Courtesy of Lynda Campbell

HOWTO MAKE PIÑATA CUPCAKES Courtesy of www.ehow.com

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup sprinkles or small candy 8 ounces cream cheese 1 cup heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup powdered sugar

INGREDIENTS : 1/2 cup softened butter 3/4 cup sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2/3 cup whole milk 1 tablespoon white vinegar

DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Beat softened butter and sugar until creamy and well combined. Beat in eggs, vanilla, milk and white vinegar until well combined. Sprinkle in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir until just combined. Scoop mixture into cupcake papers until 2/3 full. Bake for 13 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely. 2. For each cupcake, cut out a circle from center. The walls and bottom of cupcake should still be intact. Slice the bottom off the cake plug, keeping the top portion. Fill hole with candy or sprinkles. Place the cake plug back on top. 3. Separately, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Slowly add cream, a few tablespoons at a time, until incorporated. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Beat until well combined. Frost the cupcakes and add sprinkles if desired. Serve the piñata cupcakes and watch smiles appear when their secret is discovered!

CINCO DE MAYO FACTS Cinco de Mayo is one of the most celebrated, but likely least understood, holidays. Brush up your Cinco knowledge with these facts. – Cinco de Mayo literally means the “The fifth of May.” – It is a Mexican holiday celebrating the Battle of Puebla, which took place May 5, 1862. – The Battle of Puebla was one of the few Mexican victories during France’s attempt to colonize Mexico. – Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually celebrated on September 16.

HOW TO QUICKLY AND AFFORDABLY STAGE YOUR HOME With all of the television shows featuring experts beautifully staging homes, it ’s no wonder the average homeowner is unsure if they can successfully stage their own home for sale. By following a few simple tips, you can ready your home both quickly and affordably. Perhaps it won’t be television-worthy, but it will certainly be sale-worthy. First off, if you do nothing else, make sure you declutter. Potential buyers want to see your house, not your things. Getting rid of clutter will also automatically make your space feel bigger and cleaner. Plus, you don’t have to spend a dime to remove stuff! Next up, arrange decor you already have in groups of three, which is pleasing to the eye. If you don’t own any interesting items, head to the thrift store and pick up a few neutral baskets and other simple odds and ends like candlesticks and vases. However, remember you aren’t shopping for

you, you’re shopping for pieces that the majority of people are going to find eye-catching. Then light up your home by opening the blinds and curtains, or by adding in lamps where needed. Experts say that every room should have multiple light sources – an overhead light, floor lamps and table lamps, which will create warmth and depth. Lastly, a staple in almost all professionally staged homes is fresh flowers. While store bought greenery might be out of your budget, you can always head outside and gather up a few pieces of nature to display. Or, if it ’s the wrong time of year, ask your green-thumbed friends and family members if you could borrow a few houseplants to help add a little life to your home.

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