Cup of tea, Cupcake origins

There are two arguments that exist to explain the origin of our fine little cake friends. The first supposes cupcakes received their name because they were traditionally baked in tea cups or small cups. The second speculates that practicality is the root of their title as a mnemonic for their recipe: one cup of butter,sugar, flour, and eggs. I favor the the first theory, doesn't it seem more romantic? Can't you picture yourself in an 'Anne of Green Gables,' book or something? Though if I'd lived a couple of decades ago the only way I could remember Mrs. Stacy's amazing "cup," cake recipe would be the mnemonic.

Happy 4th Birthday Son!

I know it's been awhile, one of those crazy months+ that never ends, we moved, everyone took turns being sick (wouldn't want someone to feel left out :), then we celebrated Gunner's (our oldest son) 4th Birthday. And I wanted to share some of those pictures - not us moving or being sick . . . the cute birthday ones :)
Gunner wanted to do a Super Hero Birthday party, so we did. My husband and I designed a Super-G symbol - my son tells me it means "Super Gunner-Man!"- then whatever we could put it on we did! Water bottles, cupcake toppers (of course), drinking cups, and my AMAZINGLY talented friend, Kathleen Tribble, couldn't make it to the party so she dropped off some personalized sugar cookies of Gunner's name and the Super-G!





Once all of our Superheros arrived at Headquarters, saving the world from evil commenced! Each child got to design their own Super-G, K, O, etc . . . and affix it to their cape. I bought the cheapest red and blue shiny fabric I could find and cute out a cape shape. I also had some sticky velcrow tabs parents could help apply, just in case superheros wanted to switch to citizen more than once :)



Our superheros used their super strength to run races, play follow the Superhero leader, and pass a glowing stick of kryptonite - I totally made such a rooky mistake and bought a blue glow stick from the dollar store instead of the green one.





When I asked what kind of cupcakes Gunner wanted for his birthday he said "Colors!" so that's what we did; blue, red, and yellow Super-G cupcakes.



Here's Gunner and little brother Jack consuming cupcakes frosting first, of course!



Anatomy of a Super-G cupcake!



Truth, Justice, and The American Way!

Will you be my Valentine?

Lemon Resolution

Introducing my new Lemon Resolution cupcake. For Details bursting with flavor see below . . .



Lemon Resolution

A Lemon cupcake with white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts (optional, though I highly recommend), and lemon and vanilla swirled butter cream. You can also choose a Raspberry and vanilla swirled butter cream as well.

Winter Market, Come one, Come all!

Happy New Year, 2010!

xoxo The Cupcake Company

2010 here we come . . .

I love New Year's, I haven't always, but somewhere along the way during those trite but necessary 'Get to know you Games,' when they always seem to ask 'What's your Favorite Holiday,' - or at least it seems like they always pose said question in the 'Get to know you Games,' I've been invited to - I really wanted to know what my favorite Holiday was . . . I didn't want to pick Christmas because EVERYONE likes Christmas, it shouldn't be in the running really; it's like flowers or citrus how can you NOT enjoy them. Can't have it be St. Patrick Day's- not green or drunk enough for that. Not Easter, I don't like pale purples and pinks or feeling obligated to eat the hard boiled eggs we've made pretty and pastel. In the end it was a close call between my Birthday and New Years. And since New Years is almost upon us I predictably will say that New Year's is my favorite Holiday, of course . . . if anybody asks . . .
So, Yes, New Years is my favorite Holiday, of course! I love the count down, the lights, Times Square, Midnight kisses and fireworks. It's one of those fantastical Holidays that you would call glamorous instead of debonair should you see it making it's way down the red carpet.

I've been listening to Peter Pan by Jim Dale when I go work out in the mornings (one of my favorite books to re-read or listen to) and it's showing in my post . . . Oh well. Jim Dale is the same narrator who also recorded the Harry Potter series, he's amazing!

Anyways, I also love the introspection, goal-making and renewing that comes along with the New Year. And as I was revisiting my goals from last year and deciding upon my goals for this year. I had an image of the 'We Can Do It!' girl, Rosie the Riveter pop into my head and so thanks to my GENIUS of a husband, Johnny O'Barr, I have this lovely picture to go along with this post. Yes, that is a picture of me and No, my shoulders have not been digitally enhanced they really are that big through no action or preference of my own. The only heavy lifting I do is cupcakes and children; I specifically avoid any weights. The one time I tried to "tone-up," a little I looked like Popeye for months. Some people are blessed with great skin I got man-shoulders.

2010 New Years Resolutions, in no particular order of importance . . .
1. Drink 4 glasses of water every day (more is allowable and encouraged)
2. Always say the nice things you think about others
3. Never suppress a generous thought
4. Try a new cupcake flavor and/or dessert every month (mine or somebody elses)

New Years resolution #4 is in semi-tribute to one of the best New Years resolutions I have ever heard. About Two years ago My husband's friend - we'll call him Steve. Steve's only resolution for that year was to eat a bucket of fried chicken every month, when asked to explain he said he was tired of not keeping his New Year's resolutions every year so he decided to simplify. We are happy to report he was successful in his monthly fried chicken endeavor.

What are your New Year's Resolutions? Experts say self-improvement goals are more likely to be reached if your make between 3 and 7 goals. And it takes something like 21 days to create a new habit, right? If you would like to try a new Cupcake Company flavor every month shoot me an email at:

heidiobarr@yahoo.com
or call 208-360-2272