Oh, Martha. I wish I knew how to quit you! (That seemed MUCH funnier in my head just now…) ANYHOO, I saw these pom-pon toppers on Martha’s site last night as I was looking for some July 4 inspiration. They’re cute, but not enough “Michigan” for my tastes. So I decided to make… Patriotic brownie toppers! That’s right. Celebrate your independence by taking a bite out of a brownie speared with the U.P. Brain surgery isn’t necessary to make these bad boys…

Step 1: Cut out the desired Michigan size you’d like. I decided to use hot glue since I couldn’t find my glue sticks…

Step 2: With a hot glue gun, place a thin strip of glue and place one cocktail pick down. Don’t burn your fingers!

Step 3: Add more glue to the first piece, then place your other Michigan (line them up to match) down on the first piece. Again, be careful of your fingers… the glue gets hot!

Step 4: UP, eh?

Step 5: The finished project! Step 6 would be… eating them!

Mmm…

Tell the world you’re proud to be a M!CH!GAN!AN this Independence Day by poking some brownies with cocktail picks. Go to town- literally. Try making variations with some collages from your own city, perhaps a side of the state (maybe Michigan’s west coast?!), etc.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to make sure my co-workers aren’t trying to stab each other with the leftover lower peninsulas…