Final Good-Bye to the King of Pop

This past weekend I attended Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil. The “King of Pop” was honored through his personal music, eccentric dancers, colorful multi-media screens and over-the-top acrobatic performers. Although the show is presented by Cirque du Soleil it is not the traditional company performance. The show is a tribute to Jackson’s life with routines that reflect Cirque du Soleil.

From the candid mime that keeps the show anchored to the wildly creative costumes and ultra-talented performers to Jackson’s amazingly famous tunes everyone in the audience truly has the opportunity to connect one last time to Jackson’s legacy. Mirroring Jackson’s “heart” for the world, children and less fortunate much of the show was dedicated to demonstrating his passion for such by literally incorporating the common thread of a “heart” throughout the scenes.

Captivating the audience and basically stealing the show was a one-legged dancer! You could feel the energy of the audience rise every time he took to the stage and twirled on his crutches, break danced and balanced on his one leg. He definitely embodies the can-do attitude while embracing his God given talent to preform – just like Jackson!

The show is currently on a world tour and if you can get tickets to Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil I would highly recommend doing so. You will get to rock out to his melodies while being touched one final time by the King of Pop’s last honored tribute.

I love the Jackson Five tunes … What is your favorite Michael Jackson song? Tell me on Twitter @CortneyBailey

Cheers!
Cortney a.k.a. Cort

EASY Stuffed Bell Peppers - YUMMY!!!

This recipe is a super easy dish to make. The leftovers are even better the next day. For those of you who confuse Bell Peppers with hot & spicy, I’ll clear it up for you … they are super sweet and release an amazing taste as they cook with the below ingredients!

Stuffed Bell Peppers

What you will need:
4 large Red, Orange or Yellow bell peppers
1 pound of ground turkey (or a little less)
1 medium onion chopped (I use a sweet onion)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons chicken or veggie bouillon granules
Salt to taste (pinch)
Black pepper to taste (pinch)
Garlic powder to taste (pinch)
1 cup cooked rice (I use brown)
½ cup cheddar cheese
½ cup sour cream
1 cup diced tomatoes
½ cup chopped green onion tops
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 cup hot water

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Start by cutting the tops off the peppers and, remove the seeds and ribs inside. Using a hot skillet, sauté the ground turkey, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon of bouillon granules and salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Saute until onions become translucent. Add rice, cheese sour cream, tomatoes, green onion tops and soy sauce. Mix well and stuff the mixture into the peppers. In a small bowl mix the hot water and the remaining bouillon granules. Pour this mixture into a shallow casserole large enough to hold all peppers. Place stuffed peppers in the dish, cover with foil and back for 25 – 30 minutes. Remove foil and spoon the juice from the bottom of casserole dish over the top of peppers. Bake for an additional 10 – 15 minutes. Let the peppers cool for about 5 minutes and Enjoy!

Tell me about your easy to make dishes on Twitter @CortneyBailey

Cheers!

Cortney a.k.a. Cort

Domestic Divas, Schedule Your Dirty Work!

If you are a "Domestic Diva" and need to put your home on a cleaning schedule this one just might be of great help! I know it was for me. I came across the below list on Pinterest via the blog “Organizing Made Fun” and had to share it. Personally, I will never find organizing fun but necessary! No matter if you are the one who accomplishes your own "Cinderella Chores", as one of my friends refers to cleaning her house, or if you are one of the lucky people who hires someone to do the dirty work for you this schedule can be followed exactly as you see it or you can adjust it to fit your life ... it's all about making it convenient for your lifestyle and needs!

Monday:

Vacuum house thoroughly - vacuum each room, occasionally do vents and curtains and window crevices. (Total time: 25 – 30 minutes depending on house size).

Tuesday:

Dust house (Total time: 15 minutes depending on knick knack amount.) Occasionally wipe down nice furniture with polish.

Note: this is one reason I do not own lots of knick knacks!!!

Wednesday:

Clean back bathroom including toilet, counters, mirror, tub shower and clean floors. (Total time: 15-20 minutes).

Thursday:
Clean front bathroom including toilet, counters, mirror, tub shower and clean floors. (Total time: 15-20 minutes).


Friday:
Clean kitchen – mop floor and clean counter tops with bleach product. (Total time: 15 – 20 minutes)


Weekends:
Other small projects or NOTHING!!!!

Share your Domestic Diva tips with me on Twitter @CortneyBailey

Cheers!
Cortney a.k.a. Cort

All You Need Is LOVE!

All you need is LOVE - or at least a great seat, which is what you will get at the Mirage Resort and Casino in Los Vegas! "With The Beatles LOVE, Cirque du Soleil, celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles, through their timeless, original recordings," this according to the official web-site.

I personally did fall in "LOVE" with every minute of the preformance. In fact when it was over I wanted to stay for the next show! I've seen several Cirque du Soleil shows, and while they are all fasinating in their own way, every scene in LOVE took my breath away. From the legendary music, to the colors and props to the mega talented cast your mind will be racing to take every moment in - which is why a second show would be ideal!

Don't worry about seating either. Just like every great scene in the show, every seat in the house is perfect! Since the audotorium is round not one guest of the show has a bad view.

Personally, I rate The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil the best show by the company! Not only would I see it again and again I would highly recommend you adding it to your "to do" list when visiting Vegas or when planning your next trip!

Let me know your favorite Cirque du Soleil show on Twitter @CortneyBailey

Cheers!
Cortney a.ka. Cort

America, What Is Your Dream?

Every year I stop and take time to watch Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech, "I have a Dream." The first time I remember hearing about King was in the forth grade and even then his famous speech touched me. I still get chills when I hear the words. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

I hope you will take a few minutes out of your busy day to ponder King's last words of his "Dream" speech, "From every mountainside, let freedom ring. When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!'"

If you literally only have few moments to glance at the above video then fast forward to the last two or three minutes and watch.

What is your Dream for America? Let me know on Twitter @CortneyBailey

Cheers!

Cortney a.k.a. Cort

Easy “Egg-Pie” aka Quiche? – Why Yes Please!!!

Are you are looking for an easy yet impressive breakfast or brunch dish to make? Then this recipe is it! This quiche, or as one of my family-in-law members likes to call it “egg pie,” is scrumptious and simple to make yet everyone who eats it will think you are quite the chef!

Shhhhh! … Between us, you literally chop a few items, crack some eggs, toss the ingredients all in a bowl, mix them together, then pour it all in a pie crust, cook it and it is ready to eat! No matter if you are cooking for family, weekend houseguests or just yourself this is a super yummy dish that you will toss together over and over!

What you will need:
1 frozen pie crust
7 eggs
1/4 cup whole milk
1/4 of a large sweet yellow onion chopped
2 cups of finely chopped spinach
5-7 thinly slices prosciutto chopped
1/2 cup grated mild cheddar cheese
pinch of salt, fresh cracked pepper

How to:
Preheat oven to 425.
In a medium sized mixing bowl, crack eggs, pour milk, pinch of salt and cracked pepper. Blend together until eggs are well mixed, then add chopped prosciutto, chopped spinach, grated cheese, and chopped onion. Fold together gently. Pour it into your crust and pop into the oven. Cook on 425 for 15 minutes then reduce heat to 300 and bake an additional 30 minutes.

Ta-Da! Your yummy breakfast or brunch dish is ready to serve, Enjoy!!!

Let me know how your “egg pie” turned out or send me a photo on Twitter @CortneyBailey

Cheers!
Cortney a.k.a. Cort

Happy 2012!

Wishing everyone a blessed and happy New Year 2012!

Tell me what you are planning for the year 2012 on Twitter @CortneyBailey

Cheers!

Cortney a.k.a. Cort