SHOW AND TELL TIME...

Greetings, dear reader!

I have been snapping pictures fast and furious in order to share with you some of the highlights of the past few days...First, photos from the quaint little town of Newburgh, Indiana. As you may recall, dear friend and Franciscan sister Dusty and I went to have lunch with her spiritual director, and spend the day browsing the darling little shoppes...

And of course we had to hang around long enough to see the town "lit up":
















While shopping, I came upon these delightful finds...just what I was looking for!

What could be better...sock monkies AND a cowgirl! It was just too perfect! (And NO, I do NOT think they're ugly!)



And then I was on the prowl for some vintage "made in Japan" little houses...a trip to an antique store, and I STOLE these for a song! I also found a bag of bottle brush trees, so now I can create an entire little village! WOOT!







I also found a bag of odd, kitchy, hand made ornaments...again for mere pennies!

And FINALLY, my favorite Ebay find of 2008: these "over the top" kitschy snowmen from Japan...they are standing on mushrooms! How utterly ADORABLE! (I collect snow persons, you know...and I'd LOVE to have a collection of mushrooms...well, here I found both!) I am going to get a vintage silver tree after Christmas and then next year my tree will be bedecked with these festive little fellows. I got a whole box full for 9.99! SUCH A DEAL!



Are they not just ADORABLE? What is YOUR favorite find of 2008?

And lastly (I know, I sound like a preacher..."As I continue to conclude..." ha ha)

A super easy recipe that I KNOW is going to get me into all kinds of trouble. Make it QUICK before your 2009 resolution to lose weight! It is called "The Most Dangerous Recipe in the World"

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (supposedly optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thouroughly. Pour in the milk and ooil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using...are you kidding?) and vanilla extract. Mix again. Put mug in microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate and eat!

WHY is this recipe dangerous? Because you are now a mere 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time!

More soon!

XOXOXOX



Paula Clare