December 8, 2023 • 26 mins
On today’s episode, we have my friend Tammy Tauferner who seamlessly intertwines the intricate threads of being a wife, mother and quality control specialist into the fabric of her life and how embracing ‘yes’ has changed her life for the better.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Good afternoon and welcome to everybody.
The podcast which sharesstories that highlight people in
life, that make the world aninteresting place, which
ultimately ties us all togetherin unique and wonderful ways.
And who am I, you might ask.
I would be the headwrappedsocialite Weith mom,
(00:23):
micro-influencer in the fashionand etiquette world, but on this
podcast I will be introducingyou to some people who I've had
the opportunity to meet along myjourney, who have helped enrich
me in my life in beautiful waysand who I hope will do the same
in yours.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
I really believe you say yes to every invite.
You have no idea who God isintending you to meet, so that
is why I say yes.
You don't want to put limits onwhat the possibilities are.
Yeah for sure, are you going tofail Sometimes, but you tried.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Good afternoon and welcome to today's episode.
I have known this special guestfor over 20 years, as two of
our children were in the samegrade and graduated together.
We have shared so much timeover the years and I am
absolutely thrilled to introducetoday's guest, who is none
(01:38):
other than Tammy Tofner.
With a life that embodies thevery essence of dedication and
passion, she is a shiningexample of what I feel it means
to be a Renaissance woman.
As a devoted wife and mother,she brings warmth and love into
our family's life.
But that's just the beginning.
(02:01):
She is also a quality specialistat St Mary's Hospital, where
she holds the highest standardsof excellence when it comes to
healthcare.
What sets my friend apart isthat she has a boundless spirit
of giving back, whether it'sthrough her volunteer work, her
artful baking creations or hercrafty endeavors.
(02:24):
She is also an avid runner anda lover of books who, I believe,
will leave you all reallyinspired.
So, with a glad heart, Iwelcome my friend, tammy Tofner,
to today's episode.
Can you tell the listeners alittle bit about who you are?
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Thank you, Trina, for your kind introduction.
It's overwhelming.
I am a person who likes to trynew things, be involved.
Biggest fear is the fear of theunknown.
I have three kids, so betweenthe ages of 18 and 25, I have
enjoyed being involved in asmuch activities that they're
(03:06):
involved in and seeing thingsthrough.
I do love to bake.
That is a passion.
The sound of the mixer is verycalming for me.
So that is what I like to doafter work or my days off is to
bake something.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
We're gonna get into your baking a little bit later
in the interview, but first,Tammy, I would like to ask you
what exactly is a qualityspecialist and what are some of
the things that you do on adaily basis?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
For a quality specialist.
We pretty much dot the I's andcross the T's, do a lot of
regulatory work, safetyinspections, cap inspections as
well.
We do look at events that occurin the hospital quality control
, ensuring that all theinstruments are functional.
Can you?
Speaker 1 (03:58):
share some insights into how you balance your role
as a wife, mother and a qualityspecialist.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
I'm a very scheduled person, so the day before I have
the next day planned as far asam I gonna stop for milk,
because once I'm home I don'tlike to go back out.
It's all very scheduled.
I do like to wake up beforeanybody else in the house, so I
am up at five, five, 30,sometimes earlier.
But that's my time to read, dothe rosary, and that's my quiet
(04:30):
time.
There's nobody moving in thehouse.
Oh, I like that.
And then I do have it scheduledone day.
Every day is a room to clean,so it should only take you 15 to
20 minutes to clean a room.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
So you have that basically unlocked.
You have your schedulescheduled.
Yes, like you know exactly whatyou're gonna do, has this been
something that you have growninto or something that wasn't
still than you?
Speaker 2 (04:54):
at a young age I became very organized when I had
two kids.
Okay, mm-hmm, to time thingsout to accomplish my own time,
but time is a constant.
Everybody has the same amountof time.
It's what priority you put onthings.
I put a lot of priority on mykids to be there, so they saw me
(05:15):
, not so much that they saw mevolunteering which they do and
they're also now volunteers aswell but also I had a lot of
commitment to myself to knowtheir friends and that was huge
for me.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
I wanted to share a story with the listeners.
My oldest son had gottenmarried and Tammy reached out to
me and she says I wanna makesomething special for him and
his wife.
She actually did this beautifulquilt when I had gone to visit
them.
Your quilt is on the end oftheir bed.
(05:52):
It's not just something thatyou gave and somebody folded it
up and put it in a box Like.
You mean something to my son.
You've always been there forhim and I appreciate that.
I just think it's just sotelling of the person that you
are.
So thank you, Thank you, Thankyou, my friend.
Thank you.
What inspired you, tammy, tobecome a volunteer?
(06:14):
Can you tell us about some ofyour most memorable volunteer
experiences?
Oh, my goodness.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Done quite a bit of volunteering.
What I love about volunteeringis you do not have to be
educated for the job and so manypeople, I feel, are afraid that
they're not gonna do it right.
Or there are people that showyou how to do this and you learn
and you spread that learning toother people and you bring
(06:42):
people into volunteering.
Takes a tribe Memorable.
I remember the school carnivals.
It was just a lot of work andsomehow I ended up leading one
one year.
Oh, what else was there?
There was the mystery dinners.
Could you explain the mysterydinners?
(07:03):
We create everything fromscratch and you try to figure
out the end clue and you travelfrom room to room and there's
different course meals in eachroom and it takes a lot of
people to put these things on.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
These classrooms do not look like classrooms, yeah
it's like you walk in it,Whether it was the Huck Finn
room or just the Peter Pan roomor the ballroom the Beauty and
the Beast ballroom I think itwas too.
I mean, there were a bunch ofdifferent rooms, but you step
into this storybook land.
It's like parents transformthese classrooms into literally
(07:39):
like a smaller version of DisneyWorld If that's impossible,
like it's so cool.
Okay, listeners, I'll tell youhappened to me today.
So I open up to welcome myfriend, our special guest, tammy
, into my home and she presentsme with this.
I wish you guys could be here.
But she presents me with thisbox and on the outside of the
(08:04):
box and I'm already superexcited, like my hands can't
stop fidgeting with it.
But on the outside of the boxare these two penguins and
they're carrying these Christmasornaments.
I'm gonna open up the box.
In my heart, I think I knowwhat's inside, but I'm gonna
open up the box so you, dearlisteners, can take this journey
with me.
I'm gonna say I'm gonna open upthis box, tammy, and Light's
gonna come out.
(08:24):
I'm gonna unwrap the firstlayer.
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh mygosh.
Tammy is amazing.
So inside this box are herdelectable holiday Christmas
cookie treats that I have beenjonesing over for I can't even
(08:45):
tell you how many years, becauseI'm gonna tell you this quick
story because you know I alwayshave a story.
Mrs Toffner gave my son a plateof holiday delectable treats to
bring home to share.
Well, such family never, eversaw these treats.
I happened to run into MrsToffner at the store and Mrs
(09:05):
Toffner says so how did youenjoy the cookies?
And I said what cookies,darling?
My oldest ate the cookies forhimself.
I just want you all to knowthat I get my cookies and I am
going to hide them.
I'm just joking so I won't beselfish like that, which I'm
gonna take a bite while I'mgiving this interview.
But, tammy, can you tell uswhat exactly each cookie is and
(09:29):
what they represent to you?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
So when I put together a cookie tray, I look
at.
The different shapes of acookie is very important to me.
When I do pick out the cookiesthat I'm gonna bake, I bake from
December 1st to December 24th,a cookie a day.
I have tried in the past to dothe whole cookie exchange thing
(09:54):
where you make 12 dozen of onecookie and then you invite your
friends over and you switch bythe time you get to that last
cookie you hate them.
I mean, you're just tired ofthat cookie.
I have tried the whole.
This is my baking weekend.
The kitchen is a mess, just notrelaxing at all.
So what baking does for medoing a cookie a day is you make
(10:18):
your cookie, you do your dishes, you get your ingredients out
for the next day, and you cankeep going throughout the month.
Prior to COVID, that waschallenging.
We had music concerts, we hadlots of activities in the
evening and once COVID hit, Iwas really able to successfully
do it without being stressed out, because where was I going?
(10:41):
I was home.
It was just so much morerelaxing.
So that's where it really tookoff, where I could successfully
complete.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
So can I ask you does your family get involved with
helping you custom create thecookies?
Do you have a family recipe?
What pushes you towards onecookie versus another?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
There is family favorites are the first thing.
What do you want for cookies?
So I know when Dianna comeshome I'm going to make sure that
I have her cookie that shewants.
My kids do get cookie boxesmail to them, oh my goodness.
Every couple of weeks they'llget a new variety sent to them.
(11:20):
So it's nice, the ones in yourbox, those are peanut blossoms.
So it's your perfect peanutbutter cookie.
With the Broxth Star you canhave high V brand.
The Broxth are the mostconsistent size wise, so each of
them are one ounces and I didmeasure quite a few.
(11:40):
That's the quality piece of it.
I love it.
What I stamped the cookie with,you probably know those based
on using a fork.
I actually stamped those with acrystal vase that I got as a
wedding gift.
It has stamped more cookiesthan it has held flowers, oh my
gosh.
So I do go to estate sales.
(12:02):
I do pick up glass that hasdifferent impressions because
the early glass is so muchbetter, design wise For sure.
So look at the bottom of yourstuff.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
That is so cool.
I would have never, ever.
How did you come up with that,using household items like your
vase?
Speaker 2 (12:24):
I'm a very detailed person.
Different things that mostpeople would brush off so that's
so cool.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Okay, now, this puts this whole delectable delight
into a whole nother realm.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
So the next one is cocoa caramel delights.
It is a thumbprint I always dosome type of thumbprint so it is
a chocolate based cookie thatis rolled in pecans, crushed,
chopped finely, and then it'smelted caramel with heavy cream.
Okay, with heavy cream.
I did find through PamperedChef, I love it, the drizzler I
(13:03):
was just going to ask you.
So a drizzler to drizzleanything on anything makes it
look pretty.
So huge thing for me.
I used to put it into a paperbag.
You clip the corner and thenuse that as a drizzler.
It is very true, If you havethe right tools, life is so much
easier.
There you go, so the garage isfull of tools.
(13:25):
I can have kitchen full oftools.
Oh, I love it.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
I give you a clap on that.
That is fantastic.
That is fantastic.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
So those are a family favorite.
I typically do double batchthose so I do have some to get
because they go very quickly inmy house.
Do you freeze them?
I do Up to two weeks.
I put cookies into a rubbermade Tupperware container and I
layer with wax paper so mostcookies aren't froze more than
(13:58):
two weeks.
So it is doable.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
How long did it take you for this delectable box?
I did it over the weekend.
Oh my gosh.
Wow, I feel so honored Like youhave no idea.
Like, once this episode goes topress, like these cookies are
going to be gone and there'sgoing to be nothing left, kids,
nothing Like.
I know you're going to hear mechomping on them.
I'll try not to be very loud,but then you'll probably hear an
(14:24):
ah, because my mouth is alreadywatering.
I have another question, andthis is in the cookie realm.
You have experimented withdifferent cookie recipes.
Would you mind sharing with thelisteners the most unique or
unexpected cookie creationyou've tried, and how did it
turn out?
Speaker 2 (14:43):
The Spam Cookie the 2022 post-bulletin winner.
I always attempt to make thewinner of the post-bulletin
cookie challenge.
The Spam was a bit much for me.
It was with Maple and it's justwrong.
The cookie I'm going to trythis year is it has mashed
(15:03):
potato in it, so I'm reallyinterested to see that it's a
recipe from the Depression era.
It's going to be interesting totry.
I am not trying the Spam again,though.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
One and done One and done You're heavy.
Are there any cookie bakingtraditions or stories from your
family that you'd like to shareduring this festive month of
December?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
My mother baked beautiful trays of cookies and
there was so many.
Her point and we talked aboutthis was there should be
something for everybody, soeverybody has.
Everybody has their ownfavorites.
Everybody should have theirthing to choose, and so that was
(15:48):
so special.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
We'll switch gears and I'm gonna start delving into
my cookie box here, but yourpassion for crafting has always
been really impressive.
How has this creative outletimpacted your life and do you
have a favorite craft project?
Speaker 2 (16:03):
I grew up in a house where you can make anything, and
so that's the belief.
So if I see something, I try tomake it.
I love making.
So crafting just allows you tobe creative and nobody has what
you have.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
That is true.
Have any of your kids carriedon like the crafting gene?
Do they have it?
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Dina does, dina does, rachel does too.
So talented Dina crochets andknits, so she makes tops and she
gives them to friends.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Dina, remember I'm your aunt I would like a
crocheted top to match a pair ofcrochet jeans that I have.
So if you would be so kind, Iwould love it.
Just saying can't really tellme.
That was our commercial break,adding Dina into the mix.
And Rachel, whatever you'd liketo gift and treat at, I will
take whatever, and will you too.
(16:59):
We didn't forget you.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Yes, we didn't forget you, we didn't forget you.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
We have to add Will in there.
You enjoy running.
What motivates you to lace upthose sneakers and how do you
stay committed to your runningroutine?
For me, it's the people.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I run with.
Those are the people that are.
Are you coming this morning?
Are you coming for breakfast?
So, it's very inspiring.
You see what they accomplishand they're so proud of what you
accomplish as well.
So everybody needs that supportgroup and I really just started
running about seven, eightyears ago.
(17:34):
Just showed up at Terraloco'sbeginning to run class.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
And that's it.
And you were bitten by therunning bug.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Yes, the coaches at Terraloco were amazing.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
What is it about the coaches that keep you coming
back as well?
They?
Speaker 2 (17:49):
believe in you.
They believe beyond what youbelieve you can do.
So when I started, my goal was5K, then it became 10K and then
it became a half marathon.
They believed in you to get tothat half.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
That's awesome.
Take me back to your first half.
Like how was that?
Could you sleep the nightbefore?
How was it?
When you were running, where isyour family there to cheer you
on?
What did it?
What did it feel like?
Because there's never, there'snever anything like that first
time.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
My first half marathon I ran with a friend,
rebecca.
We went to Mankato and that'swhere we did our first half, and
it wasn't until I hit mileseven.
I was like, oh, I can do this.
That was your half point and itwas doable.
And you did it, did it, and youdid it.
(18:45):
I did it half three times now,damn girl.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Good for you, tam, good for you.
Do you have any?
Speaker 2 (18:51):
races coming up?
I do not Right now.
I'm on limitations.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
OK.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
So Achilles tendonitis, so healing.
I'll probably start backrunning in the spring.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Just to get some rest ?
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Yeah for sure.
Do you ever feel like you wantto do a full?
Speaker 2 (19:07):
I would after I retire.
I think, training takes so muchtime.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
Can you describe a challenging moment in your
journey and how you overcame it,showcasing your resilience and
your determination?
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Well, that's a big question.
I did do the ultimate hike.
That's up in Bailutzen, so it's25.5 miles of hiking.
Took me 12 and a half hours.
It is for children's cancerresearch, to walk with people
who have lost kids, to walk forkids' research.
(19:45):
It's the most mental andphysical thing I have ever done
in my life.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
When you share that story, it's your journey, but I
also feel like you are carryingthese families with you as well.
It was so impactful when youleft there.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
What was your takeaway?
There was so much because youspend so much time with
everybody.
There was such a bond to meetfriends from Madison and the
cities.
It was just very inspiring.
I really believe people willsay why aren't you saying no?
Say no, say no.
(20:23):
I have the mentality.
You say yes to every invite.
You have no idea who God isintending you to meet.
So that is why I say yes.
You don't want to put limits onwhat the possibilities are.
Yeah for sure, are you gonnafail sometimes?
Speaker 1 (20:45):
But you tried really admire about you being present
to the present, just being opento the possibilities of what the
universe has to offer you.
You know to be open to thepresent, to be present to the
moment.
I agree, as we conclude thiswonderful episode with my friend
(21:07):
, we've all had the uniqueprivilege of exploring what I
like to say is her extraordinarylife.
She is Amazing.
Her dedication and her passionShine through in every aspect of
her life, from her role as awife, mother, quality Specialist
(21:30):
to her numerous creativepursuits.
I have learned more about herinvaluable contributions as a
volunteer, her talent, her giftfor baking and crafting, her
love for reading and hercommitment to running.
I hope that you have been trulyinspired by my friend Tammy.
(21:53):
Her story is definitely atestament to the power of
dedication and Passion, beingopen to the presence of the
moment.
She has taken us on thisincredible journey through just
moments in her life that bringher joy.
And this quote by Anayis Nineach friend represents a world
(22:16):
in us.
I will possibly not be bornuntil they arrive, and it is
only by this meeting that a newworld is born.
And today, my friend, you haveborn something within my spirit
that I needed.
I will be ever grateful thatour lives crossed in this part
of the journey.
(22:37):
I as well Thank you, my friend.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
I am grateful I said yes, hi, trina.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
Congratulations.
I was getting a gas thismorning and I stopped.
I said let me pick up anewspaper.
So I picked up the newspaperand now I'm going through it
doot, doot, doot, doot, do,search and search and search and
and I come across the lifesection and I'm like wait, I'm
like I Know those cookies.
I was like those are myfavorite cookies.
(23:11):
And then I go and I read atitle victory never tasted so
sweet.
And I see your picture and Iwas.
I just couldn't stop smilingand clapping.
I'm like I had sex.
You I got tech, tammy.
Congratulations, my friend.
Thank you so much, absolutelyfun.
(23:31):
So, tammy, I just have a quickquestion for you.
Back in December of 2021, youwere featured in the post
bulletin for baking a cookie aday.
Today, you are back in the postbulletin as the cookie genius,
the 2023 post bulletin holidaytreats winner.
(23:55):
Again, congratulations, myfriend.
Well deserved Thank you.
It's so unreal.
When did you find out that youwere the 2023 post bulletin
Holiday treats winner?
Speaker 2 (24:10):
I had to drop off my cookie at 9 30 on Wednesday,
okay, and they called me about 1pm that day and to keep it a,
secret.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Can you share what your winning cookie was?
Speaker 2 (24:26):
It was.
It was actually in the box thatI had given you that day the
cocoa caramel delights, thechocolate cookie rolled in
pecans, and then it has acaramel center.
It's more like a thumbprintdrizzled with chocolate.
So I love to drizzle on cookiesbecause it just adds something
(24:46):
to a basic cookie.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
I mean it really has a work of art I play.
You're like I dabble, I dabble.
That's the cookie geniusquestion.
Sure, and, and what do youbelieve sets your holiday treats
apart?
Speaker 2 (25:01):
they were judge, judged and taste texture and
presentation.
I like to just play, makethings pretty, and I do like
certain ingredients.
I'm very picky with myingredients.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
How does one outside of the post bulletin, how do we
get the recipe for the chococaramel delights when I bake a
cookie a day.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
I posted it and people will ask me for the
recipe.
I Freely give recipes.
There's no family secret recipe.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
Okay, so you don't gate, keep the recipes.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
No, my goal is to inspire others to bake.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Oh, I love it.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
I hold something to yourself.
So even if you bake one of thecookies that I made that year,
it's something.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
Thank you, my friend.
Again, victory Never tasted sosweet and I am just, so, just
Excited for you and I'm just sohappy that I was able to get a
chance to try the choco Carameldelight and and witness the
cookie genius at work.
(26:12):
Oh, my goodness, and anythingelse you would like to leave
with the listeners.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
Start baking and start creating.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Thank you.
Good afternoon and welcome to everybody.
The podcast which sharesstories that highlight people in
life, that make the world aninteresting place, which
ultimately ties us all togetherin unique and wonderful ways.
And who am I, you might ask.
I would be the headwrappedsocialite Weith mom,
(00:23):
micro-influencer in the fashionand etiquette world, but on this
podcast I will be introducingyou to some people who I've had
the opportunity to meet along myjourney, who have helped enrich
me in my life in beautiful waysand who I hope will do the same
in yours.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
I really believe you say yes to every invite.
You have no idea who God isintending you to meet, so that
is why I say yes.
You don't want to put limits onwhat the possibilities are.
Yeah for sure, are you going tofail Sometimes, but you tried.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Good afternoon and welcome to today's episode.
I have known this special guestfor over 20 years, as two of
our children were in the samegrade and graduated together.
We have shared so much timeover the years and I am
absolutely thrilled to introducetoday's guest, who is none
(01:38):
other than Tammy Tofner.
With a life that embodies thevery essence of dedication and
passion, she is a shiningexample of what I feel it means
to be a Renaissance woman.
As a devoted wife and mother,she brings warmth and love into
our family's life.
But that's just the beginning.
(02:01):
She is also a quality specialistat St Mary's Hospital, where
she holds the highest standardsof excellence when it comes to
healthcare.
What sets my friend apart isthat she has a boundless spirit
of giving back, whether it'sthrough her volunteer work, her
artful baking creations or hercrafty endeavors.
(02:24):
She is also an avid runner anda lover of books who, I believe,
will leave you all reallyinspired.
So, with a glad heart, Iwelcome my friend, tammy Tofner,
to today's episode.
Can you tell the listeners alittle bit about who you are?
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Thank you, Trina, for your kind introduction.
It's overwhelming.
I am a person who likes to trynew things, be involved.
Biggest fear is the fear of theunknown.
I have three kids, so betweenthe ages of 18 and 25, I have
enjoyed being involved in asmuch activities that they're
(03:06):
involved in and seeing thingsthrough.
I do love to bake.
That is a passion.
The sound of the mixer is verycalming for me.
So that is what I like to doafter work or my days off is to
bake something.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
We're gonna get into your baking a little bit later
in the interview, but first,Tammy, I would like to ask you
what exactly is a qualityspecialist and what are some of
the things that you do on adaily basis?
Speaker 2 (03:38):
For a quality specialist.
We pretty much dot the I's andcross the T's, do a lot of
regulatory work, safetyinspections, cap inspections as
well.
We do look at events that occurin the hospital quality control
, ensuring that all theinstruments are functional.
Can you?
Speaker 1 (03:58):
share some insights into how you balance your role
as a wife, mother and a qualityspecialist.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
I'm a very scheduled person, so the day before I have
the next day planned as far asam I gonna stop for milk,
because once I'm home I don'tlike to go back out.
It's all very scheduled.
I do like to wake up beforeanybody else in the house, so I
am up at five, five, 30,sometimes earlier.
But that's my time to read, dothe rosary, and that's my quiet
(04:30):
time.
There's nobody moving in thehouse.
Oh, I like that.
And then I do have it scheduledone day.
Every day is a room to clean,so it should only take you 15 to
20 minutes to clean a room.
Speaker 1 (04:44):
So you have that basically unlocked.
You have your schedulescheduled.
Yes, like you know exactly whatyou're gonna do, has this been
something that you have growninto or something that wasn't
still than you?
Speaker 2 (04:54):
at a young age I became very organized when I had
two kids.
Okay, mm-hmm, to time thingsout to accomplish my own time,
but time is a constant.
Everybody has the same amountof time.
It's what priority you put onthings.
I put a lot of priority on mykids to be there, so they saw me
(05:15):
, not so much that they saw mevolunteering which they do and
they're also now volunteers aswell but also I had a lot of
commitment to myself to knowtheir friends and that was huge
for me.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
I wanted to share a story with the listeners.
My oldest son had gottenmarried and Tammy reached out to
me and she says I wanna makesomething special for him and
his wife.
She actually did this beautifulquilt when I had gone to visit
them.
Your quilt is on the end oftheir bed.
(05:52):
It's not just something thatyou gave and somebody folded it
up and put it in a box Like.
You mean something to my son.
You've always been there forhim and I appreciate that.
I just think it's just sotelling of the person that you
are.
So thank you, Thank you, Thankyou, my friend.
Thank you.
What inspired you, tammy, tobecome a volunteer?
(06:14):
Can you tell us about some ofyour most memorable volunteer
experiences?
Oh, my goodness.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Done quite a bit of volunteering.
What I love about volunteeringis you do not have to be
educated for the job and so manypeople, I feel, are afraid that
they're not gonna do it right.
Or there are people that showyou how to do this and you learn
and you spread that learning toother people and you bring
(06:42):
people into volunteering.
Takes a tribe Memorable.
I remember the school carnivals.
It was just a lot of work andsomehow I ended up leading one
one year.
Oh, what else was there?
There was the mystery dinners.
Could you explain the mysterydinners?
(07:03):
We create everything fromscratch and you try to figure
out the end clue and you travelfrom room to room and there's
different course meals in eachroom and it takes a lot of
people to put these things on.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
These classrooms do not look like classrooms, yeah
it's like you walk in it,Whether it was the Huck Finn
room or just the Peter Pan roomor the ballroom the Beauty and
the Beast ballroom I think itwas too.
I mean, there were a bunch ofdifferent rooms, but you step
into this storybook land.
It's like parents transformthese classrooms into literally
(07:39):
like a smaller version of DisneyWorld If that's impossible,
like it's so cool.
Okay, listeners, I'll tell youhappened to me today.
So I open up to welcome myfriend, our special guest, tammy
, into my home and she presentsme with this.
I wish you guys could be here.
But she presents me with thisbox and on the outside of the
(08:04):
box and I'm already superexcited, like my hands can't
stop fidgeting with it.
But on the outside of the boxare these two penguins and
they're carrying these Christmasornaments.
I'm gonna open up the box.
In my heart, I think I knowwhat's inside, but I'm gonna
open up the box so you, dearlisteners, can take this journey
with me.
I'm gonna say I'm gonna open upthis box, tammy, and Light's
gonna come out.
(08:24):
I'm gonna unwrap the firstlayer.
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh mygosh.
Tammy is amazing.
So inside this box are herdelectable holiday Christmas
cookie treats that I have beenjonesing over for I can't even
(08:45):
tell you how many years, becauseI'm gonna tell you this quick
story because you know I alwayshave a story.
Mrs Toffner gave my son a plateof holiday delectable treats to
bring home to share.
Well, such family never, eversaw these treats.
I happened to run into MrsToffner at the store and Mrs
(09:05):
Toffner says so how did youenjoy the cookies?
And I said what cookies,darling?
My oldest ate the cookies forhimself.
I just want you all to knowthat I get my cookies and I am
going to hide them.
I'm just joking so I won't beselfish like that, which I'm
gonna take a bite while I'mgiving this interview.
But, tammy, can you tell uswhat exactly each cookie is and
(09:29):
what they represent to you?
Speaker 2 (09:31):
So when I put together a cookie tray, I look
at.
The different shapes of acookie is very important to me.
When I do pick out the cookiesthat I'm gonna bake, I bake from
December 1st to December 24th,a cookie a day.
I have tried in the past to dothe whole cookie exchange thing
(09:54):
where you make 12 dozen of onecookie and then you invite your
friends over and you switch bythe time you get to that last
cookie you hate them.
I mean, you're just tired ofthat cookie.
I have tried the whole.
This is my baking weekend.
The kitchen is a mess, just notrelaxing at all.
So what baking does for medoing a cookie a day is you make
(10:18):
your cookie, you do your dishes, you get your ingredients out
for the next day, and you cankeep going throughout the month.
Prior to COVID, that waschallenging.
We had music concerts, we hadlots of activities in the
evening and once COVID hit, Iwas really able to successfully
do it without being stressed out, because where was I going?
(10:41):
I was home.
It was just so much morerelaxing.
So that's where it really tookoff, where I could successfully
complete.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
So can I ask you does your family get involved with
helping you custom create thecookies?
Do you have a family recipe?
What pushes you towards onecookie versus another?
Speaker 2 (10:59):
There is family favorites are the first thing.
What do you want for cookies?
So I know when Dianna comeshome I'm going to make sure that
I have her cookie that shewants.
My kids do get cookie boxesmail to them, oh my goodness.
Every couple of weeks they'llget a new variety sent to them.
(11:20):
So it's nice, the ones in yourbox, those are peanut blossoms.
So it's your perfect peanutbutter cookie.
With the Broxth Star you canhave high V brand.
The Broxth are the mostconsistent size wise, so each of
them are one ounces and I didmeasure quite a few.
(11:40):
That's the quality piece of it.
I love it.
What I stamped the cookie with,you probably know those based
on using a fork.
I actually stamped those with acrystal vase that I got as a
wedding gift.
It has stamped more cookiesthan it has held flowers, oh my
gosh.
So I do go to estate sales.
(12:02):
I do pick up glass that hasdifferent impressions because
the early glass is so muchbetter, design wise For sure.
So look at the bottom of yourstuff.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
That is so cool.
I would have never, ever.
How did you come up with that,using household items like your
vase?
Speaker 2 (12:24):
I'm a very detailed person.
Different things that mostpeople would brush off so that's
so cool.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Okay, now, this puts this whole delectable delight
into a whole nother realm.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
So the next one is cocoa caramel delights.
It is a thumbprint I always dosome type of thumbprint so it is
a chocolate based cookie thatis rolled in pecans, crushed,
chopped finely, and then it'smelted caramel with heavy cream.
Okay, with heavy cream.
I did find through PamperedChef, I love it, the drizzler I
(13:03):
was just going to ask you.
So a drizzler to drizzleanything on anything makes it
look pretty.
So huge thing for me.
I used to put it into a paperbag.
You clip the corner and thenuse that as a drizzler.
It is very true, If you havethe right tools, life is so much
easier.
There you go, so the garage isfull of tools.
(13:25):
I can have kitchen full oftools.
Oh, I love it.
Speaker 1 (13:29):
I give you a clap on that.
That is fantastic.
That is fantastic.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
So those are a family favorite.
I typically do double batchthose so I do have some to get
because they go very quickly inmy house.
Do you freeze them?
I do Up to two weeks.
I put cookies into a rubbermade Tupperware container and I
layer with wax paper so mostcookies aren't froze more than
(13:58):
two weeks.
So it is doable.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
How long did it take you for this delectable box?
I did it over the weekend.
Oh my gosh.
Wow, I feel so honored Like youhave no idea.
Like, once this episode goes topress, like these cookies are
going to be gone and there'sgoing to be nothing left, kids,
nothing Like.
I know you're going to hear mechomping on them.
I'll try not to be very loud,but then you'll probably hear an
(14:24):
ah, because my mouth is alreadywatering.
I have another question, andthis is in the cookie realm.
You have experimented withdifferent cookie recipes.
Would you mind sharing with thelisteners the most unique or
unexpected cookie creationyou've tried, and how did it
turn out?
Speaker 2 (14:43):
The Spam Cookie the 2022 post-bulletin winner.
I always attempt to make thewinner of the post-bulletin
cookie challenge.
The Spam was a bit much for me.
It was with Maple and it's justwrong.
The cookie I'm going to trythis year is it has mashed
(15:03):
potato in it, so I'm reallyinterested to see that it's a
recipe from the Depression era.
It's going to be interesting totry.
I am not trying the Spam again,though.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
One and done One and done You're heavy.
Are there any cookie bakingtraditions or stories from your
family that you'd like to shareduring this festive month of
December?
Speaker 2 (15:25):
My mother baked beautiful trays of cookies and
there was so many.
Her point and we talked aboutthis was there should be
something for everybody, soeverybody has.
Everybody has their ownfavorites.
Everybody should have theirthing to choose, and so that was
(15:48):
so special.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
We'll switch gears and I'm gonna start delving into
my cookie box here, but yourpassion for crafting has always
been really impressive.
How has this creative outletimpacted your life and do you
have a favorite craft project?
Speaker 2 (16:03):
I grew up in a house where you can make anything, and
so that's the belief.
So if I see something, I try tomake it.
I love making.
So crafting just allows you tobe creative and nobody has what
you have.
Speaker 1 (16:20):
That is true.
Have any of your kids carriedon like the crafting gene?
Do they have it?
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Dina does, dina does, rachel does too.
So talented Dina crochets andknits, so she makes tops and she
gives them to friends.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Dina, remember I'm your aunt I would like a
crocheted top to match a pair ofcrochet jeans that I have.
So if you would be so kind, Iwould love it.
Just saying can't really tellme.
That was our commercial break,adding Dina into the mix.
And Rachel, whatever you'd liketo gift and treat at, I will
take whatever, and will you too.
(16:59):
We didn't forget you.
Speaker 2 (17:00):
Yes, we didn't forget you, we didn't forget you.
Speaker 1 (17:02):
We have to add Will in there.
You enjoy running.
What motivates you to lace upthose sneakers and how do you
stay committed to your runningroutine?
For me, it's the people.
Speaker 2 (17:13):
I run with.
Those are the people that are.
Are you coming this morning?
Are you coming for breakfast?
So, it's very inspiring.
You see what they accomplishand they're so proud of what you
accomplish as well.
So everybody needs that supportgroup and I really just started
running about seven, eightyears ago.
(17:34):
Just showed up at Terraloco'sbeginning to run class.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
And that's it.
And you were bitten by therunning bug.
Speaker 2 (17:42):
Yes, the coaches at Terraloco were amazing.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
What is it about the coaches that keep you coming
back as well?
They?
Speaker 2 (17:49):
believe in you.
They believe beyond what youbelieve you can do.
So when I started, my goal was5K, then it became 10K and then
it became a half marathon.
They believed in you to get tothat half.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
That's awesome.
Take me back to your first half.
Like how was that?
Could you sleep the nightbefore?
How was it?
When you were running, where isyour family there to cheer you
on?
What did it?
What did it feel like?
Because there's never, there'snever anything like that first
time.
Speaker 2 (18:23):
My first half marathon I ran with a friend,
rebecca.
We went to Mankato and that'swhere we did our first half, and
it wasn't until I hit mileseven.
I was like, oh, I can do this.
That was your half point and itwas doable.
And you did it, did it, and youdid it.
(18:45):
I did it half three times now,damn girl.
Speaker 1 (18:48):
Good for you, tam, good for you.
Do you have any?
Speaker 2 (18:51):
races coming up?
I do not Right now.
I'm on limitations.
Speaker 1 (18:56):
OK.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
So Achilles tendonitis, so healing.
I'll probably start backrunning in the spring.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Nice.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Just to get some rest ?
Speaker 1 (19:04):
Yeah for sure.
Do you ever feel like you wantto do a full?
Speaker 2 (19:07):
I would after I retire.
I think, training takes so muchtime.
Speaker 1 (19:13):
Can you describe a challenging moment in your
journey and how you overcame it,showcasing your resilience and
your determination?
Speaker 2 (19:23):
Well, that's a big question.
I did do the ultimate hike.
That's up in Bailutzen, so it's25.5 miles of hiking.
Took me 12 and a half hours.
It is for children's cancerresearch, to walk with people
who have lost kids, to walk forkids' research.
(19:45):
It's the most mental andphysical thing I have ever done
in my life.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
When you share that story, it's your journey, but I
also feel like you are carryingthese families with you as well.
It was so impactful when youleft there.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
What was your takeaway?
There was so much because youspend so much time with
everybody.
There was such a bond to meetfriends from Madison and the
cities.
It was just very inspiring.
I really believe people willsay why aren't you saying no?
Say no, say no.
(20:23):
I have the mentality.
You say yes to every invite.
You have no idea who God isintending you to meet.
So that is why I say yes.
You don't want to put limits onwhat the possibilities are.
Yeah for sure, are you gonnafail sometimes?
Speaker 1 (20:45):
But you tried really admire about you being present
to the present, just being opento the possibilities of what the
universe has to offer you.
You know to be open to thepresent, to be present to the
moment.
I agree, as we conclude thiswonderful episode with my friend
(21:07):
, we've all had the uniqueprivilege of exploring what I
like to say is her extraordinarylife.
She is Amazing.
Her dedication and her passionShine through in every aspect of
her life, from her role as awife, mother, quality Specialist
(21:30):
to her numerous creativepursuits.
I have learned more about herinvaluable contributions as a
volunteer, her talent, her giftfor baking and crafting, her
love for reading and hercommitment to running.
I hope that you have been trulyinspired by my friend Tammy.
(21:53):
Her story is definitely atestament to the power of
dedication and Passion, beingopen to the presence of the
moment.
She has taken us on thisincredible journey through just
moments in her life that bringher joy.
And this quote by Anayis Nineach friend represents a world
(22:16):
in us.
I will possibly not be bornuntil they arrive, and it is
only by this meeting that a newworld is born.
And today, my friend, you haveborn something within my spirit
that I needed.
I will be ever grateful thatour lives crossed in this part
of the journey.
(22:37):
I as well Thank you, my friend.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
I am grateful I said yes, hi, trina.
Speaker 1 (22:50):
Congratulations.
I was getting a gas thismorning and I stopped.
I said let me pick up anewspaper.
So I picked up the newspaperand now I'm going through it
doot, doot, doot, doot, do,search and search and search and
and I come across the lifesection and I'm like wait, I'm
like I Know those cookies.
I was like those are myfavorite cookies.
(23:11):
And then I go and I read atitle victory never tasted so
sweet.
And I see your picture and Iwas.
I just couldn't stop smilingand clapping.
I'm like I had sex.
You I got tech, tammy.
Congratulations, my friend.
Thank you so much, absolutelyfun.
(23:31):
So, tammy, I just have a quickquestion for you.
Back in December of 2021, youwere featured in the post
bulletin for baking a cookie aday.
Today, you are back in the postbulletin as the cookie genius,
the 2023 post bulletin holidaytreats winner.
(23:55):
Again, congratulations, myfriend.
Well deserved Thank you.
It's so unreal.
When did you find out that youwere the 2023 post bulletin
Holiday treats winner?
Speaker 2 (24:10):
I had to drop off my cookie at 9 30 on Wednesday,
okay, and they called me about 1pm that day and to keep it a,
secret.
Speaker 1 (24:22):
Can you share what your winning cookie was?
Speaker 2 (24:26):
It was.
It was actually in the box thatI had given you that day the
cocoa caramel delights, thechocolate cookie rolled in
pecans, and then it has acaramel center.
It's more like a thumbprintdrizzled with chocolate.
So I love to drizzle on cookiesbecause it just adds something
(24:46):
to a basic cookie.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
I mean it really has a work of art I play.
You're like I dabble, I dabble.
That's the cookie geniusquestion.
Sure, and, and what do youbelieve sets your holiday treats
apart?
Speaker 2 (25:01):
they were judge, judged and taste texture and
presentation.
I like to just play, makethings pretty, and I do like
certain ingredients.
I'm very picky with myingredients.
Speaker 1 (25:15):
How does one outside of the post bulletin, how do we
get the recipe for the chococaramel delights when I bake a
cookie a day.
Speaker 2 (25:26):
I posted it and people will ask me for the
recipe.
I Freely give recipes.
There's no family secret recipe.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
Okay, so you don't gate, keep the recipes.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
No, my goal is to inspire others to bake.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Oh, I love it.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
I hold something to yourself.
So even if you bake one of thecookies that I made that year,
it's something.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
Thank you, my friend.
Again, victory Never tasted sosweet and I am just, so, just
Excited for you and I'm just sohappy that I was able to get a
chance to try the choco Carameldelight and and witness the
cookie genius at work.
(26:12):
Oh, my goodness, and anythingelse you would like to leave
with the listeners.
Speaker 2 (26:20):
Start baking and start creating.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
Thank you.
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