Happy 4th of July!

We hope that you are all having a SWANtastic summer!

Princess Odette loves to see the sun shine across the Kingdom and hear the birds as she wakes up in the morning. Odette also likes to sit outside and enjoys reading in the SWANderful, sunny weather. Although she has had many adventures, the Swan Princess has even more when she turns the pages of a book and gets lost in a story!

This month is also when many fans celebrate the 4th of July. We have a great burger recipe for this special occasion and a firework activity that you can enjoy indoors or outdoors!

Keep reading for Bromley's beefy burger recipe and a fun firework activity!

Light Up the Night with SWANtastic Fun!

Our SWANtastic light up bracelets are perfect for those summer evenings!

Wear them for parties, firework displays or just for fun!

Click here to purchase yours today!

SWANtastic Limited Edition Pins

Our Odette and Derek pin features our beloved couple in a pose famously seen on many of the movie posters and DVD covers and now you can capture it in pin form as part of your Swan Princess collection too!

There are only 50 copies of this SWANtastic limited edition pin available worldwide, each one stamped with the Swan Princess logo and edition size.

Fly faster than a swan and click here to purchase your very own Odette and Derek pin! 

We also have many more SWANtastic pins in our official store!

Soar onto our website today and view the full range here!

Bromley's Beefy Burgers

Bromley is looking forward to tucking in to these brilliant burgers that are filled with a cheesy center - delicious!

 

You can cook them on a BBQ or in the oven so you can enjoy them whatever the weather! Whether you enjoy them inside or outside, they make a SWANtastic meal for you and your friends and family.

Ingredients:

For the Burgers:

• 500g lean beef mince

• 70g smoked pancetta, finely chopped

• 60g mozzarella, grated

• 60g mature cheddar, grated

• 50g fresh breadcrumbs

• 1 onion, very finely chopped

• 1 egg yolk

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• 1½ tbsp olive oil

• 4 thyme sprigs, leaves picked

• Salt

• Pepper

To Serve:

• 4 burger buns, split

• 2-3 little gem lettuces, leaves separated

• 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced

• crispy fried onions

• Sauces and/or relish (e.g. mustard, ketchup, etc.)

Method:

1. First, heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium high heat and fry the onions with a generous pinch of salt for 15 minutes until they become soft and translucent.

2. Add the pancetta to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes.

3. Add the garlic and thyme and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.

4. Remove the pan from the heat and leave it to one side for 15 minutes to allow everything to cool.

5. Place the mince in a large bowl and use your hands to massage it for 5 minutes, this will tenderize the meat.

6. Add the cooled onion mix that you made earlier, along with the bread crumbs and egg yolk.

7. Season the meat mixture generously with salt and pepper.

8. Combine all of the ingredients together so that everything is evenly distributed.

9. Divide the meat mixture into four even pieces (you can use a scale to measure the weight to help you with this).

10. In another bowl, mix the cheddar and mozzarella together.

11. Take each meat portion and shape them into patties, patting each one down until they become 10cm rounds.

12. Divide the cheese mix into four helpings.

13. Use your hands to press one of the cheese portions into a firm ball before gently pressing down with your palm to form a cheese disc that is approx. 4 cm wide. Repeat this for the remaining four cheese portions.

14. Take one of your cheese discs and place it in the center of one of your patties and then bring the meat around the cheese so that it is covered completely by the meat. Repeat for the remaining cheese and patty portions.

15. Lightly pat each patty with the palm of your hand to flatten them slightly.

16. Cover the patties and let them chill for a minimum of 30 minutes (the patties can be chilled for up to 48 hours).

17. Cook the burgers

• Barbecue:

Light the barbecue. When the flames have simmered down, grill the burgers for approx. 5 minutes on each side until charred.

Take some foil and wrap each burger up individually for a few minutes so that the cheese center melts.

• Oven

Preheat the oven to 430F/220C/200C fan/gas 8.

Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and wipe with a little oil. Cook the burgers for 4-5 mins on each side, until all/almost all of the meat becomes browned and cooked. Place the burgers on a baking tray and put them in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

18. Put the burgers into burger buns and add the tomato, lettuce and crispy onions.

19. Serve with everyone's favorite sauces, relishes and/or sides.

4th of July Fireworks

Do you remember Uberta's special birthday surprise in the second movie? It was a beautiful firework display from Prince Derek, who even commissioned a special firework that lit up the sky with the words "Happy Birthday, Mother!".

Fireworks fill the sky with colors and are a very popular feature for many celebrations, not just in the US or for the 4th of July, but for many other celebrated events around the world, including New Years Eve, birthdays, grand openings, parties and in the UK, they are used in November to commemorate "Bonfire Night".

If you have pets, remember many can be quite nervous around fireworks and loud noises so make sure to keep them calm and give them some extra love!

These SWANtastic fireworks are perfect for indoor or outdoor use and a great way for children who are too young for sparklers to get involved with the fun of firework displays!

Will your fireworks be filled with SWANderful silver and gold confetti? Or maybe you will make a fun filled firework of rainbow confetti with many different colors!

You will need:

• Colored/patterned paper (or plain paper if you would like to add your own designs).

• Cardboard tubes (e.g. empty kitchen roll/paper towel tubes)

• Balloons

• Confetti and/or glitter (you can also use a hole punch and paper to make your own)

• Scissors

• Tape

• Optional - Stickers, pictures of your favorite things (even Swan Princess characters)

Instructions:

1. Firstly, take your paper and cut it so that it is big enough to cover your cardboard tubes.

You can also use scrap pieces to avoid any waste too and give your rocket a randomized, unique look too!

For an even more creative twist, why not use plain paper and decorate/color the paper yourself! Use your favorite colors and designs!

2. Wrap the paper around a tube and secure it with tape. If you would like to, add additional stickers or glue images to your firework tube - how about some swans for a SWANtastic design!

3. Take one of the balloons and cut the top off.

4. Take the end of the balloon where you would normally blow up the balloon and tie a knot.

5. Stretch the cut end of the balloons over the "firework" tube and secure it with tape. Make sure the edge of the balloon is covered all the way around the tube with the tape.

6. Pour confetti into the open end of the tube.

7. To "activate" your fireworks, hold the tube with one hand and with the other hand, pull on the knotted hand to release the confetti!

 This month we're celebrating Bromely's birthday! This makes his astrological sign Cancer and his birthstone the ruby.

Cancer signs are very sensitive and sentimental. Their heart rules over their head. Better in small groups, Cancer signs are known for being fiercely loyal friends and for their quirky sense of humor. 

Because they are so deeply feeling, large groups and stress can overwhelm cancer signs and make them moody and snappy. Because of their quick wit, however, those snappy moods are seen as funny by others who misinterpret their mood. 

Cancer signs tend to be homebodies. They like their peaceful space where they can control what kind of energies enter into it. 

Cancer signs are loyal to the core and will always show up for their friends and no matter what family comes first for them. 

The ruby symbolizes nobility, purity, and passion. This passion is shown in their devotion to the friends and family they love so dearly.

Is your birthday in July or do you just love the color red?

Purchase your own ruby gemstone locket here!

 

About The Swan Princess

The Swan Princess is based upon the folk tale and ballet, Swan Lake. The story is transformed into a playfully fun adventure with exciting music, lovable forest friends, and of course, the handsome Prince Derek. The Swan Princess, Odette, has stayed true to the original fairy tale princess with her kindness, grace, and loyalty.

Three reasons you should follow us on Facebook 1) Get a behind-the-scenes look as Princess Odette and Prince Derek continue their adventures 2) Be one of the first to be notified when new products are released and 3) Share your Swan Princess stories and tales with other die-hard fans.