taracrooks.com

Valentine’s Day Care Package Ideas

tara — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:01:28 +0000

I know I’m not the only one scrambling these last few weeks of January trying to find ideas for a Valentine’s Day care package that will knock my soldier’s socks off! I’ve hit the social media scene and military blogs all over. There were some great ideas, but in general most of us seem hard pressed to come up with more than a trip down the massive candy aisle at our local commissary. So I put my thinking cap on and asked around to come up with some super fabulous and creative Valentine’s Day ideas that will tell that special someone in our lives that we just can’t live without them!

Red hots or their favorite candy

Handwritten love poem or song

Handmade Valentine

Hershey’s kisses and hugs

“Hot Pants” – boxer shorts with kisses and hugs painted on them

Lotions & perfumes

A tiny bow & arrow with a note from Cupid

Fuzzy dice

Picture book or frame

Steamy love letter

A favorite romantic movie

Marshmallows with a note that says “I’m always on cloud 9 when I’m with you!”

Fuzzy pink, red, or black robe

Bath & Body products

Handmade CD of love songs

Warm and snuggly new red bath towel

Valentine themed stuffed animal

Personalized M&Ms in red, pink and white

Red or pink candle

Hot cocoa

Homemade heart shaped sugar cookies with red sprinkles

Anything red – red jello, red rice krispie treats, etc.

Silk or gold dipped red roses

“I love you” pin

A romantic book

Handkerchief, pillowcase, or other racier article of clothing sprayed with your scent

Handmade romantic fortune cookies (grab a box at your local craft store)

A pillow made out of fabric printed with a picture of you

Love coupons that they can redeem

A puzzle out of a picture of the two of you

A Victoria’s Secret or Mens Fitness magazine with your face glued on all the models

A “This is Why I Love You” journal

A “Naughty and Nice” journal – one side nice normal things, the flip side naughty things

Another idea is to send a gift package of inexpensive but meaningful items. Is your love always without a pen or do they seem to forget something all the time? What about all of their favorite foods or movies? Send gifts that will let them know you’re really listening to them and thinking about them!

Whatever you do make it special and meaningful to you and your loved one. Anything you send is sure to get a great response because it’s from the heart. Happy Valentine’s Day!

A New Year Under Construction

tara — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:00:43 +0000

It’s the New Year and like many others I am faced with the traditional question “what is your New Year’s resolution?” Every year this question taunts me into the status quo. I find myself struggling with what resolution to set and what I will have to do to keep it. I’m a goal junkie but when it comes to New Year resolutions something just doesn’t sit right with me. I think it’s because it’s so cliché. One time a year people are encouraged to set goals? Are you kidding me? What do you do the rest of the year? Ninety-two percent of those that set them never achieve them and a whopping forty-five percent fail before the end of January? That doesn’t sound like a successful New Year. It sounds like a tradition that has already failed me. So this year, I resolved not to resolve anything. In fact, to protest the impending failure of a resolution, I am hanging a large orange triangle with big black letters around my neck, “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”. That’s right I’m under construction, a constant work in progress.

Maybe it is because I am knocking on the door of “middle age” that I have had this epiphany, but, I’ve come to realize that I can find a whole lot of happiness with just a little bit of self acceptance. Some things are easier to accept than others like the fact that I am 5’4’ and I’m never going to get any taller. Sure, I can spend thousands on cute high heeled shoes or I can just accept the world as I see it (which just so happens to be right below your chin).

Ok you got me that was an easy one to accept. It was a bit harder to come to terms with the number on the scale and the height and weight chart that assures me that my height and that scale number is not a good match. I have learned that resolving to do some big makeover weight loss production with lofty goals of super models dancing in my head was not only asking for failure it was completely unrealistic. I could go insane at the gym four hours a day seven days a week feasting on protein shakes and carrot sticks or I could be content with a moderate schedule of one hour four days a week and keeping myself a comfortable healthy weight by choosing fruit over French fries.

The same is true in other areas of my life. One year I resolved to keep our house clean. I was going to reach this goal by setting daily chores and doing a full family-style cooperative cleaning mission every weekend. This turned into a stressful time of me lining my family up like little soldiers and barking orders for all of Saturday. Fail. Instead, I accepted the fact that a little bit of “out to dinner” funds towards a house cleaner could give me a clean house, time to go to the commissary to buy the food for a home cooked meal, and a happy family to enjoy it.

I remember the year that I resolved to build stronger friendships. Each week I tasked myself with goals of thank you notes, “how are you doing?” emails, and building a Facebook database of every connection known to man. The result was friends who thought I might be dying and a Facebook profile page full of people I didn’t even like in high school.

Then there was the year I chose my resolution to be a better listener. This is always something I work towards as a personal goal and that year I had had one too many people make the comment that I talked too much. Taking those comments to heart, I spent the first few weeks of January practicing to shut my mouth and open my ears. I ended up with a bunch of concerned faces and questions about whether or not I was “okay” because “you’re so quiet”. I really don’t know what I was thinking. I am a talk radio show host, of course I talk too much. It’s my job.

The irony of life is that the grass will always be greener on the other side. No matter where you are or who you are, there will always be something you want to fix. I think the Serenity Prayer says it best:

Grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Join me in my protest, don’t resolve to fail. Make 2012 the year you are “UNDER CONSTRUCTION”. The year you take constant manageable and sustainable strides towards being the best person you think you can be and amazing strides in accepting the person you are already.

52 Fabulously Fun & Creative Ways to Recognize Volunteers

tara — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:34:41 +0000

The Army is no stranger to the volunteer workforce. At some point in your Army “career” we can bet that you either volunteer or get volun”told” as I like to call it, to do something. But, what if you are the leader of volunteers? What can you do to make sure they feel appreciated? What can you do to recognize their contributions? Here are 52 fabulously fun and creative ways to recognize your volunteers all year long. They’re so easy to do and the rewards are two-fold. You’ll have more productive and happier volunteers just because you took the time to say “thanks”.

Week 1: Give your volunteers a “Round of Applause.” Cut a piece of paper into a circle with a photo of people cheering that lists to, from, why, and the date. To say thanks to anyone give them a “round”. After a person collects 3 of them, they turn them in for a prize.

Week 2: Provide your volunteers with a babysitter certificate or free childcare.

Week 3: Make a volunteer recognition board to display somewhere publicly that your team (and others) can all see it. As each person makes a contribution give them an “Atta-Boy” or “Atta-Girl” via the board.

Week 4: Have a team meeting and brainstorm together!

Week 5: Send a Valentine’s Day card using “love” as a theme. (ie I love the work you’ve done).

Week 6: Challenge your team to fill openings by finding new members for your organization. People who are passionate about what they do want their friends to be a part of it too.

Week 7: Start a volunteer of the month program.

Week 8: Give a mini rake with a note telling your volunteer “Thanks for your help raking in the donations.

Week 9: Have a team tshirt made for volutneers to wear. You could even have them design it.

Week 10: Invite your volutneers to help you with policy formation, group rules and regulations. Have each of them weigh in on your group’s mission statement.

Week 11: Give your volunteers a clover and tell them “we’re lucky to have you on our team.”

Week 12: Give each member of your team a flower bulb and tell them “You have blossomed.”

Week 13: Buy each of your team members a soda.

Week 14: Give a mini box of Frosted Flakes cereal with a note that says “You’re Grrrreat!”

Week 15: Write each of your team members a heartfelt thank you note.

Week 16: Give a mirror and say “You’re looking at the world’s best volunteer.”

Week 17: Ask your volutneers what you can do for them.

Week 18: Send volunteers an email pointing out specifically what you appreciate about them.

Week 19: Send your team resources for training and development specific to your mission.

Week 20: Award a plaque to key volunteers.

Week 21: Give your volunteers additional responsibilities (provided this is a good thing).

Week 22: Nominate your volunteers for Installation Volunteer Awards.

Week 23: Give each volunteer one hour of your time one-on-one for mentoring.

Week 24: Have an ice cream social.

Week 25: Give a box of Fourth of July sparklers with a note saying “Your talents just sparkle.”

Week 26: Have a special guest come in and do a seminar or informal talk on motivation or other pertinent topics to your cause.

Week 27: Give each volunteer a pair of scissors and say “You’re a cut above the rest.”

Week 28: Make sure your volutneers understand your open door policy and be a real person they can talk to.

Week 29: Make a team or organizational magnet and give one to each volunteer for their fridge.

Week 30: Have a volunteer picnic in the park.

Week 31: Surprise your group with coffee and cake.

Week 32: Make a huge banner full of recognition and place it in a highly visible area.

Week 33: Send a stack of play money and say “Spread the wealth of our organization.”

Week 34: Have a contest and give out fabulous prizes!

Week 35: Have a team meeting and brainstorm together! (yes, I’ve said this before)

Week 36: Praise your volunteers publicly.

Week 37: Make it a point to compliment your team on something they did this week.

Week 38: Send a yo-yo with the note “Thanks for sharing the ups and downs!”

Week 39: Write a letter of recommendation for your team members.

Week 40: Take your volunteers to the movies – or give them gift certificates with popcorn.

Week 41: Give your volunteers a fishing lure with the note “You’re a great catch!”

Week 42: Have an informal get together with your team.

Week 43: Submit a story about your volutneers to the local newspaper.

Week 44: Have a team softball game or other athletic challenge.

Week 45: Create a team scrapbook. Ask for everyone’s input.

Week 46: Give a set of chopsticks with the note “Thanks for learning to use a new tool.”

Week 47: Remind your volunteers how their work fits into the overall mission of your organization. Paint the whole picture of how their efforts are propelling that mission forward.

Week 48: Send a box of Christmas lights with the note “You light up our organization!”

Week 49: Have a “Secret Santa” party.

Week 50: Enlist your “seasoned” volunteers to train new volunteers.

Week 51: Give out service pins and certificates.

Week 52: Give a bunch of goodies wrapped up in a bandana with a note saying “This wraps up another great year – Thanks!”

Additional bookshelf resources for your “volutneer” library:

Volunteers: How to Get Them, How to Keep Them (Paperback) by Helen Little

1001 Ways to Reward Employees (Paperback) by Bob Nelson Ph.D.

Christmas Traditions

tara — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:48:32 +0000

The military is so rich in customs and courtesies; it was no surprise when I started asking military spouses for their holiday tradition ideas that the ideas were bountiful! The holidays offer many times to get together with family and friends. From holiday parties to attending holiday programs at local churches or organizations there is always something to do! Here are some great ideas from fellow military spouses that they do with their families.

Countdown Calendar

Your countdown calendar can have a theme for example a “tree” with a new decoration to add each day. You can purchase a pre-made holiday activity calendar or use a basic one with a magic marker and stickers. The point is doing the countdown together. You could also add a fun prize or candy for each day.

Sleep under the Christmas tree

The day you put the final decorations on your Christmas tree have your family camp out underneath its branches. Add something extra special and have hot cocoa, play games, and read holiday stories.

Holiday light tour

Each year tour the neighborhood with your family in search of the best holiday light display. You can each “vote” and pick a family favorite. Spice it up by giving the winning family’s display a plate of holiday goodies.

Christmas cookies

Our family definitely has our favorite cookies. Each year we spend a weekend baking up a storm. Have everyone put one of their favorite cookies on the list and bake up a batch. Cookies can be used as great homemade gifts too! You can even share the “secret” family recipes with each other.

Christmas Eve pajamas

On Christmas Eve everyone gets a brand new pair of pajamas. This is great for the kids as they are excited to get in their pajamas and head to bed to wait for Santa Claus.

Stockings

Whether they are filled by you or by “Santa” stockings are a lot of fun. You don’t have to fill them with expensive treats. You can pick from small everyday needful things like office supplies, toiletries, or even fruit and nuts. But of course they’re fun when fill them with candy and games.

Holiday parade

You’d be hard pressed to find a city or town that doesn’t have a holiday parade. Chances are you can find at least three or four near where you live. Take the family, pack up some goodies like popcorn or hot cocoa, and “vote” on the best parade float or display.

Picture with Santa Claus

Most malls or large retailers have a Santa Claus on hand during the holiday season. Make sure you get your children’s picture each year. It’s a great thing to look back on as the years go by.

Holiday Music or Ornament

Every year purchase a holiday ornament or holiday music CD. It’s a wonderful way to build your collection and the hunt for the perfect one each year is a lot of fun!

Christmas Eve activities

Families are usually pretty talented. Each year have your family showcase their talents in a Christmas Eve program. You can sing together, have a special feast, showcase each other’s talents, or even play a game. It’s a wonderful holiday tradition in which to incorporate most all of the traditions above. What fun!

Holiday Party Ideas for Military Families

tara — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:34:31 +0000

Do you ever wonder where the days of military tradition have gone? The days when neighbors on post greeted each other with a plate of cookies and a warm “welcome to the street”? Do you miss the days of themed dinner parties, formal Balls, or even double date nights? Our lives are busy, hectic really. We are fighting wars and juggling families as single parents. But that doesn’t mean that we have to give up the most treasured of military life traditions; the get-together.

This holiday season why not add variety to life by hosting a fun get together. If you need a little inspiration I have gathered the perfect “spark”.

Holiday Progressive Dinner: Have a traveling party. Appetizers are served at one house, the entrée at another, and dessert at the last. Have the guests meet at the house serving the appetizer, then travel to the entrée and dessert houses. This is fun for the same group to do each month; the food assignment can be rotated so everyone has a chance to showcase their talents.

Tree Decorating Party: Guests arrive to an empty tree only decked with twinkling lights. They can bring decorations to a certain theme or they can decorate with provided decorations. The host provides the appetizers and/or desserts.

Tree Viewing Party: Similar to a progressive dinner (above), holiday appetizers & favorite spirits are served at all the homes involved. Prizes can be awarded for the best decorated tree voted on by attendees.

A Christmas in the Mess Hall: Have guests wear camo or military uniform/outfits. Decorate with camo fabrics, military related holiday items, and use army boots as tablescapes in camo colors. Serve guests MREs as appetizers before the actual meal.

Toys for Tots: Have a dinner party for charity; tell each guest to bring a new toy to be given to a local toy bank. Decorate with stuffed animals and other toys, and provide a nice meal for the charitable guests.

Winter Wonderland: Decorate with lots of white and silver, fake snow, little flocked trees with twinkling lights, and glittery paper snowflakes. Use elegant table settings and serve a delicious meal, topped with a white cake.

Cookie Exchange: Have guests all bring three or more dozen of their favorite cookies to share. Provide a neat container and allow guests to “gather” cookies to take home with them. The ida is that you come with one type of cookie and leave with multiple. It’s a great way to trade recipes too.

Homemade Crafty Christmas: Have all of the attendees bring a homemade craft item to “trade” and have them share their pattern or instructions as well. Everyone goes home with something hand made for the holidays.

Wreath Making Party: A wreath is a perfect canvas for the creative types. Purchase all of the supplies for the wreaths (either make them by hand by cutting branches from a live tree or purchase a pre-made wreath). Have guests bring ribbons, flowers, ornaments, etc. Provide light snacks and holiday music while you work.

Your guests will not be disappointed in any of these wonderful holiday themes. Have fun with whatever you choose to do, but remember the cardinal rule of inviting your guests during this busy time of the year; give them notice.

Click here for a great resource for invitation making. Don’t forget that invites need to include the basics: who, what for, what to bring, when, where, why, how much, dress, and childcare options.

This is the best time of year to share camaraderie with friends and family. Even though our military lives are hectic it is important that we take time to celebrate our ti

me on this unique journey together. Happy Holidays!

Making Spirits Bright

tara — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:29:07 +0000

Do you have a deployed soldier on your Christmas list? There won’t be a “ho hum” holiday for your soldier with these great holiday care package ideas! I’ve captured the spirit of the season through items that relate to the sights, sounds, smells, and the tastes of the holidays. Add your own touches for a sure fire way to make your soldier’s spirit bright!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

Santa hat

Stuffed reindeer

Christmas movie

Kid’s craft – paper snowflakes

Fake snow

Fake tree

Lights

Handmade ornaments

String popcorn and cranberries

Tiny wrapped packages (use gum, mints, or small items to go under the tree)

Advent calendar

Picture book (include pictures from past holiday gatherings)

Small wrapped items to the theme of the “Twelve Days of Christmas”

A box of Christmas Cards stamped and addressed to the soldier’s family

Just hear those sleigh bells ringaling….

CD of you (and your children) singing Christmas carols

CD of Christmas music

Jingle bells

Jack Frost nipping at your nose…

Holiday scented candle (pine, cinnamon, baking)

Holiday scented oil

Pine cones (scented)

Now bring us some figgy pudding…

Fresh baked cookies

Eggnog

SPAM (Christmas “ham”)

Sausage and cheese

Holiday RITZ crackers

Mixed nuts (in shell) with a nut cracker

Candy canes

Christmas boxed chocolates

Advent calendar

Holiday coffee & creamer

Hot cocoa or cide

I’ll be home for Christmas…if only in my dreams.

Don’t forget that though your soldier is far from home and needs pampering, you and your children need something to feel connected to him/her too. Craft a tradition for your family such as buying an ornament each year, writing a letter to Santa Clause, hanging a special stocking, or reading a special story and make sure you do it regardless of anyone’s location. Make every effort to share this tradition across the miles by video-taping, calling, or even having your soldier available via webcam to participate.

Here comes Santa Claus…

Keep in mind special ways to create the perfect “Holiday Gift Delivery System or HGDS”, as Bob Gilead from www.CamoSock.com calls it. Stop by his site and pick up a perfect HGDS in the shape of a stocking made from the fabric of your soldier’s service branch. Be creative and find interesting things online such as a Christmas tree in a tube (search eBay they’re easy to find). Most of all have fun, get the entire family involved, and put your heart into it. Tis’ the season, but to your soldier you’re the reason any gift is special.

Merry Christmas to all! And to all, a good night!

MIA Holiday

tara — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:23:06 +0000

Everywhere you look this time of the year there are reminders of the season: stores brimming with the latest gadgets and gifts, garland hanging from the aisles, strands of lights decorating buildings, advertisements with pictures of Santa, the smell of peppermint and cinnamon in the air, the holiday frenzy. It is nearly impossible to not notice all of the holiday hustle and bustle. When someone you love is away it can be almost too much to bear.

There is no question that military families are resilient and resourceful. When you are missing your soldier joy and celebration of others can easily result in stress and depression for you. It is normal for your entire family to face some emotional challenges during the holiday season. . Let your family know that it’s okay to talk about feelings. Putting on a brave face usually backfires. Military families near or on an installation have the benefit of having their “military family” nearby, but those that live far from a base often feel isolated. The presence of extended family can be comforting as well. Regardless of whom you feel closest too, it is okay to ask for support.

If your soldier is MIA during this holiday season try applying a few of the following suggestions for making the best of this year.

Celebrate across the miles. Find ways for your family to connect despite their location. Utilize technology such as speakerphone during present opening or web cam on Christmas Eve. Write letters and send themed care packages. Have your soldier read a holiday themed book for your child or exchange gifts long distance. Better yet, create a flat daddy (life sized image on foam board) or mommy to have at the holiday dinner table and for pictures.

Honor traditions. Don’t underestimate importance of continuity and the predictability of traditions. It may seem as though without your soldier you cannot go on but it is not only a benefit to you and your children but to the soldier as well that things go on as normal. Keep up family traditions as best as you know how.

Create new traditions. Honoring traditions is important, but there’s nothing wrong with starting new ones either. Last year when our soldier was deployed we were unable to decorate like we normally would. We started a tradition of a live tree that the kids decorated with homemade ornaments.

Count your blessings. Having a positive perspective can quiet even the biggest Grinch. This is a perfect time to reflect on all that is good in your life. Sit down and make a list of the things for which you’re thankful and how much you’ve learned and experienced on this journey. Take the time to acknowledge and treasure the blessings you’ve been given.

Spread the cheer. One of the best ways to curb your own sadness is to focus on helping others cope with challenges of their own. While we often feel we have enough on our hands just taking care of ourselves, reaching out and helping someone else can really change a person’s perspective. Consider helping a new military family, donating toys, visiting a nursing home, or simply vowing to genuinely wish everyone you see a happy holiday season.

Create a “makeshift” family. It’s probably not a surprise to you that yours is not the only military family spending the holiday without their soldier. Look around you and organize a “makeshift” family holiday celebration.

Remember, there is one thing that will warm your heart until your family is back together again, and that is that nothing stops time. Enjoy what you have today for tomorrow is just around the bend.

Top 10 Military Spouse Homemade Holiday Ideas

tara — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:05:44 +0000

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The time of the year that your heart is warm with thanks as you focus on the blessings you’ve been given as the year has passed by. One of the blessings I am counting is that our military journey has afforded us an extended family that spans the globe. We have all been given the gift of friendship and I want to celebrate by saying thank you for all the wonderful memories. But I can’t help but think of how my savings account will quickly deplete if I add all of those “family members” to my gift list.

I’ll be honest. I’m good at thinking outside the box. I knew that in order to save money and add meaning to the holidays I just needed to make the gifts myself. I’m semi-crafty. I can bake. But when it comes time for Christmas it’s like someone sucked the life out of my creative brain. So I turned to the experts, military spouses just like me. Thankfully for me, the ideas were bountiful! Those of you who are super creative are bound to have a list that stretches longer than Santa’s, but for those of us that need a little “elf magic” I’m passing on the Top Ten. Now, off to the workshop…

Printable Coupons

Coupons make a great thoughtful gift especially if you know someone who shows their love by giving acts of service to others. They will truly appreciate this gift. Give the gift of services (lawn mowing, baby sitting, or dog sitting) or give the gift of time (watching movie together, baking cookies, or your expert advice on a subject/project).

Holiday Music Mix CD

Who doesn’t love Christmas music? Gather your holiday CDs together, pick your favorite songs, or go visit ITunes for some new additions. Pull them together and make your favorite mixed holiday CD.

Family Recipe Collection

This one is one of the most loved gifts I have given my friends. Gather all of your favorite recipes or recipes that all of your friends and family normally make at get-togethers and put them in a book. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Add some graphics and print them tied with a ribbon. A great gift!

Ornaments

Visit your local hobby store for a multitude of ideas. My favorite is a simple clear glass ornament. Fill it with different colors of craft paint. Swirl the paint all around the inside. Turn the ornament upside down into a Styrofoam cup to drain and dry. They’re beautiful.

Flavor Infused Butters & Oils

Many recipes can be found online with a simple search. Here is my favorite and the simplest one I came across:

Cinnamon Butter
1/2 cup butter — softened
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Mix ingredients in bowl until light and fluffy

Soup in A Jar

Layered soup in a jar makes a super stand-alone gift any time. Try this one in a Mason jar and add a decorated bag of oyster crackers for flair.

Chicken Noodle Soup in a Jar
In a two-cup jar, layer from bottom in the order listed above, then seal the jar.

¼ cup of red lentils
2 tbsp. dried onion flakes
1 ½ tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
½ tsp. dried dill weed or dill seed
1/8 tsp each celery seed and garlic powder
approximately 1 cup medium egg noodles
1 bay leaf

Write these instructions on your gift tag:
Bring 8 cups of water to boil in large saucepan. Stir in jar of soup mix. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Discard bay leaf and stir in 1½ cups of frozen corn or mixed vegetables and 2 cups of cooked, diced chicken or turkey. Simmer for five minutes until vegetables are tender and chicken is heated through.

Bath Salts

For most bath salt recipes you can use your choice of Epsom salts or sea salt, with baking soda, if desired, or a combination of all three. One good mix is one cup of Epsom salts, with 1/4 cup of sea salt, and two or three tablespoons of baking soda. You can also add a tablespoon or two of finely ground regular oatmeal (not quick cooking) for silky, skin-softening water.

Empty the salts into a mixing jar and add a drop or two of glycerin. Add your choice of essential oil. If desired, add a few drops of liquid food coloring. Stir the salts vigorously until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Place in a beautifully decorated jar.

Cookies & Candies

You can always do the tried and true standbys like chocolate chips, snicker doodles, or peanut butter cookies. You can get fancy and try homemade truffles (my favorite are Oreo truffles – yum). Better yet, you can try a new suggestion and go with rock candy. (Note: The spouse that submitted this paired it with the 3^rd Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne” patch – too cute!)

Rock Candy

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

3 3/4 cups white sugar

1 1/2 cups light corn syrup

1 cup water

2 teaspoons cinnamon oil

1 teaspoon red food coloring

Roll the edges of two 16 inch square pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil. Sprinkle the foil very generously with confectioners’ sugar.

In a large heavy saucepan, combine the white sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Stop stirring, and boil until a candy thermometer reads 300 to 310 degrees F (149 to 154 degrees C). Remove from heat.

Stir in the cinnamon oil and food coloring. Pour onto the prepared foil, and allow cooling and hardening. Crack into pieces, and store in an airtight container.

Fido’s Treats

Soft Doggie Cookies

(2 1/2 oz. each) jars of baby food; either beef or chicken
1/4 cup Dry milk powder
1/4 cup Wheat germ or cream of wheat

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Roll into small balls and place on well-greased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork. Bake in preheated 350F oven for 15 minutes until brown. Cool on wire rack. Refrigerate to keep fresh or freeze. Great for older dogs with teeth problems.

Pine Cone Fire Starters

If you are lucky enough to live in an area coated in pine cones (trust me the post maintenance people love it if we help them by picking them up), grab a bundle and make this easy craft. This is an easy, inexpensive, environment friendly craft project that works great as a gift for anyone with a fireplace. The best part? The pine cones ended up looking like miniature Christmas trees.

Treasure the moments

tara — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:01:48 +0000

I love it when people ask me “how do you do it?” As if I grew up all my life thinking I would love to take on the challenge of Army wife life. Oh gee, I’m so excited let me marry some guy that is going to potentially be away from me for very long periods of time while constantly in harms way.

I’ll get to parent on my own? Fabulous!

Oh, he’ll miss anniversaries and my birthday? Yippee!

What? I get to live somewhere far from my family in the middle of nowhere? Yes!

In this day where terrorism threatens our world and evil may lurk around any corner, we can live in fear that we are not safe, or that our soldier is not safe or we can celebrate the moments we have before us.

There will be times when you and your soldier are together that you can’t help but think about the next time you’ll be apart. You’ll spend one day counting minutes hoping they’ll go faster and the next hoping time will stop. The only thing you can do is “seize the day”.

Military life has ups and downs. One of the greatest things is that we never really ever get a chance to have a static or mundane life. We always have to live in the moment because our moments come and go so quickly. We are lucky in that we are forced to learn the ability to treasure and appreciate those moments for most of our civilian counterparts take them for granted or are never given the opportunity to experience those emotions.

I can’t tell you how I “do it” or how you’ll “do it” either, whatever “it” really is. What I can tell you is that you’ll live one crazy life full of hurry up and waits, frustrations and celebrations, extreme empowerment and independence, and complete and total passion. And every single minute will be worth it.

I prefer, “see you later”…

tara — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:00:56 +0000

Just last week I was talking with the girls on Army Wife Talk Radio about the experiences we have had as Army wives. We talked about our first impressions and how those impressions have changed through experiences and years. One of the things my good friend Sarah said to me when we were talking was that the best part of being an Army wife was the friends and family that you made along the way.

That got us both talking about our shared experiences back in the day at Fort Hood. She was a military girlfriend when I met her. My husband and her husband attended Officer’s Basic Course (OBC) together and ironically lived up the street from us at the time. I can’t recall the very first moment that I met her, but I do remember many great times. One of our favorite things to do was to play cards. I remember many nights when the guys were in the field or otherwise detained that Sarah and I would stay up until the wee hours of the morning playing SkipBo. We’d talk and play and play some more. I think each of us secretly worried the other one was so tired and sick of playing but really we were both thinking “one more round?” I had just given birth to Wrena, our first daughter, and Sarah and I would eat dinner, play cards, and laugh at Wrena as she lay on her boppy pillow and made funny noises and faces while she slept.

Then there was Thanksgiving. There was never a holiday that any of us spent alone even if we didn’t get to go home and visit our families. Every Thanksgiving we were at Fort Hood we stayed on post for the holiday. To this day they were the best Thanksgivings I have ever celebrated. We’d have at least ten of us together. We’d split up the food and “duties” and we’d have one heck of a celebration at our house. Since we lived so close we’d fire up all the ovens. Sarah’s husband can bake (and carve) one mean turkey! It was always a day full of laughter, fun, and football.

In the years since, we have obviously left Fort Hood. I remember standing there the day the movers pulled away and crying my eyes out because I had made such good friends there, started a family there, and loved our house we lived in. I never thought I’d ever find anything the same. Quite frankly I haven’t found the same, but I have found even more. We have wonderful friends in every location we’ve been to now. The Thanksgivings aren’t the same but other holidays can compare, and we’re always having a great time together. Friendships and families have been built and even extended because of the relationships we have already formed.

Ironically, Sarah and I lost touch for a few years in between Fort Hood and now. We just recently touched base again when she stumbled across Army Wife Talk Radio and started participating. Though I never forgot her, it is wonderful to actually get to talk to her on a daily basis again. There’s nothing like a great friend you can always relate to. I don’t get to play cards until 2 a.m. but I’m looking forward to it when we meet again. And guess what? We’re both very excited that it won’t actually be too far off.

There really are no goodbyes in the Army. As big as it is, there is always a very good chance you’ll see the same person again. I prefer to think of it as “see you later.”