Not that there's ever a bad time for cupcakes, but fall seems like an especially perfect time for them. I'm always in need of a dessert for a school bake sale, or a treat for a ballgame, or a dessert for a tailgate or gathering, and cupcakes are my go-to dessert. They're easy to make, loved by all, and the fall flavors you can incorporate are endless.

From pumpkin to hot chocolate, apple, and beyond, there are so many warm and welcoming fall themes that pop perfectly in cupcakes. Here are five of the most fantastic fall-inspired cupcake recipes.

What are your favorite fall-inspired cupcakes?

Image via lamantin/Flickr

It's that time of year again, everyone. The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, the nights are a bit longer. You can try to deny it, you can fight it all you want, but it's happening -- the Pumpkin Dance Man is upon us! One of the greatest memes ever to reach the lolcat-ridden Internet is inching his way back into our computers just in time for Halloween. And if I do say so myself, he looks better than ever.

So, go ahead. Buy that spice-scented candle and that Halloween tschotske from HomeGoods. But just don't think anything will get you in the spooky spirit like this dude can. Guys, I bestow unto you ... Pumpkin Dance Man.

Treat yourself right today and enjoy this. You deserve it.

I used to be huge into photography. I owned a nice Canon, took classes, and even developed my film in a dark room (ahh, the bad old days of photography ...). But then digital cameras came along, and although ostensibly this should make taking pics easier, it seemed to make it harder. Let's face it, those digital cameras are complex. Just like the brain, I can use about 1 percent of my camera. So I lost interest in taking pictures. But I should really look into it again because these new SLR cameras are amazing. It doesn't take much to take some fantastic photos of your loved ones, surroundings, pets, and milestone events. In this episode of The Karen Walron Show, Karen shows CafeMom member Amanda you don't have to be Anne Geddes to get some great pics of the youngin's.

Holy acorns dropping on the ground, it's fall! Hooray! Glory be to the season of tights and leg warmers and cowl neck sweaters -- bring 'em on and the apple cider too. It's time to celebrate fashion's finest season, folks. 

After a long, sticky summer, nothing feels more pleasing than bundling up and stepping out into autumn's brisk air and its tumbling leaves. So tuck away the flip-flops and pull out the boots, change is coming and the new season offers so many great styles to look forward to.

Here are 10 reasons fall is the very best season for style.

What seasonal staples are you most excited to wear this season?

Image via extraterila/Flickr 

I know it's just barely September, but I can hardly contain my excitement that fall is nearly here. Suddenly the heat and humidity are gone, and there's a cool crispness in the air. And you know what that means? Apple season is beginning!

We got an armload of apples from our farm share last week and we've just been gobbling them up the way they are. An apple goes in the school lunch every single day. At some point, though, we're going to want to have our apples some other way. Hello mom and apple pie! Here are 7 amazing things you can do with them apples this fall.