Vanilla Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

I can't attest to the greatness of this cupcake recipe since my new diet prevented me from eating one:( My oldest and his little buddies seemed to love it, though kids usually enjoy anything that is crammed with sugar. I can tell you that it was a very easy recipe to follow(which is great when baking with children), and the frosting turned out perfectly.

The kids(Mackenzie, Mason, & Isabella) helped out by pouring the ingredients into the mixing bowl and stirring the batter. They each chose their frosting color, which I mixed individually. They "piped" their frosting onto their cupcakes using a sandwich bag with a snipped off corner. I also gave them some strawberries, sprinkles, and cake decorating markers to add their finishing touch.

Their masterpieces:)



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Mocha Cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream Frosting

While I was searching for a vanilla cupcake recipe yesterday, I came across a blog post for mocha cupcakes with espresso buttercream frosting--yes, they are as delicious as they sound. I will definitely be making this again.




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Painting Makeover

A few years ago, the sis and I spent a whopping hour on a quickie painting for my dining room. It was great. Unfortunately, because of my recent color scheme change, it started to look like I was going to have to throw the painting into the black hole that is my garage. Life was looking bleak; my wall bleaker.

And then...inspiration struck!

All I had to do was take my "something old" and add "something blue." So I dug some acrylic paint out of my trusty art box and got to work. (They are tree branches, FYI.)

Before: Painting with red and peach circles

After: With blue and cream circles

It almost felt like I got a new painting. Plus, this zero dollar makeover made my non-existent budget extremely happy:D