Chu Chu Vanilla Heaven Cupcakes with Green Buttercream Frosting





I was so inspired by Elaine Cohen's Super-Duper Cupcakes book that I had to go out and buy all this really cool candy at the BIG K just so that I make these cute train cupcakes. I used Skittles, Twix, AirHeads Extremes Sour Belts, DOTS, and licorice...but...well...I bought a whole lot more than that (the bag must have weighed 50 lbs at least) just...for...a...future projects!

And, these cupcakes are actually appropriate because two more people in my family have birthdays this week: my brother-in-law, Jim...he lives in West Point, VA...and my sister-in-law, Mary Harvill...she lives in Spokane, Washington. AND, I heard somewhere that Elaine Cohen's birthday is Nov. 8th! November is a very busy birthday month!

Okay...back to the cupcakes...and the NEW CONTEST...I made Elaine's Vanilla Heaven Cupcakes and also her Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. Her book is so cool...it's all about having fun...see, right here on page 13 where she talks about cupcakes...she says there are three types of cupcakes you could use... Homemade... Cake Mix... Pre-made... Same with the frosting ...Homemade ...Frosting Mix ...Packaged .... that's the best because it gives you permission to sometimes not actually make cupcakes yourself or the frosting...then you (and your kids) can have more fun decorating! This is right up my alley because I think that the most fun is in the decorashun!

Layla was interested only in this almost-non-decorated cupcake...she has very simple desires....and now comes the very best part....ANOTHER CUPCAKE COOKBOOK CONTEST....

Elaine has sent me TWO...hmmmm maybe I'll just keep one copy for myself....just kidding...of her books...autographed!! for the November contest...Here's all you have to do to enter the contest: Wish Elaine a Happy Birthday in a comment on this post...and before you can say gimme anothere cupcake...you're entered. If you make an "anonymous" comment, add your first name to the comment so that you can be identified for the drawing.

The contest begins at 3:00 p.m. (EST) Monday, Nov. 6...that's today!!! And, it ends, at 3:00 p.m. (EST) Monday, Nov. 13. Winners will be announced at 4:00 p.m. that day.

Now...get out there and VOTE!...I mean wish Elaine a Happy Birthday!

Rock On,

CQ

124 comments:

  1. Have a spectacular Birthday Elaine!

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  2. Anonymous3:22 PM

    ELAINE DI BUON COMPLEANNO! IL RUBINO & IO GODRANNO I CUPCAKES NEL VOSTRO HONOR! =)

    How about that, a birthday wish IN ITALIAN! hehehe

    (the english translation...)

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELAINE! RUBY & I WILL BE ENJOYING CUPCAKES IN YOUR HONOR! =)

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  3. Anonymous4:02 PM

    Happy Birthday, Elaine!
    Lee

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  4. Happy Birthday Elaine!!! Hope it's a wonderful day for you!

    Those are awesome looking cupcakes, looked like Layla loved em too! :)

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  5. Anonymous4:05 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine! May all your birthday wishes come true!

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  6. Anonymous4:08 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!

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  7. Anonymous4:08 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine! You rock and so do your cupcakes!!

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  8. Happy Birthday Elaine!

    Here's to another year for coming up with more amazingly delicious cupcake concoctions!

    JR

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  9. Anonymous4:19 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine! Hope you have a super duper birthday!!!

    That cupcake train looks very yummy!!!

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  10. Bonne fete Elaine! Joyeux Anniversaire!

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  11. Anonymous5:02 PM

    Happy Birthday, Elaine!!!
    -Amy

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  12. Anonymous5:04 PM

    Elaine, Have a Super Duper Birthday!
    -Lindalu

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  13. Anonymous5:08 PM

    Happy birthday Elaine...wish me luck for this contest!!!

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  14. Very happy birthday to you, Elaine!

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  15. Anonymous5:33 PM

    Happy Birthday to you Elaine! And many more!

    Cheers
    ^_^
    -Madeline

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  16. Anonymous6:01 PM

    Happy birthday to yooooou,
    Happy birthday to yooooou,
    Happy birthday, dear Elaine,
    Happy birthday to yooooou!

    --Cindy

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  17. hope you have the BEST birthday ever,
    love christine

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  18. Anonymous6:12 PM

    Happy Birthday, Elaine! Have a lovely day :)

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  19. Anonymous6:50 PM

    Happy Happy Birthday, Elaine!

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  20. Haaaaaaaaapy Haaaaaaaaaapy Birthday Eeeeeeeeeeelaine! *sings*

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  21. Anonymous7:19 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!!

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  22. Happy Birthday Elaine! Woo Hoo!

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  23. Anonymous7:37 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!

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  24. have a super-duper birthday elaine

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  25. Anonymous8:02 PM

    Sending happy birtday wishes to you, Elaine!

    If you could choose just one cupcake to celebrate, which would it be???

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  26. Elaine, I hope your day is Hip-Hop-Happy!

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  27. Anonymous8:28 PM

    Happy Birthday, Elaine! :)

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  28. happy birthday elaine!!!

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  29. Anonymous9:13 PM

    Have a Happy Happy Birthday Elaine!

    <3 Devilishxangel

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  30. Anonymous9:41 PM

    Happy Happy Birthday

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  31. Anonymous9:42 PM

    Have an awesome birthday Elaine!

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  32. Anonymous9:57 PM

    Happy birthday!

    Sheri

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  33. Anonymous9:59 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine.

    -Erin S.

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  34. Happy Birthday Elaine!

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  35. Anonymous12:21 AM

    happy happy birthday Elaine, please have one more super duper cupcake on your special day, for me! thanks for being an inspiration for all home bakers and cupcake lovers!

    Laura Chia

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  36. Anonymous12:32 AM

    As Eeyore would say, many happy returns Elaine, your cupcakes rock!

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  37. Anonymous1:59 AM

    Best Wishes for the happiest of birthdays Elaine!

    -Kimbo Leffler

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  38. Anonymous7:37 AM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!!! May you have cupcake wishes and buttercream dreams!

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  39. Anonymous8:42 AM

    Happy Birthday Elaine.

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  40. Elaine, 祝你生日快乐,心想事成, 万事如意.

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  41. Anonymous10:55 AM

    Happy Birthday Elanie!!!

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  42. Whether by plane or by train,
    Best wishes to you all the same.
    Happy birthday Elaine!

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  43. Anonymous11:48 AM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!! Have a Super-Duper One!
    Laura S.

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  44. Anonymous11:53 AM

    Happy Happy Birthday Elaine ~ Your books rock, and so do you !
    I love cuppycakes probably the best . I love to fill mine with white chocolate pastry cream and then top them with fondant :) its yummy LOL !
    hugs and have the best of days

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  45. Just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday Elaine!! :D

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  46. Anonymous12:05 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!

    -Kerri

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  47. Anonymous12:15 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine :-)!!

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  48. Anonymous12:36 PM

    Happy Birhday Elaine.

    I am the Maid of Honour at a March 07 wedding. The bride is crazy for cupcakes and has decided to forgo the traditional cake for the mini version. My question is, where can I find some recipes that I might try out to see if they are wedding material? Any suggestions?

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  49. Happy Birthday Elaine!
    Have your cupcake and eat it too!

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  50. Anonymous1:53 PM

    Have a cupcakealicious birthday Elaine!!

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  51. Anonymous2:28 PM

    Yea for birthdays!
    Yea for cupcakes!
    Happy birthday Elaine!
    -Emily S.

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  52. Happy birthday Elaine! I hope someone else makes you cupcakes for your birthday. :)

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  53. Anonymous3:29 PM

    *FeLiCiDaDeS*
    Feliz Cumpleaños Elaine!!!!!!!

    Noemi J.

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  54. Happy Birthday, Elaine. My son's birthday is tomorrow, and guess what I'm going to make. :)

    Lesley R

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  55. Anonymous4:12 PM

    Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating November birthdays (and Kim Leffler too, Oct. 31)...

    from Mary Harvill, Linda's sister-in-law.

    I love the choo choo train decorations!

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  56. Anonymous4:13 PM

    I just tasted this week's chu chu vanilla and wanted to let everyone know that they really are as GOOD as they look!!!!!!

    Happy birthday Elaine!

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  57. Anonymous5:06 PM

    Happy Birthday to you !!
    Happy Birthday to you !!
    Happy Birthday Elaine, Happy Birthday to you !!!
    May your birthday be filled with Love, Joy and Much Happiness !!
    Best Wishes.

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  58. Anonymous7:42 PM

    Happy Birthday, Elaine!

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  59. Happy Birthday Elaine! Cakes & Cupcakes ROCK!

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  60. Anonymous8:44 PM

    Happy Birthday Fellow Scorpio
    I hope your day is as sweet as a cupcake
    Regards
    Dana

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  61. Anonymous9:04 PM

    Yo Dude ~ Happy Birthday Elaine!

    tee hee

    from Lauri

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  62. Anonymous11:11 PM

    Happy birthday Elaine! I hope you gobble up some delicious birthday cupcakes! (
    is the gobble part a bit too early for thanksgiving?)

    Janey

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  63. Happy Birthday, Elaine!

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  64. Anonymous1:20 AM

    happy happy birthday Elaine!
    ...says Sylvie

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  65. Anonymous5:42 AM

    Hi CQ I love your cupcakes (especially the Halloween ones ;oP)!

    As we say here in Paris: Bon anniversaire Elaine!

    Emmanuelle

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  66. Anonymous8:03 AM

    Elaine
    Happy Birthday and thanks for this great book!
    Susan in Michigan

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  67. Anonymous8:35 AM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!!!May you have a cupcake-a-licious DAY!

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  68. Anonymous9:26 AM

    Elaine

    Wishing you a truly bonza birthday all the way from Down Under.

    Hip Hip Hooraaaaay!!

    Cheers
    Lisa

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  69. Anonymous9:42 AM

    Happy happy Birthday, Elaine Cohen! May all your wishes come true, your fantasies be fulfilled and every day be sweeter than the last.

    Elizabeth Winter

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  70. Happy Birthday Elaine!!

    -Kerena

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  71. Anonymous10:03 AM

    Happy birthday, Elaine! May you have even more cupcakes in your life. :)

    pamela mariano
    from the philippines :D

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  72. Anonymous10:21 AM

    A very happy birthday to you Elaine! and special hugs to the cupcake queen!

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  73. Happy Birthday, Elaine!

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  74. Anonymous11:40 AM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!
    From Michigan's Tankgirle

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  75. Anonymous2:41 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine! Hugs to CQ.
    Who doesn't love a good cupcake?

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  76. Anonymous3:27 PM

    Selamat Hari Jadi, Elaine!

    That's how we wish a happy birthday in tropical Malaysia.

    Min

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  77. Anonymous3:50 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine from the great state of Texas!

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  78. Anonymous4:30 PM

    A most wonderful birthday to you Elaine! The cupcakes are scrumdillyish!

    bev_perdue@yahoo.com

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  79. Happy b'day to you!

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  80. Anonymous5:49 PM

    Elaine,

    Many Happy Birthday Wishes!

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  81. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELAINE!!

    sorry for the caps, but birthday wishes should ALWAYS be shouted :)

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  82. Anonymous8:08 PM

    Happy birthday, Elaine! And many happy returns, and cupcakes galore!

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  83. Anonymous9:41 PM

    Have a wonderful birthday, Elaine! Spend it with your loved ones ! :D

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  84. Anonymous10:08 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine! May your day be as sweet as a homemade cupcake!

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  85. Happy birthday, Elaine! May you have many more years of cupcake-filled goodness!

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  86. Anonymous4:51 AM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!! Hope you had a wonderful day and many, many more to come!

    Tina

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  87. Well my goodness! Have the happiest of birthdays Elaine!

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  88. Have a fabulous and happy birthday, Elaine!!!

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  89. Have a super birthday Elaine!

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  90. Anonymous1:46 PM

    Hippo Birthday Elaine!

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  91. Anonymous1:56 PM

    Happy Cupcake...uh, I mean Brithday, Elaine!

    Best Wishes,
    Lisa I.

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  92. Anonymous2:21 PM

    happy, happy birthday, elaine!

    Gina in Michigan

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  93. Happy Birthday Elaine! :)

    Audrey

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  94. Happy Birthday Elaine!!

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  95. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Elaine!

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  96. Anonymous7:43 PM

    I agree decorating is the best part...because I get to do more shopping! Elaine here is wishing you many more birthdays!

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  97. Anonymous8:54 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY Elaine!!!!!

    I hope you have a special cupcake birthday!!! and dont forget to make a wish.

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  98. Anonymous10:30 PM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELAINE!
    Your cupcakes have got me all excited and I can't wait to start baking!

    **Elenita V.**

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  99. Hi Elaine, here is a birthday wish all the way from Australia.
    Happy Birthday!
    Christina

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  100. Hi Elaine! Happy happy birthday!

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  101. Anonymous12:59 AM

    Happy, Happy Birthday Elaine!!!

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  102. Anonymous4:37 AM

    Happy Birthday!

    Peace,
    **Monica

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  103. Anonymous8:18 AM

    Happy Birthday Elaine! Here's to many more birthdays!

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  104. Anonymous5:52 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine! Hope you had deliciously sweet day. :)

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  105. May you have the happiest birthday ever Elaine:):)

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  106. Happy Birthday Elaine.
    Don't forget to make a wish and blow out the candles! You don't look a day over...???

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  107. Happy Birthday Elaine!

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  108. Anonymous9:57 AM

    Elaine,

    Happy Birthday and may you have many more!

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  109. Anonymous11:17 AM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!

    May you have many cupcakes in honor of the celebrations!

    Allison W

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  110. Anonymous2:44 PM

    Happy Birthday, Elaine!

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  111. Anonymous3:48 PM

    Happiest Birthday!

    - Marika

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  112. Anonymous4:24 PM

    So cute! My train-loving little boy would flip.

    Happy B-day, Elaine!

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  113. Anonymous7:27 PM

    Happy, happy birthday Elaine from all of us here in the Philippines :)

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  114. Anonymous10:03 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine, from one cupcake fan to another!

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  115. Anonymous10:51 PM

    Happy Happy Happy Happy!!!! Birthday!!!!! Elaine!!! Hope your birthday is filled with wonderful joy and warm wishes come true!

    Julia L.

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  116. Happiest of Birthdays to you, Elaine! Here's hoping the coming year continues to be filled with sweetness.

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  117. Anonymous10:12 AM

    Have a truly wonderful birthday, Elaine! Best wishes for bright blessings!

    Robyn

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  118. Anonymous11:04 AM

    Happy Birthday, Elaine!! Here's to another year of fabulous cupcakes!!!

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  119. Anonymous11:53 AM

    Happy Birthday Elaine! (I won't sing the birthday song my daughter suggested since it involves looking like a monkey and smelling like one too!)
    Margaret

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  120. Anonymous1:22 PM

    A very Happy Birthday to you!!!! And may there be many, many more

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  121. Anonymous1:59 PM

    Happy Birthday Elaine!!! Whoot!
    =^..^=
    Yvonne from NH

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  122. happy birthday elaine!

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  123. Hey have you pulled out the holiday movies yet? We've already watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas and It's a Charlie Brown Christmas. LOL. I know, so bad, huh?

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  124. Anonymous4:35 PM

    ooohh I love the cupcakes..and vanillia too...lol...nice pictures..made me hungry for ...looking forward to reading some more posts placed on this topic...will be checking this page again..have saved in favorites and bookmarked...thanks

    Seo Directory Web Directory

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