Disney in Concert: A Silly Symphony Celebration #D23Expo #SillySymphony ⋆ My Sparkling Life

Great Scott!! It’s October 21, 2015! Today is the day that the characters Marty McFly, Emmett “Doc” Brown and Jennifer Parker famously journeyed from 1985 to 2015 in the sci-fi film trilogy Back To The Future’s second installment.
While we don’t have hoverboards, flying cars or self-drying jackets we do have quite a bit of tech that seemed so futuristic then, but to us is just the norm…Flat Screens, Wearable Tech (Google Glass), & Fingerprint Tech (iPhone).
Looking to celebrate Back To The Future Day?
WATCH IT: Many theaters are showing “Back to the Future II.” Many are also showing the complete trilogy. Just check your local theater’s website or call for showtimes. You can also grab the Back to the Future 30th Anniversary Trilogy (Blu-ray + DIGITAL HD) from Amazon or watch for free if you have Prime.
DRINK PEPSI PERFECT: Pepsi is honoring “Back to the future II” by bringing one of its staple beverages to life. In the movie Marty drank Pepsi Perfect. The beverage, “which contains Pepsi made with Real Sugar,” will be sold to fans in the identifiable packaging at $20.15 for a 16.9 ounce bottle.
VISIT: Live near Washington D.C.? Take a drive over to Reston, Virginia. It’s a Washington, D.C., suburb that, will have visitors finding themselves in Marty McFly’s hometown of Hill Valley today October 21, 2015. The temporary name change comes thanks to the Washington West International Film Festival, which will air a 30th-anniversary screening of “Back to the Future Part II” with actor Christopher Lloyd and screenwriter Bob Gale in attendance.
We will be celebrating with a Back To The Future Movie Night on our Flat Screen eating Pizza & Pepsi. How will you be celebrating Back To The Future Day?
Related

If it’s the Snow White tale you’re looking for, discover the story that came before in The Huntsman: Winter’s War, coming to Digital HD on August 2, 2016 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on August 23, 2016, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. The Huntsman: Winter’s War on Blu-ray™and DVD includes an all-new extended edition of the epic action-adventure, plus exclusive bonus features that reveal the movie’s behind-the-scenes secrets.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War stars Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road, Monster) as the evil Queen Ravenna, who betrays her good sister Freya (Emily Blunt: Sicario, Edge of Tomorrow) with an unforgivable act, freezing Freya’s heart to love and unleashing in her an icy power she never knew she possessed. Retreating to a kingdom far to the north, Freya raises an army of Huntsmen as her protectors, with the only rule that no two of them should ever fall in love. As a war for domination escalates between the two queens, the hero standing between good and evil is Freya’s most elite Huntsman, Eric (Chris Hemsworth: Thor, Star Trek Into Darkness). Alongside fellow warrior Sara (Jessica Chastain: The Martian,The Help) — the only woman who has ever captured his heart — Eric must help Freya vanquish her sister or Ravenna’s wickedness will rule for eternity.
BLU-RAY DISC EXCLUSIVES
Two Queens and Two Warriors – The true heart of The Huntsman: Winter’s War is found in its three powerful women, Ravenna, Freya, and Eric’s lost wife, Sara. Learn how the strength and complexity of the film’s female roles drew potent new star power in Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain, as well as convincing Charlize Theron to reprise her role as Ravenna.
Meet the Dwarfs – Nick Frost’s Nion and Rob Brydon’s Gryff brought a sense of levity and fun to the adventure — especially once they met their female counterparts. Explore the importance of all four dwarf characters in the film and on set, where the actors who portrayed them earn a reputation for keeping the fun rolling, even when the cameras stopped.
Magic All Around – Rooted in history, but inhabited by magic, the world of The Huntsman: Winter’s War is a true visual spectacle. Follow along and see how the magic made it to the screen. From Freya’s icy freeze to the gold-laden goblins of the forest, explore the visual effects at work with an exclusive peek behind the curtain.
BLU-RAY AND DVD BONUS FEATURES
Deleted Scenes with Commentary
Gag Reel
Dressed To Kill – Academy Award®-winning costumer Colleen Atwood returns to help reignite the splendor she brought to Snow White and The Huntsman. A visual feast, her costumes often border on the supernatural in their beauty while helping bring the characters to life.
Love Conquers All — From the infectious enthusiasm of director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan to the sisterly bond shared by Emily Blunt and Charlize Theron, the set of The Huntsman: Winter’s War was filled with laughter and life. Actors and artists came together to help create a fairy tale about the pure power of love — and had a blast along the way.
Feature Commentary by director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
WIN IT!
One (1) lucky My Sparkling Life reader is going to win a blu-ray of Universal’s The Huntsman: Winter’s War! This giveaway is open to residents of the US who are 18+ until 12:00 PM EST Aug 29, 2016.
THE FINE PRINT: ENTERING THIS GIVEAWAY MEANS THAT YOU ACCEPT BOTH MY RULES & DISCLOSURE. I WILL NOTIFY WINNER VIA E-MAIL AND THEY WILL HAVE 48 HOURS TO REPLY BEFORE I AM FORCED TO REDRAW WINNERS. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. EACH HOUSEHOLD IS ONLY ELIGIBLE TO WIN THIS PRIZE VIA BLOG REVIEWS AND GIVEAWAYS ONCE. ONLY ONE ENTRANT PER MAILING ADDRESS PER GIVEAWAY. IF YOU HAVE WON THE SAME PRIZE ON ANOTHER BLOG, YOU WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN IT AGAIN. WINNER IS SUBJECT TO ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION. MANY WILL ENTER, FEW WILL WIN! PLEASE ALLOW 8-12 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY OF PRIZING. MY SPARKLING LIFE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST OR MISDIRECTED PACKAGES. Prizing and samples provided & shipped by Universal Home Entertainment. IN THE RARE OCCASION THAT A PRIZE DOES NOT ARRIVE (WHICH HAS HAPPENED), PLEASE NOTIFY ME.

Growing up, I was introduced and had plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors…Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Tubing, or just hanging out at the lake or beach. Needless to say, with 4 boys, it’s still a big part of my life. The outdoors is part of so many Mom’s lives, so this Mother’s Day, skip the flowers & chocolates and get mom some new outdoor fashion! I love getting new clothing, so I was excited to partner with Orvis this Mother’s Day to review their Tencel®/Linen Belted Field Jacket. Orvis has some great looking outdoor fashions that will keep Mom looking great while enjoying the outdoor sports she loves!
Soft and slouchy with a weathered appearance, this summer-weight field-inspired Tencel/linen jacket for women is just right for providing a dose of warmth and cover from the sun without stifling weight. It fit’s great and looks great with just about anything. It comes in two colors, indigo & sage.
There are so many more goodies for Mom…and maybe a little something for yourself, on the Orvis site! I already have my eye on a few things for this summer.
This Mother’s Day, Orvis is celebrating our first role model, teacher and love – Mom! As motherhood is a journey and an adventure that should be celebrated, the premier outfitter of the outdoor lifestyle put together a compelling video illustrating a mother’s bond with her child and their first of many shared outdoor adventures together.
Leading up to Mother’s Day, Orvis is urging fans to share the video with the hashtag #LongLiveMoms. Each share triggers a $1 donation to Casting for Recovery, a unique program that combines breast cancer education and support with the therapeutic sport of fly fishing. Casting for Recovery offers retreats for breast cancer patients and survivors to get outside and discover renewed energy for life, all free of cost.
Orvis is America’s oldest mail-order outfitter and longest continually-operating fly-fishing business. They have committed to donating up to $10,000 so let’s help them reach their goal and keep moms outdoors for years to come!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Related

The benefits of making your own baby food are enormous …
You know exactly what your baby is eating – none of the dreaded “fillers” commonly found in commercial baby food
You know that the ingredients are fresh and healthy
You can “tailor make” your baby’s food to best suit his/her preferences and needs
You will save money. These homemade baby food recipes cost a fraction of the price of ready made foods
And most importantly … making your own baby food is tremendously satisfying – for you AND your baby.
Are you concerned that you don’t have enough time to make your own baby food?
It’s not nearly as time consuming as you might think! On the baby food preparation and storage page you’ll learn how to prepare batches of food quickly and easily.
Your baby might be ready for solids if he/she
Sits up alone, without assistance
Consistently seems hungry after a full feeding
Shows interest in or grabs at your food
Can refuse food by turning head
Has outgrown reflex to spit out solid food
My Sparkling Life recommends introducing one food at a time, waiting at least 3-4 days before introducing another food. Watch closely for adverse reactions such as excessive gas, diarrhea, vomiting or a rash. If there is a reaction, discontinue food and wait at least 2 more weeks before reintroducing the food.
Apple Sauce
3 medium-sized apples (Red or Golden Delicious)
½ cup water
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Peel and chop apples into cubes (about a 1 inch), discarding the core. Place apples in sauce pan with water and cinnamon and simmer on medium-low heat until apples are tender – approximately 10-12 minutes.
Once apples are tender, all contents of pan (including liquid) to food processor. Puree until smooth. Add water if necessary.
Dispense apple puree evenly into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Pears
2-3 ripe medium-sized pears
½ cup water
Chop pears into squares (about a ¼ inch), discarding the peel and core. Place pears in sauce pan with water and simmer on medium-low heat until pears are tender – approximately 10-12 minutes.
Once pears are tender, all contents of pan (including liquid) to food processor. Puree until smooth. Add water if necessary.
Dispense pear puree evenly into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Peaches
3 medium-sized ripe peaches
½ cup water
Cut peaches in half, removing pit. Place fruit flesh-side down into pan and add water. Simmer fruit on medium-low heat until thoroughly tender and skin peels easily from flesh – about 10-12 minutes. Once cool to the touch, remove skin.
After skin is removed, add fruit and liquid to a food processor and puree until completely smooth. Add more water if necessary.
Dispense peach puree evenly into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. When ice cubes are frozen, remove cubes from tray and store in a resealable plastic freezer bag or freezer container. Label package with contents and date. Use within 1 month. Before serving, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Bananas
Bananas actually qualify as a white fruit, despite its bright yellow exterior. Banana sweet flavor and smooth texture provide for a perfect first food.
Mash ripe banana with a fork until smooth. Serve immediately.
OTHER MAKE YOUR OWN BABY FOOD POSTS:
Veggies Stage 1
Veggies Stage 2
Fruits Stage 2
Sample Menu for 6-8 Months

These cupcakes are not only adorable to look at, but they’re so much fun to eat! Under each peep is a “surprise” in the cupcake. You can customize them depending on dietary needs. Get the full recipe with tutorial pics over at donnahup.com.

This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
To celebrate the release of Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment’s NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD, they are hosting a Family Movie Night this weekend! To make the night even more fun-filled they have created activity sheets, discussion guides, and games all available at http://www.nightatthemuseummovie.com
Ben Stiller leads an all-star comedy cast, including Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Rebel Wilson and Ricky Gervais, for one final, fun-filled Night at the Museum. This time, Larry Daley (Stiller) and his heroic friends embark on their greatest adventure yet as they travel to London in order to save the magic that brings the museum exhibits to life!
Be sure to click the graphic above to check out a day in the life of the biggest star in Hollywood, Crystal, the Capuchin monkey dubbed as “‘the Angelina Jolie (I’m not sure if legally we can reference her this way) of animal stars” and winner of the Lifetime Diva Achievement Award at the 2015 Pawscars!