Well… I suppose it was high time for me to make another batch of cupcakes.  Even though I just haven’t been my cupcakey self this entire pregnancy! Bleh!  But when a birthday rolls around, you just have to put the queasiness behind you and bake!   Here are some black forest cupcakes I made for my father-in-law’s birthday.  Yum yum.  Chocolate cake, cherry filling, whipped topping, chocolate drizzle and a cherry on top!  How divine!  I don’t have time to post the recipe today - but I will say that I used the Chocolate Cupcake Recipe from the book 500 Cupcakes.

Something I have been working on as Program Coordinator has been a 40 Developmental Assets workshop for parents and community members here in my neck of the woods.  Truthfully, when I began this position, planning for this event was a big thorn in my side.  However, now that it is the day after the event and after if was a huge success, I have changed my mind about it being a thorn.

The assets are designed to create a better environment for young people in communities everywhere - and research has shown that youth who maintain their assets do better in every aspect of their lives.  Research has also shown that youth everywhere are scraping by with a minimal amount of assets to build their lives on!  This isn’t just a shame - it’s our responsibility to change our piece of society and build a better future for our children.

I won’t elaborate too much on this non-cupcake related topic - but I will say that if you have kids, know kids or are around kids at any point - then you can be an asset builder - head over the the Cornerstone Site and leave a comment!!

These didn’t quite turn out as perfect as I had hoped.  I knew when I started that I wouldn’t need to bake them in wrappers… but I did out of habit and it made the sides of the “bun” look a little crumby.   They were quite fun to make - the “patty” is a chocolate cookie, “condiments” made out of icing.

One of the perks of living in a small community is that you are going to make the local news fairly often.  For instance my new job was front page material.  (I’m glad the picture turned out.)  Here is the article:

Cornerstone Family and Youth has a new program co-ordinator, Jenn Sedor. Sedor, who has been a resident of Carlyle for three years, has a strong arts background on which to draw for her position. The painting, seen here behind her, is one of her own works.

Todd Gervais 27.MAR.09
Taking up her position just a short time ago, Jenn Sedor, the new program co-ordinator for the Cornerstone Family and Youth Program, feels prepared for the job. A new mother (her daughter Lily being just 18 months old,) Sedor is empathetic to parents, and is planning numerous events to entertain and engage both parents and young children.

“The kids should have fun too!” Sedor joked, “That’s the goal of the programs, to help both the parents and the kids.”

Sedor came to the position after a career path that led her through such notable bodies as the Saskatchewan Arts Council, and the Mackenzie Gallery. Relocating from Regina to Carlyle three years ago, to allow for her husband to pursue a sales position in town, Sedor was just getting comfortable when their first child came along. It was this event that showed Sedor the difficulties that are experienced in child-rearing. “I had been working since I was 17-years-old.” Sedor explained, “I wasn’t really prepared for what motherhood meant. All of the sudden, all of my time, all of my thoughts, were focused on caring for Lily. It was hard in some ways, after all those years of working to suddenly find myself stuck in the house.”

But Sedor persevered, and looks forward to her new job. Asked if she felt her parental experiences would help her in the position, her answer was in the affirmative. “Being around my daughter all day has taught me a lot about keeping children involved and entertained.” Sedor said, “And as a parent, I can understand the needs of the parents as well.”

The first event Sedor organized occurs during the March 27 No School Day, which will be run in partnership with Carlyle Elementary School. Further program plans that Sedor is developing include a “baby sign language” program for parents, a physical literacy program, and a Saturday drop-in program at the library in Carlyle. As well, with the road bans in place, Sedor hopes to develop a “Daddy and me” program in the near future, to allow some quality time for fathers and their children.

“I’m expecting in August; our second child.” Sedor said, “So I’m bound and determined to get as much going as I can between now and then!”

Sedor is now keeping an online blog for the Cornerstone Family and Youth program at www.cfyprograms.wordpress.com and if you are interested in following her family life in regards to Lily, she also keeps a personal blog at www.lifeofacupcake.com

This week I will be leading a Spring Fun Day as part of my duties as Program Coordinator… Truthfully admin work is easy compared to that of entertaining a large group of children for a day. Gulp.  As a beginner - I’m a little nervous.
And, while my school teacher sister gives me tons of reassurance, coaching and planning ideas, I’m still really hoping I choose the right activities for the day!
For snack I think I’m going to stick within my niche and teach the kids how to decorate little bird’s nest cupcakes. Like the adorable ones pictured above that I found over at The Celebration Shoppe.
Even though this will only make up a small part of the day at least I (definitely) know what I’m doing when it comes to cupcakes!

PS: The Cornerstone Blog I have been working on with work is also up and running. Go and check it out HERE.

I’ve made a few changes to my personal self over the last few weeks.

Firstly, I am now sporting a very visual bump that I am very proud of! So of course my non preggy clothes were getting a wee bit tight, I’m sure you can imagine. So this weekend it is off to the city for some fancy new Maternity clothes.

Second, I was feeling the need to break out of a funk with a funky new doo. Yes - I have gone pro-inverted bob. Fabulous - I love it! My stylist (also a Jen) is a genius! I am going to go back to her soon to add some color. (pink??) Very exciting!
And last but not least I was accepted to the position of Program Coordinator with Cornerstone Family and Youth. ( Crazy? I know. Just until the end of June, though. )  I am super excited about this job and how absolutely immensely busy it is going to have me this spring. Chances are I may fall behind on my postings here at Life of a Cupcake but… FEAR NOT… for I am in charge of a brand new blog for Cornerstone Family and Youth and will have plenty to post over there when I get it up and running!  I will be back to post pictures later this weekend.

Cupcake out. (Ok - I have also become a die hard Idol fan! )

Last night my daughter woke up upset.  Bad dream? New teeth?  I don’t know.  What I do know is that around 4 AM this morning I poked Mr. Cupcake until he got up to settle her… and suddenly (as happens all to often in our household) our bed had three. 

“Suckie?” Asked my little cupcake. (Her word for soother)

“No Suckie tonight baby.” I replied.  Hoping that maybe tonight she would fall asleep without it and we could finally get rid of the thing!

She considered this for a moment before asking, “Lion?”  Her lion teddy bear being almost as important as her suckie.

“Yes baby, you can have Lion.” I gave her the bear and we tried to settle down for the night.  Mr. Cupcake already snoring beside us.

This is where we had some difficulty.  Baby Cupcake rolled… and she tossed… and turned upside down!  She tried backwards, sideways and even stuck her feet in my face! (While Mr. Cupcake slept comfortably.)  This went on for about an hour.  Finally, just as I was beginning to doze, a frustrated Baby Cupcake sat bolt upright.  She had clearly gotten an idea.

For as I lay there, happily dozing off to sleep, I felt a little body begin to climb over me (feet in my face, as usual) and then ever so carefully lower herself to the floor.  Before I even had time to scoop her back up again she had me by the arm and began to pull me out of bed.  (I have now learned that a determined toddler has a very strong tug.)

Baby Cupcake pulled me until I got out of bed!  Then she tugged me down the hall at which point she marched me right out into the kitchen where, in total darkness, she parked me directly in front of the cupboard where we keep her dishes…  “What does she want?” I thought.

But, before I could say a word, Baby Cupcake had begun to point at the cupboard.  Then, very assertively for an 18 month old, she declared to me her intentions.  “Suckie!”  Was all she said.

Half astonished and half dozed I opened the cupboard and obliged.  Baby Cupcake took her suckie, promptly placed it in her mouth and marched right back to bed without me.

Getting rid of the ”Suckie” is going to be harder than I thought…

I spent all day yesterday baking.  Grandma was great enough to take the Little Cupcake for the day while I got down to business and here are the results:

 Vanilla Chiffon

Chocolate Cupcakes

Strawberry Cupcakes

Swirl Cupcakes

Well here it is, the finished product and some cupcakes to go with it.  Everyone loved it - and I was so glad!

There was a time when you were a stay at home mother and you didn’t get to choose. Now that we have the option, those of us that do stay home are fighting the “Lazy” stereotype from kidless friends… to daresay… even our spouses!
A friend e-mailed me this article and I couldn’t agree with it more!