June 2020

Read About June's Featured Swan Princess Fan Here

Find June's Trivia Question Here

June is filled with celebration with Father's Day, Graduations, and a busy wedding season.

This June will be different from what we are used to. 

Some will be able to see their Dad in person, whilst others will have to wait a little longer, to keep everyone safe.

 People in the village who do not live with their parents have been mailing gifts and cards to their Dads.

Some people may be thinking of memories with their parents, just like Princess Odette who misses her own Father every day.

Princess Alise has organized a picnic for everyone in the palace for Father's Day

What do you have planned for the month of June?

Bowling at Home:

You Will Need:
Space to play
Empty bottles/cans
Plastic ball or a tennis ball

1. Set up bottles and cans like bowling pins or, for a different challenge, stack them into a pyramid.

2. Play on your own or take turns with others and see how many 'pins' you can knock over!

It's a lot more fun if you keep score!

Why not decorate your "pins" or paint them different colors for added fun?

Lemon Pound Cake

Ingredients:
3/4 cups (175g) unsalted butter, softened (plus extra for the pan)
1 cup (175g) sugar (or golden caster sugar)
3 large eggs
3 large lemons, zested, plus 4-4 ½ tbsp juice
2 cups (250g) self-rising flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cups(100g) Greek yogurt
4 cups (400g) powdered sugar

Method:
1. Heat oven to 300F (170C/150C fan/gas 3)
2. Grease a deep 7-inch cake round. 
3. Beat the butter and sugar together with an electric whisk until fluffy.
4. Crack the eggs into the mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the lemon zest.
5. Fold in the flour, baking powder, and ½ tsp salt, then fold in the yogurt.
6. Spoon the mixture into the lined tin, smoothing the top with a spatula.
7. Bake in the center of the oven for 50-55 mins, or until golden brown on top and firm to the touch.
8. Cool in the tin for 10 mins before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Sieve the icing sugar into a bowl and beat in enough of the lemon juice to create a thick icing.
10. Set the cake on a serving plate or cake stand, then spoon over the icing, allowing it to drip down the sides a little and top with the lemon zest

For an extra tasty treat, add some lemon zest to the top of the cake. If you'd like to try something else, decorate your cake with some candied peel, check out how to make the peel below!

Ingredients:
2 large lemons
1/8 cup (20g) granulated sugar

Method:
1. Peel large, wide strips from the lemons using a vegetable peeler.
2. Remove any pith with a knife, then julienne the peel into very thin matchsticks.
3. Tip the granulated sugar into a saucepan with 1 cup (200ml) water and set over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
4. Add the lemon peel and simmer gently for 15 mins, then scoop the peel out using a slotted spoon and set on a piece of kitchen paper to cool.
5. Use to decorate the top of your cake.

Why Weddings in June?

The month of June was named after the goddess, Juno. This goddess is the protector of women, especially in marriage and childbearing. Traditionally a wedding in Juno’s month was considered most likely to succeed.

June is still a favorite month for weddings. Most likely this is because of good weather and the ease of travel for guests. However, another interesting beginning of this tradition is from Celtic culture. On the Celtic calendar, May 1st is Beltane or May Day. This is a celebration of fertility where couples would meet and begin dating. This courtship traditionally lasted 3 months, with the marriage taking place on August 1st. Since youths were often impatient for marriage, the time was shortened to six weeks, scheduling most weddings in mid-June.

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 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.