Mom 2 Mom Sales for September 27th, 2014

Elizabeth Lewis

September 24, 2014

Kirk in the Hills

Strollers Allowed
45 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
1340 W Long Lake Rd
W of Telegraph

Bloomfield Hills

*

St. Mary Magdalen K of C

Strollers Allowed
85 Tables
Sold Out!!!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 am.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
2201 S Old Hwy 23
Between Hilton & Hyne

Brighton

*

Chelsea MOPS at {First United Methodist Church}

Strollers Allowed
50 Tables
No Early Bird!!!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Admission}
General – $1

{Location}
128 Park St
At M52

Chelsea

*

Garden City High School

Strollers Allowed
85 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
6500 Middlebelt
Between Ford & Warren

Garden City

*

St. Joseph Church

Strollers Allowed
30 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
425 E. Washington
At Grand River & Michigan

Howell

*

Good Shepherd Lutheran MOPS

Strollers Allowed
55 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
1950 S Bladwin
Between Clarkston & Waldon

Lake Orion

*

MOPS at {Trinity United Methodist}

Strollers Allowed
35+ Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
1310 N Main (M24)
At Oregon & Daley

Lapeer

*

Newburg United Methodist Church

Strollers After 10
32 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
36500 Ann Arbor Trail
Between Wayne & Newburgh Road

Livonia

*

Fox Elementary PTO

Strollers Allowed
125+ Tables
Sold Out!!!

{Time}
8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:00

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
17500 Milestone
West off of Romeo Plank/South of 21 Mile

Macomb

*

Holy Cross Catholic School

Strollers Allowed
120 Tables
New!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
618 South Water Street
South of Union Street

Marine City

*

Plymouth-Canton MOMS at {Risen Christ Lutheran}

Strollers After 10
Department Store Style

{Time}
8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
46250 Ann Arbor Road
At McClumpha

Plymouth

*

Rochester 1st Church of Nazarene

Strollers Allowed
65 Tables
Sold Out!!!

{Time}
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Admission}
General – $2

{Location}
1799 Walton Blvd
East of Old Perch

Rochester Hills

*

Grace Preschool

Strollers Allowed
60 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
7525 Thirty Two Mile
At Campground

Romeo

*

Shrine Catholic Grade School

Strollers After 10
70 Tables
Sold Out!!!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
1621 Linwood
12 Mile & Woodward

Royal Oak

*

Saline Parks & Rec

Strollers Allowed
87 Tables
Sold Out!!!

{Time}
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
1866 Woodland
South of Textile/Between State & Maple

Saline

*

St. Joan of Arc PTG

No Strollers
75 Tables

{Time}
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird}
8:30 a.m.

{Admission}
EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}
22415 Overlake
South of 9 Mile/ At Greater Mack

St. Clair Shores

Fall Meal Planning With Michigan Apples

Sharon Maxfield

September 21, 2014

As much as I love summertime at one of Michigan’s lovely lakes {swoon, beach, sand, sunset}, I have to admit the truth. I really do think I am an autumn girl at heart.

There’s just something so unbelievably special about waking up in the morning, bundled up under the warm blankets, tossing on a pair of jeans and a {insert college of preference} hooded sweatshirt and heading out with the family to one of the many cider mills that surround Metro Detroit. (Seriously, there are a ton. No matter where you are in the area, my guess is that you don’t have to drive more than twenty minutes to experience your own apple-cider-and-cinnamon-sugar-donut bliss. Check out Michigan Cider Mills to find one close to you.) Seriously though, this is not the point of what I want to talk about. With many of the cider mills come U-pick apple orchards. Whether you pick a peck, half bushel or full bushel, freshly picked apples are one of the most exciting things about fall in the mitten state. Other states buy our apples because we have the best……Gala, honeycrisp, empire…. Mmmmm. YUM!

But let’s be real. This post is not about cider mills and apple picking. This post is about meal planning and prepping. It’s what you do with the apples that is the best part of the autumn season.

This weekend my family went to Erwin Orchards in South Lyon with another family. We each picked a half bushel of apples to take home for our families to enjoy. While on the tractor between the MacIntosh and Gala apples, we all started to rattle off the foods we were hoping to make with our 75+ apples: applesauce, apple turnovers, pork tenderloin glazed in apples, apple-butternut squash soup {my favorite, especially when topped with crispy bacon!}, apple butter, caramel apples…. The list goes on. And on. And on. When hopping off the tractor, I of course was doing the math in my head.

You see, something about me that you probably don’t know is that I love to meal plan. It brings me great pleasure to score a deal at the butcher or farmer’s market, especially when I can make multiple meals from the bargain or even plan extra freezer meals.

So this apple picking adventure cost us $17 to fill the half bushel bag with apples of our choice. We estimated we had anywhere from 75-90 apples in our bag. So, in my mind I was factoring a cost of $.15-.20/apple as being a pretty epic score.

My plan is currently in flight, but from my $17 expense I will be able to make:

2 batches of Apple – Zucchini – Carrot muffins and bread(Read – 48 mini muffins, divided into zip lock bags of 6 count to freeze for easy access for my toddler PLUS four mini loaves of bread for me to freeze in quart sized zip lock bags which each will be a week of breakfast for me at work) (PLUG – my child hates, hates, hates vegtables. She loves these muffins. #WIN!)

Marinade for four pork tenderloins as freezer meals

We love a simple marinades to use in our crock pot. One of our favorites is to use apples, brown sugar, maple syrup and apple cider vinegar over a pork tenderloin. I was able to get four 1.5lb cuts of pork tenderloin for $3.99/lb from our butcher, so will be putting each one into a gallon sized zip lock bag with all of the ingredients and tossing in the freezer for easy access to a ready-to-cook meal.

Applesauce

Seriously – using just a quarter of our half-bushel of apples is bringing me three quarts of applesauce. Using pint-sized mason jars, I’m loaded with twelve jars of applesauce to cater to my picky toddler’s food aversion dinners.

Apple Turnovers

If you are anything like me, you have a wee bit of a sweet tooth. Ok I lied. I need something sweet after dinner each day because if I don’t, I dig for sweets after putting my little one to bed. Using a simple pie crust or cresent rolls, I prepped 50 mini apple turnovers. I froze them in quart sized bags (so 5 per bag), which means I can have a quick and easy-to-heat dessert whenever my heart desires!

Fried Apples

As a freezer item. Yes, I have diced up apples to put into quart sized ziplocks with a splash of lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg. I can grab the small bags to quickly sautee up with a bit of butter or coconut oil for a delicious side dish. I made four freezer bags of diced apples.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Yes, that’s right. I am making my own ACV. Using the scraps from the apples I pealed for the above recipes, I have a quart size mason jar sitting in my cupboard, loaded with peals, water and sugar, waiting to turn into the magic that is apple cider vinegar. This will be a key item in changing how I work our meal budget. We seriously use a bottle of ACV each week, which costs us around $5/bottle. If the scraps from our family fun filled apple picking adventure can overlap into making this key kitchen ingredient a DIY cost-savings item, I will stock up now on at least three bushels of apples! {just kidding, I have limited freezer space for freezer meals!}

Of course, I’m keeping about two dozen apples for us to eat raw. I love seeing my toddler proudly grab herself an apple, rub it on her shirt like her daddy and chomp into it. And I absolutely needed a few whole gala apples for my lunches this week – apple-bacon-gouda quesadillas.

{Happy fall, happy planning, happy cooking}

Family Finances :: Managing Family Money

Sharon Maxfield

September 19, 2014

Two things I know for sure:

1) Financial situations require open communication between all involved parties.

2) __(can you guess?)_________ has significantly lowered the amount of gaps in communication with my husband.

As August wrapped up, my husband and I were faced with an increase in our monthly rent and once again were looking at our finances. For a family of three with both adults working full-time, we certainly are the stereotypical “living paycheck to paycheck” American family. I seriously don’t know how we were scraping by, especially with the size of our TWO car payments and cell phone bill on top of rent. Those four bills alone appeared to be consuming close to one-third of our monthly income. Add car insurance on top of that and I was pretty confident that half of our income was being thrown out the window.

Somehow we needed to figure out a way to change what we were spending money on if we wanted to get out of our 550 sq foot- one-bedroom-apartment. {Yes, there are two adults, a toddler, a cat and a dog living in a one-bedroom apartment in Westland. It’s cozy and we call it home. I’m blessed to have a roof over our heads.} Heck, we needed to figure out a way to have a bit of extra money available for car repairs we are anticipating before the end of the year. Not to mention that one of our vehicles is a lease and is due to be turned back in to the dealership in early February. {EEK! Yes, there’s a ton of pressure on my shoulders just putting these thoughts in writing.}

Now, let me be clear. I knew how to budget from a calendar to figure out which paycheck to pull money from to pay a bill. And I always made sure bills were paid before money started to be used for eating out or entertainment. I could very easily write down an expense list and deduct it from our income. What I was not doing efficiently was budgeting savings. In my mind, savings meant money for the future. It didn’t mean money for a specific activity or event that was already predetermined and we could start collecting funds now.

I had to change this cycle. I had to add in these extra things to our weekly budget. Things like car repairs, gymnastics class, coffee money, etc.

What would you do in this situation? Stay tuned to see exactly what we did in our home to make a drastic change.

Weekend Happenings :: In + Around Detroit September 19-21

Annette

September 18, 2014

Made in Michigan Festival

Come enjoy kids’ activities, food trucks, entertainment and much more!!!

{Dates}

September 19, 2014 – September 20, 2014

{Times}

Friday – 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

{Cost}

FREE

{Location}

Claire Shores Civic Arena & Senior Center for Active Adults
20000 Stephens Street
St. Clair Shores

*

Oktoberfest

You’ll enjoy carnival games, a petting zoo, inflatables and an outdoor movie at dusk!!!

{Dates}

September 19, 2014 – September 20, 2014

{Times}

Friday – 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday – noon – 11 p.m.

{Cost}

Per person – $5

3 & under – FREE

{Location}

Our Shepherd Lutheran Church
2225 E. 14 Mile Rd
Birmingham

*

Fall Fair

Tollgate Farm offers a family-friendly open house with hay rides, fishing, kids’ crafts + activities!!!

{Date}

September 20, 2014

{Times}

Saturday – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

{Cost}

FREE

{Location}

28115 Meadowbrook Road
Novi

*

Common Ground Art Fair

For the {love} of art! Come enjoy 160-plus artists, food and kids activities.

{Dates}

September 20, 2014 – September 21, 2014

{Times}

Saturday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

{Location}

Downtown Area on South Old Woodward Avenue
From Maple to Hazel Roads
Birmingham

*

Romulus Pumpkin Festival

Enjoy a lighted parade on Goddard Road at 8 p.m. Don’t miss out on the food, classic car/tractor show, music, kids games and contests.

{Date}

September 19, 2014 to September 21, 2014

{Time}

Friday – 6 p.m. to midnight

Saturday – 11 a.m. to midnight

Sunday – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

{Cost}

FREE

{Location}

Historical Park
11147 Hunt St.
Romulus

*

Harvest Fest

Are you ready for Maybury Farms annual corn maze?! Enjoy demos, canning, activities for kids, scavenger hunt, crafts and food!!!

{Dates}

September 20, 2014

{Time}

Saturday – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

{Corn Maze} – Noon to 9 p.m.

* Check website for times until November 2nd because they will vary

{Cost}

Per person (festival) – $3

Corn Maze per person – $7

2 & under – FREE

{Location}

50165 Eight Mile Road
Northville Township

*

Fall for Novi

Do you have a little one that would {love} to see the police and fire departments?! Come to this open house and do just that. Plus there will be health screens, a perennial exchange, workshops and kids activities.

{Date}

September 20, 2014

{Time}

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

{Cost}

FREE

{Location}

Novi Civic Center Campus
10 Mile and Taft roads

*

Michigan Kids Fest

Canterbury Village has bounce house fun, clowns, crafts, a petting zoo, hay maze, sidewalk chalk, martial arts demos, monster truck rides and much more!!! It’s a one stop shop for all things fun!!!

{Date}

September 20, 2014 to September 21, 2014

{Time}

Saturday – noon to 6 p.m.

Sunday – noon to 4 p.m.

{Cost}

Per child – $10

Per adult – $5

{Location}

2325 Joslyn Court
LakeOrion

*

BLISS Day at {Belle Isle}

Come and enjoy the end of summer at this new state park with your family! You’ll enjoy kayaking, biking, yoga, food trucks, tours of the island and the opportunity to adopt rescued dogs!!!

{Dates}

September 20, 2014

{Times}

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

{Cost}

Please check the website for prices on different activities

{Location}

Belle Isle State Park
6925 E. Jefferson Ave

*

Taste of Clarkston

Who doesn’t love an outdoor tastefest?! Check out 30-plus restaurants, a FREE KidZone and live music!!!

{Date}

September 21, 2014

{Times}

Noon to 6 p.m.

{Cost}

FREE entry

$1/food ticket (check the website for menus)

FREE parking/shuttle at nearby Clarkston schools

{Location}

Main Street
Clarkston

*

Orphan Car Show

This year the lovely {station wagon} will be taking the spotlight. Plus you can look forward to a parade + food vendors at nearby Depot Town.

{Dates}

September 21, 2014

{Cost}

Adults – $6

12 & under – FREE

{Times}

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

{Location}

Riverside Park
515 E. Cross Street
Ypsilanti

*

Somewhere in Time/Taste of Trenton and Beyond

Wouldn’t you love to see what Elizabeth Park looked like in the 1920’s?! You’ll get to see antique auto displays, enjoy riverboat rides and an area just for children’s crafts and games!!! Don’t forget to taste cuisine samples prepared by the area’s finest restaurants.

{Date}

September 21, 2014

{Time}

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

{Cost}

Food tickets – $1 {Taste of Trenton and Beyond}

{Location}

Somewhere in Time
4461 Elizabeth Drive
Trenton

Taste of Trenton and Beyond
Elizabeth Park
202 Grosse Ile Parkway
Trenton

*

Hawkfest

Learn about the migration of raptors (eagles, falcons, hawks, vultures). Also enjoy crafts and games!!

{Dates}

September 20, 2014 – September 21, 2014

{Cost}

FREE event

Parking per vehicle – $7

{Times}

Saturday + Sunday – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

{Location}

Lake Erie Metropark

32481 W. Jefferson Ave

Brownstown

Mom 2 Mom Sales for September 20th, 2014

Annette

September 17, 2014

Burton

Holy Redeemer Council of Catholic Women

Strollers Allowed

40 Tables

No Early Bird!!!

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Admission}

General – $1

{Location}

1227 E Bristol
At 475
Burton

*

Clarkston

Clarkston Community Church Women’s Ministry

Strollers Allowed

60+ Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2

General – $1

{Location}

6300 Clarkston
Between M15 & Sashabaw
Clarkston

*

Howell

Livingston Area Parents of Multiples

Strollers Allowed

Department Store Style

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8:30 am.

{Admission}

EB – $3

General – $1

{Location}

3555 E Grand River
At Grand Oaks
Howell

*

Ida

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Strollers Allowed

48 Tables

Sold Out!!!

No Early Bird

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Cost}

General – $1

{Location}

1920 Lewis
S of M-50
Ida

*

Imlay City

Gateway Assembly

Strollers Allowed

50 Tables

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8:30

{Cost}

EB – $2

General – $1

{Location}

2796 S Van Dyke
S of I-69
Imlay City

*

Lake Orion

Lake Orion Community Ed

Strollers Allowed

98 Tables

No Early Bird!!!

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Admission}

General – $1

{Location}

455 East Scripps
At M-24 & Lapeer Rd
Lake Orion

*

Macomb

Sequoyah Elementary School

Strollers Allowed

115 Tables

{Time} :: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2

General – $1

{Location}

18500 24 Mile Rd
E of Romeo Plank
Macomb

*

Cheyenne Elementary

Strollers Allowed

140 Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8:30 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2

General – $1

{Location}

47600 Heydenreich
N of 21 Mile/E of Romeo Plank
Macomb

*

Oak Park

City of Oak Park

Strollers Allowed

45 Tables

{Time} :: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 9 a.m.

{Admission}

General – $1

{Location}

14300 Oak Park Blvd
S of 696/E of Greenfield
Oak Park

*

Plymouth

Northridge Church

Strollers After 10 a.m.

80 Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

{NO Early Bird}

{Admission}

General – $1

{Location}

49555 N Territorial Rd
At Ridge
Plymouth

*

Redford

Redford Aldersgate UMC

Strollers Allowed

30 Tables

No Early Bird!

{Time} :: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Admission}

General – $1

{Location}

10000 Beech Daly
S of Plymouth Rd
Redford

*

Southfield

Bradford Academy

Strollers Allowed

35 Tables

No Early Bird!!!

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Admission}

General – $1

{Location}

24218 Garner
W of Telegraph
Southfield

*

Woodhaven

Twin Oaks Christian Church

Strollers Allowed

40 Tables

No Early Bird!!!

{Time} :: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Admission}

General – $1

{Location}

22333 King Rd
At Dix-Toledo Hwy
Woodhaven

Birthday Party Checklist

Annette

September 17, 2014

I LOVE celebrating my kiddos! Their birthdays are usually full of little extras from mom. I can go, well, just a little overboard when it comes to their birthdays. I am a DIY’er but usually leave everything to the last minute, which happens to be a stressful combination. Luckily every party I plan the process has become easier than the last. I find myself asking the same questions every time and I usually only take on simple projects anymore! I guess you could say I am always looking for the easy way out!

I also like to find ways to get the birthday boy involved and excited about his special celebration. The boys enjoy looking at Pinterest along with me when I am searching for inspiration, we talk about the theme, decorations, and dessert. We also talk about what their favorite flavor “of the month” is! This gets them involved and I can then make the final decisions knowing they are going to be thrilled with the details!

I wanted to pass along a Birthday Party Checklist. I use this list to help me think through EVERYTHING! I hope you can use it too when you’re are planning your next party. This list will help with both BIG events at fabulous venues and little celebrations at home! Believe me, you can rest assure you have thought of it all once you get through this list!

{Here are a few photos of my little guys Rock and Roll Fishing Party! He LOVES fishing and LOVES music, we asked our guests to bring their fishing poles for a fishing contest! His Nana turned the mini cupcakes into a guitar and I turned the grapes and chocolate covered pretzels into drum sticks. His favorite dessert over the summer was a Boston Cooler + Root Beer Float, we used mason jars and made each of our guests a yummy ice cream float! And he wanted pizza, of course, another one of his favorite things! A few balloons along with his friends and family made this day perfect and ALL about him!}

Birthday Party Checklist

(2-3 Months Before)

Set Party Date + Time
Decide On A Budget
Create Guest List
Select Theme
Book Venue If Not At Home
Reserve Rental Chairs, Tables, etc.
Order Invitations, Paper, Photo Booth Props +/or Party Printable’s
Book Entertainment {bounce house, character, face paint, etc.}
Order Birthday Cake
Book Photographer, or ask a friend!

(1 Month Before)

Send Invitations
Plan Your Menu + Party Décor
See What Party Décor + Kitchen Items You Have On Hand, borrow from friends!

(1 Week Before)

Shop For Supplies + Goodie Bags
Print + Assemble Party Printable’s/Photo Booth Props
Purchase Non-Perishable Food
Confirm Details With Your Vendors
Write Up A Day of Schedule + Activities
Test Run Any Specialty Tables {without food!}

(1 Day Before)

Clean house, Set Out Clean Towels + Extra Toilet paper
Make Sure Camera Is Charged + Ready
Stop By ATM For Cash {entertainers, day of errands}
Package Party Favors
Pick Up or Bake Birthday Cake
Place Food Order (pizza, sub, etc.)
Go Grocery Shopping

(Day of Party)

Buy Party Ice
Set Up Balloons, Streamers, Table, Decorations, etc.
Prepare Last Minute Food
Chill Drinks
Set Out Garbages, etc.

(1 Hour Before)

Put Out All Food + Dessert
Turn On i-Pod
Sit Down, Relax + Enjoy!

Mom 2 Mom Sales for September 13th, 2014

Annette

September 10, 2014

Detroit Moms Blog has been working hard to keep you up to date on what is happening in + around town over the weekend! We hope our readers have found these little lists helpful, and we hope you have found something fun and unique to do with your family! Maybe something you didn’t even know was happening near you. The Fall is FULL of so many things to do in + around Detroit and we will continue to keep you up to date with family fun weekend events! Here is another, hopefully, helpful little list to share with our readers, a list of Mom 2 Mom Sales happening throughout the Metro-Detroit areas! They open early so its usually something you can squeeze in if you have a busy weekend already planned!

Happy Bargaining!!!

Ann Arbor

St. Paul Lutheran School

Strollers Allowed

50 Tables

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8:30 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

495 Earhart
At Hwy 23 & Geddes
Ann Arbor

*

Birmingham

MOPS @ Our Shepard Lutheran

Strollers allowed 10:30 a.m.

50 Tables

{Time} :: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 9 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

Our Shepard Lutheran
2225 East 14 Mile
East of Woodward
Birmingham

*

Canton

Connection Church Mops

Strollers allowed after 10:30 a.m.

115 Tables

{Time} :: 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8:30 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

Connection Church
3855 Sheldon
North of Michigan Ave
Canton

*

Clinton Township

St. Thecla

Strollers allowed after 11 a.m.

145 Tables

No Early Bird!

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Admission}

General – $2

{Location}

20762 S. Nunnely
South of 16 Mile\East of Groesbeck
Clinton Township

*

Livonia

Edith/St. Collette MOPS

Strollers Allowed

74 Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8:30 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

St Edith’s
15089 Newburgh
South of 5 Mile Road
Livonia

*

NWS Mothers of Multiples at {St. Matthews}

Strollers allowed after 10 a.m.

Department Store Style

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8:30 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

St. Matthews
30900 6 Mile
Between Merriman & Middlebelt
Livonia

*

Macomb

St. Peter Lutheran MOPS

Strollers after 10 a.m.

100+ Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Earlybird} :: 8 a.m.

{Cost}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

17051 24 Mile
West of Romeo Plank Road
Macomb

*

Shawnee Elementary

Strollers allowed

125 Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

21555 Vesper
South of 23 Mile/Off Card
Macomb

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Ojibwa Elementary PTO

Strollers Allowed

125 Tables

Sold Out!!!

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

46950 Heydenreich
At 21 Mile/1 mile East of Romeo Plank
Macomb

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Troy

Faith Lutheran Church

Strollers allowed

75 Tables

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8:30 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

37635 Dequindre
North of Big Beaver
Troy

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Warren

Macomb Count MOMS at {Holy Cross}

Strollers Allowed

Department Store Style

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: None

{Admission}

General – $1

{Location}

Holy Cross
30003 Ryan
N of 12 Mile
Warren

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Waterford

Oakdale Academy

Strollers allowed

60+ Tables

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

3200 Beacham Drive
West of Telegraph/North of Walton
Waterford

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Williams Lake Church of Nazarene

Strollers allowed

70 Tables

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

2840 Airport
South of Williams Lake Road
Waterford

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Wyandotte

Knights of Columbus #1802 Ladies Aux.

Strollers Allowed

40 Tables

{Time} :: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

{Early Bird} :: 8:00 a.m.

{Admission}

EB – $2
General – $1

{Location}

3051 Fourth Street
North of Eureka/West of Biddle
Wyandotte

Weekend Happenings :: In + Around Detroit {September 12-14}

Annette

September 10, 2014

Funky Ferndale Art Fair

Come enjoy a fair that expands to include the Michigan Makers Market with artisans, children’s activities and acoustic music.

{Dates}

September 12, 2014 – September 14, 2014

{Times}

Friday – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday – 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

{Cost}

FREE

{Location}

Nine Mile Road west of Woodward Ave
Downtown Area

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DIY Street Fair

Due to large-scale road improvements this was called off but no worries – IT’S BACK ON!! Come see {local} crafters, food, kids’ fun and much more! Support {local}!!

{Dates}

September 12, 2014 – September 14, 2014

{Times}

Friday – 6 p.m. to midnight

Saturday – 11 a.m. – midnight

Sunday – 11 a.m. to midnight

{Cost}

FREE

{Location}

Nine Mile Road eat of Woodward Ave
Ferndale

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Highland Heritage Festival

Come enjoy square dance Friday, live music, pig roast, family fun activities, artisan and crafts vendors. Let’s not forget the Civil War re-enactment camp!!

{Date}

September 12, 2014 – September 14, 2014

{Times}

Friday – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. {square dance}

5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. {pig roast}

Saturday – 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. {pancake breakfast}

{Cost}

FREE

{Location}

Near Highland Township Hall
205 N. John St.

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Victorian Festival

How much fun would it be to travel into the past?! Enjoy vintage baseball, old-fashioned games, strolling entertainers, art fair, Great Lakes Timber show, petting farm and much more!!!

{Dates}

September 12, 2014 – September 14, 2014

{Times}

Friday – 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

{Location}

Downtown Northville

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Big Wheel Keep on Rollin’

Get up close and face to face with a big rig. Climb on large trucks, equipment and other vehicles! Isn’t this every little {or big} boys dream ?!

{Date}

September 13, 2014

{Time}

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

{Cost}

Per car – $5

{Location}

Hess-Hathaway Park
825 S. Williams Lake Road
Waterford

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Wildlife Weekend

If you {love} animals then this is the place to be!! Learn from guest researchers and special presenters. Don’t miss out on crafts, pond dipping, and an opportunity to use a digital microscope!!

{Dates}

September 13, 2014 – September 14, 2014

{Time}

Saturday + Sunday – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

{Cost}

Per person – $5

Vehicle entry – $7 (check into annual park passes)

{Location}

Indian Springs Metropark Environmental Discovery Center
5175 Indian Trail
White Lake

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2014 Yogathon

Come enjoy a time of relaxation and rejuvenation with a community of supporters who come together to enable the Yoga By Design Foundation to being healing yoga to people who need it.

{Date}

September 14, 2014

{Time}

Check the website for the list of available classes and purchase tickets.

{Cost}

Minimum $20 donation per class

{Location}

Karma Yoga
3683 West Maple Road
Bloomfield Township

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Birmingham Harvest at {Birmingham Farmers Market}

Come enjoy farm animals, corn shelling, a sheep shearing demo, antique farm tools + machinery and children’s crafts. Don’t forget about all the amazing farmers!!

{Date}

September 14, 2014

{Time}

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

{Cost}

FREE

{Location}

Birmingham Farmers Market
666 North Old Woodward
Birmingham

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Play-A-Palooza {Second Annual Family Extravaganza}

A celebration of the power of play where imagination and curiosity explore!

{Date}

September 14, 2014

{Time}

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

{Cost}

FREE fun and activities for all!!

{Location}

Eastern Market, Shed 3
Detroit

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Rhea Lana Consignment Sale

Looking for some aMaZiNg deals on back-to-school clothes?! Why not try out this one stop shop for bargain hunting on like new clothes?!

{Date}

September 14, 2014 – September 19, 2014

{Times}

Sunday – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monday + Tuesday – 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday – 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. {half-price day}

Friday – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. {half-price day}

{Location}

42275 Seven Mile Road
Located at the east corner of Northville Plaza
Northville

Frugal Fridays with Brandi

brandihohner

September 5, 2014

Laundry week 2

Scent boosters and dryer sheets

As we continue our venture into penny pinching and becoming more frugal I thought we should continue with my personal favorite {note sarcasm} Laundry. Now that we are spending only pennies a load let’s make sure that its smelling its best!

I have a few different methods of scrimping when it comes to dryer sheets or laundry boosters.

First Method: Stretch that store bought laundry booster

Now some of us can’t step away from our chemical laden favorite store bought scents! Now I can’t save you from those chemicals {its ok I’m guilty of this too!} Some of these are little wax like pellets while others are “crystals”. After browsing my favorite app {ok I may be a slight addict} Pinterest, I noticed a lot of peeps in the blog world found the crystals are actually Epsom salt! Well my favorite are the wax style but I thought why can’t I just add Epsom salt to my wax boosters?! Off to the laundry room I went and grabbed the trusty bottle of boosters and noticed it’s about 1/3 full, perfect! I added Epsom salt to almost fill it, shut that bad boy and shook it like a polaroid picture…ok maybe not but it sounded good!

Next day when I went to so laundry it was perfect…ALL of the Epsom salt smelled great and I didn’t lose any of its strength! So one bottle of booster was $7.99 and I went big and bought the huge bucket of Epsom salt at Sams club, 10lbs for only $6.98!!

Second Method: Using favorite store bought fabric softener

I personally have never been a fabric softener person {who has time to remember to stop the load to put it in or to toss that ball in}. But on my many hours pursuing, yep you guessed it, Pinterest I found many ways to “make your own” dryer sheets. And it’s so easy! One method is to cut a standard sponge into 4 pieces and then soak in fabric softener, now you can store in airtight container soaking or not. When it’s time just toss one in and dry away! Another method is the same but using rags or “Handiwipes” cut to size and soaked.

Third Method: Make your own laundry boosters

For those of us who want to decrease our family’s exposure to chemicals this is a great way to have fun smelling laundry! Personally I like using Epsom salts here but I’ve also seen mixing essential oils with white distilled vinegar. With the vinegar take about 2 cups and mix 10-12 drops of your fave oils. Then go with the sponge or rag method. For the Epsom salt method take 2 cups of Epsom salts and 20-24 drops of your favorite oils. My personal favorite blend is lavender and lemon or Purification & lemongrass from Young Living.

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Well those are my penny pinching ideas to boost that fresh laundry smell! I am sure I missed a few and would love to hear your methods! Hope this saves you some $$s and we see you next week for another

Frugal Fridays with Brandi!

Join Me To Help Light The Night For Kids With Cancer

Annette

September 4, 2014

This fall, let’s walk to the end of cancer by joining The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light The Night Walk fundraising campaign, which brings together families and communities to honor blood cancer survivors, as well as those lost to the diseases, and to shine a light on finding cures and providing access to treatments for blood cancer patients.

One group that deserves our attention is children with cancer. Leukemia is the most common cancer in children and adolescents less than 20 years old. While extraordinary progress has been made in blood cancer treatments, the journey back to a healthy life can be a long one. For these kids, returning to school means additional challenges, including maintaining friendships and keeping up with schoolwork.

Here’s how we can do it:

This year, Sylvan Learning is partnering with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through Light The Night, with a commitment to raise $250,000 and to donate more than 12,000 hours of free tutoring services in nearly 200 communities nationwide to help young blood cancer patients and their families with the transition back into academics. You can help them to achieve these goals:

There are nearly 200 Light the Night walks nationwide this fall. It’s easy to walk by registering and joining a team.

Learn more about how LLS and Sylvan are helping young cancer patients and their families manage. Light The Night

Find a walk in your area, and join a Sylvan Learning walk team in supporting this great cause.

I’m going to join Light the Night with my family. Won’t you join us? Let’s all walk to the end of cancer and, at the same time, you can help kids get back into the swing of school, often while they are still undergoing treatment.

Before my mom was diagnosed with colorectal cancer we volunteered for our first cancer walk in 1998 in honor of a family friend’s daughter who was diagnosed as a child with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. She is a shining star today, she glows with her strength and courage and her amazing smile. She had to overcome so many obstacles as a young child who was sick with a terrible disease. Seeing a child who has to fight something that is completely out of their control allows you to gain a bold perspective on life and the word strength. Watching a child suffer is heart wrenching no matter whose child it is. Tanya shines with her strength and determination to enjoy life and help others in need of support.

Please check out this Light The Night campaign to end cancer, and read a message from Tanya and my story about where cancer lead me after my mom was diagnosed.

“No matter how intense your struggle may be, someone is being inspired by your fight. Your story and courage is equipping them to see life though a completely different lens.” -Anonymous. ✨❤️ To all of you fighters out there, keep fighting. ~Tanya

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Kirk in the Hills

Bloomfield Hills

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St. Mary Magdalen K of C

Brighton

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Chelsea MOPS at {First United Methodist Church}

Chelsea

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Garden City High School

Garden City

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St. Joseph Church

Howell

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Good Shepherd Lutheran MOPS

Lake Orion

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MOPS at {Trinity United Methodist}

Lapeer

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Newburg United Methodist Church

Livonia

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Fox Elementary PTO

Macomb

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Holy Cross Catholic School

Marine City

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Plymouth-Canton MOMS at {Risen Christ Lutheran}

Plymouth

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Rochester 1st Church of Nazarene

Rochester Hills

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Grace Preschool

Romeo

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Shrine Catholic Grade School

Royal Oak

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Saline Parks & Rec

Saline

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St. Joan of Arc PTG

St. Clair Shores

But let’s be real. This post is not about cider mills and apple picking. This post is about meal planning and prepping. It’s what you do with the apples that is the best part of the autumn season.

Marinade for four pork tenderloins as freezer meals

Applesauce

Apple Turnovers

Fried Apples

{Happy fall, happy planning, happy cooking}

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Somewhere in Time/Taste of Trenton and Beyond

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Burton

Holy Redeemer Council of Catholic Women

1227 E Bristol At 475 Burton

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Clarkston

Clarkston Community Church Women’s Ministry

Sold Out!!!

6300 Clarkston Between M15 & Sashabaw Clarkston

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Howell

Livingston Area Parents of Multiples

Sold Out!!!

3555 E Grand River At Grand Oaks Howell

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1227 E Bristol
At 475
Burton

6300 Clarkston
Between M15 & Sashabaw
Clarkston

3555 E Grand River
At Grand Oaks
Howell

1920 Lewis
S of M-50
Ida

2796 S Van Dyke
S of I-69
Imlay City

455 East Scripps
At M-24 & Lapeer Rd
Lake Orion

18500 24 Mile Rd
E of Romeo Plank
Macomb

47600 Heydenreich
N of 21 Mile/E of Romeo Plank
Macomb

14300 Oak Park Blvd
S of 696/E of Greenfield
Oak Park

49555 N Territorial Rd
At Ridge
Plymouth

10000 Beech Daly
S of Plymouth Rd
Redford

24218 Garner
W of Telegraph
Southfield

22333 King Rd
At Dix-Toledo Hwy
Woodhaven