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Celebrating the 4th of July: Attire, Cocktails & Desserts

Can you believe that the 4th of July is only a couple of weeks away? We can’t! Whether you’re celebrating the 4th from the comfort of your very own Acero Jensen Park apartment home or with your closest friends and family, it’s always fun to get festive. We’ve conjured up the best spots for you to find your 4th of July outfits, as well as a couple of 4th of July, themed cocktails and desserts! The Perfect 4th of July Outfit The perfect 4th of July outfit does exist and you can find it right here in Vancouver WA! If you’re looking for something unique and cute, visit Willows , one of our favorite clothing boutiques here in Vancouver. If you are looking for something simple and easy, head over to Kohl’s or Target where you are sure to find the perfect 4th of July attire! 4th of July Themed Cocktails Blueberry Lemonade Margaritas Ingredients For the syrup - 1/4 c. granulated sugar - 1/4 c. water - 1/2 c. blueberries - Zest of 1/2 lime For the margarita - 2 tbsp. granulated sugar - 2 tbsp. kosher salt - 1 lemon, cut into wedges - 8 oz. tequila - 4 oz. triple sec - 1 c. lemonade - Ice Directions - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water and stir until sugar has dissolved. Add blueberries and lime zest and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer mixture until blueberries have burst, about 5 minutes. - Remove from heat and let cool 10 minutes, then strain mixture into a clean jar. Let cool completely. - On a small plate, stir together sugar and salt. Rim each glass with a lemon wedge, then dip in sugar salt mixture. - Divide tequila, triple sec and lemonade between 4 glasses. Fill each glass with ice, then top with blueberry syrup. - Garnish with a lemon wedge to serve. Watermelon Sangria Ingredients - 1 Large watermelon - 1 (750-ml) bottle white wine, chilled - 2 c. white rum - 1 c. seltzer - 1/3 c. lime juice (from about 6 limes) - 2 limes, thinly sliced - 2 c. assorted fresh or frozen fruit, such as pineapple, blueberries, and strawberries Directions - Slice off the top third of the watermelon lengthwise (save for later use) and score fruit with a knife. Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, scoop out watermelon and transfer to blender. - Blend watermelon until smooth. (If desired, strain seeds.) - Add white wine, rum, seltzer, and lime juice and stir until combined, then add limes and fruit. - Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours, then serve. 4th of July Themed Desserts Red, White and Blue Rice Crispy Treats Ingredients - Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking dish - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons - One 10-ounce bag mini marshmallows - 5 1/4 cups crispy rice cereal, such as Rice Krispies - 1/2 teaspoon blue gel food coloring (see Cook's Note) - 1/2 teaspoon red gel food coloring - 1/4 cup mixed red, white and blue sprinkles Directions - Line a 9-by-9-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two opposite sides. Spray the foil lightly with cooking spray. - Divide the butter and marshmallows among 3 medium microwave-safe bowls (1 tablespoon of butter and about 2 cups of marshmallows per bowl). Microwave 1 bowl until the butter has melted and the marshmallows have puffed, about 60 seconds. Stir in the blue gel food coloring until the mixture is smooth and no streaks of food coloring remain. - Working quickly, add 1 3/4 cups of the rice cereal to the bowl and stir with a rubber spatula until evenly coated. Transfer to the prepared baking dish and press into an even, compact layer. (Spray your hands with a little cooking spray to keep them from sticking when pressing the cereal mixture into the pan). Set aside. Microwave another bowl of butter and marshmallows in the same manner. Stir together until smooth and combined (this will be the "white" layer). Stir in another 1 3/4 cups of rice cereal until evenly coated. Place on top of the blue cereal treat layer, pressing until even and compact. - Repeat with the remaining bowl of butter and marshmallows, microwaving until melted and smooth. Stir in the red gel food coloring until the mixture is smooth and no streaks of food coloring remain. Add the remaining 1 3/4 cups rice cereal to the bowl and stir until evenly coated. Place on top of the white cereal treat layer, pressing into an even, compact layer. While still warm, top evenly with the sprinkles, pressing gently so they adhere. - Let sit at room temperature until firm, about 30 minutes. Cut into 16 squares. Store the cereal treats at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Red, White and Blueberry Trifle Ingredients - Two 16-ounce containers strawberries - Two 6-ounce containers blueberries - One 6-ounce container blackberries - 3/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice - Pinch kosher salt - One 8-ounce package cream cheese - 2 cups heavy cream - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 prepared angel food cake (about 12 ounces) - Confectioners' sugar, for garnish, optional - 1 1/2 tablespoons apple jelly or apricot preserves, for garnish, optional Directions - Trim and quarter the strawberries and set aside. Combine the blueberries, blackberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup water, lemon zest, juice and salt in a medium saucepot. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries break down and the sauce thickens, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool. - Place the cream cheese, 1/4 cup cream, the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar and the vanilla extract in a large bowl and beat on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. In a second large bowl, whip the remaining cream until stiff peaks form. Fold about one-quarter of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until lightened, and then fold in the remaining whipped cream. - To assemble the trifle, rip or cut the angel food cake into 2-inch pieces. Place half the cake pieces in the bottom of a 12-to-14-cup trifle dish or large bowl. Top with about half the blueberry sauce, half the cream and half the quartered strawberries. Repeat the layers with the remaining cake, berry sauce, cream and strawberries. Cover with plastic wrap and chill 8 hours or overnight. Before serving either dust with confectioners' sugar or heat the apple jelly in the microwave for 25 seconds to loosen, and then brush over the strawberries. Be sure to tag us on Instagram and Facebook when you post about your 4th of July weekend. Stay safe and enjoy your 4th of July weekend!

Treat Yourself to a Spa Day in Vancouver WA

Everyone deserves a spa day and that includes you! When you live in Vancouver, Washington you are surrounded by numerous spas and salons within minutes of your Acero Jensen Park home. Take a look at some of the top spas and salons in our area and book your spa day! Athena Day Spa The Athena Day Spa here in Vancouver is a full-service spa and salon! Their services include massages and body treatments (like mud wraps and body scrubs), facials and waxing, hair and nails, and float therapy. Urban Spa Salon Also a full-service spa and salon, Urban Spa Salon offers massages, body treatments, hair and nails, spray tans, facials eyelash and eyebrow extensions and tinting, waxing, and permanent makeup. Body Kneads Massage & Spa Body Kneads Massage & Spa is geared towards the medical spa side. They offer Cryo Fat Freeze, Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna, medical massages, and pain management and injections. Aloha Skin Therapy While Aloha Skin Therapy doesn’t provide massages, you can rely on them for all things skin-related! Their services include full body waxing, body scrubs, facials, microdermabrasion, peels, high frequency LED light therapy, and Reiki for whole-body wellness. Spa Day Benefits If you aren’t convinced that you need a spa day yet, just wait until you hear about the benefits that come from much-deserved spa visits. Here are some of the amazing benefits that come along with spa visits and various treatments: Helps to de-stress Helps with anti-aging Promotes better sleep Relieves aches and pains Supports weight loss Improves blood flow and circulation Prevents varicose veins Increases happiness Reduces frequency of headaches Promotes radiant skin As you can see, a spa day can include many different types of services! No matter what you’re looking for, you can find it right here in Vancouver. Share with us in the comments what your favorite spa and salon services are when you are treating yourself to a self-care day!

Farmers Markets near Vancouver WA

Source: @ vancouverfarmersmarket on Instagram Supporting local has never been easier, especially when you live at Acero Jensen Park near plenty of farmers markets. The Vancouver and Portland area is full of popular farmers markets where you can support local vendors, eat delicious food, chat with great people, and overall just enjoy yourself. Vancouver Farmers Market The Vancouver Farmers Market is located at 8th & Esther St. in Downtown Vancouver. This is Southwest Washington’s #1 visitor attraction and home to over 250 vendors. When you visit the Vancouver Farmers Market you will find local produce, flowers, plants, baked goods, delicious food, and accessories for yourself, home, and garden. Just like Acero Jensen Park , the Vancouver Farmers Market is pet-friendly too, so bring your pup, chat with others, grab a bite to eat, listen to music, stroll through the park and enjoy a relaxing and refreshing day! The Vancouver Farmers Market runs from March to October and takes place on Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. East Vancouver Farmers Market You can also head to the East Vancouver Farmers Market , which just so happens to be run by the Vancouver Farmers Market . The East Vancouver Farmers Market is a great place to go if you are looking for new vendors, or if you are in the East Vancouver, SE Mill Plain area! No matter where you end up, you will find just as many great things. The East Vancouver Farmers Market runs from June to August and takes place on Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Portland Farmers Market The Portland Farmers Markets might be in Oregon, but in reality, they are only a short drive from our Acero Jensen Park community! While there are several farmers' market options throughout the Portland area, King Farmers Market is a great option. The King Farmers Market runs from May to November and takes place on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm. At King Farmers Market you will find 25 different farmers and food artisans, live music, and even cooking classes for the whole family. Other Portland Farmers Markets to check out are the PSU Farmers Market , Shemanski Park Farmers Market , and Lents International Farmers Market ! The best farmers' markets to visit are all of them! Each farmers' market has its own unique vendors and scenery, making each one equally as special and great. Next time you are at one of these farmers' markets be sure to snap a picture and tag us in it on our Instagram and Facebook !

Fun Activities near Vancouver WA

Living in Vancouver puts you just a short distance away from Portland as well! That means you can easily enjoy activities that take place in both the Vancouver and Portland areas. It’s always fun to tap into people's competitive side with activities like bowling, mini-golf, and axe throwing. Whether you are going on a date or looking for something to do with a group of friends or family, you’ll always be able to find a fun activity near you when you live at Acero Jensen Park! Bowling If you are looking to go bowling in the Vancouver area, try out Hazel Dell Lanes , Crosley Lanes , Round One , or Big Al’s . No matter where you choose to bowl, each bowling alley has food and drink options available. If you are looking for a bowling alley plus some, visit Round One or Big Al’s , both of which also have arcades! Mini Golf Spending some time under the glowing lights is always a great idea! Safari Mini Golf and Glowing Greens are the perfect places to practice your putting game. Safari Mini Golf is great for mini golf with younger kids and Glowing Greens is perfect for the adult crowd. If you aren’t wanting to play mini-golf, but still want to do something golf-related, head to Top Golf ! See just how far you can drive a golf ball, eat great food and sip on yummy drinks with friends anytime you visit Top Golf . Axe Throwing There might not be any axe-throwing venues in Vancouver yet, but Portland is full of them and their popularity is only growing! If you are looking to go axe throwing visit Celtic Axe Throwing Laurelwood Brewery , Wicked Axe Throwing , or Portland Axe Throwing . Who doesn’t want to learn how to throw an axe? No matter which activity you choose to do, you will have all sorts of fun! Try bowling, mini-golf and axe throwing to see which activity you prefer. It’s highly recommended that you call ahead of time to make a reservation at any of the above places, some of which require a reservation. When you are taking part in any of these fun activities, make sure to snap a picture and tag us in it on our Instagram and Facebook !

Keeping cool this summer: Lakes and Rivers near Vancouver WA

Source: @ jansengefert on Instagram at Lake Merwi Warm weather is upon us here in the Pacific Northwest and you may be wondering where you can keep cool and enjoy the nice weather. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Living in the Pacific Northwest means you are surrounded by lakes and rivers, most of which are no more than an hour away from our community. Nearby Lakes When you live at Acero Jensen Park, you can find a lake anywhere from 20 minutes away to an hour, all of which are great choices. Grill, kayak, paddleboard, float around on a floatie, there are so many things to do at the lake! Here are some of our nearby lakes: Vancouver Lake - 20 minutes away Battle Ground Lake State Park - 26 minutes away Merwin Park - 36 minutes away Saddle Dam Park - 50 minutes away Yale Lake & Park - 54 minutes away Day Parks along the Columbia River The Columbia River is 1,243 miles long and lucky for us, Southwest Washington is located along a large chunk of the river! Since we are so close to the Columbia River, there are a few day parks that are perfect for cooling off in the river and soaking in the sun. Here are a few places along the Columbia River that you should try out: Wintler Community Park - 15 minutes away Frenchman’s Bar Regional Park - 21 minutes away Cottonwood Beach - 25 minutes away If you are going to the lake or river, make sure you go prepared! Here are some items that you’ll want to have for your next lake or river day: Sunscreen Floaties A cooler Towels Water All of these items can be found at our local Target or Walmart , both of which are under 10 minutes away from our Acero Jensen Park community! Summers in the Pacific Northwest can’t be beaten, so make sure you take full advantage and give yourself plenty of days at the lake or the river. When you visit any of our nearby lakes or rivers, make sure to snap a picture and tag us in it on our Instagram and Facebook !

Best Butcher Shops in Vancouver WA

Grilling season is here! No matter what you are grilling up, you want to make sure you have the best cuts of meat for the best outcome. The quality of meat can make a huge difference when it comes to grilling and that’s why you should visit local butcher shops for the best. When you live at Acero Jensen Park, the Vancouver area's best butcher shops are just minutes from your front door. Butcher Boys Butcher Boys has called Vancouver home since 1969. You will find it all when you step foot into Butcher Boys. They have fresh beef, pork, poultry, sausage, lamb, ham and bacon, smoked meats, heat ’n serve options, marinated items, and deli meats. People from all over the world have come to Butcher Boys to learn the trade and fine art of meat processing and smoking from owner Jim and his son Peter. You know you are in good hands when you visit Butcher Boys for all of your meat needs! Mayers Custom Meats Mayers Custom Meats is another family-owned and operated butcher shop that's been around for 30 years and still going strong, right here in the Vancouver area! They provide quality products smoked in house as well as fresh retail, like meat packs, beef, pork, chicken all using family ingredients. When visiting this local butcher shop, you will also find new seasonal products and special goodies like twice-baked potatoes and local farm fresh eggs. Top Choice Meat Market Established in 2001, the Top Choice Meat Market is also family-owned and operated. You can find hand-carved meats, making sure every steak is trimmed just right, all the smoked goods you can think up, and “quick fix” options for dinners like lemon herb or marinated greek chicken, carne asada, and more. Their buffalo, farm-raised elk, grass-fed beef, local chick, and pork are regularly in stock and as mentioned, hand-carved to perfection! Each of these different butcher shops are unique in their own way, whether it's the type of homemade marinades they use or the process in how they smoke and carve their meats. Make sure to try products from each butcher shop to find your own personal favorite shop or favorite product at each! We know there’s a possibility that it's been a while since you fired up your grill, so here is a refresher on How Long to Grill and Cook Burgers , just in case! Happy grilling season everyone.