MAIN Entertaining Summer Vacation Guide Gourmet Ice Cubes

Party Season is here. Whether it is a wedding, a birthday party for your 4-year-old, a graduation party, or even an intimate dinner for two.

When these occasions arise, don’t you want them to be special? Wouldn't it be nice to add a little special 'something' to make it memorable?

In the name of simplicity and thrift, we discovered a great new way to add a touch of mystique and elegance to your events. This new discovery is gourmet ice cubes!

How can you do that? Actually, it's easier than you think. And you won't have to go out and buy a dozen different ice cube molds.

All you need is a little ingenuity and an open mind. (The process is so simple you'll want to scream!!)

Egg Cubes:
o Get several water balloons from the store
o Rinse them out
o Fill them with water until the balloon fits in your palm easily (about the size of a lemon)
o Freeze them overnight in your freezer
o Cut the top off the balloon
o VIOLA!! Egg Shaped ice cubes!

Heart Cubes
o Do the same as above, except purchase small (4, or less if possible) heart-shaped balloons

Oval Cubes
o Purchase the long, oval party balloons

Flavored Cubes
o Although a little more time consuming than just filling water from the tap, this too is possible.
o Mix the desired flavor (i.e. the same flavor as the punch you are to use) and put it in a bowl
o Get a turkey baster
o Put the tip of the turkey baster in the mouth of the balloon and squeeze
o Pinch off the end of the balloon and refill the baster
o Insert the end of the baster into the balloon and continue until your balloon is the desired size.
o Tie off the balloon and freeze at least over night.

Colored Cubes
o Having colored cubes is much the same as flavored cubes, except for the fact that you just put a few drops of food coloring into the water you are squeezing into the balloons.

Now wasn't that simple? It costs next to nothing and takes very little time. And, you’ll have a little something extra in your punch or glasses to keep the conversation going.

Quick Note: This is an excellent chore for children or husbands to help you with and feel that they have contributed.

I have also found that my kids like to have extra balloons in the freezer just for sucking on in the middle of a particularly hot day, or to play with outside.

However, in the case of the water balloons, please be sure to stress one thing to your children. Even though the balloons LOOK like water balloons, the kids should NOT throw the frozen ice cubes at their friends, enemies, or siblings as a joke. They will cause some severe damage.

With that little issue note, I bid you Good Luck! and many happy entertaining events!