1. TAKE BETTER PICTURES
I have plans to get a really nice camera this year and I’d like to learn how to photograph my cupcakes better. I’ve seen some really awesome shots of cupcakes that are as beautiful as they are artistic… and I’m jealous. So, this goal is to learn to take better pictures of my cupcakes!

(Photo: Trophy Cupcakes)

2. FOCUS MY BLOG ON MORE THAN JUST MY CUPCAKES
I have learned this year that it’s not realistic for me to think I can bake a new cupcake every week or even every month. Sometimes, I just don’t have a reason to make them or I’m just not feeling baking, so I’d like to give myself permission to write about more than just my recipes. I’ve been doing that a little more lately, but I’d like to incorporate other peoples recipes, guest bloggers, posts about cupcake merchandise, etc etc. I known there are a lot of other blogs out there that do this, so I’ll keep my main focus on my cupcakes as much as possible.

(Photo: JavaCupcake)

3. PERFECT MY FROSTING SKILLS
I make a pretty damn good buttercream.  I mean really, it’s amazing.  But, I haven’t perfected the art of using the pastry bag and those little tips that make cute shapes.  I want to explore the art of frosting and come up with a signature frost for my cupcakes.  My goal is to practice, practice, practice until I can come up with a dozen perfectly frosted with a tip cupcakes.

(Photo: Two Parts Sugar)

4. MASTER THE BASIC CUPCAKE FLAVORS
I’ve made almost 20 cupcake flavors this past year that I’ve never made before.  None of them I’ve completly perfected.  I’ve found two recipes which I consider to be EXCELLENT in their flavor, but I have yet to make them the ultimate cupcake.  My goal for 2010 is to perfect my Super Moist Chocolate cupcake and my Vanilla cupcake and to have the perfect “Go-To Recipe” that I know will always be a hit!

(Photo: JavaCupcake)

5.SLOW DOWN
Cupcake baking is not a race! Sometimes I just get so excited to be baking that I hurry up and the end result isn’t the perfection that I want it to be.  I need to do a better job at slowing down, breathing, taking my time and enjoying every step of the cupcake baking process.

(Photo: JavaCupcake)

In February I redesigned my blog to the current layout and I LOVE IT!! It’s been really great to have such a simple, cute, layout that made it easy for my readers to see what my blog was all about.  The content on the side navigation bar has changed some over the year, but the content remains the same.

Over the past year, I’ve posted 17 different cupcake recipes!  I can’t believe it!!   I hope to get in at least one more before the year is over and then next year… shoot for 20 new recipes!!!   Below, I’ve listed all my creations with a link to each post!  It feels like such an accomplishment to see them all in once place! 

This year has also brought me some recognition for my blog, which was totally unexpected and very humbling.  I was nominated for a Love! this site award and my story as an Army Wife and Cupcake Blogger was featured on the front page of the Fort Lewis Ranger.  I’ve also had my cupcakes featured on a few other blogs and have had many people use my recipes! Jessie at CakeSpy also featured my review of Retro Bakery on her site and I’ve had honor of being featured on several other sites!

Thank you for everyone who has shown me love and support on this cupcake journey of mine!  It is you, my readers and friends, who have continuously encouraged me to blog and write, even when the people in my own life just didn’t understand.  So… again, thank you!!

I look forward to 2010 and I can’t wait to see what cupcake adventures come my way!