Leap Day...

Today is Leap Day!!  An extra day that we only get every 4 years!  I am a leap year baby and my poor mother was pregnant (and almost 2 weeks late) with me on this day 36 years ago.  I have to say that I am glad that she waited a few days to have me so that I get to celebrate birthday every year and not every 4th year but I do love this day.  I feel like this day is a gift.  An extra day to make things happen, to love our family and friends, an extra day to live.  So happy Leap Day...I hope you have an extra special, extra day!!  Sweet time

Tuesday Thoughts-Week 9

Ok...I know that I had said that this series would happen on Thursdays but there are some weeks when I just can't wait (I'm an instant gratification kind of gal).  This week I wasn't exactly sure of what I wanted to say and then last night I picked Taylea up from Awana's and she had this written down...

Week 9-I have decided that even though I don't always do everything right, I will NEVER quit!!!  Determination will get you a lot further than talent.  So if you feel a lack in talent, take heart.  All you need in life is more determination than anyone else you know.

She was so excited to read it to me and the fact that she took the time to write it down let me know that this really touched her heart and made her think about life and the affect of a strong determination.  She is truly such an amazing girl.  She radiates determination and a need to make things happen.  We could all live a little more like my Tales and be better for it.  I am so grateful to be blessed with her in my life.  Sweet Tales-

New Camera and Fun Decor...

First of all...I am so excited about my blogs new look!!!  Thank you Kristina for all of your amazingness!!  It is much more me now and I love it!!

Secondly...I got to get away for the weekend and by get away, I mean...BY MYSELF!!  It was a such a fun time.  I shopped, bought a new camera, drank wine with some of favorite people and did I mention...bought a new camera?  It has been something that I have wanted to do for such a long time and I finally bit the bullet and did it.  Here it is...

Isn't he pretty???  I decided it was a boy because he's red, cute and I'm in love!!  I may even have to name him because I like to do that kind of silly stuff and see the look on Tater's and Tale's sweet faces.

Thirdly...I did a little St. Patrick's Day decorating at my house.  It may seem a little early but I like to get it up and then down because DUH...there is Easter decorations to put up!  I'm completely obsessed...I know!!  My children just put up with my obsession and roll their eyes at my decorating for almost every holiday of year...what good kids I have!! 

I really kept it to a minimum and just decorated my mantel...

and my buffet table in the dining room...

I am excited about my new subway art though...I printed them at Costco and I love them (yes them...I now have one for almost every holiday).   I got 6 of them and it only cost $10.73.  I also purchased a black 8x10 frame at Walmart for $3.00.  Can you say cheap decorating...less than $15.00 for 6 holidays...pretty good if I do say so myself!!

Happy Monday everyone...here is to a fabulous week!!!  Sweet obsessions-

We are getting a new look...

I just wanted to let all my loyal readers know that Sweet Taters and Tales is going to be under construction for the next few days!!!  My new friend Kristina (@twohappymamas) is helping me with a new look and I'm so excited about it!!  Tune in for exciting changes and new posts very soon!!!!!  Sweet change-J

Quick Dinner-Ham & Cheddar Wraps

Dinner time can get really monotonous for a mom!  Day after day trying to figure out what to feed your family can be an exhausting experience.  I go through spurts when I feel like I have it all figured out and it seems quite easy.  Then there are other times when I have a HUGE brain block and suddenly take out seems like the only option.  Well, my budget can't take too many of those nights so I like to have a pocket full of easy recipes.  After all, all of us are in need of quick dinner once in a while.  Whether you have a meeting, kids in sports or are just tired...it is nice to be able to get a meal on the table quickly.  It is even sweeter when it is actually something your family loves! 

To make these Ham and Cheddar Wraps you will need a tube of refrigerated Crescent Rolls, ham lunch meat, shredded cheddar cheese and ranch dressing...

Preheat the oven according to the Crescent Roll package directions and begin rolling.  I like to separate each roll before I start to wrap them.  Then I add about a teaspoon of ranch dressing to each roll, along with 3 slices of ham (that I cut in half) and some shredded cheese...

Roll, put on cookie sheet and they are ready to bake...

Mine took about 12 minutes to cook but it could vary according to your oven.  I made a quick side salad and a heated a can of corn for a balanced meal that was so simple (oh & Taters added a side of BBQ sauce for dipping)...

Try this tonight...you will not be disappointed!! Sweet dinner-J

The perfect day...Tueday Thoughts-Week 8

Thursday Thoughts are arriving early because I have other fun things planned for later in the week...

Week 8-I have been thinking a lot lately and trying to undergo a little mini makeover on how I feel about my life and the way things happen.  In doing so I have realized that to most (and I am guilty of this too) the perfect day would be just that...PERFECT.  Everything would be exactly how you wanted it and the stars would align perfectly for every second of the entire day.  Well, I have decided that perfect is really all in one's perspective because lets get real...the stars rarely align perfectly for every second of an entire day!!  It is about how you look at your day and what's important to you...from there you decide what would be perfect...perspective!

I have a perfect day when 2 cute kids pop out of bed with a smile on their sweet faces and are ready to get the day going...

I have a perfect day when my daughter is actually ready to go to school at 7:30 a.m. and doesn't make her brother late because that causes a fight in the car...

I have a perfect day when I take my puppy out and he does his business quickly (especially when it is cold outside)...

I have a perfect day when I get watch my daughter play basketball...

I have a perfect day when my son tells he that he loves me when he gets out of the car each morning...

I have a perfect day when I sit at the table, have a meal with my kids and talk about the day...

I have a perfect day when for some miracle, neither of my kids have homework and we can relax...

I have a perfect day when dinner is in the crock pot and is ready when I get home from work...

I have a perfect day when I kiss my kids goodnight...

I have a perfect day when my daughter is acting like she is 12 instead of 20...

I have a perfect day when I go to get the mail and there is nothing there (no mail=no bills)...

I have a perfect day when I get to see my family...

I have a perfect day when I realize that everything in every day is not perfect but there are so many perfect things that happen every single day!!!  Sweet perspective-J

66 years and counting...

Today is my grandparents 66th wedding anniversary!! 

Congratulations Papa and Mamu!!

I just wanted to take a quick moment today to honor them because they are two AMAZING peeps!!  Not many can say they have made this milestone.  Even fewer can say they made it and are still in LOVE.  What an accomplishment it is especially in this day and age.  I love watching them together because the love they feel for one another is so evident.  They have a respect and admiration for each other that surpasses any that I have ever known or probably ever will (except for maybe my own parents).  They are not only role models for our super sized family but for people everywhere.  I love them both more that words can even begin to express and I know that each child and grandchild feels the same way.  When I think of everything they have created and accomplished I am amazed and grateful.  Sweet grandparents-J

Thursday Thoughts-Week #7

Week 7-As we grow up, we realize it is less important to have lots of friends, and more important to have real ones.

When I was younger I felt like I needed handfuls of friends and I would try to make them ALL happy.  Now I realize that my real friends love me no matter what...Thank you girls and you know who you are!!! Sweet friends-J

Winter Formal...

This last weekend was my daughters first semi-formal dance (Tate's second).  It was an exciting day!!  There were plans with friends to get ready, practice hair sessions and Tate rolling his eyes because he just can't quite understand why you can't shower and get dressed in 15 minutes before the dance...I mean come on!!  If only life were that simple for a girl who has been waiting for an occasion to dress up since birth. 

I must say that they both clean up pretty good...

Trying to get them to pose together for one photo was brutal...Bribery was involved...

I enjoyed chaperoning and seeing all of their friends so dressed up and having a good time...

A little cousin time...

A little silly time...

The teenage years are just beginning!  Wish me luck!!  Sweet guidance-J

Valentines Breakfast for my sweeties...

This Valentines Day is a busy one for us.  Between work, school, homework and a basketball game I wasn't sure that we would have a lot of time to celebrate.  So instead of waiting to see how the evening will go (because we know they never go as planned) I decided to surprise my children with a small but loving breakfast.

I didn't want to have to get up much earlier than I already do so I kept it simple.  When the kids went to bed I set the table...

I also got my eggs and ham ready for a quick morning scramble...

Sliced the strawberries and added a little sugar to sweeten them up...

When morning arrived I pulled out a tube of refrigerated cinnamon rolls and this is where is gets really sweet.  Instead of keeping them in the shape of an ordinary Cinnamon roll...I shaped them into a heart...

Then I just baked them according to the instructions.  While they were baking I scrambled the eggs with ham and a little cheddar cheese.  I also took the glaze that was in the tube of rolls and added a drop or two of pink food coloring...

Once the rolls were baked I added the pink glaze to the warm rolls and breakfast was served...

Man I love these two!!!

Wishing all of you a very special and loving day!!!  Sweet Valentine-J

Valentine Sugar Cookies...Color Block

So I have shown you a handful of different ways to prepare sugar cookies from the same recipe.  Today will be my last idea because for right now I am out of them (when it comes to sugar cookies anyway).  For this cookie you will just need a little food coloring and it is really that simple. 

You will divide the dough in half and then dye half of it pink or red...

Then you will roll out each colored dough and start cutting hearts (large ones).  From there you will cut a smaller heart out of the middle of each cookie...

This is where it gets tricky (not really), you are going to take the smaller heart cutouts and put the red/pink ones in the regular dough and the regular ones in the larger red/pink...

See...how cool is that?

From here all you do is bake them according to the recipe and the cookies are ready to eat or gift when cooled.  A fun and simple way to show your Valentine how much you love them.  Sweet colors-J

Valentine Sugar Cookies...On a Stick

When you put a cookie on a stick you transport it to a different level.  I know what you are thinking...it's just a stick!  But a stick can make them so much easier to gift and so much fun to eat.  I mean who doesn't like eating food off of a stick?  I do!! 

You will need sucker sticks from the craft store or wooden skewers to make them.  If you are using wooden skewers then you will need to soak them in water for a little while and then cut a little off with pliers or else the stick is WAY too long.

Then it is just a matter of cutting the dough into the preferred shape, lying the stick on the cookie sheet and then using a light pressure to adhere the cookie to the stick.  Bake according to directions but half way through the cooking time I added some colored sugar sprinkles to the top of the cookie and then allow to bake the rest of the way.

Cool completely, cover with a plastic bag and finish with coordinating ribbon and these adorable Valentines cookies are ready for giving.  Sweet sticks-J

Valentine Sugar Cookies...Chocolate Dipped

Who could celebrate Valentine's Day without a little chocolate?  After all the holiday is all about love and I LOVE chocolate!  These cookies are so simple to make because there is no frosting...just a little dipping and sprinkling. 

I again used my Cream Cheese sugar cookie recipe but you could use your favorite recipe or even use store bought.  Cut in desired shape (I used a medium sized heart) and bake accordingly...

To dip them you will need the dipping chocolate (I used red & got it at Walmart) and sprinkles...

Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute, stir and then continue microwaving in 30 second increments until completely melted.  Spoon the melted chocolate on half of the heart and remove any excess.  Sprinkle with coordinating sprinkles and allow time for the chocolate to dry...

They are really that easy...I promise.  Sweet chocolate-J

Thursday Thoughts-Week #6

Week #6-Life is about hanging on when your hearts had enough and giving more when you want to give up.

So True!!  Sweet stuff-J

Valentine Sugar Cookies...Linzer

Life has been crazy...between some major stuff going down in my little ol' life and fighting a sinus/ear infection, I have been laying low.  I am excited to be back and feeling better...so lets get with it!

Valentine' Day is fast approaching.  So in honor of the day about love I am going to show you a handful of different ways to transform a simple sugar cookie into something new and different.  The great part is that none of the cookie posts this week require frosting, tips or a bachelors degree in cookie decorating.  They are simple and easy for even the beginner.  For all of these recipes I am using the Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Recipe that I posted before Christmas because it is so dang good. 

Linzer cookies are simply two sugar cookies cut in the same shape and sandwiched together with jam in the middle but the top cookie has a smaller cutout in the middle.  This is where you can see the delicious jam peeking through.  I have used two different sizes of heart cookie cutters but you could use any shape of cutter.

To begin I cut my cookies out of the cookie dough and then cut the middle out of half of them.  Bake at 375° for about 8 minutes or until the cookies are just beginning to turn a subtle brown on the bottom. 

I then let them cool and get everything to put them together...

You will need cookies, jam (of your choice) and powdered sugar.

Then you just simply spread a small amount of jam on the whole cookie (leaving a small border around the edge and place the cookie with the cutout on top.  From there I sprinkle with powdered sugar and they are ready!!

Perfect for a neighbor, teacher or yourself.  Sweet hearts-J

Thursday Thoughts-Week #5

Week #5-Someday everything will make perfect sense, so for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the  tears and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason.

Sometimes having faith that everything will work out is so hard!  Luckily God knows better than we do.  Sweet life-J

Super Bowl countdown and menu

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this before but I am a huge football fan!!  Of course watching Tater play ranks #1 on my list...

but a close second would be the NFL...especially the Super Bowl.  I love the game, the half-time show, the commercials and best of all THE FOOD.  I'm excited to be helping my mom host a little get together at her house this year.  We have been preparing and brainstorming for about two weeks now (I know that is crazy) because we want everything to be delicious and perfect for a football themed dinner and dessert table.  I realize that I can get carried away with a theme but I just can't help it...for some reason it makes me happy!!  To each their own...right??

We have decided to put together a Nacho Bar...I love the idea because then everyone can personalize what they are eating to their own liking.  Here is what we will have to make a humongous and sinful plate of Nachos...

Chips, of course

Seasoned ground beef

Cheese sauce (a mixture of Velveeta and Rotel)

Salsa

Sour cream

Ranch dressing

Olives

Lettuce

Avocado

Onions

My mouth is watering just imagining yummy toppings piled on top of crisp chips.  The warmness of the cheese sauce and meat together with the coolness of the salsa, sour cream and avocado...man I am ready for Sunday!

Of course no get together is perfect without dessert...especially if I have something to say about it.  I will be making my yummy sugar cookies (in the shape of a football helmet) and my mom is whipping up Gingerbread footballs.  They are a tradition and my children would not think the Superbowl was complete without them.  Enjoy the game!!  Sweet football-J