Shake, Share & Care

Things have been a little crazy, busy lately, and I realized it had been a few days since the last post...that's why when I received this email I knew it would be a good to share.  I have copied it straight from the email and give Daily Candy all of the credit for this one...but enjoy, it's for a great cause!

Eat, pray, love,

Brigette



Pink: It's Your Favorite Color Shake, Share & Care with Pink Grapefruit Tic Tac® mints
Your mouth won’t be alone in its love for the return of limited-edition Pink Grapefruit Tic Tac mints. Originally conceived in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness and to support CancerCare’s mission to help all those affected by cancer, Pink Grapefruit Tic Tac mints will captivate your heart and soul, too.

The Tic Tac brand will once again partner with CancerCare — a national nonprofit that provides free, professional support services to people with cancer, their loved ones, and their caregivers — through the Shake, Share & Care campaign and has launched the Extraordinary Caregiver Contest.

Simply go to the Tic Tac USA Facebook page between now and October 3 to submit a nomination for the caregiver you think has most dedicated him/herself to someone affected by cancer. Then check back between November 1 and November 11 to vote for one of the finalist entries. Three extraordinary caregivers will each win $2,500¹ to use toward an extraordinary experience, and the nominators of the three winning entries will each receive a $500 gift card².
The Tic Tac brand is also donating $100,000 to CancerCare. Because if there’s one thing that Tic Tac mints knows, it’s that a little support goes a long way.

Nominate and vote for an Extraordinary Caregiver who has dedicated him/herself to those affected by cancer online at facebook.com/tictacusa. Look for limited-edition Pink Grapefruit Tic Tac mints in select stores.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Contest open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., age 18+ as of date of entry. Entry period of essay submissions to the contest starts at 12 pm EST on August 26, 2011, and ends at 11:59:59 am EST on October 3, 2011. For Online Voting Period and Official Rules, go to facebook.com/tictacusa.


¹Awarded in the form of a check.²Gift card vendor to be selected by Sponsor.

Shake It Up!

I've been a fan of Martha Stewart's clever ideas for several years (I have friends that still call me Martha), so when I find a really fun one I have to share it with my peeps.  It also involves another thing that I love...eating alfresco (picnics, cookouts, potlucks, and anything that involves getting together with a bunch of friends and family and eating).

With this little gem of an idea though, the kids get to help with the "work" and enjoy the results.  It's homemade whipped cream without a mixer...that's right - no mixer!

Shake It Up Whipped Cream (my version of the name)

Before you leave for your outing, put 3/4 cup heavy cream and 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar in a 1-quart airtight container. You'll "whip" the cream when you're ready to serve it.

Now here is the fun part!   At your outing, kids (big & small) can take turns shaking the container of cream and confectioners' sugar vigorously (two to four minutes), until the mixture is thick and fluffy. Don't shake it too early, or it will deflate before you serve it. Spoon fruit into cones (another awesome idea - no bowls need to serve), and top with a dollop of cream.

How easy is that?!  And you don't have to skip the good stuff just because you're not at home.

Eat, pray, love,

Brigette

As much as I would like to take full credit for this, I can't...read more at Marthastewart.com: Beach Ideas, Gardening Projects, Vacation Crafts, and Relaxing Ideas - Martha Stewart .

Tom is not who I thought he was...

My tomato plant is not a beefsteak producer like the tag said...it's a cherry producer.  Although I won't be making that big, beautiful BLT sandwich I've been dreaming about, I will have some awesome salads.  Jennifer & I actually ate the first 2 ripe ones last week and it looks like I'll have a few more to "harvest" this week.  I guess I'll just have to rely on the farmer's market for the BLT.  But I love going to the farmer's market so it's a win, win! 

Aren't they cute?!

Yay...my first container "garden" was successful.  Who knows what next year will bring - the sky's the limit (or what our little deck will hold)!  ;)

Eat (tomatoes), pray, love,

Brigette

Vaca - 2011

The summer vacation is officially over (boohoohoo), and we are back into every day life again (BIG BOOHOOHOO).  We had an awesome week with the McAfee's...as usual.  We spent a day at the beach at IN Dunes, we went to Legoland (again) and had a birthday dinner for Chris at Bahama Breeze, we went to Brookfield Zoo and closed the place down, Jennifer, Nathan & I saw The Smurfs Movie, we spent an evening at the Sugar Grove Family Fun Center doing go-karts, bumper boats & mini golf, and finished off the week at Raging Waves Water Park and closed that place down, too.  Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun times!

As a little surprise, the big nephews (Kai - 21 & Bryce - 19) stopped by on Friday and stayed until Sunday.  They were at a concert in Indianapolis and came for a quick visit on the way home to AR.  They went to the water park with us, made a trip to the Apple store in Naperville with Mike & enjoyed some awesome Mexican food with us before heading home.  It was a lot of fun having them...hopefully they felt the same.  ;) 

It was a busy week, but a very fun week.  Memories were made that will last a lifetime...that's why I love summer vacations!

Eat, pray, love,

Brigette