’s company and another to my brother-in-law Mike’s company. Continue reading “Disney Dreaming”

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Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory

Niagara Falls is a short 3 1/2 hours away for us, so it’s great for a weekend getaway. One place that I’d always wanted to visit was the Butterfly Conservatory, located at 2565 Niagara Parkway on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, so one weekend, Dennis and I decided to drive up. Continue reading “Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory”

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Cliffs of Moher

The view at the Cliffs of Moher is an iconic portrait of the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, one that graces tourism sites and brochures. That being said, I wasn’t too optimistic about our actual chances of seeing the cliffs. The weather is often foggy, and while nearly one million people visit each year, many don’t even catch a glimpse of the famous sight. My friend Wanda had warned me that we probably wouldn’t be able to see anything–her own picture at the Cliffs of Moher had been taken in front of a panoramic photo in the ladies’ washroom.

Continue reading “Cliffs of Moher”