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A Weekend in Amish Country #VisitLancaster

May 3, 2013 by

Accommodations are being provided for the #VisitLancaster trip but all opinions are my own.

This weekend is a Girls Weekend but probably not the kind you are thinking. I’m headed to Amish Country to #VisitLancaster with Shae and Sabreena for a mini retreat with some of my favorite bloggers.

We’ve been invited for an overnight at Bird in Hand Family Inn and Restaurant. This family friendly resort is surrounded by Amish farmland and boasts 3 indoor/outdoor pools, a petting zoo, tennis courts and more.

Bird In Hand Family Inn, Lancaster County, PA

During our stay we’ll be taking a ride on the Strasburg Railroad and touring The Amish Village and Choo Choo Barn.

Strasburg Rail Road

Strasburg Rail Road, Lancaster County, PA

The Amish VIllage

The Amish Village, Lancaster County, PA

Choo Choo Barn, Lancaster County

Choo Choo Barn Lancaster County, PA

This is expected to be a relaxing but fun family friendly weekend that will produce memories for a lifetime.




A Weekend in Ocean City, MD

May 1, 2013 by

Last week our family was in need of a little together time. Between work, school, sports and personal lives we’ve been a bit disconnected. Shaun had a lacrosse game in Berlin, MD (about 2 hours from us) so I thought the best idea was to get a hotel room for the night before at the beach. This brought us much closer to the game and gave us an excuse to stay unplugged for the day and night.

The Cayman Suites Hotel in Ocean City, MD was a pleasant surprise for the price. The suite was large enough for all of us with room to move. Just being 1 block from the beach was the best part.

Rare picture of me and Rob together.

Teeny Tiny SeaShell
Ocean City, MD Playing on the Beach
I’ve never seen Beach Cactus
Ocean City, MD Playing on the Beach
The kids played in the sand, looked for shells and got a bit too wet in the 50 degree weather.
Ocean City, MD Playing on the Beach

Ocean City, MD Playing on the Beach

Ocean City, MD Playing on the Beach

Ocean City, MD Playing on the Beach

Ocean City, MD Playing on the Beach

Ocean City, MD Playing on the Beach

When beach time was over we headed to the indoor pool then ordered takeout that was eaten in bed and started the next morning with donuts and another swim at the hotel pool. I’m glad we took this time together, it was an awesome weekend.




Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival

April 12, 2013 by

Newark, Delaware isn’t known as a food town. If we want to try something new or eclectic we head to the Philadelphia area.  Even the food trucks are better there.

This weekend we are headed to Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival where 30 local food trucks will be featured to kick of Restaurant Week.

On April 13th, 2013, a variety of vendors will offer samples of delicious food on Main Street. Then, from April 14th-26th, Manayunk restaurants will host a Restaurant Week. Snag amazing deals on even more amazing meals at Manayunk’s finest eateries.  Be sure to mark your calendars, because this event is not to be missed!

The trucks will be lined up along Main Street facing the sidewalk for easy pedestrian access.  Visitors are encouraged to stroll the street, taste the offerings from their favorite trucks, and sit and enjoy the food at picnic-style seating areas around the district.

Find unique Food Truck offerings like:

Mac Mart Cart-mac and cheese, old school and new school styles

Farm Truck-feature local and seasonal produce

The Cow and the Curd-a midwest favorite comes to Philly

My goal is to get a taste of at least 1/2 the Food Trucks there.

If you’re local to Philadelphia and the Tri-State Area come by either for the StrEAT Food Festival or take part in the Restaurant Tour next week.




Soul Kitchen Community Restaurant Doing Good in Red Bank, NJ

March 5, 2013 by

As if I needed another reason to love Jon Bon Jovi. The Soul Kitchen in Red Bank, NJ is a restaurant that is truly giving back to the community thanks to Dorothea Hurley (Jon’s wife) the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.

“Our vision here at Soul Kitchen is to serve healthy, delicious, and when possible, organic meals. At the Soul Kitchen you will notice there are no prices on the menu and you might have been seated with someone you don’t know. Customers pay the minimum donation or volunteer in some way to earn a voucher for a meal.”

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has come up with an awesome idea of bringing together all walks of life for a common goal, to feed our community. The Soul Kitchen opens its doors to everyone, everyone eats regardless of their socioeconomic status. Everyone is fed a delicious, nutritious and fresh meal with ingredients that are harvested locally and organically when possible. Everyone pays. You either pay the $10 donation per meal or you pay it forward with some volunteer work at the restaurant. If you are in a position to pay more than the minimum donation, that goes towards feeding others in the community. This is a win win for everyone.

Soul Kitchen, Bon Jovi Foundation

Soul Kitchen with Jon Bon Jovi
If you’re in the North Jersey area pay the Soul Kitchen a visit. No reservations needed, sit with friends, make new friends, enjoy a meal that will benefit others.

I Disclose




Just Between Friends Consignment Sale Main Line, PA

March 4, 2013 by

Shopping for kids clothes is a HUGE expense. Mine don’t seem to stop growing, not even if I’ve already shopped for that season.  While I love shopping new trends and styles I also prefer to save money on basics like jeans, coats and tees.  By gently used I’m able to stock up on great deals for coming seasons without putting a dent in our bank account or sacrificing on fun kids fashion.

just between friends consignment sale

Coming to the Greater Philadelphia Expo in Oaks, PA on March 14-16 is Just Between Friends,  the nation’s leading Children’s and Family Consignment Sales Event Franchise.

Just Between Friends Sales events are a savvy shopper’s dream!
These are not retail stores but rather savings extravaganzas–shopping events that happen usually twice a year per location. At these events, consignors bring their new and gently-used children’s and maternity merchandise to sell. Shoppers can then browse and purchase these items at great savings, usually far below retail prices.

At a typical Just Between Friends event, you can find clothing, toys, baby equipment, strollers, high chairs, cribs, joggers, nursery gear, maternity wear, baby carriers, play yards, play sets, coats, shoes and more in an organized, clean environment.

just between friends consignment sale

just between friends consignment sale

just between friends consignment sale

On March 14th-16th HUNDREDS of shoppers will decend onto over 35,000 square feet of space to spend money while saving money from over 700 consignors looking to make a few bucks for their own families. Admission is cheap but there are opportunities to download free admission passes.

I”ll be headed there for a sneak peek to see why they were voted 2012 Franchise of the Year

Check your schedule and make time to visit Just Between Friends Consignment Sale in Oaks, PA.

I Disclose




St. Patrick’s Day Dine at Sesame Place

February 5, 2013 by

Even though the winter weather has closed the Sesame Place for the season that doesn’t mean you and your family can’t visit for special occasions.

St. Patricks Day Dine
Saturday, March 16, 2013 (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM)
Erin Go Bragh! Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Elmo and Friends and they dance a jig to their favorite Sesame Street songs. Come dressed in your most festive, green attire and enjoy a buffet lunch, holiday desserts and Irish-inspired favors for all the wee lads and lassies.

Opening Day
Saturday, April 27th, 2013
Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the new events and an all new Opening Day Celebration. Be one of first 500 guests to visit Mr. Hooper’s Emporium and receive a special gift!

sesame place opening day
Purchase a 2013 Super Grover Season Pass at 20% off the regular price – Offer ends March 1st!

Sesame Place

With a 2013 Super Grover Season Pass, enjoy unlimited admission to Sesame Place (thru 10/27/13), SeaWorld (FL, TX, CA), Busch Gardens (FL, VA), Aquatica (FL, TX), Water Country USA (VA) and Adventure Island (FL) parks during their regular 2013 operating seasons. Not valid for admission during A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place.

MORE INFO: http://commerce.4adventure.com/EStore/Scripts/Skins/SPL/TicketsPassports.aspx

I Disclose




A Longwood Gardens Christmas

December 3, 2012 by

Except for the 3 years we lived in Maryland I’ve lived in the same 60 square mile radius all of my life. In all of those years I’ve never visited Longwood Gardens even when I was only 20 minutes away.

Longwood Gardens is a 1,077 acre estate in Kennett Square, PA that includes gardens, meadows, woodlands, fountains and a 4 – acre conservancy.

I was invited to participate on the Star Blogger Team for Longwood Gardens Christmas this past week. The introduction included a visit and tour of the property. While we didn’t get to view the entire estate we did see enough to be amazed and delighted at the twinkling lights and lush plants in the conservancy.
longwood gardens lights and snowflakes
It was already dark when we arrived to Longwood Gardens but were greeted with hanging lights and snowflakes and light covered trees to guide our way. I want to make sure our next visit has some daytime viewing so we can enjoy the other attractions such as The Garden Railway, the dancing fountains and magnificent decorated trees.
longwood gardens christmas tree
longwood gardens christmas tree music room
longwood gardens dinner table dupont
Longwood is going to become a tradition for our family for now on since I’ve been able to experience it first hand.
If you are local to the Philadelphia area I highly suggest taking the time to visit Longwood Gardens. I would highly suggest to visiting during the less busy hours during the weekdays. This will give you and your family more time to enjoy the scenery and foliage and flowers without the hustle and bustle of crowds.

Take my word for it, Longwood Gardens is worth the trip.




What I Learned at the Kenmore Fall 2012 Blogger Summit

November 25, 2012 by

Some of you may know that back in October I attended the Kenmore Fall 2012 Blogger Summit in Chicago.  This is my second year attending the Kenmore event and this time I got to meet a lot of really cool food bloggers. I love visiting Chicago because the atmosphere of the city is just awesome.

This was waiting for me when I arrived at the hotel.

The view from my room.

So like I mentioned the event was back in October so it has been a little over a month and the event was not only fun but informative.  I learned a lot of stuff about cooking, food and lighting that I had no idea about.  Melinda does most of the cooking in our house due to my work schedule but I do cook a few meals here and there when I have time. I am trying to take more pictures and write down more recipes when I prepare meals so that I can share them with my readers.  So far I think we have shared maybe 2-3 recipes.

I also got the chance to learn about Cookmore which is Kenmore’s online cookbook where you are able to build your own recipe collection, view other peoples recipes and share your new and old recipes with others.  I shared a recipe on Cookmore that has been in the family for many generations.  Now I don’t think the recipe is anything new but it’s one that has been made around Christmas for as long as I can remember which you can see HERE.

Kenmore made this event so much fun as well as interactive so we actually got to get our hands dirty in the kitchen which was good.  We weren’t all just sitting around bored listening to and watching other chefs cook we actually got to roll up our sleeve and got a chance to be chefs for a day.

Here are two dishes that my team and I made.

All in all the Kenmore 2012 Blogger Summit was a ton of fun.  I like attending this kind of event because not only do I broaden my blogging horizons but I also get to meet some really nice people along the way which is really awesome.  I am hoping to get an invite to the next Kenmore event so that I can meet more cool people and learn more awesome stuff from the folks at Kenmore.

If you can please head over to Cookmore because every recipe you add or share earns $1 for Heroes at Home up to $10,000. I can’t think of an easier way to help our troops and their families.

Airfare, hotel and meals were provided for this event but all of the opinions in this post are my own!!

I Disclose




The Parking Spot Recap

October 23, 2012 by

This past weekend I took an awesome trip to Chicago for the Kenmore 2012 Fall Blogger Summit and I had the opportunity to leave my car at The Parking Spot while I was on my trip.

Typically when I fly I tend to use the same parking lot and have done so for the last few years so I will admit that I was a little skeptical trying somewhere new. Now I know you might say it’s only a parking lot but I like knowing that my car is safe and will be in the same condition that I left it when I return back from my trip. Parking in the same lot for the last few years has given me a certain comfort level because I know how their overall process works but I stepped outside of my comfort zone and gave The Parking Spot a try and I am glad I did.

One day early last week I went to their web site to make a reservation which took only a few minutes because I wanted to make sure that the lot wouldn’t be full the day I arrived. The Parking Spot offers self-parking and valet parking at very reasonable prices and thankfully I decided on valet parking because when I arrived to the lot in Philadelphia on Friday it was pouring rain so needless to say it was nice to have a nice dry garage to pull into and unload all of my luggage. After I unloaded my luggage the attendant took my car and I waited for the shuttle to pick me up and take me to the airport. One of the things that I really liked besides the garage since it was pouring was that they offered free bottles of water as well as free copies of the USA Today (which I read on the way to Chicago). Most of the time it’s the little things that make an experience that much more enjoyable.

I was gone for two days and when I arrived back to Philly the process was super simple. I needed to wait in a certain zone at the airport and the shuttle just showed up. I called and was told a shuttle comes by approximately every seven minutes which means you won’t have to wait very long to be picked up. When I arrived back to the lot I was dropped off inside the valet garage and the attendant got my car for me and I was off. It was really that simple. After I settled up with the person and was about to pull away she handed me a bottle of water and told me to have a nice day. Again it’s the little things and I was so happy because after getting to the airport for a 6am flight and not having time to eat that bottle of water was refreshing and made my experience at The Parking Spot that much more enjoyable.

The Parking Spot, the nation’s largest near-airport parking operator, is now offering travelers up to 25 percent off parking as part of its “More Spots, More Savings” national promotion. With more than 35 locations at 22 U.S. airports, it’s now easier than ever to take advantage of low airfares and plan a getaway.

For this trip I stepped outside of my comfort zone and I am glad I did because The Parking Spot is now my new place to park when traveling from the Philadelphia airport.

Will you be traveling soon?  If so today is your lucky day because one Look What Mom Found… and Dad too! reader will have the chance to win a voucher good for one week of free parking (valid for either self-park or valet) at any of the locations at the following U.S. airports : Atlanta Hartsfield, Austin Bergstrom, Buffalo – Niagara, Dallas Fort Worth, Dallas Love Field, Denver International, Houston Hobby, Houston George Bush Intercontinental, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, Newark, New York JFK, Oklahoma City Will Rogers, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Pittsburgh, Port Columbus, and Lambert -St. Louis. All you have to do is tell me where you are planning on going for your next trip.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above. Please note the changes to the entries and frequency, entries that don’t follow rules may be disregarded/ignored/deleted.

  • SUBSCRIBE to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • SHARE this link on Facebook (I entered to win a week of free airport parking from LookWhatMomFound..and Dad too! )
  • FOLLOW Mom & Dad & The Parking Spot on Twitter & Tweet this giveaway (1 time per day), leave your twitter link each time: I entered to win a free week of airport parking from @theparkingspot @lkwhtmomfound @anddadtoo http://bit.ly/PPrzKp
  • ENTER another Giveaway – let us know which one in the comment (one extra entry per giveaway you enter, just leave separate comments)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Wednesday, November 14, 2012. The winners will be emailed and will have 24 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Continental US residents only. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.
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Heading To The Kenmore Fall 2012 Blogger Summit

October 17, 2012 by

I will be heading to Chicago again on October 19th and 20th to attend the Kenmore Fall 2012 Blogger Summitt.  Last year was a ton of fun and I met a lot of great people which you can read HERE and I am looking forward to doing the same again this year.

This year, the focus is on cooking as they launch their digital cookbook with some top chefs on hand. I do like to cook but must admit I don’t do as much as I probably should and I am hoping this trip to Chicago will energize me to cook more.  I am also looking forward to learning more about the digital cookbook and seeing what recipes people are adding because we are always looking for new meals in our house.

If you are interested in seeing what everyone will be talking about this Friday and Saturday be sure to follow #cookmore on Twitter and join in on the conversation.

Hope to see you in the windy city this weekend.

I Disclose




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