Independent Travel Agent with Academy Travel

Categories: Fall

Spooktacular Halloween Hop

Updated October 18, 2022: The giveaway has ended and a winner has been chosen and contacted. Thank you all for entering and stay tuned for more giveaways in the future!

Spooky Season is officially here and I am excited to welcome you to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop! I am teaming up with some other bloggers to share some wonderful giveaways with you.

spooktacular halloween hop graphic

Entries will be open from October 3 – 17, 2022. Make sure to get your entries in for a chance to win.

I will be giving away a Spooky Vibes coffee mug from Shop Devine Fairytale to one lucky winner!

white glossy coffee mug with spooky vibes and ghost graphic from shop devine fairytale

Enter the Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway winner will be selected randomly through Rafflecopter. Winner will be contacted by email to confirm their mailing address.

Enter to Win Some Great Items!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Categories: Fall, Recipes

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Mousse with Maple Whipped Cream

Fall is here! If you are in need of an easy, no-bake dessert for Thanksgiving or another fall gathering you are going to love this Pumpkin Cream Cheese Mousse. It is light and fluffy with the perfect taste of fall. Topped with maple whipped cream, you can’t go wrong with this tasty dessert! You can even make this mousse ahead of time if needed.

pumpkin cream cheese mousse with whipped cream and gingersnap cookies

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 6 T. Real Maple Syrup, divided
  • 1 15-oz. can Pumpkin Purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened, cubed
  • 2 T. Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 1 t. Real Vanilla Extract
  • 1/3 c. Half & Half

Optional Ingredients:

  • Pecan Halves, for topping
  • Ground Cinnamon, for dusting
  • Ginger Snap Cookies, for serving

What You’ll Need

  • Hand Mixer
  • Large Bowl
  • Individual Dessert Bowls for serving, if desired

Directions

Prep Time: 10 minutes + time to chill
Cook Time: n/a
Serves: 4-6

  1. Beat the heavy whipping cream in a large bowl with a hand mixer until it doubles in size. Add 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup and continue beating until it is light and fluffy. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  2. Beat the pumpkin purée, cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, half &half, and remaining maple syrup in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer until thoroughly blended.
  3. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. If desired, transfer to individual dessert bowls. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
  4. To serve, remove from refrigerator and top with maple whipped cream, pecans, and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired. Enjoy!

pumpkin cream cheese mousse with maple whipped cream and pecans on top

What is the difference between pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie filling?

Pumpkin purée is pure canned pumpkin. It typically doesn’t have anything else added in; pumpkin should be the only ingredient listed in the can. Pumpkin pie filling is already sweetened and cannot be adjusted to your taste preferences. If you have pumpkin pie filling and need to use it for this recipe, I would not add in any of the spices or sweeteners before at least taste testing the mousse first.

Tips

When making the whipped cream, make sure everything is cold. Chilling the bowl you’ll be using ahead of time will be a big help!

Variations

The pumpkin mousse would pair well with small pieces of spice cake and served as individual trifles. You could even add a layer of crumbled graham crackers!

Storage

The pumpkin cream cheese mousse can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days if needed. I would recommend keeping the mousse and whipped topping separate until you are ready to serve, but it’s a great dessert that you can make ahead of time!

pumpkin mousse with whipped cream and gingersnap cookies

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Mousse with Maple Whipped Cream

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Prep Time 10 mins
Time to Chill 1 hr
Total Time 1 hr 10 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 449 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 6 T Real Maple Syrup divided
  • 15 oz Pumpkin Purée can
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese softened and cubed
  • 2 T Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 1 t Real Vanilla Extract
  • 1/3 cup Half & Half
  • Pecan Halves optional topping
  • Ground Cinnamon for dusting
  • Ginger Snap Cookies for serving

Instructions
 

  • Beat the heavy whipping cream in a large bowl with a hand mixer until it doubles in size.
    1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
  • Add in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and continue beating until it is light and fluffy.
    6 T Real Maple Syrup
  • Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • Beat the pumpkin purée, cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, half & half, and remaining maple syrup in a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer until thoroughly blended.
    15 oz Pumpkin Purée, 8 oz Cream Cheese, 2 T Pumpkin Pie Spice, 1 t Real Vanilla Extract, 1/3 cup Half & Half, 6 T Real Maple Syrup
  • Taste and adjust seasonings, as needed. If desired, transfer to individual dessert bowls. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
  • To serve, remove from refrigerator and top with maple whipped cream, pecans, and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired. Enjoy!
    Pecan Halves, Ground Cinnamon, Ginger Snap Cookies

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 7gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 172mgPotassium: 391mgFiber: 2gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 12451IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 176mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Fall Dessert, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Mousse
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Categories: Fall

Happy Fall: Fall Favorites List

My favorite season of all is fall! I love the cooler weather, football games, and all things pumpkin. Our home is decorated and I’m slowly putting away my summer clothes in my closet. I’ve grabbed my first PSL (pumpkin spice latte) while out running errands. I just love this time of year!

Fall is a great time to try new things, whether it’s a new style of clothing, a new recipe, or a new way to decorate your home. I’m rounding up some of my fall favorites for you below. Hopefully you’ll find a new recipe to try or something to add a little bit of happiness to your home. Most items are linked to make it easy for you to shop or to get more details!

Light color pumpkins for fall favorites blog post

Fall Home Décor

Fall Fashion

Fall Food & Drinks

Fall Activities

What else are you excited about for this upcoming fall season? I would love to hear from you!

Categories: Disney, Fall

Top Tips for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party is a highlight of the fall season at Walt Disney World. From special treats, your favorite characters in their costumes, and exclusive entertainment, you’ll want to hit it all. Just like visiting the theme parks, there are so many exciting things to do and see that it can feel a bit overwhelming trying to get it all done.

Luckily, I have pulled together some of my tried and true MNSSHP tips and tricks to help you have the BEST night ever! These important Disney party tips will help you prioritize your must-dos and focus on the special events that are only available during the Disney Halloween party.

bibbidi bobbidi boo tee on main street with mickey pumpkin

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2022

So let’s get started! Here are some of the top tips to make the most of your Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party experience:

Arrive Early

This is especially important if you want to hit the rides. Party goers are allowed to enter the Magic Kingdom on party nights with their special event ticket starting at 4:00 pm. This is a great time to hit a few of your favorite rides, especially ones that don’t have special Halloween party effects or overlays.

Dress Up

This is the perfect time to show off your creativity with a fun Halloween costume. Costumes are encouraged, just be sure to follow Disney’s guidelines for costumes – nothing too scary!

Get details on what’s acceptable and what’s not according to Walt Disney World on the Disney Parks website. No one wants to be turned away at the gates or sent back to their resort to change.

I personally am a big fan of wearing a fun Disney-inspired Halloween tee and accessories.

Need some ideas for what to wear to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? Take a peek at this blog post to help!

disney halloween tees on couple for mickey's not so scary halloween party

Plan Your Treats

With so many tempting goodies available, it can be tough to resist indulging in everything. Decide what you really want to try and focus on those items. Savory or sweet, you’ll want to get a few yummy items and share bites. That way you won’t overdo it and you’ll enjoy the treats that much more while tasting a bit of several items.

Watch the Fireworks

The Halloween party features a special fireworks show called “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular”. It is definitely worth staying for and is included with your party ticket. The fireworks show is hosted by Jack Skellington from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” This special villain-themed show is so much fun and isn’t available to watch any other time.

Make Sure You See the Halloween Parade

The parade route fills up fast, so get there early to snag a good spot. Mickey’s Boo to You Parade, complete with the Headless Horseman, has two showings during the party, so plan to get in shorter lines during the first show and watch the second. The parade begins in Fronteirland and makes it way down Main Street.

boo to you parade at mickey's not so scary

Many families head back to their rooms with tired little ones after the first show, making the second parade less crowded.

This parade is one of my absolute favorites. I bet the song will be stuck in your head for days afterwards!

boo to you parade at mickey's not so scary halloween party mickey and friends in costumes

Catch the Sanderson Sisters On Stage

The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular show is one of the MNSSHP highlights. The stage show features the Sanderson sisters from the popular movie, Hocus Pocus, and includes appearances by other Disney villains.

It’s a must-watch for sure and you’ll have two chances to enjoy this show.

hocus pocus spelltacular stage show at mickey's not so scary halloween party

Get a Family Photo with Mickey (or Another Special Character)

During the Halloween party, you’ll find Mickey dressed in his Halloween best in the Town Square Theater. The line for photos can get long, so this is another one to either hit early or later in the night.

There are so many other characters to see too. Some of the lines can get pretty long, so keep that in mind. No one wants to waste their whole time at the party waiting in a line so plan accordingly!

stitch dressed in elvis costume at mickey's not so scary halloween party

Plan to Trick or Treat

Trick or treating is one of the reasons to go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party – it’s so much fun! With different stations set up around the park, you can stock up on goodies. You’ll see illuminated inflatables to mark the treat stops throughout the theme park.

mickey's not so scary halloween party treat stop inflatable

You’ll receive a bag at the beginning of the party to collect your candy. If you want a bigger bag for everyone’s candy, I have a canvas tote listed in my shop! When the party is beginning, the lines for the candy can be long. Give it a little bit of time and wait until they start moving more quickly to make the most of your time.

If you have any food allergies, you can collect teal tokens at the treat stops that you can redeem for allergy-friendly treats.

Have Fun!

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is a great opportunity to experience the Magic Kingdom in a different way. Enjoy all the special elements of the party and create some great memories for you and your family.

If you’re looking to make the most of your experience at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, be sure to follow these tips! These are just a few of the great ways to enjoy the party.

glowing mickey pumpkin on main street at mickey's not so scary halloween party

With all the exciting things to experience like watching the fireworks show and the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, your night is sure to be a blast!

Have you been to MNSSHP in the past? What are your best tips for enjoying Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? Let me know in the comments below!

Categories: Fall, Recipes, Seasonal

Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole Recipe

One of my absolute favorite side dishes has to be a green bean casserole. An obvious go-to for Thanksgiving, but also a winner for other meals too. So many of these recipes include canned cream soup or condensed milk, so I wanted to test out a recipe made with plant-based milk (you could also use almond milk) since I partnered with NotMilk™. Plus, it’s actually super easy to make this sauce from scratch! Find out how I made this Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole for the holidays!

ingredients for dairy free green bean casserole

Ingredients

  • Green Beans – 1 pound, trimmed
  • Mushrooms – 8 ounces, sliced
  • Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
  • Olive Oil – 5 tablespoons, divided
  • All-Purpose Flour – 6 tablespoons
  • Vegetable Broth – 1 cup
  • Almond Milk or Plant-Based Milk – 2 cups
  • Salt & Pepper – 1/2 teaspoon each
  • Nutmeg – a pinch
  • Fried Onions -1 1/2 cups, divided

How to Make this Green Bean Casserole

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F
  2. Cook the green beans. Boil a large pot of water and add a pinch of salt. Fill a bowl with cold water and ice for when the beans are cooked. Add the green beans to the boiling water and cook for 5-6 minutes. Then transfer to the bowl of ice water.
  3. Cook the mushrooms. Set a skillet over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the mushrooms for 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  4. Make the sauce. Wipe out the skillet and set over medium heat. Add the remaining olive oil, 4 tablespoons. Stir in the all-purpose flour. Cook about 2 minutes, continuously stirring. Slowly whisk in the vegetable broth and then the almond milk. Continue whisking. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Stir in the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  5. Combine the beans after you strain them, mushrooms, sauce, and 1/2 cup fried onions into a mixing bowl. Stir well.
  6. Transfer the combined ingredients to a casserole dish.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling.
  8. Remove and top with the remaining fried onions, 1 cup.
  9. Bake for 5 more minutes, until crispy on top.
  10. ENJOY!

plated dairy free green bean casserole with baking dish

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