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It’s that time of year where “Love” is in there air.  Isn’t it a shame that we go all out and go overboard to express our love on Valentine’s Day, why not be spontaneous and try a random day in April or August? Simple…because we live by “Holiday Etiquette.”  Holiday Etiquette is where we celebrate the holiday as marked on the calendar but we ladies also know we can and will make our own special holidays, which I totally suggest you try!

I have come up with my Top 5 Favorite Valentine’s Day Dates.  This can be for those ladies on a budget or those who are not. Feel free to try them on any random day to make your own “Special Holiday” too.

1.    Movie Night In (this is one of my favorites!): Rent a movie, go pick up favorite fast food, ice cream is optional J, move the coffee table and spread a nice big blanket on the floor with pillows and just maybe an extra blanket for extra curricular activities (wink, wink).  I think this is my favorite because it’s like you’re having a sleep over with your best friend and now it is your fiancé or husband…what more can a gal ask for?!

2.    Groups Allowed: Get a group of couples together and have a fondue party with game night.  This is a wonderful way to have fun on Valentine’s Day but you can still leave the “Special” in the night….just later on after everyone leaves.

3.    Ladies’ Choice: This is your chance to pick what a Valentine’s Day Date should be; either a romantic dinner, dinner and a movie, flower petal trail to room, it’s your choice, so make it count!

4.    Scavenger Hunt: Come up with creative clues to put in his car, at his work, through a text message…anything to get him to the “Treasure” which will be the date for Valentine’s Day.   This can be as elaborate or simple as you want according your taste.  Don’t forget to be detailed, you do want your date to arrive ;o).

5.    Re-enactment: Depending on how long you have been together, you could re-enact your first date.  I love this, I had this done for me and it is by far the one date I truly love and remember.
There you go, ladies, hopefully this will help you out this Valentine’s Day.  Remember, try making your own “Special Holiday” and keep Love in the air, we need more of it!

Have fun!
Tara

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Merry Christmas, Ladies!  My next post will not be until after Christmas, so, I thought I would leave you with a sweet treat idea and a sweet message before signing off until after Christmas.

I read this profound article this week called, “Finding Joy in the Journey.”  I was so touched by the simplicity of its words, that I’ve come to realize that, sometimes, “Simple and Sweet,” are some of the best advice you can give someone.

For instance, take the time to say a simple phrase to a stranger like, “Merry Christmas,” or “Have a Nice Day,” and see what joy that brings to their face.  You may never know how much that truly meant to someone or how it even affected their day.  On the other hand, take “Sweet.” Do a sweet, random act of kindness for someone, like, help the elderly load their groceries in the rain or hold a door open for a mom and her kids.  Trust me ladies, I could kiss ya if you hold the door open for me as I wrestle my two into the store and that’s the honest truth! lol

I really feel that we would be better people if we would do Simple and Sweet things throughout our day and through that, I know that all of us can truly find Joy in our Journey’s which is this life we are so blessed to be a part of.

Below is my Husband’s Favorite Christmas Treat and, ladies, it is both SIMPLE and SWEET! Enjoy!

Golden Graham Drops

Ingredients:

1 Bag of Chocolate Chips, 1 Bag of Butterscotch Chips, 1 Bag of Peanut Butter Chips, 1 Box of Golden Graham Cereal

Directions:

Put the box of Golden Grahams in a large bowl. Melt all the chips together in the microwave. Stir the chips together until smooth. Then, pour the chocolate mix on top of the Golden Grahams and stir it all together. “Caution” this can be a little messy but it is soooo fun! After it is all mix together, line cookie sheets with wax paper and drop a spoonful of the mixture on to the pan and then put into the fridge to harden. Ta-dah! Yummy, Simple and Sweet treats for you to enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

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Well, ladies, as I was rushing around running Christmas errands…shopping, getting things decorated, getting things together for my family, etc…I found myself just going through the motions of Christmas. Not until I had a moment to sit down in front of my window in my living room and look outside did I realize that Christmas is and should be so much more than hustle and bustle.

I know it sounds like a cliché but I found myself like Cindy Lou Who from The Grinch trying to find out what Christmas Spirit is/was. I have felt it before but over time, it sometimes goes away. I thought about giving and being grateful. I thought about life and family. Then, I began to have this warm and delightful feeling come to my heart…my heart was full of gratitude, love, and compassion.

I am most fortunate for my family. Not until my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer did I realize how quickly something could be taken away.  Now, she only has two more treatments and she will be done, YEAH!  Though the possibility was there that she could be taken from this life, I have found myself through this process. I have found how to be a better person, to treat others with respect, to serve others, to find happiness in life and to more importantly a way to love to love! I know it sounds crazy but I love to say “Love to Love.”

Don’t wait to realize there is one thing that has No Price, Can’t Be Taken From You, It Can Grow and Grow, and is it’s very nature to affect lives more than anything else: LOVE.  So, no matter what your status is in life, take the challenge of love to love.  It can and will change your life.  This, my dear friends is what Christmas Spirit is, a love to give and share. May this Christmas season bring you much Love and Happiness!

My special Tara’s Touch to help your busy holiday schedule is to share my favorite little goody to give the postman, trash man, teachers, neighbors etc.  That is Christmas Trail Mix; it is fast, good, and you will most definitely want to put this into your Christmas Goody Idea File! Enjoy!

May Your Days be Merry & Bright,

CHRISTMAS TRAIL MIX

INGREDIENTS/UTENSILS: 1 Gallon zip lock bag, 1 Large bag of Christmas M&M’s, 1 Large can of mixed nuts (or peanuts, your preference), 1 Large box of raisins

TO MAKE: Put all ingredients in the zip lock bag, seal it and shake it up. Now, this is very important, the key ingredient to making it with love, I like to sing the song: Shake, shake, shake senora, shake it all the time, shake, shake, shake senora, shake it all the time! I encourage you to sing – it’s good for the soul! Hehe!

TO DECORATE: Just put into a cute baggie & tie with a ribbon and put a gift tag! Ta-Dah!

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As the economic times are tough, it just makes more sense to “Go Green” with your Christmas gifts.  But the more I thought about it, it shouldn’t be just because times are tough. How wonderful would it be that instead of getting caught up in trying to buy the perfect gift you truly give a gift from the heart by giving a Go Green Gift (3XG).  Now this will take time and planning, but how meaningful a gift this gift will be?!?

I would love to have a Christmas were everything was handmade and I tried to recycle as much as I could.  It’s not only a cool idea but you would be challenging yourself and developing new talents.  Now, to me, this is worthwhile because you are getting a 2 for 1 deal (you learn new talents + you made a gift for someone for Christmas = 1 heck of deal) HA!  Seriously though, I am trying the 3XG this year for my husband’s work and for my friends.

I am making Christmas Trail Mix and Baking Pepperoni Rolls.  I am going to make the Christmas Trail Mix and use that as my cute little gift bag and then I will make the pepperoni rolls and put them in some foil and cover with some Christmas fabric.  Now, this will take me time but as my Mother-In-Law says, “There is no better way to a person’s heart than through their stomach” LOL!  I don’t know about you, but I am all about some Holiday Goodies!  Below are some other 3XG ideas for your Christmas this year!  Be Creative, Be Happy, and Be Green.  Enjoy!

*Homemade Dry Soup Mix in a Jar with Homemade Biscuits

(you have to make the biscuits before you take)

Friendship Soup Mix in a Jar

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup dry split peas
• 1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
• 1/4 cup pearl barley
• 1/2 cup dry lentils
• 1/4 cup dried onion flakes
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup uncooked alphabet pasta

DIRECTIONS

1. In a 1 1/2 pint jar, layer the split peas, bouillon, barley, lentils, onion flakes, Italian seasoning, rice, and bay leaves. Wrap the pasta in plastic wrap, and place in the jar. Seal tightly.
2. Attach a label to the jar with the following instructions: Friendship Soup ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS: 1 pound ground beef, black pepper to taste, garlic powder to taste, 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes – undrained, 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste, and 3 quarts water. TO PREPARE SOUP: Remove pasta from top of jar, and set aside. In a large pot over medium heat, brown beef with pepper and garlic; drain excess fat. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, and soup mix. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat to low. Cover, and simmer for 45 minutes. Stir in the pasta, cover, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes, or until the pasta, peas, lentils and barley are tender.

*Homemade Coffee Table Runner

Take some of your old Christmas Placemats and sew them together and add some rick rack or fringe on it to make someone a vintage table runner.

*Homemade Christmas Cinnamon Candle

You will need to buy any size or shape candles, cinnamon sticks, raffia, craft glue, toothpicks.  You will first need to break the cinnamon sticks into equal lengths, about half the size of the candle. Then, apply craft glue to the back sides of the cinnamon sticks using a toothpick and carefully arrange them around the candle. Allow the glue to dry completely.  The second is to tie the raffia around the candle. This will secure the cinnamon sticks to the candle. Make a bow in the front of the candle with the raffia.

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Well, Ladies, it’s that time of year again where we get ready for the Thanksgiving Feast, but what we are really planning is that Big Shopping Day called “BLACK FRIDAY”.  The one time a year where we, as women, boldly go where no man would want to go, shopping on Black Friday.  This is not an event for the weak at heart; it takes perseverance, patience, and sometimes blood, sweat, and tears.  So, for all you gals hitting the shopping scene on Black Friday, below is my Black Friday Survival Guide.  This will help you get thru it and be a survivor.  For my first timer’s, please make sure to strictly adhere to my list to make this as enjoyable as it can be for you.  Word of caution, once you become a B.F.S. (Black Friday Shopper), there is no turning back! Enjoy!

Black Friday Survival Guide

To Do: Wednesday

1. Make a list of the must-have products that you are shopping for this holiday season, including the names of the people for whom you are shopping.

To Do: Thursday

1. Eat a lot of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. This will not help your shopping, per se, but will make you feel happy and satisfied.
2. Go thru ads in the paper and compare to the list you created on Wednesday and add to your list what store had the best price for the item you want to purchase and what time they opened.  You will need to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the store opening if it is a popular gift you are wanting to buy.
3. Get a good night’s sleep the night before — thanks to all that food in your belly. it shouldn’t be too hard to fall asleep.

Helpful Hints:

• Leave the kids at home.
• Be caffeinated and full – don’t shop on low energy and an empty stomach.
• Pack snacks so that you don’t have to stop your marathon shopping day to grab food. A great idea would be to grab some brunch after shopping with your family or girlfriends.
• Bring along an MP-3 player or iPOD to help pass the time when you are waiting to pay for your finds.
• Don’t worry about the little stuff today, such as stocking stuffers, but rather focus on gifts that are bigger, harder to find, and more expensive.
• Take the time to look for that new winter coat or little black dress you need. Clothing sales are usually very good on Black Friday, because so many people are already in the stores looking for toys and gifts.
• If a product is not available, but the store offers a rain check, take it. Make sure that when you cash in your rain check you are getting the price that the product was listed at for that day.

Remember, there will be some people who are just down right nasty and testy out there, don’t be one of them.  If the occasion arises and you need to be aggressive, stand your ground, say it with a smile, and move on.  Don’t let bad attitudes ruin you experience as a B.F.S.

Have fun, Enjoy, and Behave!

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How exciting it is for me to be given the privilege of writing to you each month – to give you all the special little touches that will strengthen your home and family – I am just sooo excited!  Twice a month, I will be your stop for news on being a wife, mommy, and homemaker and you can pick up the insights, advice, and home and craft ideas that will make your family and home set apart.

Being that this is our first edition, I would like to give you a little information about my crazy but amazing family and life.  I have been married for 11 years to the love of my life; I have two adorable children who are truly the greatest gifts in my life.  I grew up a military brat, relocating about every two years all along the gulf coast until we finally moved to Tennessee when I was sixteen. 

When my husband and I met, I was sixteen and he was my brother’s best friend.  We became friends and would occasionally hang out but it was that, “Oh, that’s my brother’s best friend, kinda can’t like him,” thing.  We did not date until I was nineteen, at which point we were both nervous but excited to cross the line of friends into dating.  It was through great thought and prayer before we made this decision.  Needless to say, I have never looked back and have truly relished walking out my life with my husband, my best friend, these past 11 years. 

We wanted time to share together and develop our relationship before having children, so we waited 5 years before having our little ones.  All in all, I can’t be more thankful for my family, the life lessons I have learned, the trials and tribulations I have experienced, and the countless blessings I have received.  Through this newsletter, I hope to be able to help you build a home of insight, laughter, thoughtfulness, creativity, and, most importantly, special memories that will last you a lifetime.  For more of Tara’s Touch, please visit the rest of our blog. Well, ladies, until next month, I leave you with a thought and little Thanksgiving craft. Enjoy!

Love, Tara

Tara’s Thoughts:

“The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind…we have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith.” ~ Margaret D. Nadauld

Tara’s Crafts:

Garland of Gratitude:

You will need to get a string of Garland at your local craft store, a sharpie of your color preference, and have fall colored slips of paper (maybe even jazz them and cut them into leaf and pumpkin shapes).  Until Thanksgiving, you can decorate your mantel, stairwell, or table with the garland.  On Thanksgiving Day, have a place in your home where everyone can write what they are thankful for and sign their name and year on one of the slips of paper; if you have little ones, you will need to help them. Attach these to the garland. You will have a charitable keepsake that you can decorate with for years in your home – memories that will you will never be able to put a price on. 

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Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and you realize Fall is in the air!  I Love fall – it’s my favorite time of year!  I love the leaves changing, pumpkins, hayrides, bon fires with yummy smores, and not to mention all the fun get togethers you can have!!!!

I am always in a dilemia trying to figure out what to bring to our little gatherings we have with family and friends. Of course, it has to be sooo cute and fun.  I found this awesome way to use a pumpkin as a serving dish and put any kind of soup in it! Yes, that’s right, a pumpkin as a serving dish! Who would of thought?!? I love this and I am using it to take to our Church’s Fall Festival and I am going to put some yummy Chili in it and surround the base of the pumkin with crackers! How cute is that!

I would never leave you hanging, so, here are the directions to make this adorable

PUMPKIN SERVING DISH

Wash the pumpkin with warm water and pat dry. Cut away a round section on top of the pumkpin to form a lid. Scoop out the seeds and stringy mass with a large spoon.

Spray the pumpkin inside and out with a non-stick oil cooking spray. Lightly sprinkle the inside with salt. Spray a heavy baking sheet with cooking spray also. Place the pumpkin on the baking sheet. Place the lid aside of the pumpkin, cut side down.

Bake at 325° for 1 hour or slightly longer, depending on the size of the pumpkin. Bake until the inside of the pumpkin shell just begins to soften. The shell will be a deep orange color and have a shine from the cooking spray. Do not over bake. An over baked shell will not support the weight of the soup. Remove from oven. Very gently scoop out any remaining stringy areas you might have missed. Check the bottom of the the lid as well.

Again, as always a wonderful way to have fun in the fall and add Simplicity to your lives!

Enjoy!!!!

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