My copy cat Cafe Bellagio Sunsplash

This is my copy cat version of the Cafe Bellagio, in Las Vegas, Sunsplash.  My husband and I had these when we first went to Las Vegas and loved them.  Now we can have them any time we want.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 ounce Orange Vodka
• 1/2 ounce Cointreau
• 1 1/2 ounce Orange Juice
• 1 1/2 ounce Cranberry Juice
• 1 ounce Sweet & Sour Mix
• Orange slice (optional)

Instruction:

Put all the ingredients into a shaker (I used the Tupperware Quick Shake) with ice and "shake shake shake".
Pour into a glass.
Garnish with Orange slice, if using.
Enjoy.

When making in The Tupperware Quick Shake I got a really nice "foam" on the top of the glass when pouring.  And because we were outside and near the pool I used the Tupper Minis to measure the ingredients. The minis were perfect and since they come in sets of 6 we could have 1 mini for each ingredient.  

I love being able to use my Quick Shake for all the "normal" things the Quick Shake was designed for, but this was a wonderful benefit. If you are looking for the perfect shaker, check out my Tupperware Site for both the Quick Shake and Tupper Minis.

I love that it has a great screw on top (unlike many cocktail shakers) so that you can be sure to have a tight seal and not have to worry about your cocktail splashing all over when you are shaking.

I'm sure you know shaken not stirred make for some great cocktails!

Back to School Pre-K to College Event

I am really happy to be part of this years

and want to 

Welcome you to 

my Stop in the 

Back to School

Pre-K to College Giveaway Hop

hosted by Planet Weidknecht 

and LeahSay's Views

This event will run from
August 1st to August 22nd

with each blogger having a prize 

worth at least $25.

I am thinking that some kids are actually happy to be going back to school.  I remember by this time my kids were talking about and looking forward to starting school again.  
I know I was ready!

My prize will be 2 books to hopefully encourage grade school kids to 
explore Science.

The World of the Microscope
&

100 Science Experiments

Once you have entered here, I hope you will "hop around" to the other bloggers in this Event and enter there as well.  We always have some great prizes offered from our bloggers.

Good luck!
Open to US readers. (Sorry everyone, but I have to do the shipping).

Apple Berry Salsa

I love having little "different" things when people drop by.  Or treat yourself over the weekend.

This would also be awesome for an afternoon "snack" when kids come home from school or camp so they aren't having a fit when dinner isn't quite ready .... I'm sure you have heard it before ... 
Mom I'm starving!  
Mom I'm going to die I'm so hungry.
Mom I NEED something to eat!

I wish I had thought about this kind of snack when my kids were little.  I bet they would have loved this one.

I'm thinking this would be a great light dessert or served over pound cake or ice cream.

Ok I will stop - but you definitely get the idea right?

As always the Tupperware pieces can be found on my Tupperware Site at any time of the day (or night), whether you are on the East Coast or the West, in the North or down South.
Any questions ... leave me a message and I will get back to you.

#ValentinaParis Hand Painted Wine Glasses

You may know that I am a wine lover.  

We love to go wine tasting in VA every year when we visit my parents.  Now its not just VA wines that we like, but we always find at least one if not more wines that we enjoy.  

And of course, bring home a bottle or two.

So when I had the opportunity to try these Wine Glasses I jumped at it.

I thought they really looked nice (and interesting) in their advertising photo above, but when they arrived at my house ... well lets just say the pictures did not do it justice.

These glasses are absolutely gorgeous.  So much so that when I was opening the box, my daughter's boyfriend was here and even he was impressed.  Let's face it, if wine glasses can impress a guy in his twenties ... they must be pretty special.

They are truly a work of art, designed in Paris by professional designers.  Since they are mouth-blown and hand-painted, no two are alike.  They are a really unique gift for you or for the wine lover you know.

They are really tall with a full bowl that holds a substantial amount of wine.  

The full bowl allows the wine to breathe and allows you to savor the flavor of both the fragrance of the wine as well as the taste.

You can check out these beautiful wine glasses on Amazon here.  I have my two in my China Hutch, but I really think I need to get a few more sets so that I can share with my friends and family that come to visit.  At the current price it is very doable.

Let me know what you think.  

I think it is perfect for every table.

I received my wine glasses at a large discount from ValentinaParis through Tomoso in exchange for my honest review.  I received no other compensation for my review.

Quick Chef Pro and Easy Cooking

I had to share this one because it is at a great price and is so very versatile that I believe it should be in every kitchen.  And now is the perfect time since it is on sale on My Tupperware Site.

There are so many things you can make with this one that I bet you will find at least a half dozen ways to use this every day!

Entertaining?  Quick meal prep?

How about a quick easy way to chop your onions and peppers for dinner?

How about some soft serve ice cream without any preservatives? Like your ice cream a little firmer?  Just pop it the soft serve into the freezer (love my freezer containers for this) for a little bit, an hour or two and your ready. You can even make your own ice cream sandwiches with this ice cream!

How about some really nice salsa to go with your drink?  Here is a nice Mango Salsa using the Quick Chef Pro!

Don't forget, all the Tupperware pieces discussed here can be found on my Tupperware Site.  You can shop or browse in your PJs if that's what you want.  Have a question? Message me and I will get you an answer.  

Start the kids cooking with things they love

I don't know about your kids, but mine loved pasta when they were little.  If I was at a loss for what to make and asked for suggestions - pasta was their all time favorite.
And when they went to college (Jenn is a Senior this year) pasta of any kind was always a staple - especially when they didn't like the cafe offerings for the day.  I haven't tried it but I bet you could even make raman noodles in this one.

This works great in the microwave - no watching the pot to add the pasta once the water starts to boil.  Add the pasta, add the water and pop in the microwave.  Once its done, put the lid on to drain.  
It is perfect to start your kids helping in the kitchen.  So many "experts" say that if you get your kids involved in the kitchen, they will be more inclined to eat "healthier" and have less eating disorders because they are involved in the process.  

Interested?  Yes I bet you are.  Check it out on my Tupperware Site for this and many more things to get your kids involved in the preparation process.  They will thank you for it.

How about some pasta tonight?

Be a beacon

I love scenic pictures.
I try to take these kinds of pictures with my own camera (ok my cellphone) when I find something I think I can do something worthy of its beauty.

This is a pretty picture with an awesome message.  Especially now with all the hate that seems to be spewing out in all kinds of messages, even when they seem to be "innocent" comments.

I challenge you all to be a beacon today.
See how easy it really is to defect all the negativity that we are inundated with, just because you are being your best.

Lets light the world today 
and then do it again tomorrow.

Let's make our own beacon of goodness to light the world!