A year in review...

I'm not exactly sure how 365 days can go by so damn quickly!!  How in the world can it possibly be 2013 ALREADY????  It certainly was a quick and chaotic year but it was filled with many emotions, milestones and so much Joy. 

Now don't get me wrong, it definitely WAS NOT perfect but in comparison to some of my years before...lets just say...it was pretty darn close!! 

The thing that I am most proud of is that I purchased my own home.  A wonderful place for my children and I to call our own and make a million memories in. A safe, warm and nurturing environment for each of us and we needed that!  Believe me...it was LONG overdue.

Secondly, I began a new relationship with an amazing man!!  It caught me by total surprise (which makes it all the more sweet) but has truly changed me.  I am so stinkin happy that I can hardly contain myself!!  The sense of calm and peace that I feel is something I never even knew existed.  He and his precious girls add an extra special light to my life and I love it!!

My babies are growing up...WAY to fast!!  Tater turned 15 and although he still doesn't have his drivers permit...I know it is on the horizon and I'm not sure this Mama is ready for that!!  Tale's is now a T-E-E-N-A-G-E-R!!  I just want to clarify this...No matter how old she is-she will ALWAYS be my baby!!

We lost our precious puppy Jack and I have to say that was one of the low points of our year.  I'm not sure how a little dog can become such an important part of your life but he was.  We miss him still...although that is harder to do when our new bundle of naughtiness joy (Sage) is making sure that she makes her presence known.  She has definitely filled poor baby Jack's void and then some.

My favorite moments were spent with those I love the most.  My family and friends make my life complete.  Whether it was a weekend camping trip or conversation over dinner, I treasure those times above all others.

I have also learned a few things about myself and life over the past year...I can absolutely trust again (thank goodness), I can rock the whole single-mom thing (even though sometimes it is hard), a few true friends are all that you really need, happiness is NOT over-rated, my parents are my biggest supporters and bad things happen so that better things can come along.

Good bye 2012, it has been a good ride.  Sweet year-

See you next year...

I'm hoping that each and every one of you had a joyful and safe Christmas.  Ours was fabulous!!  It is after days like these that I feel extra blessed beyond words.  Life is truly wonderful and so are the amazing people who surround me!!  Most years I am sad to see the holidays go but I have to admit that I am ready.  I gave each of the kids a tree to undecorate today...I love to have them up early but once Christmas is over they are outta here!!  Back to Normal (if there is such a thing)...here we come!!

I am so excited to share with you some extra special & fun things but they will have to wait until after the NEW YEAR.  I am going to take the rest of year off to get my crazy but wonderful life back in order (the holidays always do a number on me).  I wish you all the best and hope that 2013 is one of happiness and love.  Sweet wishes-

Twas the Night before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas, when at my humble little home,

Three doggies lie dreaming of a holiday bone...

The trees are all lit, the gifts are wrapped and paid,

stockings are still not hung because mommy never got new ones made...

Kids are with their dad and his family tonight,

but will be here later to wake at mornings first light.

Unwrapping presents will be the first thing we do,

each taking turns and opening a few.

Tater's favorite gift will be breakfast of course,

while Tales will still be wishing that she had gotten a horse.

Sugared bacon and monkey bread will make the house smell so yummy,

fresh fruit and cup of coffee will be dance on our tummy.

With smiles on our faces and memories to make,

A long snowy ride to my parents we will take.

To spend time with friends and family we hold dear,

the true meaning of Christmas will become crystal clear.

A hug for Papa and Mamu are a definite must,

for we love them such BIG BUNCHES we are about to bust.

Playing games with cousins and having such fun,

are just a few of the moments that let you know the holiday has begun.

My sweet Mom & Dad will provide such a delicious spread,

while the thought of dessert will be in each of our heads.

The choices are endless with a family like ours,

I will have a little piece of each pie and a few holiday bars.

The day will end with more hugs and maybe a kiss under the mistletoe,

and the joy of spending time with family will be something we know.

Happy Holiday wishes from Sweet Taters and Tales to you,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Too!!

Sweet poem-

Weekly Thought-Week 50

Week 50-Christmas should be in your heart and not under the tree.

I am someone who LOVES to give gifts.  Going out and finding something that I think someone will love and watching them open it on Christmas is the best but as I get older and have more life experiences I realize that as much fun as that may be...gifts are NOT what Christmas is!! 

Being a single parent on Christmas has given me a couple of different perspectives...first of all you just can't afford what you could on two incomes (now let me clarify that in saying that my kids WILL NOT do without...they are extremely blessed)...secondly you now have to share your most precious people over the holidays and that can be tough because kids are what it is ALL about (I should clarify that by saying that as hard as it is for me to share them...I know that they should get time with each of us & they enjoy it).  What I am trying to point out is that a few years ago Christmas was about buying gifts and although I still love to do that the meaning of Christmas has changed and become more about the time spent with those you love. 

My heart is always with my sweet babies, even when I don't have them but when I do have them I want to make every moment count.  Making memories and keeping traditions is more important then having the perfect gift under the tree.  Sweet life- 

Snowman Treats...

When you think of mini powdered doughnuts what do you imagine...besides breakfast!!  Well, if your mind was glued together with craziness and glittered with nonsense (like mine) then you would think of a snowman on a stick.  For some reason...beyond my comprehension...the other day when I passed the miniature powdered sugar doughnuts I thought of a snowman and how if you put three of them together on a stick and decorated them with fun candies it would be a really cool gift for some sweet kids I know...and an even more fun project for kids to make themselves (run-onnnnnnnn sentence over).  

I assembled my ingredients...mini donuts, M&M's, mini chocolate chips, pretzel sticks, fruit by the foot and wooden skewers... 

To begin I put three donuts on the stick...

Then I realized that I didn't have anything for the nose.  So I decided to cut down an orange slice...

Using a little frosting in the middle of the bottom two donuts I added the M&M's like buttons...

Then I used the fruit by the foot for the scarf.  Cut it to length, fold in half, wrap around between the top two doughnuts and then use scissors to cut the bottom like fringe...

I then used additional frosting to attach the two mini chocolate chip eyeballs, four mini chocolate chips for the mouth and the orange slice nose.  I also added the pretzel sticks to the middle doughnut for arms...

 

Wrap them in a cellophane bag and they are ready to give...

I really think this might just be my favorite project of the holiday season.  Tales, Harley, Lanie and I made some the other night and it was such a fun and tasty project.  Make them to give or have your sweet babies make them over the weekend for a perfect holiday project.  Sweet snowmen-

Cookie Remake and Packaging...

Most years I am pretty prepared...I have thought out and planned my holiday baking, right down to the shopping list.  This year I find myself behind...I haven't wrapped...I still have a quilt to sew for a gift...my stockings are not hung because I am wanting to make new ones and holiday baking for friends and family...no clue of what to do!!!  Then I remembered that over St. Patricks day of this year I gave you the recipe for a chocolate cookie that is made from a cake mix and topped with mint flavored cream cheese frosting. 

They are one of favorite cookies for a number of reasons...

1) They are super simple

 2) They bake up soft (my favorite)

3) Did I mention that they are super simple?? 

You literally only need 8 ingredients and that includes the frosting.  So as the countdown to Christmas continues (1 week by the way) and time is running out...it seemed like an obvious and tasty choice for some quick gift giving.

To keep with the Christmas theme I decided to stick with peppermint.  The combination of chocolate and mint this time of year makes me a very happy mama!!  I dyed the frosting a pink color and topped with Peppermint baking chips...

I found them at Walmart in the holiday baking section.  I prefer them to crushed candy canes because they are soft like a chocolate chip.

The next step was packaging them up and although I like to bake...this is my favorite part.  I love taking a simple cookie and giving them a fun and festive look that is perfect for gift giving...

My supplies again came from thinkgarnish.com.  A little paper filler (from the Dollar Store) and some simple ribbon complete the look.

Sweet packaging-

P.S. To find the recipe go to archives on the right hand side of the blog.  It is under March 2012.  Enjoy.

A day of remembrance & a winner...

Today I had planned on sharing with you another way to gift cookies but in light of the tragedy in Connecticut I feel like today should be a day to reflect and remember. 

I am sending prayers to all affected by this terrible act (as I am sure you all are too).  My heart hurts for them and the grief they are enduring.  We all need to take an extra moment to love our family and hug our precious children tight. 

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On a lighter note I want to take a moment to thank all of you for entering the giveaway that Lacey at ACH has so graciously donated.  There were a record setting number of entries but there could only be one winner and that is...

Shara Wilkie

Congratulations Shara.  You can pickup your fabulous prize at ACH anytime.
A big Thank you to all who entered!! 
 Sweet remembrance-