I really had fun making these cute little cupcake bites for the annual pumpkin carving party. I read about the idea, originally by a blogger named "Bakerella", on Pioneer Woman's blog. I've just been dying for an excuse to make them. I think I'll find a few more occasions coming up to try them out again with different colored sprinkles and drizzles!
The first step is SO easy; bake a cake mix (I used chocolate), let it cool, crumble it with your hands (this is fun), mix it with almost an entire tub of frosting (I chose vanilla), and then form little balls. Here are more specific directions and photos.
After they've chilled a while (overnight in my case) I got out all my sprinkles, melting chips, and almond bark. I was really glad I had invested $4 at the craft store in the candy mold and two squirt bottles. They really make these treats look more polished. For specific directions on how to finish these, click here.
I was so pleased with the finished product! I'll admit, I spent a good two and a half hours decorating these (thank goodness James took a long nap that afternoon), but it was worth it. Everyone enjoyed them. I wrapped up extras in clear baggies with fall-ish ribbon to send home with friends.
Oops! How did this get here? Here's our little 'cupcake'. :) Look at those eyelashes!! How is that fair?
A couple of weeks ago we had our final photo shoot with our photographer friend, Sarah Sorell, to round out James' first year! I think she did an outstanding job. You'd think even more so if you knew just how crabby James was that afternoon! It was a Monday afternoon, at dinner time, after a really long weekend on the road. He hardly smiled, but she still captured his personality! Thank you, Sarah!Here are the photos. Enjoy!
We went to the pumpkin patch yesterday! There's a GREAT family operation just West of us about 25 minutes, free hay-rack rides and all! James' favorite part was getting to touch as many pumpkins as he wanted. He had a little trouble walking amongst all the vines, but didn't seem to be bothered by it. He'd just tap and try to lift whichever pumpkin he was closest to! I think Mark and I may have enjoyed the whole experience even more than James! We ended up picking out two; a big orange one and a small still-green one. We're pretty sure it will continue to ripen, but in the meantime, it's fun to have a multi-colored pumpkin! We were so thankful for the sunshine on a weekend day so we could all go together. It seemed like everybody else had the same idea; it was a busy place. I actually ran into a former co-worker, a family from church, a new friend from MOPS, and an old classmate from high school.
Enjoy the pictures! (If they go by too quickly, you can pause them and click through each picture at your own pace)
If you enjoy a pumpkin spice latte from any coffee shop, you'll probably reallllly like this recipe! This latte was mentioned this morning on Good Morning America. At first I was concerned I wouldn't be able to find canned pumpkin (it calls for 2 tablespoons), but my grocery store had plenty! Maybe you've heard of the recent canned pumpkin shortage...it's been such an ordeal! (Okay, I've been a little dramatic about it.) But apparently pumpkin is back. I also bought a couple 'pie pumpkins' and plan to try making my own pumpkin puree! 
Three cheers for canned pumpkin!
p.s. This really only makes enough for a couple of people to enjoy, so you might double or triple it for company!
Woo-hoo and thanks Mark, my in-laws, and parents for the new camera! Mark picked out a Ca*non Rebel XSi (I think) for my birthday and I am loving it so far. I have a lot of re-learnin' to do, though. I took photography in high school but have forgotten so many of the basics after using 'point-and-shoots' for the last ten years....TEN YEARS?! A decade?! I turned 28 last week. No, it doesn't really feel any different.
Back to the photos...these were all taken with the automatic settings and I think it does a great job...I'm excited to do a little more research and take some more artsy pictures, too!
It's been two weeks since I posted last. We've been to two weddings (congrats Jenny and Drew, Warren and Casie), Mark painted the basement, I started using cloth diapers (that deserves its own post, really), made some fun treats I've been dying to try for a year (cupcake pops), and found out I'm going to have a niece!! My brother Joel and his wife Elizabeth are due in February! I'll include more details and photos later...
I really had fun making these cute little cupcake bites for the annual pumpkin carving party. I read about the idea, originally by a blogger named "Bakerella", on Pioneer Woman's blog. I've just been dying for an excuse to make them. I think I'll find a few more occasions coming up to try them out again with different colored sprinkles and drizzles!
The first step is SO easy; bake a cake mix (I used chocolate), let it cool, crumble it with your hands (this is fun), mix it with almost an entire tub of frosting (I chose vanilla), and then form little balls. Here are more specific directions and photos.
After they've chilled a while (overnight in my case) I got out all my sprinkles, melting chips, and almond bark. I was really glad I had invested $4 at the craft store in the candy mold and two squirt bottles. They really make these treats look more polished. For specific directions on how to finish these, click here.
I was so pleased with the finished product! I'll admit, I spent a good two and a half hours decorating these (thank goodness James took a long nap that afternoon), but it was worth it. Everyone enjoyed them. I wrapped up extras in clear baggies with fall-ish ribbon to send home with friends.
Oops! How did this get here? Here's our little 'cupcake'. :) Look at those eyelashes!! How is that fair?
