The One About Glitter, Dreams, and the Little Mermaid

We were doing something that we’ve done dozens of times - Alexis and I were cuddled up on the couch watching The Little Mermaid. It is and has always been her favorite Disney movie, but for some reason, we hadn’t watched it together in probably a year or so.

Still, I should have figured it out sooner.

As Alexis focused on the action happening on the screen, occasionally reciting lines of the movie along with the characters, I sat focused on Alexis.  She is the kid who has never met a shiny thing she didn’t want to own. She marvels at the world every time she turns a corner. She walks through life swishing her tail and singing a song. She has her own voice, her own way of viewing the world, and she’s going to follow her heart no matter what anybody says.

Sound familiar?

I should have realized it years ago. After all, the writing was on the GIANT MIRRORED WALL.

Ariel. Ariel is and has always been Alexis’ favorite Disney Princess. Ariel. Alexis. Ariel = Alexis.

Is there a correlation between your favorite Disney Princess and your personality? I can’t say for sure, but at least in the case of Alexis, HOOBOY, IS THERE EVER.

(An aside, my favorite Disney Princess is Jasmine. You know, the stubborn, independent cat lover. Ummm … yeah.)

There is one glaring difference between The Little Mermaid and Alexis’ life, however. While King Triton was busy trying to force Ariel to live her life the way he wanted her to live it, I’m all FOLLOW THAT PATH, GIRL! I don’t need Alexis to run away and give her voice to an evil sea witch for me to figure out that she’s a very different person from me. Her happiness is dependent on her finding her voice and following her dreams.

Alexis and I may never agree on the value of sparkly things, the importance of pompoms, or the joy to be found in singing a song all day long, but she knows I love her all the same. Glitter and all.

The Little Mermaid will be available for the first time on Blu-ray Combo Pack and HD Digital October 1^st. To celebrate, Disney and BlogHer are offering you a chance to win $50 Visa Gift Card and a Little Mermaid Diamond Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack. To enter to win, just tell me in the comments below: How do you encourage your children to follow their dreams?

Rules:
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d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 9/9/13 - 10/15/13.
Be sure to visit the Disney's Little Mermaid page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Flaming Pineapple Rings

Given that I have a desperate need to bake things near constantly, I'm often looking for excuses. What's that? You're having a birthday in the next six months? OK! I'm making cupcakes and blaming you!

It happens all of the time.

But sometimes in my quest to figure out the exact right kind of cupcake, it occurs to me that she really likes to set food on fire. Can I set food on fire and blame it on someone's birthday?

YES, I CAN.

A zillion years ago I was in Chicago for work and nearly died happy after eating something very similar to this. I wasn't able to find an exact recipe that seemed like it would replicate the majesty that was the flaming pineapple I had on that trip, but I seem to have stumbled onto something equally good. And, it was easy. WAY easier than I expected.

AND I GOT TO SET FOOD ON FIRE! TWICE! Because I always test recipes at least twice!

Next I have to figure out how I can set some cupcakes on fire. THAT would be perfection.

Flaming Pineapple Rings

2 pineapples, cored and cut into thick (about 1/3") rings
1 can coconut milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark rum

1. Find yourself a disposable cake pan. It's not essential, but it does make it much easier. Layer the pineapple in the pan. Pour the coconut milk over it (Uh, stir the coconut milk before you try pouring it out of the can -- TRUST ME ON THIS. Ahem.). Allow it to sit for a bit -- at least an hour.

2. Flip the pineapple. Then sprinkle the sugar on top of the pineapple just before it's time to cook it.

3. If your grill is sticky, spray it with some nonstick grill spray. We have a new-ish grill, so I was able to put the pineapple directly on it without any sort of intervention. Grill the pineapple until it just barely starts to brown, being sure to turn it at least once.

4. Pour the excess coconut milk and pineapple juice out of your pan. Fun fact: that particular blend of awesome is OUTSTANDING added to a smoothie.

5. Place the pineapple back in your pan. Set your pan on the grill, which can be turned off. We're just using the grill because I'm paranoid and don't want to set the house on fire.

6. Pour the rum over the pineapple.

7. Set it on fire.

8. Enjoy the show.

9.The fire will extinguish itself. It will be a sad moment when the fire stops burning, but that's OK, because now you get to eat the pineapple.

10. It's crazy good all by itself, but it's even crazier good served with Toasted Coconut Gelato from Market District.

Now I just need to figure out that flaming cupcake thing ...

Soon.

40-foot rubber ducky + Pittsburgh = WE WILL RACE YOU THERE.