Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PS3) for $19.99 (33% off) + eligible for Free Shipping!

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

by Namco

Platform: PlayStation 3 | Rated: Everyone 10+

4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (380 customer reviews)

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All-Star Production - LEVEL-5's mastery of the RPG genre is combined with Studio Ghibli's world-class animation and music composed by the renowned Joe Hisaishi

Another World - Stunning visuals, made possible by utilizing the full capabilities of the hardware, create the world of Ni no Kuni and immerses players into Oliver's journey within this vibrant, animated world

Captivating Story - A charming and tragic tale unfolds including animation storyboarded and created by Studio Ghibli with English and Japanese voice overs

 Role Playing Mastery - New and traditional RPG elements expertly crafted and designed featuring dozens of locations to explore, hundreds of creatures to battle and a wealth of quests and secrets to uncover throughout the sweeping journey

Dynamic Fights - Freely switch control of characters and familiars in an exciting battle system that combines real-time and turn-based tactical elements

The Lion King (Two-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray / DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (1994) for $17.78 (56% off) + eligible for Free Shipping!

The Lion King (Two-Disc Diamond Edition Blu-ray / DVD Combo in Blu-ray Packaging) (1994)

Matthew Broderick (Actor), Niketa Calame (Actor), Roger Allers (Director), Rob Minkoff (Director) | Rated: G | Format: Blu-ray

4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,407 customer reviews)

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Helter Seltzer Mocktail Recipe!

What you'll need

• 1 cup corn syrup
• 10 drops red food coloring
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 2 cans lychee nuts, drained (about 24)
• 24 maraschino cherries, chilled
• 24 skewers or toothpicks
• 1 liter seltzer water, chilled

How to make it

1. For the blood: In a small mixing bowl, add the corn syrup, food coloring and vanilla extract. Mix together well and sent aside.
2. For the eyeballs: Begin with the lychee nuts. Insert a maraschino into the hole of each lychee nut and drizzle with extra blood syrup. Insert a skewer or toothpick into each "eyeball" to secure the cherry.
3. For the mocktail: To serve the cocktail, drizzle the blood syrup around the rim of each glass and let it drip down. Pour the seltzer into the glass and garnish with an eyeball.
4. For the Eyeball Highball: Prepare the cocktail as noted above and add a splash of vanilla vodka.

 Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/helter-seltzer

Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins Recipe!

Makes 18 muffins

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup melted butter or 1/4 cup margarine
1 cup blueberries, washed and drained

Directions:

1 Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl; set aside.

2 Combine egg, buttermilk, and butter; mix well.

3 Make a well in center of dry ingredients; pour in liquid ingredients.

4 Stir just until moistened.

5 Fold in blueberries.

6 Fill greased muffin pans 2/3 full.

7 Bake at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

8 Remove from pan immediately.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/blueberry-buttermilk-muffins-29383

Check out two animation cels from the never-before-seen Mickey Mouse short "Get A Horse!" from Walt Disney Animation Studios

MUSIC IS IN THE AIR – An animation cel showcases Mickey Mouse as he invites his favorite gal pal Minnie to join him on a musical haywagon ride in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ never-before-seen short “Get A Horse!” Featuring Walt Disney himself as the voice of Mickey, “Get A Horse!” is a black-and-white, hand-drawn theatrical short that makes its North American debut in 9 days.

HERE COMES TROUBLE – Peg-Leg Pete interrupts Mickey Mouse and his favorite gal pal Minnie in this animation cel as they delight in a musical haywagon ride in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ never-before-seen short “Get A Horse!” Featuring Walt Disney himself as the voice of Mickey, “Get A Horse!” is a black-and-white, hand-drawn theatrical short that makes its North American debut in 9 days.

Coffee Milkshake Recipe!

Makes 1 milkshake

Ingredients:

2 ounces strong coffee, chilled
4 ounces cold milk
4 scoops starbucks italian roast coffee ice cream

Directions:

1 To make double strength coffee, measure 1 2/3 cups of Starbucks coarsely ground coffee into a 12-cup coffee press.

2 Add water that has just come to a boil.

3 Allow to brew 4 minutes, then push plunger down.

4 Pour into an ice-filled pitcher.

5 Combine coffee, milk and ice cream in a blender and blend until smooth.

6 Makes 1 serving.

7 (Rachael Ray and Paula Deen both add sugar to their shakes, and I've started adding at least one packet of Splenda to mine. Just makes them so much better).

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/coffee-milkshake-96575

Thank Heaven! Copycat Cherry 7-Eleven Slurpee Recipe!

What you'll need

• 1 1/2 cups chilled club soda or water (club soda is more authentic-tasting)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. grenadine (or juice from a jar of maraschino cherries)
• 1/2 tsp. cherry drink mix (I used Kool-Aid, with sugar)
• 2 cups crushed ice (use a little more, if you like an icier Slurpee)

How to make it

1. Put 1 cup water, plus grenadine, sugar and drink mix into blender and liquefy.
2. Add ice and use blender's highest setting to blend to your preferred consistency. (Your drink will start to look like a Slurpee.)
3. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup of club soda or water.
4. Pour into glasses, add straws and enjoy! (Since this is a very sugary beverage, you might want to give kids their drinks in small paper cups!)

Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/copycat-7-11-cherry-slurpee

Tequila Bars Recipe!

 

Makes 16 bars

 

Ingredients:

1 (12 ounce) box vanilla wafers
1/2 cup pine nuts
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (1 1/2 sticks)
1/3 cup tequila (I'll use gold)
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
5 large egg yolks, plus 2 egg whites
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon sugar
agave nectar (optional) or honey, for drizzling (optional)

Directions:

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pulse the wafers and pine nuts in a food processor until well ground up. Add the butter and blend until evenly mixed. Set aside 1/4 cup of crumbs; press the rest evenly into a 9-by-13 baking pan. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool.
 

2 In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk together the tequila, lime juice, egg yolks and condensed milk.
 

3 In another medium bowl, beat the egg whites and sugar with an electric mixer until they hold soft peaks. Gently fold the egg whites into the tequila mixture. Spread the filling evenly over the crust and bake for 25 minutes; cool. Sprinkle the reserved crumbs on top. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours or overnight before cutting. Drizzle with agave nectar, if desired.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/tequila-bars-370551

Blueberry Daiquiri Recipe!

 

Makes 1 drink

 

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen blueberries
1/4 cup light rum (or to your preference)
1/2 lime, juice of
1/2 cup crushed ice
1/4 cup superfine sugar (or less to taste)

Directions:

1 Combine all ingredients in a blender and process for about 30 seconds.
 

2 Pour into a chilled glass.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/blueberry-daiquiri-231186

Poutine Recipe!

Serves 2-6

Ingredients:

French fries
gravy
cheese (usually mozza)

Directions:

1 Layer cheese and gravy over fries and bake in the oven or in microwave until cheese is melted!

2 Sprinkle green onion over the top and serve in a deep platter, with lots of napkins!

3 Enjoy.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/poutine-39812

Chocolate Bon Bon Pops Recipe!

 

Makes 20 pops

 

Ingredients:

18 chocolate sandwich style cookies, with cream filling (Oreo's are good)
1 1/2 cups pecans, toasted (or walnuts or nuts of choice)
2 tablespoons orange juice (or orange liqueur)
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (clear color)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
20 lollipop sticks
1 (12 ounce) package milk chocolate chips or 1 (12 ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

Directions:

1 In a large food processor bowl combine cookies and 3/4 cup of the nuts; pulse until cookies are crushed. Add orange juice, corn syrup, and cocoa powder; process until combined. Add remaining nuts; pulse until coarsely chopped.
 

2 Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Shape the cookie mixture into 1" balls. Place on a baking sheet, insert a lollipop stick, and freeze for about 30 minutes.
 

3 In a small saucepan combine the chocolate chips and shortening. Cook and stir over medium-low heat just until melted. Remove from heat. Dip pops in melted chocolate. Return to baking sheet.
 

4 Loosely cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until chocolate coating is set. If using liqueur, flavor will mellow after a day or two. Enjoy!
 

5 Makes 20 pops.
 

6 To Store: Place in covered container; refrigerate up to 1 week.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/chocolate-bon-bon-pops-355552

Vehicle Review: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander LE Sport

Here is my first review of a Mitsubishi vehicle. This is the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander LE Sport.

Despite it's stylish looks this vehicle just felt sadly underpowered. Just trying to get up to speed seemed to be an ordeal. I did not see why this vehicle is called a "Sport". I got use to it after driving it for a week but still felt like i was babying it just to get up to normal highway and street speeds. Once you got up to speed the drive was very comfortable. It just wasn't as fun to drive as either the Hyundai Sante Fe or the Kia Sportage.

The cockpit is nicely laid out. Everything is pretty much easy within reach.

The drivers display is very simplistic.

The climate control system maintains the simplistic nature of the rest of the controls in the vehicle.

I found the controls on the stereo system to be non-user friendly. It was difficult to switch between different channels on the Sirius/XM Satellite Radio. It was just weird to not have knobs to do that.

I was surprised to find a flip down DVD player behind the stereo system. It was a nice feature but did not make up for the cumbersome controls on the stereo itself.

Large cup holders easily held my large McDonald's soda!

The center console has two tiers as most similar vehicles have these days. I really like this feature as I can keep my cell phone easily charged here.

The bottom of the center console contained the USB charge port as well as another power outlet.

Ample truck space as to be expected.

Not to be expected was the full size spare that seems to be a rarity these days.

One last look at the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander LE Sport.

Overall, a decent vehicle that seems fairly reliable but the lack of exciting features with 27 MPG and a sticker price of $27, 565 with only basic options I expected more. A decent crossover but not one I can recommend.

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Tiramisu Milkshake Recipe!

Makes 1 milkshake

 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup espresso coffee
1/2 cup prepared low-fat custard
100 g vanilla cheesecake frozen yogurt
whipped cream (optional)
cocoa, to dust (optional)

Directions:

1 Blend all ingredients together until smooth.
 

2 Top with whipped cream & dust with cocoa.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/tiramisu-milkshake-226230

Banana Daiquiri Recipe!

Makes 1-2 drinks

 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 fluid ounces light rum
1/2 fluid ounce lime juice
1 teaspoon superfine sugar
1/2 banana
1/2 cup ice

Directions:

1 Place ingredients in blender.
 

2 Blend 10-15 seconds or until ingredients are texture of snow.
 

3 Pour into saucer champagne glass and serve with straw.
 

4 Garnish with maraschino cherry and banana slice if desired.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/banana-daiquiri-89754

Interview: John Williams on Scoring Star Wars: Episode VII

 

Legendary composer John Williams discusses returning to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: Episode VII.

MEDIA RELEASE: More than 20,000 fans from Around the World Descend on Essen, Germany for STAR WARS Celebration Europe

More than 20,000 Fans from Around the World Descend on Essen, Germany for Star Wars Celebration Europe

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy Announces John Williams’ Return to Star Wars

 Event Highlights a First Look at the Upcoming Star Wars Rebels Animated Series

ESSEN, GERMANY – Star Wars Celebration Europe – the official Star Wars fan convention – has come to a successful close, with more than 20,000 attendees from 40 different countries.  Throughout the weekend, fans and families met their favorite stars from the films, gained exclusive access to the Saga’s creators, and learned first-hand exciting new developments in a galaxy far, far away.

In a Main Stage event hosted by Warwick Davis, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced that legendary composer John Williams will return to score the highly-anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII, to be directed by J.J. Abrams. 

And one of the Executive Producers from Star Wars Rebels, Dave Filoni, was on hand to guide fans through the genesis of the upcoming animated series, revealing designs heavily influenced by original Star Wars concept artist Ralph McQuarrie.  While unable to attend in person, Executive Producers Simon Kinberg and Greg Weisman shared their excitement for the series in a video message recorded exclusively for Celebration attendees.  Star Wars: Episode VII is slated for a 2015 release and Star Wars Rebels will begin airing on Disney XD starting in fall of 2014.  

“This has been a remarkable event,” said Kennedy.  “Star Wars fans are amazing the world over – a community that speaks in all languages, but with one voice.  They are an integral part of why Star Wars continues to remain so relevant after all these years, from generation to generation. The passion of our fans is a constant consideration in all of our ongoing creative conversations.  It’s for the fans that we’re telling these new stories, and because of them that we’re able to do so.”  

The Emmy® Award-winning series Star Wars: The Clone Wars was also featured at the event, spotlighting a first look at The Complete Season Five Blu-ray and DVD boxed sets, and the massive Seasons 1-5 Collector’s Edition, both scheduled for an October 15 release.

At the closing ceremonies, Lucasfilm announced that its next fan fest – Star Wars Celebration VII – will be timed to the theatrical release of Episode VII, and will be held in Anaheim, California from April 16-18, 2015.

Star Wars Celebrations are official conventions organized by Lucasfilm Ltd. and ReedPOP group, multi-day events held in different locales around the world for Star Wars fans to celebrate. 

Pineapple Daiquiri Recipe!

Makes 1 daiquiri

 

Ingredients:

2 ounces light rum
1/2 ounce triple sec
1 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce pineapple juice
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/3 cup pineapple chunk, frozen or chilled
1 cup crushed ice

Directions:

1 Mix ingredients in blender until smooth.
 

2 Pour into glass and serve.
 

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/pineapple-daiquiri-30086

Tequila Lime Tart Recipe!

 

Makes 1 pie

 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 tablespoons sugar

Filling

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup tequila
2 egg whites
1 tablespoon sugar

Directions:

1 For crust: Blend all ingredients in food processor until small clumps form. Press mixture into bottom and sides of 9 inch tart pan.
 

 2 For filling:.
 

3 Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Stir condensed milk and next three ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Set condensed milk mixture aside.
 

4 Beat egg whites with sugar in large bowl until soft peaks form. Gently fold 1 1/2 cup condensed milk mixture into whites until combined. Fold remaining milk mixture into whites until just incorporated.
 

5 Pour mixture into crust.
 

6 Bake until filling puffs about 40 minutes.
 

7 Cool tart completely. Chill until cold. Garnish with whipped cream and lime slices.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/tequila-lime-tart-272679

Kid-Friendly Starbucks-style Caramel-Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino Recipe!

What you'll need

• 1 cup of whole milk
• 2 cups of ice
• 3 tablespoons of caramel coffee flavor syrup
• 3 tablespoons of caramel syrup (thick syrup)
• Whipped cream (optional)
• Caramel candy (hard candy, about 5 or more)
• A resealable plastic bag

How to make it

1. Take the candies out of the wrapper and place them inside the plastic bag. Seal the bag, then hit them with a kitchen mallet until you get little pieces. Save them. Tip: Do this right before you make the drink because if they sit for too long they'll stick back together again!
2. Pour the milk, the ice and both syrups into a blender.
3. Mix well until the drink feels frappé style. If it's too light, add more ice, and vice versa. If it seems stuck in the blender and won't mix, add a little bit more milk.
4. Pour over glasses and add whipped cream.
5. Add the broken pieces of candy on top and enjoy!
   
   Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/kid-friendly-starbucks-caramel-ribbon-crunch-frappuccino

Easy Raspberry Cream Cheese Chiffon Pie Recipe!

 

Makes 1 pie

 

Ingredients:

1 pie crust
10 ounces raspberry preserves
2 cups heavy cream
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
fresh raspberry (to garnish)

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 375.
 

2 Roll out pastry to 11" circle; line 9" pie plate.
 

3 Trim and flute edges; prick bottom and sides with fork.
 

4 Bake 15 minutes, until golden brown.
 

5 Cool completely on wire rack.
 

6 Beat cream in small bowl on High until stiff peaks form; set aside.
 

7 Combine cream cheese almond and vanilla in medium bowl; beat until light and fluffy.
 

8 Blend in fruit spread, scraping sides of bowl frequently.
 

9 Reserve 1/2 c of whipped cream for garnish; fold remaining whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until no white streaks remain.
 

10 Spread evenly into cooled pie crust.
 

11 Chill at least 2 hours to overnight.
 

12 Just before serving, spoon reserved whipped cream around edge of pie.
 

13 Garnish with raspberries.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-raspberry-cream-cheese-chiffon-pie-63303

Kid-Friendly Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte Recipe!

What you'll need

• 1 cup of whole milk or 2%
• 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon coffee syrup
• 1 teaspoon of sugar

Notes: This recipe is for one cinnamon dolce latte - if making more, simply double or triple the recipe. Add whipped cream on top and a stick of cinnamon on the cup for stirring if you wish!

How to make it

1. Heat the milk in a small saucepan in low to medium heat. 
2. Once it's starting to warm up, mix in the syrup, the sugar and the cinnamon. Whisk until frothy.
3. Serve in a cup, making sure you let the liquid go in first by holding the froth back with a spoon. Enjoy!
   
   Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/starbucks-cinnamon-dolce-latte-kid-friendly

Fuddruckers Coupon: 1/3-lb. burger, fries, and drink for $6 (ends 8/28)

Click on the link to get the coupon for a 1/3-lb. burger, fries, and drink for $6 (ends 8/28)!
Fuddruckers Coupon!

X-Men: First Class (+ Digital Copy) [Blu-ray] (2011) for $11.99 (52% off) + eligible for Free Shipping!

X-Men: First Class (+ Digital Copy) [Blu-ray] (2011)

James McAvoy (Actor), Michael Fassbender (Actor), Matthew Vaughn (Director) | Rated: PG-13 | Format: Blu-ray

4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (692 customer reviews)

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The Sandlot (20th Anniversary Edition)[Blu-ray] (1993) for $10.99 (save 45%) + eligible for Free Shipping!

The Sandlot (20th Anniversary Edition)[Blu-ray] (1993)

Tom Guiry (Actor), Mike Vitar (Actor), David M. Evans (Director) | Rated: PG | Format: Blu-ray

4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)

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Babyccino: The Cutest Drink Ever!

What you'll need

• 1 1/2 cups of whole milk or 2%
• 3/4 teaspoon of chocolate syrup or sugar
• A touch of cocoa or ground cinnamon to sprinkle on top

Helpful Tip: Don't use the chocolate syrup or the sugar if you don't want anything on it. Making it with milk only will be just as good!

Notes: This recipe makes 2 babyccinos.

How to make it

1. In a small saucepan, warm up 1/2 cup of milk in low heat. Add the chocolate or sugar (choose only one of them, depending on your child's preferences).
2. If you have a frother, froth the remaining 1 cup of milk. If you don'r have a frother, warm-up the milk in a medium saucepan, use a whisk, and work up the milk until very, very frothy.
3. Fill about 1/2 of a small cup with the warmed milk, then scoop the froth and pour it on top of the milk. Fill it as high as you can and garnish with cinnamon or cocoa.
   
   Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/babyccino

Starbucks-Inspired Vanilla Frappuccino Recipe!

What you'll need

• 3/4 cup crushed ice
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 3 scoops vanilla bean ice cream
• 1/2 tablespoon sugar
• whipped cream (optional)

Notes: This recipe is for two small servings or one large. Double the recipe if you're making for a larger group.

Variations: Try it with different ice cream flavors.

How to make it

1. Place all items in a blender and blend!
   Scoop into your glass and top with whipped cream if desired.

Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/starbucks-inspired-vanilla-frappuccino

And The Winner of the Harold Beanie Baby Is...

Brian!
tertulenuph@yahoo.com

Congrats! You have 48 hours to email me at sasakitimegmail.com to claim your prize!

Margarita Pie Recipe!

 

Makes 1 pie

 

Ingredients:

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 ounces triple sec
1 1/2 ounces tequila
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 cups whipping cream, whipped
green food coloring
1 graham cracker crust (9-inch)
whipped cream (for garnish)
lime slice (for garnish)
mint leaf (for garnish)

Directions:

1 Combine milk, triple sec, Tequila, lime juice, whipped cream and food coloring.
 

2 Fill crust with mixture.
 

3 Cover and freeze 4 to 5 hours or overnight. Let stand several minutes prior to cutting.
 

4 Garnish each slice with whipped cream, lime slice and mint leaves.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/margarita-pie-pastel-de-margarita-5192

Strawberry Yogurt Chocolate Chip Popsicles Recipe!

What you'll need

• 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Helpful Tip: Special items needed: 10 count popsicle mold and 10 popsicle sticks

Notes: Makes 10 popsicles

How to make it

1. Place washed and hulled strawberries into a food processor or high powered blender with yogurt and honey. Process until smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
2. Pour strawberry mixture in a 10 count popsicle mold until each mold is 3/4 full. Pour a spoonful of mini chocolate chips into each popsicle mold and stir the chocolate chips with a popsicle stick or spoon so that the chocolate chips distribute evenly. Top each popsicle mold with a layer of chocolate chips. 
3. Place 1 popsicle stick into each mold. Place in the freezer and freeze for 4 hours to overnight. Once frozen, run the outside of the mold under warm water for 5 seconds then carefully remove the popsicles by pulling on the stick.
   
   Source: http://spoonful.com/recipes/strawberry-yogurt-chocolate-chip-popsicles

The new poster for SAVING MR. BANKS

Like SAVING MR. BANKS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SavingMrBanks

Follow us on Twitter: @disneypictures

SAVING MR. BANKS opens in theaters limited on December 13, 2013 and opens wide on December 20, 2013!

 

Notes:

·         “Saving Mr. Banks” is the first film to depict the iconic entrepreneur Walt Disney.

·         Richard and Robert Sherman’s original score and song (“Chim Chim-Cher-ee”) would go on to win Oscars® at the 1965 ceremonies.

·         “Mary Poppins” won five awards of its 13 Academy Award® nominations: Best Actress (Julie Andrews), Best Effects, Best Film Editing, Original Score and Original Song. Among the nominations were Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

·         Disney began his quest to get the rights to “Mary Poppins” in the 1940s as a promise to his two daughters.

·         P.L. Travers’ father was a banker and is the basis for the “Mary Poppins” story’s patriarch, Mr. Banks—the character in the book whom the famous fictional nanny comes to aid.

Two-time Academy Award®–winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks topline Disney’s “Saving Mr. Banks,” inspired by the extraordinary, untold backstory of how Disney’s classic “Mary Poppins” made it to the screen.

When Walt Disney’s daughters begged him to make a movie of their favorite book, P.L. Travers’ “Mary Poppins,” he made them a promise—one that he didn’t realize would take 20 years to keep. In his quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But, as the books stop selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation.

For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman brothers, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge.  He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp.

It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

Disney presents “Saving Mr. Banks,” directed by John Lee Hancock, produced by Alison Owen, Ian Collie and Philip Steuer, and written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith. Executive producers are Paul Trijbits, Andrew Mason, Troy Lum and Christine Langan. The film will release in U.S. theaters on December 13, 2013, limited, and open wide on December 20, 2013.

Pecan Pie Cookies Recipe!

 

Makes 3 dozen cookies

 

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3/4 cup salted butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Filling

1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 350°F.
 

2 For cookies: Beat butter and sugar on medium speed of an electric mixer until creamy. Add egg and vanilla and mix. Reduce speed to low and add flour and baking powder. Beat until well mixed.
 

3 Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Make an indentation in each cookie with your thumb; rotate thumb to hollow out slightly.
 

4 Combine all the filling ingredients (pecans through vanilla) in a small bowl. Fill each cookie with 1 rounded teaspoon of filling.
 

5 Bake for 8-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool for 1 minute on baking sheet then remove to cool completely on a wire rack or sheet of aluminum foil.

Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/pecan-pie-cookies-140991