Party with a Purpose: A Heartwarming Cupcake Party in Newtown

February 14, 2013. Valentine's Day. For most people, it was just the typical annual excuse to eat candy and to make sure to tell those you love that they are loved. Valentine's Day should be an oooey-gooey sappy day of unabashed sentiment. A happy day... or at least it should be. This year, February 14 meant something completely different to Newtown, Connecticut. It was the second month after the Sandy Hook school shooting that left Newtown residents forever changed... a day too horrible to even imagine.    

One of the best parts of my job is that I get to do things that make others happy. Back in the depth of winter, a selfless woman named Vikki Grodner invited me to assist her wonderful organization, Life is Precious, in throwing a Valentine's Day party for Newtown. She called it a "heartwarming event" and invited first responders, families, and the community of Newtown to come out and forget their grief for a few hours. She did not do this for press or for pay. She organized this event (from Alabama, I might add) for no other reason than the sheer goodwill of the gesture.

One thing I know for certain is this... a cupcake is one sure way to make someone smile. Try it! Show someone a cupcake and see if they don't bust out a smile for you even before they take a bite.   That was the thought behind this event... cupcakes do seem to simply make life better, if only for a few bites. It was a day that will stick with me for a very long time. I'd like to thank everyone who contributed but especially my very good friends at ORIENTAL TRADING COMPANY who came to my rescue just a few days before the event. They sent in all of the beautiful decorations I used to make the cafeteria look festive including: cupcake stands, tissue garlands, paper lanterns, tablecloths, pennants, and tons of arts and craft supplies so the kids and families could make valentines... and lots of good memories. 

Back home in Alabama, the great folks at CROWDER GULF pitched in to help and did not ask for one thing in return.  THANK YOU Ashley & Crowder Gulf for donating to this party that made a difference for so many. Thanks to my sweet castmate and ultimate cake baking guru, Linkie Marais from Food Network Star who drove 3 hours each way to come help me. You are an angel.

Life is precious. Amen.

Visit LIFE IS PRECIOUS.com for information or to make a donation.

Party Cheap and Chic: Celebrate with Cupcakes!

Celebrate any day with cupcakes!Who knew the vanilla cupcake had a special day? Today happens to be National Vanilla Cupcake Dayand it reminds me how much we take the cupcake for granted. Don't you feel happy when you get a cupcake? What about when someone surprises you with a cupcake? Maybe a co-worker or friend leaves a little bundle of joy, (the confectionary kind) on your desk just to say "thanks for a job well done", "thinking of you" or even "things will get better"? Isn't that just the best??

Cupcakes make every party better and they are an inexpensive option to a whole cake. You can now find cupcakes in any variety--- not just any flavor. Mini cupcakes or babycakes are the current rage and there are shops dedicated to only cupcakes popping up all across the country! I've been a fan of the Cupcake Cafe in Manhattan for many years; their designs are as beautiful as the flavors.

Here are some places to get awesome cupcake recipes:

MyRecipes.com has the very best recipes for cupcakes (and holiday cookies, too) and you can save your choices in their menu maker! Easy reference for your party planning! Some of my favorite recipes include these:

Basic White Cupcakes: A great basic you can add almost any topping or flavor to! A perfect palette for a kid's cupcake party.

Banana Cupcakes with Amaretto Buttercream: Not for the kiddos! The banana blends so beautifully with the Amaretto-- which is an almond flavored liqueur. Delish!!

Another recipe perfect for fall parties and holiday entertaining is this one for Pumpkin Cupcakes with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting. Try them for the day after Thanksgiving with those holiday leftovers! The flavor says Thanksgiving in a delicious new way!

One more, perfect for holiday entertaining! These Double Ginger Cupcakes with Lemon Glaze remind me of the gingerbread with lemon curd my mother always made for us around the holidays. Try them-- even the non-sweet eaters will love these.

Martha Stewart's Maple-Walnut CupcakeMartha Stewart's Best Cupcakes Martha is a cupcake expert and has a huge collection of recipes and photos-- including video how-to's on her site. One of my favorites is this Maple-Walnut Cupcake; perfect for fall and totally yummy. Here's a link to the recipe. Try it for a fall fling party, or bonfire. Serve with a warm cup of apple cider--- your guests will rave!

My personal fav and go-to icing recipe?? The traditional chocolate icing recipeyou get on the Hershey Cocoa box. Awesome! Try it with the Basic White Cupcake recipe above. This will take you back to your childhood in one bite!

HAPPY NATIONAL VANILLA CUPCAKE DAY!