​This is the time of year when many of us are finally settling into the routines that are sometimes missing during summer.  My 7th grade daughter is back to dancing, playing volleyball and doing homework. With her back in school, I too am focused on doing things that were put aside during our summer fun.  

My first self-published cookbook is ready and available for purchase at https://www.blurb.com/b/9645370-together!  With fall slowly approaching, many of you may find yourselves at a welcome back to school potluck, tailgating, or hosting a "farewell to summer" party. Whether you are with a crowd or simply trying to decide what to have for dinner, I think you will find something to enjoy in my cookbook, TOGETHER: Recipes to Bring Family and Friends to the Table.   I launched my book today on blurb.com. Be one of the first to purchase the book and let me know what you think! 

​Check out the recipe below for a sneak peak of some of the delicious food ideas you will find in
​Together: Recipes to Bring Family and Friends to the Table
https://www.blurb.com/b/9645370-together​

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​While sitting in the school car pick-up line yesterday, I was scrolling through Instagram and was so excited when I saw the awesome news that a #IMOMSOHARD show will be coming to ABC! These hilarious moms, Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley get me and thousands of other moms! It was so fitting that I saw the news in the car pick-up line!
 
Kristin and Jen’s #IMOMSOHARD YouTube videos are so funny and spot on about the joys and challenges of being a mom. I absolutely loved their so funny and insight New York Time’s bestselling #IMOMSOHARD book. After crazy days with my high energy seven year-old twins, Sophia and Stella I would grab a glass of wine and unwind with laughter as I flipped through their honest, funny stories. 

​I’ve been in that crazy mode of packing everything into the end of summer with the girls and all the back-to-school chaos. I have this mental list of “when the girls are back in school I’m going too…” and watching the #IMOMSOHARD Live, an Amazon Original is on my list! I follow Kristin and Jen’s Instagram Stories and posts and they’ve been hinting that they have been working really hard and something magical was about to happen.

#IMOMSOHARD, Believe and Magic Will Happen
Kristin and Jen shared their big ABC news and the announcement in Variety in their Instagram post and it was so cool to see how their hard work and belief in humor and friendship has turned out in such a magical way. Walt Disney said, “Get a good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work at it until it’s done right.” I couldn’t help but smile as I knew Walt Disney would be thrilled that Kristin and Jen didn’t give up when their previous pilot wasn’t picked up. They kept at it, kept touring, kept making videos, kept writing, and kept making us laugh and feel connected. 
 
Back to my "girls are back in school" list, I’m trying to start running again. So hard. I searched for a #IMOMSOHARD podcast and just listened to an interview with Jill Devine from Two Kids and A Career and Kristin and Jen as I ran. So funny, so real, and so encouraging. I loved how they discussed having a mom wolf pack, helping each other, and reaching out to others. There was also this funny moment when someone opened a door and was trying to have a side conversation during the podcast and they laughed at how life is always full of messy interruptions. I immediately cracked up as a few weeks ago I had to do an insurance conference call when the girls were home. I had fully bribed them with YouTube and snacks and shared that I just needed them to be quiet for 20 minutes while I did my call. The minute I said hello it was loud and chaos and I ended up doing the call in the kitchen panty where the girls also tried to come in.
 
I love the humor of Kristin and Jen but also love that they are humble and grateful. On the podcast they talked about juggling kids and travel. They shared that they believe it is really good for their sons and daughters to see them take this thing that was a complete surprise and do well with it and run with it. It is important for them to show their kids how they are committing to something that matters to them. They even took their kids on stage at a recent show so the kids could see the audience and how they are inspiring other moms. This is awesome. They also love late night cheese plates, I do too!

​ABC & Disney You Are Awesome
I love that in this digital age there are so many more opportunities to share our messy stories and laugh together. Kristin and Jen have shared their stories one YouTube post, one live show, and one book at a time. I am so excited that ABC and Disney are now bringing their funny, encouraging, and spot on stories to TV. ABC and Disney understand the power of sharing stories to inspire us and bring us together. Thank you to ABC and Disney for believing in these funny gals and supporting their big dreams. We can’t wait to tune in and watch #IMOMSOHARD Kristin and Jen on ABC! 

​Meg

Summer is in full swing and the struggle is real - playing with toys instead of devices. We changed it up this summer and are doing different camps and activities sprinkled throughout the summer instead of a daily camp like in the past. The girls had a blast at horse camp and are having a great time at adventure camp. 

In between camps and activities we are swimming, going to the park, bike riding, cooking, reading, and staying busy. The struggle is real though when it comes to tech versus toys. The girls would watch YouTube, play on their Kindles, or play games on my iPhone all the time if I let them.

CB Insights shared that parents are even now hiring screen counselors to help shift kids off of devices and into physical playing. I wish I could say I simply tell the girls we are going to play with our toys instead of devices and that they would happily go right along. Instead it is a back and forth and me constantly saying we need to take a break from the devices. The struggle is real and the girls can wear me out with their zest for devices. I'm trying to stay tough and decrease our screen time. Once we start playing the girls have a good time and I love seeing their creativity pouring out. 

The other day I once again declared we needed a break from devices and the girls wanted to play with Barbies. I love watching them organize the Barbies into families and groups of friends. They have a great system for loading them up into their camper and cars. The kitchen table quickly became the vacation destination and we set up swimming pools. They set up tons of dogs that had joined in the journey and we had a great time playing. I love hearing them chatter about what the Barbies are doing and seeing Sophia and Stella play together. I also love the Barbie #MoreRoleModels campaign and we have so many cool Barbies doing so many cool jobs! Love how Barbie is helping to inspire my girls!

These summer days are flying by way to quick and the back to school displays are already popping up in stores. I'm going to hold on to summer and playing with my sweet girls. The struggle is real with devices versus toys but I'm going to keep battling and keep trying to play as much as possible.

Since the struggle is real not just for me, but for so many of us, here are some links to articles on some tips for keeping up the good fight on less time on devices and more time playing.

Realistic screen time solutions for kids (and their parents) ​
Feb. 22, 2018 By Vivian Manning-Schaffel
https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/realistic-screen-time-solutions-kids-their-parents-ncna850056
- We are working hard to practice what we preach and the struggle is real for us too!

These 4 strategies will help you and your kids have a much more peaceful summer.
Calah Alexander | May 09, 2019 
https://aleteia.org/2019/05/09/how-to-limit-screen-time-this-summer-for-your-kids-and-why-you-should/
​- We love the tip on no screens in the morning to help set up a more positive day and not overstimulate the kids right away!

10 Ways to Limit Your Child's Screen Time 
Amy Morin, LCSW Updated July 05, 2019
https://www.verywellfamily.com/tips-for-limiting-electronics-and-screen-time-for-kids-1094870
- We love her tip on creating “technology free zones!”

Thanks for stopping by! Happy summer and have a great time playing with your kids!

​Meg
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Are you going to a 4th of July cook-out, pool party, or evening celebration?! We have an appetizer that is sure to create fireworks of excitement with your friends and family! Messy mommy Holly shared this firework worthy hot dog recipe last Memorial Day and we are sharing it again!

Holly found this great recipe that is perfect to celebrate America! Even if you don’t get around to firing up your grill this weekend, you can still enjoy this hot dog!  Everyone was shocked when Holly showed up with the chili cheese hotdog bread to a family gathering because she often stays on the healthy side when it comes to snacking. It was a huge hit and Holly definitely could have doubled the recipe! 

Happy 4th of July! We hope you have a wonderful weekend celebrating our great country with family and friends! 

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​​It seems just days ago we were sitting down to write our resolutions for the New Year! Eleanora and I landed on cutting meat from our diet with the idea that it would be a healthy way to begin 2019. We didn’t have specific reasons for doing this, but we did know we wanted to focus on eating more vegetables and fish. Of course there are many upsides to not eating meat. Did you know that if you stop eating meat you have a positive influence on your carbon footprint? If that is too much to consider, your skin may start to look better, and you may experience a significant drop in cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Of course there are many pros with the decision to stop eating meat, but it isn’t all good news!  
 
While there are many nutritional elements to consider when depleting meat from your diet, one thing Eleanora and I did not consider was the fact that we would not welcome the arrival of summer with our favorite summer meal! She and I share a LOVE of barbecue ribs! As we approach Memorial Day Weekend, otherwise known as the official kick-off to summer, I am reminded of one of my favorite BBQ Rib recipes we typically enjoy over this holiday weekend.   
 
There are few resolutions made on New Year’s day kept this late into the year, but Eleanora and I have been strong! I know we are not going to indulge in these easy to make, fall off the bone, tender BBQ Ribs this Memorial Day Weekend, but we think you should indulge in these for us!  Don’t worry about your cholesterol this weekend – the arrival of summer only happens once a year! Enjoy!

​Holly

Kraft, you get me! Thanks for the sweet Mother's Day Gift! A Mother's Day away with free babysitting! When I heard about the clever Kraft Mother's Day Away gift on the Today Show I had to laugh. Someone working at Kraft realizes that sometimes moms just want a break and a moment away to breath. As I've shared before, Tony and I married later in life and had kids later in life. As I close in on turning 50, my amazing, sweet twins, Sophia and Stella turned 7 in March! I joke about it often but I am constantly tired, LOL! So, Kraft I love that you get me and realize that sometimes you just want one hour away to catch your breath, or even a couple of minutes to go to the bathroom alone! 

Just last night I was making Kraft Mac & Cheese for the girls for dinner while trying to also help them figure out costumes for "jobs" day at school (J day for the ABC school year countdown), pack lunches for school, find change for the baby bottle drive, and remember to wash Stella's soccer uniform for her upcoming game. Late last night I finally had a minute to scroll through Twitter and retweeted Kraft's epic Mother's Day Away gift and it made me smile. I'm hoping for a basket for my bike for Mother's Day and am hoping for a family bike ride on Sunday so I don't think I'll be able to take Kraft up on this joyful babysitting offer but it makes me smile thinking about it. 

In case you can break away for a few minutes of "me" time on Mother's Day here are the details for this great Kraft Mother's Day Away gift!

Step 1: Get yourself a babysitter on Mother’s Day.

Step 2: On Mother’s Day, after you’ve enjoyed a day of 'me-time' and uninterrupted conversation, come back to the Kraft website and submit your receipt and Kraft will cover up to $100 of your babysitter bill.

A few notes from the website:
OFFER ENDS AT 11:59 PM ET ON 5/19/19 OR WHILE FUNDS REMAIN AVAILABLE, WHICHEVER IS SOONER. LIMIT ONE REQUEST PER PERSON, EMAIL, OR HOUSEHOLD ADDRESS. ONLY OPEN TO PARENTS AGED 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. MAXIMUM $100 BABYSITTING REIMBURSEMENT PER PERSON OR HOUSEHOLD. ALLOW 6 – 8 WEEKS FOR SHIPMENT FOLLOWING VERIFICATION. See full terms and conditions for complete details. Offer good in USA, its territories and military addresses. Void where taxed, restricted or prohibited. Submissions by businesses, clubs or organizations will not be honored or responded to. Kraft Heinz reserves the right to verify identification and request additional proof of service and/or payment of service. Decisions of validity of submission materials are solely at the discretion of Kraft Heinz. Fraudulent submissions could result in federal prosecution under the U.S. Mail Fraud Statutes (18 United States Code, Sections 1341 and 1342). To check the status of your submission, go online to Kraft.rebateresearch.com.

​Thanks again to Kraft for this great Mother's Day Away gift and for cheering on moms! I'm so blessed to be Sophia and Stella's mom and adore my mom! Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day!
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Tim Placher rounded up amazing local singers and musicians, the Drauden Point Youth Choir, Emily Kowalski - a hoop dancer, an artist and the Rialto organist Glenn Tallar, and put on the epic All-Star Show at the Rialto in Joliet on April 22nd. I've known Tim since grade school and enjoy following his posts on Facebook. And, I loved watching his posts leading up to the show. His passion for music and creating musical opportunities for others was inspiring and showed his big heart for Joliet.

My family has been friends with the McCabe family forever and I was so excited that the amazing Chloe Briese was going to be a part of the All-Star Show. My parents, Bev and Serge Murer where going to the show to support Chloe and I met my parents at the show with my sweet seven year-old, Sophia to help cheer on Chloe. 

As Tim opened the show he talked about all the different times he had been to the Rialto over the years and that this was the first time he would be performing on the Rialto stage. It was such a cool moment and I couldn't help but think that I would love to speak from that iconic stage too. Tim did an awesome kicking off the show! The artists were all fantastic! Sophia and I watched Chloe perform several songs. Chloe is so gifted and we loved watching her perform. She has a very bright musical future ahead! Check out Tim's Facebook page to see great video highlights and pictures from the spectacular night. https://www.facebook.com/tim.placher

3. Showing Up - Milano Bakery & Elder Brewing Co. 
Everyone is busy and everyone has things going on. When trying to create new events there is always a lot of hustle. You learn a lot about people and companies by who shows up. Milano Bakery always shows up and shows their big heart. From tossing tons of bread to the crowds during the Christmas Parade to sponsoring youth sports teams to now Tim's All-Star Show, Milano Bakery always shows up and supports our community. Huge thanks to the entire Milano team for believing in our town and for showing up no matter the ask. You help make things possible. I had to pick up some Milano cookies before the All-Star Show! So good! Next time you are out shopping pick up some Milano bread and bakery items to support this great company that supports our community in such a big way! Elder Brewing Co. also showed up for this special night of music and even created a special brew in honor of Tim, the Shindig at the Shandy. I, of course had to try this special brew and it was great! Thanks to Elder Brewing for your support, check out this great place in downtown Joliet! Thanks to all the local businesses that show up to help support our community. To all the people that came out for Tim's All-Star show - wow! What an awesome crowd and I'm sure it meant a ton to the performers to look out on the packed house! Next time you see some event in downtown Joliet come on out! Together we strengthen our community and opportunities build. 

Awesome job Tim and all the performers for the All-Star Show! Chloe we think you are spectacular! Huge thanks to the Rialto and all the sponsors, wonderful evening! Thanks to everyone involved for showing your big heart in your passion for music and in helping Joliet thrive! Can't wait for the next show!

​Meg

Recipe card shown was made on canva.com - Eleanora shared the website with me after she learned about it in school. Love that I have my own technology assistant onsite!

We love celebrating the holidays with our family and friends and we love #PEEPS! As you gather to celebrate Easter, we have two drinks that will have you hopping with joy! And, more festive cocktail ideas to check out thanks to @alywalansky and Tara's Toddies! 

Coffee with @PEEPSBrand @Indelight #PEEPS Creamer
I am in LOVE with the International Delight Limited Edition PEEPS creamer! All you PEEPS loving fans will love this creamer with your coffee. So cute for your Easter brunch! And, for everyday! Epic!

Recipe: Coffee and International Delight PEEPS creamer! You'll be hopping with excitement over this PEEPS cup of joy! 

PEEPS Raspberry Lemonade Mimosas!
I love a festive holiday cocktail and we made this fun PEEPS raspberry lemonade mimosa for Easter a few years ago! Huge thanks to my niece Molly for helping me make all the PEEPS mimosas and for her cocktail expertise!

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​Recipe:
PEEPS
Pink sugar
Simply Lemonade with Raspberry
La Marca Prosecco

Dampen the rim of the glass and then dip the glass in the pink sugar. Fill glass about 1/4 full with Simply Lemonade with Raspberry. Fill with La Marca Prosecco. Cut a small slit in the PEEP and place on rim of glass. Add a cute straw. Enjoy!

Whimsical Cocktails
Wondering how people will be toasting with family and friends around the country over Easter break? What would be cool drinks to server this Easter weekend? Aly Walansky @alywalansky a NY-based lifestyles writer knows and shared some very fun cocktail ideas in Forbes. The "What's Up, Doc" is calling my name! Hop on over and read her festive article: These Easter-Themed Cocktails Are A Fun, Whimsical Way To Hop Into Spring @forbes

Tara's Toddies
Check out Tara's Toddies on Facebook! Tara Rand makes great cocktails on Facebook Live and recently made cottontail margaritas! They look so good and so fun for Easter! Love the coconut around the rim. I always love watching Tara share her latest cocktail creations!  She is so creative and gives funny commentary about the drinks as well as great cocktail making tips! Follow Tara today and let me know if you try the cottontail margarita!

Happy Easter
As I shared, I love getting together with family and friends during the holidays. I hope you enjoy the festive drink ideas and may you have a few minutes to relax with your family and friends and toast your many blessings. I know I will. Happy Easter and thanks for reading. Cheers!

Meg

Kim and I loved checking out ALDI for the Grand Re-Opening in Joliet! Here are our  6 favorite things!

1. No Quarter Needed!
Kim and I went to get a cart and all the carts already had quarters in them! Such a nice touch for the ALDI Grand Re-Opening!

2. We love the avocados and fresh produce!
In Kim's blog post about ALDI she talked about how she loves buying avocados at ALDI! The avocados are so good and the price is great! We love the fresh produce at ALDI's and the great prices. Our friends saw our ALDI Facebook and Twitter videos and were texting us about our ALDI adventures. Amy shared that she had not been to ALDI in about 16 years. We told her she needs to check out ALDI again and see the great deals on fresh produce! Eating healthy can be expensive and ALDI helps us try to be healthier without breaking the bank!

3. We love the ALDI weekly special aisle!
We love the ALDI weekly special aisle! You never know what you will find and so many great treasures to buy at a great price. In her blog post Kim talked about buying a  weed wacker and the gardening supplies were out on this trip too! Watch our video as we talk about this fun aisle and the ALDI Grand Re-Opening. On a side note, people thought we were a bit funny filming videos in ALDI! We were highly entertained with our own antics.

4. We love the alcohol section!
Kim and I were hunting for the pineapple presecco but they were sold out so we picked up a bottle of bellinis. Kim talked about the great deals on alcohol in her blog post so we had to do some pictures in this section! As we were taking some pictures a lady shared that this beer is her son's favorite! So try this beer! We're going to try the Wild Range IPA! 

 5. Join the ALDI Nerd Community Facebook Group!
So Kim found and joined the ALDI Nerd Community Facebook Group and it is so fun! I joined too! These ALDI super fans talk about products to try, share ALDI shopping tips and recipes, and seem to know all the best deals! We love this group! Kim said that the ALDI group said that the TOP THE TATER is amazing so we picked it up! You should too! The TOP THE TATER looks amazing and we are so excited to try it! Check out the TOP THE TATER Facebook group for recipe ideas!

6. Fun with Friends
Grocery shopping, budgets, meal planning, etc. can wear you down but when you're with your friends it can be so much fun. As Kim and I have talked about grocery shopping, it has been way more fun trading tips together. Going to the ALDI Grand Re-Opening was a great energizer in the middle of a hectic week. We loved the free carts, the huge free re-useable ALDI shopping bags, and checking out all the deals. Most of all we loved having fun together. We were cracking up as we did Facebook Live, Twitter Live, took pictures and made videos. We had fun chatting with other customers and the local ALDI team was so nice. It was fun bantering about what we should buy or not buy. We know life is messy and so super busy. When you are feeling weary from the long list of "to dos" grab your girlfriend and head over to ALDI. You'll shop "differentli", will find some healthy deals, lots of treasures, great alcohol, and some laughs in the aisles. Look for Kim and me - we'll be by the avocados or alcohol! 

In the comments below tell us about your favorite items at ALDI! Thanks for reading!

​Meg