Obsessed with Martha Stewart

Applesauce Spice Cupcakes

Rating (1-10): 7

Difficulty (1-5): 2

These cupcakes were super easy to make (especially since I got a Martha Stewart blue KitchenAid mixer from one of our wedding guests) and they were pretty good. I didn't give them a higher rating, because they just weren't as good as some of the others. If you like spice cake and want an easy spice cupcake, try this one. I couldn't find the recipe on the Martha Stewart website, so you've got to buy the cupcake book to get the recipe. I made fall cupcake toppers to jazz them up a little.

You might be wondering where I've been lately. Life basically got in the way. I got married a week ago, was hospitalized for five days the week before my wedding, and our adopted dog had seven puppies (we didn't know she was pregnant when we adopted her). I'm back and ready to become more like Martha, so stay tuned for regular posts.
 

Martha Stewart Season Premiere

I was such a happy girl today, because I got to watch the Martha Stewart season premiere while I worked on a wedding project. It made my day to see Martha's beautiful home in Skylands, watch Daniel Humm make roast chicken, and to watch the piping hot popovers come out of the pan. Yum. I wanted to jump through the computer screen to taste all the delicious looking foods. I was disappointed that there weren't any crafts on the first show, because that's usually my favorite part. Maybe tomorrow.

Streusel Cupcakes

Rating (1-10): 8

Difficulty (1-5): 2.8

These are the perfect cupcakes for breakfast...if you were to eat cupcakes in the morning. I loved how the sour cream made the cupcakes incredibly moist and the crumbly, and the streusel topping made them extra delicious. The reason I gave the cupcakes a 2.8 in difficulty (they really weren't that difficult) was due to the fact that you have to make the streusel topping and refrigerate it for 30 minutes before you can use it.

Most of you know that I recently moved to Blacksburg and had been living with my fiance and my parents in Richmond. My stepfather got used to having cupcakes on a weekly basis and has been going through cupcake withdrawal since we've been away. This past weekend my fiance and I ventured back to Richmond for my second dress fitting, and I made this weeks cupcakes there. My stepfather was extremely appreciative. It made my day to make him so happy. This is another recipe that I couldn't find on the Martha Stewart website - you need the book for it.

Brown Bag Lunches

With school beginning, these brown bag lunches on the Martha Stewart website could be super helpful. They're great for adults and children.

Farmer's Market

My fiance and I are trying to eat as much organic foods {it's taking a toll on our finances} as possible after reading the newest Jillian Michael's book and we just went to the local farmer's market for the first time since we moved. So I looked up the phrase "farmer's market" to see what I would find on the Martha Stewart website. One of the hits said "Farmer's Market Guide" and I got excited about reading it. When I clicked the link it took me to an article that was one paragraph long - what kind of guide is that? Come on, Martha!

Baby Halloween Costumes

Image from Martha Stewart

Oh my gosh, I want a baby so bad, and I want one even more after spotting these super adorable baby costumes on the Martha Stewart website. How cute is that goldfish outfit?

Brown Sugar Pound Cakes

Rating (1-10): 8

Difficult (1-5): 2

These delightful, thick cupcakes are just the treat to have in the morning with your cup of coffee. I've definitely liked other cupcakes from the Martha Stewart book more than these, but I would make these again. They're not too sweet and the butter in the icing makes all the difference. These cupcakes are more like pound cake consistency than the light consistency people usually equate with cupcakes.

Last night, we (my fiance and I) started making the cupcakes at 9:00 p.m as my future sister-in-law cut strings of pearl beads for our pearl wreaths that will hang on the chapel pews. I read over the directions and realized we could make them and be in bed by 10:00 p.m. if we really wanted to - but that dream slowly dissolved when I realized we were ill prepared to make the cupcakes. As you might remember, we just moved from Richmond to Blacksburg and at least 3/4 of our belongings are in storage. Well, my spatulas, ice cream scoop, cupcake liners, and some ingredients did not make it into the non-storage pile. So, my fiance ended up making, not one, but two trips to the grocery store to buy missing items {love you!}. He must really love me. We didn't end up icing them last night. We waited until this morning and it was quite a treat to have one with breakfast.

I don't think this recipe is listed on the website - I couldn't find it. So, you'll have to purchase the book if you want to make them.

Martha Show Season 5

I'm really excited that the new season of the Martha Show is starting on September 14th and will include a tour of Martha's home in Maine. Find out more about this season at Martha Moments. I can't wait to see the new crafts that she has in store for us!

Martha Products on Sale at Big Lots!

If you have a Big Lots near your home, you should check it for greatly discounted Martha Stewart craft products. I was in Big Lots looking for Method cleaning products when I stumbled across a section with the same type of Martha Stewart craft products you can find in Michael's greatly reduced - and I mean greatly reduced. Everything was $1 to $2!!! I couldn't believe my eyes. Of course I had to pick some things up including one tissue paper flower kit, two crepe paper flower kits, scrapbooking items, and two packs of wedding cake charms with ribbons - and I didn't spend more than $12.

Run....don't walk...to your nearest Big Lots and see if they have any Martha Stewart craft products in stock.

Labor Day Weekend

I completely forgot this weekend is Labor Day weekend. I don't think I'll be taking the weekend off. There's too much to do with our wedding less than 2 months away and being in the middle of a move, but these cocktails have me wanting to take the weekend off and sip a yummy end of summer cocktail.

Image from Martha Stewart