Liz is The Cupcake Lady! On her blog, Hoosier Homemade, she brings the cupcakes (over 150 recipes!) as well as a plethora of homemaking skills and tips. Liz was born, raised, and still lives in LaPorte, IN, has been married over 20 years and is the mom of three sons. Through her site, she “strives to help Moms and Women ‘Be Heroes to their Families!’”

As a mom, I’m always curious about what summer looks like for other moms, Liz says for her it’s, “baseball games, short trips, swimming pool and flowers”. That sounds lovely! We hope this summer has been full of all those!

I’m known for…cupcakes

I’m working on…A Beach Party

10 years from now I…want to be publishing a magazine

I’m currently addicted to…Chai Tea Latte

I find joy…my garden

My secret ambition…is to be a pastry chef

I can’t do without…laughter and family

I’m most creative…in the morning

I admire…my husband

When I grow up…want to be a pastry chef

PC or Mac? PC

iPhone or Droid? iPhone

Coffee or Tea? Tea

Ice cream or popsicles? Ice cream

Three words my friends would use to describe me are: caring, creative and genuine

Where to find Liz on the Internet:
Blog – Hoosier Homemade
Twitter – @HoosierHomemade
Facebook
Pinterest
Cupcakes! 12 Months of Happiness eBook

Holidays with specialty food themes are fun to celebrate! And this particular one is a favorite of mine. Mexican or Tex-Mex type food is part our weekly menu rotations; but it’s fun to also mix it up a bit and do a few different things to make May 5th a particularly tasty day.

Let’s start with a refreshing drink, shall we? Margaritas are the quintessential mixed drink for this holiday and this post from Masters in Marketing (of all places) with 12 different margarita variations will surely have something for everyone on this list! The Blackberry Mint margarita sounds especially tasty to me!

Now for an appetizer. Chips and salsa are great but how about some fresh made guacamole! Rachel has a Blissdom inspired recipe and Jo-Lynn’s is simple yet classic.

For the main course, I think this family enchilada recipe that’s been preserved and handed down through the generations sounds particularly yummy. Of course, you’ll have to figure out how to spice it up yourself because according to Manda, that’s a closely guarded family secret!

Or how about some Ceviche Tostadas? That looks like a simple but tasty recipe that adds a seafood flair to your dinner! (Stephanie also includes a Sangria recipe in that post…another great Cinco de Mayo drink!)

I found a delicious side dish quite unexpectedly the other day. My son and I were at Publix, picking up a few items and they had samples of their featured Apron’s meal available. It was a chicken fajita with Mexican Grilled Corn. Both were delicious but it was the corn that had me grabbing the recipe card so that I could make it myself!

And for dessert, more margaritas? Well, no, but margarita cupcakes would hit the spot! What surprised me the most about this recipe is that Liz says she bakes them in margarita glasses!

Are you planning a themed dinner for tomorrow night? Link your recipe posts in the comments so we can drool some more!

photo from Microsoft ClipArt Online

I love to read any food blog, but these are a few of my favorites because of the crazy good sweets the ladies write about.  I am a sucker for cupcakes, and I have found some that are “must read” and “must drool”.

Cheryl at Tidymom.net‘s photography is as yummy as her cupcakes!

“Well, my mom always enjoys a good dessert like the rest of us, but there is one treat she always LOVES…… Ice Cream Floats. A big tall glass with 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, pour root beer or cream soda over the top, stick in a straw…….. THAT is mom’s idea of heaven!!

This moist nostalgic cupcake will take you to decades past, when ice cream floats (and sodas) were once so popular at the local soda fountain.”

via Root Beer Float Cupcakes | TidyMom.

It doesn’t even need to be summer for these floats!  It’s such a cute idea especially with the straws as an accent.  How do these ladies come up with this?  Thanks Cheryl for such a cool idea!

Liz at Hoosier Homemade has a weekly cupcake challenge, and so it’s a good bet you will find me on her blog on that day. Doing research…of course..

“Autumn is in full swing at our house. We’ve gone apple picking, bought some mums, decorated the Mantle and the Hoosier Cabinet, been baking up a storm…and now, making Scarecrow Cupcakes!”

via Scarecrow Cupcakes – How to Video | Hoosier Homemade.

These cupcakes would make any kid get into the fall spirit.  I can imagine these selling like hot “cupcakes” at any school fall festival!  If you try either of these tasty treats let us know, or give us a link to your favorite cupcake!  Y’all probably have some recipe we have to try!

Has your family been busy this summer?  I know mine has, and from the looks of it, yous has too!   Our One2One bloggers are busy planning something fun and creative!  From baby showers to birthday parties to school events, to play dates, moms are always creating memories.

Lisa at My Thought, Ideas, and Ramblings gives us some creative ideas for Planning a unique baby shower.  Number 1 has me convinced we are kindred spirits.

“1.  Google is your friend.  If you are looking for a themed shower, it will definitely help you find the supplies you are looking for.  You can cross check prices fairly easy too.”

Looking for a fun activity for your Labor Day get together?  Janelle @ Brimful Curiosities has listed some fun craft contests for kids to enter including one for Lands’ End Every Tee Tells A Story Art Contest -Kids submit a drawing based on the theme of “Arctic Exploration”.

For every entry received, Lands’ End will donate $1 to fund art-related classroom projects at public schools throughout the nation via its partnership with DonorsChoose.org – up to $10,000. Great idea and great organization!

And who doesn’t love birthdays?  Preparing for a child’s first birthday party is always an experience!  Andrea from Adventures in All Things Food planned a fabulous party for one fairy princess!  Happy first birthday!  Take a look; isn’t she adorable!  Now I want a cupcake!

Keep busy and let us know what fun events or parties you have in the works!  We’d love to showcase you!