Cupcake '10: Cupcake Friends

Showing posts with label Cupcake Friends. Show all posts

Friday, January 8, 2010

Scrumdillyumptious Cupcakes: Part 8

Don't forget about Katie of A List Maker's Life!

"True to my blog title I love to write lists, but really it's part of my secret plan for procrastination. (Although it does feel good to cross off: brush teeth, serve breakfast, sweep kitchen floor, play puzzles, sweep kitchen floor, serve snack, sweep kitchen...)

In fact, although I list and plan, I'm on a mission to quiet my heart.

I appreciate witty conversation, but typically I'm the thoughtful listener.

I just finished reading The Well Behaved Child by Jon Rosemond, but I've concluded that The Sane Woman's Guide to Raising a Large Family more closely fits my personal parenting philosophy.

Perhaps embarrassing to admit my favorite movie is While You Were Sleeping, but mostly because of the highschool memories it stirs in my soul.

I believe in a lot of things, but put my trust in God.

I love being a mom to my three little ones, but I can't wait for a weekend away!"

Must read:
Quiet My Heart

Meet Be

th, the Anti-Supermom

"I'm Beth. My husband and I met in high school, I was a cashier and he was a bag boy at our local grocery store. The first time he asked me out I said 'no'. Our second date was almost 3 months after our first and he almost gave up on asking me out again, since I was always 'busy'. Lucky for me, he was persistent.

We have 2 boys, Henry is almost 6 and Wyatt is 2 1/2. I watch 2 other boys; a 2 and a 1 years old, 4 days a week. All boys, all the time. I've been doing child care for 5+ years. It's been an amazing adventure.

Must reads:
I like to blog about things that make me laugh from my kids, to my husband, to things that I see in the newspaper. Since sharing birth stories seem to be popular, here's my posts on my journey of being a surrogate mother."

Have you met Allison of O My Family ?

"Movie: I have actually gotten to watch a lot of movies lately; it's Dan (the hubs) and my activity to feel like we still have lives after the baby is in bed (thanks redbox!).

I loved watching Julie and Julia with him because it was fun to see the portrayal of a couple where the woman blogs. The husband said some of the exact same things that Dan has said "Do you know any of these people?" and "Don't call me a saint it makes me feel like a jacka**".

Book: Besides the book Love&Respect (completely rocked my view of how to be a loving wife), my favorite book lately was The Pillars of the Earth. It's about the lives of midevil/renaissance craftsmen as the build a cathedral for God. Absolutely amazing story woven through decades and decades of history (nerd alert).

Something surprising about me: Uhm. My dream job, besides Mommy, would be interior decorator. Mostly because I am constantly fighting the urge to re-do rooms in our house (and sometimes not fighting it...)."

eather of The Extraordinary Ordinary

"I'm a fort building, light saber wielding mother of two small boys. Their names are Miles (4.5) and Asher(2.5) and they rock the party. I've also been a wife for over five years to a very tolerant (I'm feisty) and strong man named Ryan. He has carried me through some totally unfun post partum depression, as well as Asher's (our youngest) diagnosis of hydrocephalus and brain surgery. Life throws curve balls a whole lot, doesn't it? My husband is an exceptional catcher when I am not.

A writer (I'm not sure which one) once said, "I write to find out what I'm thinking." Me too. Before I became a blogger, I had forgotten that I love to write. I was busy being a social worker and a wife and mom and I forgot the buried thing in me. Words.

I can't say enough how glad I am that I stumbled in to the blog world. I get to write now and share my stories and figure out what I'm thinking and I love it. Even more, I love the people I've come to know because of it. That's why I can't wait to meet you (or see you again) at Cupcake '10!

Peace out."

More Cupcakes:
Get a load of these cupcakes- Meet Steph, Elizabeth, & Erin
Meet The Cupcakes: Part 2- Meet Ann, Kristina, & Haley
Meet The Cupcakes: Part 3- Meet Maggie, Beth, Carrie, & Hyacynth
Next Batch of Cupcakes: Part 4- Meet Brianna, Donya, & Samara
Fresh Cupcakes: Part 5- Meet Lee, Becky, Stephanie, & Sara
Just iced- Meet These Cupcakes: Part 6- Sarah, Julie, & Tara
Hot Cupcakes: Part 7- Meet Kim, Esther, & Amanda
Scrumdillyumptious Cupcakes: Part 8- Meet Katie, Beth, Allison, & Heather

Cupcake '10 deets
Cupcake '10: The Itinerary
What are you bringing to Cupcake '10?
Are you following these cupcakes?

-Stephanie

Hot Cupcakes: Part 7

Meet Kim from I Want A Minivan

"Something about me that often surprises people is that I knew I was going to marry my husband before he even called and asked me out.

I was 19, he was 27. He was the only guy I ever dated and we talked about marriage on our first date. Seven years, two weddings (short but semi-sad story), lots of ups and downs and 2 beautiful boys later and I've finally come to terms with the fact that he can't seem to unball his socks before he throws them in the hamper.

My favorite movie is Love Actually, followed by Notting Hill. Apparently I have a thing for Hugh Grant. Except I don't. I have a thing for Ryan Reynolds. I know, I can't figure me out either.

And, no, I haven't written about my most embarrassing moment, but I will. I predict I'll post about that twice in 2010. Once following something ridiculous that I did at Cupcake, and that will be trumped in March when I take some of my clothes off for a Calendar photo shoot to raise money for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. I'm embarrassed just thinking about it."

Must read:
Chocolate, Beer, And Cupcakes -"A post with a cupcake recipe. I'm really proud of these. (They were pretty.)"

Esther Brady Crawford of FaintStarLite

"I'm a new mom with an 8 month old baby boy who I am head-over-heels in love with.

Last summer, just two months into our marriage I found out I was pregnant. It was a huge surprise because I'd been told I couldn't get pregnant without IVF, but I guess someone had other plans!

My husband & I actually met through my blog in January 2005 when he left his first comment. :)

Life has been a whirlwind the past few years but I wouldn't have it any other way. Our plan was always to adopt two siblings and just a week ago we sent in our paperwork to become licensed in Wisconsin to adopt through foster care... so we're expecting in the next 6-9 months we'll be growing the family! I work from home, primarily with Weight Watchers, creating digital content and helping them connect with passionate members online.

It's not what I ever expected to be doing - I figured I'd be living somewhere in the Middle East working on sociopolitical issues, but the one thing about meeting someone online is they could live anywhere... and because he works for the family business, I ended up living in snowy Milwaukee."

Amanda of A Life Long Playdate

"how about my current obsessions? my two year old baby girl. i want to bite her cheeks every day. but not in a weird way.

my pj pants which i seem to currently live in. my yellow stocking cap, which i also seem to currently live in because i always feel cold. my new rain boots. i don't think i have taken them off since i got them for Christmas. my husband (the taller snowman) who is also my bff.

my blog went private a few months ago, hence the no linking to posts (not that i am not willing to share - feel free to email me at lifelongplaydate at gmail dot com if you want to peek before this weekend - i love sharing with people i don't know in real life). no real drama to record, it's mostly in my head, but i am trying it this way for a bit. so coming to cupcake? pretty big out of the box moment that i am waaaay looking forward to.

ps - in my past life i was a 3rd grade teacher and bc of that i don't believe in capital letters or proper grammar or correct spelling. and i love to make up words."

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Just iced- Meet These Cupcakes: Part 6

Meet Sarah of Sarah Viola.

"Five things I can't live without:
My ridiculous husband and ridiculously adorable son. Music. Nature: sunshine and singing birds and the smell of summer rain. Sephora shopping sprees. Good choreoraphed dance scenes.

Favorite Color: Parrish blue.

Favorite Word (family edition): Seriously. As a question, a statement, and an exclamation.

Top five songs, in no particular order: Last Goodbye by Jeff Buckley, Breathless by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Life's Been Good by Joe Walsh, Baby Got Back by Sir-Mix-a-lot, and Seven Day Mile by The Frames.

Pen or pencil? A nice, new, black fine-point Sharpie. Yum."

Julie of Spot On Your Pants:

"Here is a self-portrait of yours truly drawn by my six-year-old, Calvin. I love that my hand is actually bigger than my waist (if it only were true).

He specifically drew shoe laces on my shoes because I've been training to run my first-ever half-marathon in New Orleans in February. I didn't think this through very well, though.

A trip to the Gulf of Mexico in February sounded great when I registered in October, but what I failed to think through was that I would have to train in the WINTER until then. At this point, I'm just trying not to break a bone.

My blog is about trying new things and learning from hindsight. It's not a mommy blog as much as it is a way to fantasize I'm making a real difference in the world (although really I use my kids for material all the time).

I still claim inventing Mutchup and am cheer leading other women into using jumper cables as confidently as car thieves. Other than that, we just moved to Madison from Minneapolis and are slaves to creating a memorable child hood for our six year old boy (pictured above), four year old girl (mini me) and three year old boy (our country's finest negotiator in 15 more years).

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone, talking some adult conversation, and possibly enjoying a cup of coffee or glass of wine."

And Tara from Capitolmommy...

“I’m Tara, a.k.a. Capitolmommy. When I was a little girl I always wanted a nickname but how much can you really shorten Tara? I tried to get T-T to catch on...but it didn’t. Another
reason to love the world of blogging, a place where you can give your self a
nickname and people know you by it.

My daughter, Bianca Rae, is 15
months and I am loving every minute of being a mommy. I’m a hopeless optimist and very passionate (although my husband would most likely describe this trait as stubborn). Oh and I am completely dependent on spell check (it’s like I never learned to spell- I’m that lousy at at)

I was so delighted when I heard about Cupcake ‘10 and realized it was right here
in Wisconsin, it feels a bit like fate to me. I am looking forward to meeting
such inspirational and (obviously) fun people, even if I am a bit out of my league.”

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Fresh Cupcakes: Part 5

Flying in from SUNNY Los Angeles, California is Lee from Moms Without Blogs (Lee, dress warm!)

"I am a mom of three to Claire, 7, Phoebe, 5 and Tommy, 2 and I still work as a freelance producer in reality/non-fiction television. I wish I could say I've seen a lot of movies but I haven't. But The Hangover made me laugh really really hard.

I also like listening to music in the kitchen (even though I'm a lame cook, I do seem to spend a ridiculous amount of time in the kitchen) especially Dave Matthews, Chris Cornell and Foo Fighters. I'm scared to death of the cold so I hope I survive this trip to the Midwestern tundra. :-) "

Must reads:
"The Evolution of a Mother" - "A pretty decent overview of who I am right now." And a kinda funny one: "A Matter of Life and Death."

Becky blogs at The Tales Of Princess Mikkimoto

"I'm a 37 year old single mom to a wonderful 9 year old son. We live in Madison and are very close to my parents who watch Ben every day after school and often on the weekends. His father isn't in the picture and never has been. This isn't something to be sad about as it hasn't defined us… perhaps made us closer as mother and son.

And I recently found Mr. Right, who not only am I head over heels for, Ben is too. We are all excited about a great 2010 which may include a wedding. In which case, I'll have to change the tag line of my blog."

Must reads:
"I think my most favorite post was the letter I wrote to my son on his ninth birthday: Nine or the one that took the longest and almost broke my brain from the creativity it involved was my verson of The Night Before Christmas: Twas The Night Before a Snow Storm."

Stephanie of The Hanes Family Chronicles

"I am a major bookworm... though my reading time has been few and far between with two little ones ( a 17 month old and 3 month old.) I was able to read two books in a series by one of my favorite authors while we were driving to and from Michigan for Christmas- The Secret and The Missing by Beverly Lewis. For some reason I love reading books about the Amish. They fascinate me... mostly because I know I could never live without Internet or pictures!

I also love the simple way they believe in God and how it radiates into every aspect of their lives- I want my life to be like that. My faith is what has sustained me through many of life's trials and what gives me hope for tomorrow. I want my life to reflect that in ALL things. It's a daily journey, choosing each morning to live for Him and surrender my wants and desires to His will for me.

I love to scrapbook and sew, too, though finding the time to do either is just as hard as finding the time to read. I have a little Etsy shop where I sell some baby things I've created but am currently taking a sabbatical from sewing orders to take care of my kids. ;) "

Must reads:
Best Job In The World
25 Random Things About Me
Introducing...

Sara blogs at Joel Lives

"Ok, well, I love movies but just never seem to get to them. Which is odd because I find movie popcorn to be the most delicious food group next to sugar, so you would think I'd go more often.

I guess I'd just like everyone to know I'm new at this, and I started because the turmoil from losing my son had to go somewhere. I am so blessed that somehow it found its way to an amazing group of women who have forever altered the last seven months of my life for the better. I feel like I've lived seven lifetimes and it's all ok because it got me here.

I'm a Christian first and foremost, flawed and learning, grateful and healing. I have been showing horses for twenty five years, and LOVE it even though I am currently horseless. I went to law school even though I didn't want to be a courtroom lawyer.

I started blogging in July, after my son was born on June 9 not breathing, and went home to heaven on June 13 after every human effort had been made to save his life. Joel is the reason I am here, and while I know my life and my person are so many things more than just his mother, he brought me to all of you and to this place, and for that (and so many other things) I thank him."

Must read:
Sara's entire blog. :)

Cupcake '10 deets
Cupcake '10: The Itinerary
What are you bringing to Cupcake '10?
Are you following these cupcakes?

-Stephanie

Monday, January 4, 2010

Next Batch of Cupcakes: Part 4

Brianna

"I'm a mom. And it has brought so much joy and pain. The hardest question anyone ever asks me is how many kids I have. Do I answer 2 or 7? I gave birth to sextuplets two and a half years ago. Only one survived.

On my blog, Little Green Pastures, I chronicle my journey through grief and the joy of raising a brilliant son with cerebral palsey and a darling girl who turns 1 this week!

I live life fully, all the while longing for Heaven.

And I really, really like cupcakes."

Must reads:
I recently blogged about grieving during the Holidays here.

Meet Donya aka CrookedEyebrow

"I love movies, but one movie I can watch over and over again would be Tommy Boy. Who can resist "fat guy in a little coat?" Definitely not I. "was there a niner in there?" You have to laugh in life, right?

I think I am funnier than I really am and can usually crack myself up on a daily basis, meanwhile my family just rolls their eyes and nods their heads. But I'm cool with it. Hence I am a self-proclaimed dork.

Some may not know that I rode motorcycles in high school and for two years in a row, rode as a passenger in a huge line of Harley Davidsons to our nations capital. Seeing parts of our country on a motorcycle is and was certainly a site I will never forget. Nor the sunburnt face and the bugs on my shirt. (snicker)

I am usually shy and slow to warm up to meeting new people, so why not share an embarrassing story to break the ice?:

When my husband and I first started dating we were still in that somewhat awkward, trying to impress one another phase. Me being a nervous speaker, was trying to find something to talk about as we were driving one night. So I was quietly looking out the window and we pulled up to a stop sign I read the restaurants sign.

Friday special: AYCE fish $11.99

I looked at him and said, " AYCE fish? what kind of fish is that? Like a lake perch?"

I swear time stood still and he stared at me, then cracked a smile and then politely told me, "you mean all you can eat fish dinner?". Oh man, I was so embarrassed. To this day anytime we see AYCE used, we crack up.

See you at Cupcake 10!"

Samara blogs at Simplicity in the Suburbs

"I am a wife, mama and stepmom blogger in suburban MN. In five years time I met and married my husband becoming a wife and stepmom, had a son, lost my mom and had a daughter.

I'm told I have an old soul. I am passionate about living my life everyday with my children in the moment and lose sight and re-remember over and over and over again"

Must reads:
Just Shy Of 33 Months
The Difficulties of Blending
On Being a Mom and Missing Mine
Remember Mother

Cupcake '10 deets
Cupcake '10: The Itinerary
What are you bringing to Cupcake '10?
Are you following these cupcakes?

-Stephanie

Meet The Cupcakes: Part 3

Have you met Maggie?

Maggie started blogging in early 2007 after a lot of nagging from her favorite editor (hence the name Okay, Fine, Dammit.)

When the blogworld started calling her Maggie Dammit it created a crisis in her oldest daughter, who worried everybody thought that was really her last name, too. She's excited to have had one of her 2008 posts published in the new Kirtsy book, but her biggest blogging pride and joy is Violence UnSilenced, which she launched in February 2009.

In real life she's a full-time freelance writer, and therefore increasingly less weirded out by speaking of herself in the third person for bios. 34-year-old Maggie lives in the wilds of rural Wisconsin with her husband of 13 years and their two daughters, ages 10 and almost-5. She plans to drink all the wine this weekend while everyone else is distracted by the cupcakes.

photo credit: amysprite

Meet Beth:

"My name is Beth, my blog is I Should Be Folding Laundry and I have two children. Anna will be turning 7 this month and Noah will be turning 6 this month. I am 27 weeks pregnant (as of 1.2.10) and very, very excited about this baby who will be happily disrupting our lives with it's crying, feeding and pooping. (and warm snuggles, tiny coos and delicious smells.)

I rarely watch TV or see movies but the other night I watched Inglorious Basterds and it was one of the most brilliant movies I have ever seen. I may or may not walk around randomly saying "NAZIS" just like Brad Pitt does in that movie. It was awesome. You should watch it.

I once talked on the phone with Patrick Dempsey, it was one of the funnest moments of my life, you can read about it here: Oh, Patrick.

I love cookies, cupcakes, ice cream and pizza and baking is fun for me."

And Carrie, who blogs at 4 the Love of Family...

"I read the best quote yesterday by Andy Stanley."Every decision you make will eventually be a story you tell. What story do you want to tell?" Makes you think doesn't it?

Sometimes there is so much thinking going on in my noggin that my wheels start spinning. When that happens I pick up a good book (my favorites are Historical Christian Fiction set in the late 1800's - what can I say, I loved Little House on the Prairie), and regroup before getting back to work. (I am a park caretaker, a photographer, & a blog book designer by day and a mom and blogger by night.) Yes, I'm that busy, but there is still time for good old fashioned family fun and it helps to be married to The One.

I also have a January birthday, but my crafting skills don't extend beyond felt."

Such a lovely name, Hyacynth.

"I'll be 27 this month.

But even though I'm nearly three decades old, sometimes I feel like my life really began only five years ago with a study-abroad trip to Egypt -- a trip I didn't even want to take. I met my now husband there in a fairy-tale esque adventurous romance, and I learned a whole lot about who God says He is and who He's always been.

Since my time in Egypt, I've graduated from college, worked as a reporter at two newspapers, had a killer wedding, bought a house, birthed two babies (one at home this past September!), raised a puppy into a respectful dog and become the owner (and healthy-living guru) of Grayslake Curves.

In my spare time, I co-lead our county's babywearing group, write in my blog and drink chai tea.

My goals for 2010 are to finish reading the Old Testament, diverge from making the same dinner recipes every two weeks, really soak up this precious time with my boys and create a village."

Hot Cupcakes: Part 7- Meet Kim, Esther, & Amanda
Scrumdillyumptious Cupcakes: Part 8- Meet Katie, Beth, Allison, & Heather

Cupcake '10 deets
Cupcake '10: The Itinerary
What are you bringing to Cupcake '10?
Are you following these cupcakes?

-Stephanie

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Meet The Cupcakes: Part 2

Excuse me but I am a bit distracted by the beautiful that is Ann of Ann's Rants.

Can't wait to meet her.

Must read:
Dear Man At The Urinal in Target.

Kristina, who blogs at The Joy Walk would like to mention a disclosure and slightly sarcastic tidbit:

"I'm not very ladylike about eating. I'm not too timid to be the first one in line and I never eat a ladylike portion. I talk with my mouth full because I just can't help myself. Deal with it. :0) Cupcakes, here I come!"

(Kristina, I think you'll fit right in...)

Must reads:
An Esther Style Makeover
Little Russian Lady
New Niece, New Year, New Mercies
Playing (And Fighting) Fair

ley writes at Love, Life, Family, and then some.

"Since I'm a busy mom I'm usually behind on current
movies...but not too long ago I watched "UP". I sobbed at that movie...gosh how wonderful it was! I felt so touched by the relationships throughout the story.

Continuing on a Pixar note, I love "Finding Nemo". I can remember
seeing that movie for the first time...and just being blown away. I love the ocean and the way they animated it was just breathtaking. The first time I watched it (I was young and single) I was deeply touched by the relationship between Marlin and Coral; later I watched it again not long after Jackson was born and I remember it affecting me on a whole new level. To me, it is the perfect story of parental love.

I spent much of my childhood in the hospital, very ill with Asthma. At one point I was even on the lung transplant waiting list. For more interesting facts about me, you can read my "100 Things About Me" post here. I wrote it in May 2007...while I was pregnant with my son, Jackson."

Must reads:
Why Blogging Saved My Life

The Rock Candy's Melted, Only Diamonds Now Remain