Mrs. Weber's Neighborhood

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3 Years of Wedded Bliss

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I am posting this a day early because I will be participating in VlogTalk tomorrow.

Three years ago tomorrow, I married the most wonderful man.

He laughs at my stupid jokes.

He holds my hand in church.

He knows when to let me cool off when I’m angry.

He pulls me close when I look like I might cry…even during commercials.

He doesn’t yell at me for spending money on things I don’t need.

He never complains when I ask him to do something…like change the baby’s diaper…for the 100th time in a row.

He listens when I rant (which happens a lot).

He understands my family dynamics and loves me anyways.

He is patient as can be with my grandma, even though she never remembers him.

He is an amazing dad and kisses our daughter about 8,000 times a day.

He supports me blogging.

He supports my social media obsessions, even though he doesn’t even have a Facebook page.

He is my cheerleader, my best friend and my everything.

Thanks for being you, boo. I love being married to you and look forward to growing old together.

Fab5: Free, Useful Apps

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During the past few weeks, I’ve conducted a lot of research and took time to sort through and test some of the best free apps available. I am a new iPhone user, and am in no way an expert, but I thought I’d share 5+ that have made my life easier (and more fun!).

* Please note most of these are available on the Android and Blackberry, too. Or if you don’t have a smartphone, you can check them all out online as well. *

1. GasBuddy – I’m always on the hunt for the best gas prices in town. Generally I know where the best prices are around my house, but when I’m out and about and need to fill up, I always check here first to see what’s the cheapest spot along my route. Every penny counts when we’re currently hovering around $4 per gallon (which is painful, even for my small car). GasBuddy is user generated, but so far I’ve found it to be extremely accurate.

2. AllRecipes Dinner Spinner – Such an easy way to plan a meal. Simply choose what meal you’re in need of (breakfast, dessert, etc.), select the main ingredient you have at home (i.e. chicken) and select the time you want it to take (mine is almost always on 20 minutes). The system automatically generates a list of recipe ideas. (AllRecipes, if you’re reading this, this is my third plug for you…I think that qualifies me as a super fan and I should start getting commission.) My kind of meal planning.

3. ShopSavvy – This app helps to find the lowest price on a specific item. Simply scan an item’s barcode at the store or at home and a list will pop up of both online and local retailers that have the item and the current price. This has been very helpful for some of our larger baby item purchases.

4. Pandora – Love music? You’ll love using Pandora to discover new artists. Limited time allotted in the free version, but I rarely go over my 40 hours granted per month. I love using it when I’m out taking a walk – I just pop it in the cup holder of our stroller. Sometimes I’m even nice and turn on the Disney station for Little K.

5. Yelp – Read reviews from real people on everything from hotels and restaurants to shops and bowling alleys. I love that this can pull the top-rated places wherever you are, as long as your geo-location services are enabled. Great for road trips when you’re looking for a hidden gem of a place. Another fave app, Foursquare is somewhat similar, but has a fun game component. Love that both of these apps show where there are check-in specials. That’s just savvy marketing for a company looking to advertise for free.

Bonus apps: For a time waster, I’ve been enjoying 7 Little Words, which is kind of like a challenging crossword puzzle/word search, and the very popular Angry Birds (but I only have the free version so far). And of course, Facebook and Twitter get a lot of use out of me as well!

With tons of apps out there, I know I’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the possibilities.

What is your favorite useful (and free) app?

27 Life Lessons

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Celebrating my 2nd birthday.

Today is my 27th birthday. To celebrate, I will be having sushi and cocktails later today. But, in reflection of my 27 years on the planet, I’ve decided to compile a list of some of the things I have learned thus far on my aging journey. Please note I have A LOT of learning left to do.

I’ve learned…

1. Boys (and girls) can break hearts, but there is always something better waiting in the wings.
2. My parents really did know what’s up.
3. I’m not too old to make new friends.
4. If I want to feel good, I need to do something good for someone else.
5. Being older doesn’t make you wiser.
6. To embrace my word vomit. If you don’t like me for it, we weren’t meant to be.
7. When finding a partner, choose someone who makes you smile through tears.
8. Good grades only get you so far in life. Kindness and hard work get you furthest.
9. A job I loved meant nothing once I held my baby for the first time.
10. Perfect strangers can give great advice.
11. Just because you can be connected 24/7 doesn’t mean you should be.
12. To go to bed thankful each night and always say prayers for those in need.
13. The best way to grieve is through time and girlfriends. And ice cream.
14. To embrace change. It’s not always easy, but it happens for a reason.
15. Mixing wine, beer and liquor in the same night is not a good idea.
16. On that note, $5 bottles of wine can taste just as good as $75 bottles.
17. Having a strong spiritual life is crucial when it comes to answering life’s uncertainties.
18. Judging someone is unfair. Treat each person as a blank slate.
19. To savor the joys of life’s simple pleasures: a great book, clean sheets fresh out of the dryer, bubbles, etc.
20. Saving for the future needs to begin with your first paycheck.
21. It’s important to think before speaking (I’ve yet to master this one).
22. Becoming a parent makes you love your spouse on a new, beautiful level.
23. Money is nice to have, but I’d rather be rich with love.
24. To trust my instincts. They never have steered me wrong.
25. Life is shades of gray, not black and white. Hence my belief a two-party political system is whack.
26. To choose happiness, not chase it.
27. The next five minutes could be the most important ever. Live in the now.

What are some of your most notable lessons learned thus far?

A Week of Firsts

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It has been a week of firsts at the Weber household.

First time to touch balloons…

First time to go in our sweet new $10 kiddie pool…

 

First time to go to the Detroit Zoo…

 

And fall asleep at the Detroit Zoo…

It’s a miracle how fast little ones grow. Little K is 8 months old now, and while I look forward to many more firsts, I also wish I could stall time.

What firsts have you experienced this week?

This post was linked up for Wordful Wednesday. To show your own Wednesday photo love, visit the following fab ladies: Project Alicia, Stacy Uncorked, Seven Clown Circus and Parenting BY Dummies.

How I Met My Husband

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For this week’s VlogTalk, I am also linking up with a Project Marriage Challenge with Life Without Pink and Mommyfriend.

Since my husband and I will celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary next week, I decided the prompt to discuss how we met would be most appropriate this week. Check out my video below and don’t laugh too much. This one took quite a few takes! There’s a bit more hilarity to the story, but I tried to keep it as short and sweet as possible. There’s also some outtakes at the end, including a snippet of Little K puking on me. Lovely.

Yes, my husband and I met at a kegger in college. Where did you meet your significant other?

Want to vlog?! Give it a shot and link up with the fab ladies at Mommy Is In Timeout, My Time as Mom and Mommy Monologues.

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Gluten-Free Baked Goods: Ethel’s Edibles

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I was sharing Friday’s post about Michigan snacks on Twitter like a good little social media nerd, when I got an uber-delish proposition to try a new Michigan snack – Ethel’s Edibles.

As I mentioned in the post, I love supporting all things local, so of course I took owner Jill Bommarito up on her offer for me to sample some of her snacks, which just so happen to also be gluten-free.

She was heading up my way, so she hand delivered the treats. Now that’s service! I was thrilled to see a cute little package on my doorstep, complete with a hand written note (always a nice touch in my opinion).

I feel very fortunate to not have a need for a gluten-free diet. However, for many people, including those with wheat allergies and celiac disease, glutens can cause a lot of dietary stress.

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, and helps to hold together the ingredients of breads, pasta and most baked goods. Those who are allergic to gluten, or who have a hard time digesting it, can’t eat many desserts, pizza or sandwiches.

If I suddenly learned I couldn’t eat cake or pizza, a little part of me might die.

Thankfully, places like Ethel’s Edibles are popping up across America to help those missing out on some of the best foods life has to offer.

A few tweaks to her grandma’s recipes (that’s where the name Ethel comes from…isn’t that cute?!) and Jill has been able to master the art of baking gluten-free, to the relief of some of her close family members who have suffered with celiac disease. And let me tell you, after tasting these treats, you won’t even know which ingredients are missing. They are THAT delish.

If you are on a strict gluten-free diet, Ethel’s Edibles will solve all your sweet tooth cravings. But even if your body allows for glutens, I highly suggest biting into some of Ethel’s Edibles for a tasty, unique treat.

Check them out and order online here.

Also, feel free to watch my video below as I taste test the company’s Pecan Dandys and Hot Blondies for the first time.

I was in no way compensated for this post, however, Ethel’s Edibles did provide me with the treats to sample as indicated above.

Fab5: Michigan Snacks

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There are oodles of amazingly tasty products here in Michigan. As a huge supporter of buying local when possible, I’m always looking for a tasty treat that I feel good about purchasing. Although it was a very hard list to narrow down, here are 5 of my favorite treats from my home state:

1. Hudsonville Ice Cream – This company makes seriously delicious flavors of homemade ice cream. My favorites are definitely between Grand Traverse Bay Cherry Fudge and Candy Bar Whirl. (I also adore Michigan-made Moose Tracks too!) Twitter: @Hudsonville_IC and @Moose_Tracks

2. Faygo Pop (or soda for you non-Michiganders) – Nothing beats a bottle of Faygo on a hot summer day. My favorite is and always will be Red Pop. It brings back wonderful summer memories of being a kid and having that red mustache surrounding my mouth after taking a swig. Twitter: @MyFaygo

3. Simply Suzanne Granola – Disclaimer: I’m currently doing some freelance work for Suzanne, but work aside, this is just a good product. It’s available in four sweet and savory flavors, but my favorite is the dark chocolate and coffee. You can’t go wrong with that combo! Twitter: @SuzanneVier

4. McClure’s Pickles – Salty snacks are such a weakness of mine. I love, love McClure’s pickles – especially the garlic dill. I also love the story of how McClure’s came to be. A lesson to us all to cherish those family recipes. Next on my list of theirs to try is the bloody mary mix. Who’s bringing over the vodka?  Twitter: @McCluresPickles

5. Garden Fresh Gourmet – Jack’s Special salsa needs to be available by the gallon. It’s sooo good and tastes so fresh with “copious amounts of cilantro.” Additionally, the company’s tortilla chips and hummus are mega delish, too. Twitter: @GFSalsa

If you’re interested in learning more about buying Michigan made products, check out Buy Michigan Now.

What are your favorite local treats from Michigan and beyond?

 

Ultimate Tex Mex Dip

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Every kid has that recipe that they go gaga over. Tex Mex dip was my sweet spot growing up.

My mom always stocked our cupboards with healthy, boring stuff and I always had the healthiest lunch at the table in elementary school. This is the worst fate ever to a 10 year old because nobody ever wanted to trade anything with me.

But, there was one unhealthy thing my mom would make for an occasional meal (not even a snack!) and that was what I knew as Tex Mex dip (you may know it in some form of a 7 layer dip).

She typically made it during the summer when our house, without air conditioning, was miserable and she didn’t want to stand in front of the hot stove. I have good memories of our family of five gathered around our small oak table scooping dip for our meal and sweating like mad.

Man is this stuff good. I took my mom’s tattered recipe and made it up north this past weekend, and it was gone in just a few hours (it makes a huge portion and tastes good the next day). There’s lots of variations of this kind of dip, but this one is still my favorite.

TEX MEX DIP

INGREDIENTS

2 cans bean dip (found in the chip aisle)

2 avocados (mashed with salt and pepper)

½ taco seasoning packet

1 cup mayo

1 cup sour cream

Can of black olives

1 small onion

2-3 small chopped tomatoes

Shredded cheese – 8 oz. (cheddar or taco)

2 bags of your favorite tortilla chips

LAYER

1)   Bean dip

2)   Avocado

3)   Mix taco seasoning with sour cream and mayo

4)   Tomatoes

5)   Onions

6)   Black olives

7)   Cheese

Serve with chips…and maybe even a margarita.

Thanks, Mama Kat for the fun prompt!

Mama’s Losin’ It

Love children’s books? Make sure to enter my giveaway below to win a copy of a new adorable book!

Northern Michigan: My Happy Place

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My happy place is in Northern Michigan.

Where water can be found everywhere, and looks beautiful and peaceful, despite cold weather.

 And people have time for breakfast at one-of-a-kind places where the locals greet you with kindness.

 (But if you don’t finish your breakfast, you have to wear a dog hat until you pay your bill…and you get put on their Facebook page.)

It’s a place where family and friends gather. Or, meet for the very first time.

And family photos are snapped in a not-so-perfect manner.

It’s a place where bonds are formed over too much food, too many cocktails, pontoon rides and cool night bonfires.

Oh, the beauty of the north!

Where is your happy place?

This post was linked up for Wordful Wednesday. To show your own Wednesday photo love, visit the following fab ladies: Project Alicia, Stacy Uncorked, Live and Love…Out Loud, Seven Clown Circus and Parenting BY Dummies.

Interview with a Neighbor + Book Giveaway

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One of my life goals is to write a children’s book, so when I met children’s author Jim Miller on Twitter a few years back, I knew I wanted to get to know him better. Fast-forward some months…my company at the time was doing some hiring and he just so happened to be looking. His interview was our first meeting. Not only is he one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, he is an incredibly talented PR guy and a great dad to two little cuties.

His children’s book series highlight adorable, non-scary monsters Basie and Paisley. He was kind enough to give me copies when my daughter was born, and she loves them. The bright colors and quirky storylines make them a fun read for kids of all ages.

With a new book on the horizon, I thought I’d pick his brain on how he got into the biz of book writing and get a sneak peek on the newest book and character to join the series.

How did you get started writing children’s books?

It was a happy accident. I like to think I’ve always been a tad silly and will always be a kid at heart (life is too short not to have fun). The idea really came to out of nowhere. I just thought… I need to write a children’s book and it’ll be about a fun and friendly monster acting silly. Part of wanting to have a children’s book is that I want my kids to know that they can do anything they want to do in life and they can always be reminded of that by seeing the children’s books I’ve done with my sister. Since becoming a father and buying kids books, I quickly realized that the big publishers publish a lot of uninspiring books (to say it nicely).

Where do you find inspiration for your books?

I’m definitely the type of person to stop and smell the roses. I absorb and observe what’s around me every day. A huge part of that is my daughters. The Bumpies that are pets (of sorts) in my new book “A Moose In The Basement” came from when we drive over a dirt road in Waterford [Michigan]. My girls always say, “here come the bumpies,” which would be the bumps in the dirt road. I took that and decided “the bumpies” would become pets for the monsters in my books.

Does beig a dad give you a different perspective on children’s books? If so, how?

Absolutely. We (my wife and I) like to read books to our girls that are fun, inspire creativity, imagination, convey pure morals, etc. The basis for my Basie & Paisley Children’s Books is pure fun. I want kids to be kids. I want them to be silly. I want them to use their imagination and enjoy the simple moments of life.

Your sister, Leslie, is the illustrator. What has it been like having this be a family affair?

It’s a great time. Life certainly changes as days go by, but in a good way. My sister, by trade, is a graphic artist so it made perfect sense to have her illustrate the books. What I asked her if she wanted to do it, she instantly said yes. In fact, she said that illustrating a children’s book was one of her dreams. Now, she’s done three children’s books. I don’t art direct her at all. I simply give her starting ideas for what I’d like the monster characters to look like and I let her go with it. She’s the graphic artist, not me :0)

What are your favorite children’s books?

I love the classics from when I was a little kid… Peter Rabbit, Dr. Seuss, Curious George, etc.

What is your newest book, “A Moose In The Basement” all about?

I wanted to include a book in my Basie & Paisley series that is all about animals, but not the typical, boring, same old animals that are in every book you pick up (pigs, horses, etc.).

I thought it would be fun to have a new fun and friendly monster who has wild animals in every room of his house and takes you through his home to show all the wild animals such as a squid, bison, sugar gliders and more.

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If you’re local to Michigan, Jim and Leslie will be hosting a book launch party at the Clarkston Union on Sunday, June 5 from 12-1:30 p.m. Stop by with your kiddos to purchase a book, eat custom cupcakes, color and more. See event link for additional details and to RSVP.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!

I have a copy of “A Moose In The Basement” to give away. To enter, just leave a comment to tell me what your favorite childhood book is and be sure to include your email address (this will not be published). I will pick someone at random next Tuesday, June 7 and will inform the winner via email.

For an extra entry, please tweet the following:

I entered to win “A Moose in the Basement” from @BasieAndPaisley via @LaurenWeber84 http://wp.me/p1tcUs-8n

And of course, if you don’t win, you can always purchase the book on your own on Amazon here.

Fab5: Macaroni and Cheese Upgrades

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Love this magnet from Etsy! Just $4 here.

Everyone loves the blue box on occasion, and it’s something almost everyone has in the cupboard at all times. While it’s fun to appeal to kids (and what kid doesn’t love mac n’ cheese?), us adults have to find ways to have fun with our share, too. Try these simple fixes to turn the $1 treat into a tasty low-budget meal.

1. Tex Mex Beefy Mac – Salsa, ground beef and corn make this a quick meal, perfect for leftovers, too. Or, even put it it right into a tortilla shell.

2. Macaroni and Tuna Noodle Casserole – Just make the box as prepared, add tuna and cream of mushroom soup. If you’re feeling like being classic with the recipe, add in fresh (or frozen) peas.

3. Old Fashioned Baked Mac and Cheese – Go into a comfort food coma with a low-budget twist, including Italian dressing and diced tomatoes.

4. Macaroni Lasagna – Forget about cooking those long annoying noodles with this recipe – just add sauce, beef and mozzarella.

5. Macaroni and Cheese Chilled Salad – Heading to a picnic? Try this recipe including celery, boiled eggs and tomato for something yummy and different.

My husband has also gotten me into Frank’s Red Hot lately. Now I can’t have macaroni and cheese or cheesy potatoes without it!

How do you spice up your blue box treat?

10 Summer Don’ts

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1. Don’t be the neighbor with five of those “gazing balls” on your property. They really aren’t cool, and what the heck do they do exactly? One is plenty.

2. Don’t, under any circumstance, wear socks with sandals. It’s never OK.

3. If you’re a younger male, don’t ever wear jean shorts. Something about them just looks goofy. Opt for khakis or cargos instead, please. And on that note, capris for males are never OK either.

4. Don’t be pregnant in the summer. I was last year and it was tough. My ankles swelled like mad due to heat and I really, really missed (and craved!) fun frozen adult beverages. (I know, kind of impossible to predict, but avoid if you can!)

5. Don’t forget to mow your lawn. Being the jerk neighbor, like mine below, is not acceptable when our property value is not what it was 3 years ago.

Don't do this to your own neighbors. *This was discreetly taken in my own neighborhood.*

6. Don’t let your kids squirt others with water guns. Or splash babies at the pool. That’s not nice. Please teach manners, instead.

7. Don’t ever go braless in a tank top when you are anything more than an A-cup.

8. Don’t ever wear a thong or speedo bathing suit. Nobody wants to see your buns or package when trying to enjoy a sunny day at the beach.

9. Don’t wear casual clothes to summer weddings. Jean anything is NOT OK at weddings. Have a little respect for the bride and groom! And on that note, don’t get so drunk that you accidentally walk into the wrong bathroom (I’ve witnessed this on a few occasions).

10. Most important message – don’t forget to wear sunscreen. If you have a few minutes, watch this amazing PSA, “Dear 16-year-old Me,” by the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund of Canada to learn more. If I could only go back in time when I was 16, I would have never just ignored sunscreen like I did.

Thanks, Mama Kat for the fun prompt!

Mama’s Losin’ It

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