Skip to main content

Featured

60 Ultimate Cookie Exchange Recipes {and When It's Time to End It}

If you're looking for a winning recipe for your holiday cookie swaps, then scroll through this round-up  of 60 Ultimate Cookie Exchange Recipes on Taste As You Go!   Do you ever get That Feeling in your gut when you realize that what once brought you happiness now fills you with dread? You know the one... It's That Same Feeling that causes you to ask yourself repeatedly " Why am I doing this again?" I've been trying to battle that super persistent feeling for the past few weeks by giving myself little pep talks: "Don't give up now. You DO want to do this!"  "Don't you remember how much you used to love doing this? Just keep going!" " Do it one more time and you'll see -- everything will be fine. You'll feel much better once you get it over with." But no matter how many times I tried to get excited about it, I found a reason to avoid doing it. (Thank you, Caroline.) That's when I knew it was time to e...

On the Side: Priceless Gifts

Wedding Gifts - Photo by Taste As You Go

It was March when Stephen and I first found out that, in the final months of her battle with cancer, my mother had the presence of mind to buy us wedding gifts, entrusting their safety to my father until the time was right to give them to us. When we decided to wait until after our August wedding to open them, I didn't think I'd have the willpower to leave them, untouched, for five months. It was difficult to stay detached from what would probably be my last tangible connection with my mother, but I'm so glad I fought the temptation and remained patient. The moment we opened her gifts was priceless.

Flatware Storage Case - Photo by Taste As You Go

Inside the two boxes my father had been holding onto since 2002 were the pieces to an absolutely stunning flatware set. My mother always believed that owning a complete set of flatware was essential because it facilitated family gatherings and meals with the people who mattered the most. She knew that food tastes best when prepared for and shared with loved ones.

(That's why our family didn't give her too much grief when she'd make tuna casserole for dinner... Three nights in a row.)

Flatware in Storage Box - Photo by Taste As You Go

Flatware Storage Case - Photo by Taste As You Go

Not only did my mother buy us the flatware, but she also bought us a gorgeous wooden storage case lined in royal blue so we'd have somewhere to keep the pieces when they weren't being used. She gave the case and a set of three stackable cake plates (not pictured) to my aunt for safekeeping until Stephen and I got married, a surprise revealed to us the weekend of the wedding.

We were completely overwhelmed.

Flatware Storage Case Inscription - Photo by Taste As You Go

It wasn't until after we returned from our honeymoon and started unpacking all of the wedding gifts that I found my mother's final surprise -- a plate to attach to the flatware storage case with the following engraved message:

Happy Wedding
Many Happy Years
Love, Mom

Mom really did think of everything.

Like this post? Connect with me to find out when I post again. Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest or sign up to receive updates via email!