I went to a Christmas potluck last night and signed up to make dessert, of course. I decided to make cupcakes because it would be easy to make and easier to serve than a cake. I made simple vanilla-flavored cupcakes and colored a batch of buttercream frosting Christmas green. Using a star cupcake tip, I piped the frosting in a counter-clockwise swirl. I placed each cupcake in a circle to create the shape of a wreath. To finish the wreath I added a few red round sprinkles to look like holly berries.
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The cupcake wreath was such a big hit at the potluck, but not as much as little Andy was!

 Once again it’s the season of giving and this time of year is when Jack and I do most of our giving. Usually, we pick a few charities that are close to our hearts and that we have verified will do the most good. Sadly this year we had so many of our family and friends that were hit by tragedies that we decided to give close to home. Some had lost loved ones, houses were damaged by the hurricanes or had to evacuate their homes because of the Southern California fires. In the severity of their tragedies, what we were able to give didn't seem like much; but their gratitude meant the world to us. Most charities provide a generic thank you care or email with the immediate request for more donation. They don't even seem grateful for what was donated and that can be disconcerting to some givers. If you are unsure of what charities that you would like to donate to this holiday season, look around you. Is there someone in your life that could use a little helping hand, a kid working hard to save up for a car or college, a single mom that could use a little extra money during the holidays? Look around you and see where you can spread good will towards men.