Bloggers and Tiaras: Mission #3 Talent (and my Iron Cupcake Entry!)

The first mission was Beauty. The second was Giving Back. Now we come to the third leg of the competition. Talent.

So what do I have talent in?

Food.

It soothes me.

Makes calm out of chaos.

It brings happiness to my own life as well as others.

It helps me understand me better.

It has connected me with people that I would have never met otherwise.

It makes me laugh.

It makes me cry.

Photography.

It helps to remind me of what I have accomplished.

It helps me to see how far I have come.

It make me realize how much I want/need to improve.

My talent is that I can bring these all together in one cohesive form. I bring my little story to life. You can taste with me. You can laugh with me. You can watch my family and I change from one day to the next.

I swear I am going to make a bumper sticker that says:

Mommies are Foodies too!

Foodies are Mommies too!

I am asking you to vote for me in the People's Choice Blogger and Tiara Award. I have one vote...it was me who voted lol. I could win a lovely bracelet. I have been remiss in telling you about it so it's my own fault :(.

I am a member of a monthly challenge concerning cupcakes. Cupcakes have taken the world by storm! Sometimes I am able to participate and some months I am not. It's a way to be creative and have fun at the same time. We take and ingredient and see how each person interprets it in cupcake form.

This month's was APPLE!

The cupcake:----lovely bits of cardamon, nutmeg, cinnamon and pecans and chunks of fresh apples and persimmons!

The Frosting---creamy, tangy cream cheese and vanilla fat free Greek yogurt...and just a touch of powdered sugar.

I covered it with almonds and a little handcrafted/homemade marzipan pumpkin.

You still have time to join and whip up a special cupcake. I thought I would combine the blogger pageant and iron cupcake challenge together. I will post the recipes on the final posting day which is the 24th.

Here are all the things you need to know about Iron Cupcake Earth:

Welcome to Iron Cupcake:Earth 2.0!

Our challenge for November is APPLE! Sweet or Tart, Cider or Vinegar, Wine or Soda, Butter or Jelly -- Apple holds a special place in many hearts come the holiday season. Create a sweet treat that would make any teacher proud!

FINAL POSTING DAY is the 24th of every month: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24 at 12 noon. All times are CENTRAL time.TAKE NOTE - SOME INFO HAS CHANGED - PLEASE READ ALL:? Photograph your baking experience and then post about it on your blog.? Posting your recipe on your blog is optional.? Cupcake Pops are allowed, provided they also LOOK like cupcakes.? New creations only, please. No previously submitted cupcakes.? In your post, please be sure mention that you are competing to win the following prizes, be sure to include reference and an active link to our prize providers and sponsors:

Our Generous Iron Cupcake:Earth Prize Providers:
The Demy? by Key Ingredient
Hello, Cupcake by Karen Tack & Alan Richardson
Bella Cupcake Couture
Cupcake Stackers by Gourmac
The Cake Mix Doctor Returns! by Anne Byrne
Beautiful Baking Liners by Vestli House
Sweet Cuppin' Cakes Bakery & Cupcakey Supply

Please verify that all links are active.
Even if you do not plan on baking for the month, please post the announcement to your blog. WE LOVE OUR PRIZE PROVIDERS!
Post your favorite shot (two if you are showing a cross-section) of your cupcake to the Iron Cupcake flickr group, along with a brief summary of your post. Please include a link to your blog in the description and your blog name in the tags. No photos or summaries will be accepted via email.
There is a THREE ENTRY LIMIT. If you have more than three ideas, pick your favorites. Each counts individually as separate entries. Each cupcake must be submitted to flickr and via email separately as well. NEW CREATIONS ONLY, no previously submitted cupcakes please.
E-Mail your recipe(s), along with your first and last name and blog link to IronCupcakeEarth@wi.rr.com . In your subject line, please include IC:IngredientName. Your cupcake recipe must be emailed in order to be eligible for voting and the prize. Please note: you must do BOTH the email submission and the flickr submission.
Voting will begin no later than Friday, November 27th at 8 p.m. at NO ONE PUTS CUPCAKE IN A CORNER, http://mkecupcakequeen.blogspot.com/ and will be open through Thursday, December 3 at 12 noon. Send your readers to that address to vote.
Winner will be posted the night of December 3rd, before 11:59 p.m.
Please refer your readers to the Iron Cupcake:Earth cuphub at http://ironcupcake.blogspot.com/ to become a part of the excitement. New ingredients will always be announced on the 1st of the month (or earlier). The submission time closes at 12 noon central on the 24th of the month, regardless of the day of the week. Also, please be aware of the revised voting procedures, posted on the Iron Cupcake site.If you have registered to join Iron Cupcake over the hiatus, you will receive your welcome letter in the next few days. In the mean time...happy cupcaking!ONE LAST THING: Any entry that is missing either its flickr post OR a complete email submission will not be included. So?please be sure to submit to both flickr and via email to be eligible for the vote. TIP: The 00X_received tag will be added to your flickr photo(s) when your submission is processed.By participating in IRON CUPCAKE:EARTH you agree to have your recipe considered for use in a future Iron Cupcake:Earth cookbook ? credited with your name and blog address (optional) attached. Actual prizes may vary, at the discretion of the artists/manufacturers