Are You Ready for Christmas?

This adorable Snowman figure is ready for fun! He is such a cheerful addition to your Christmas decor. He will be the center of attention anywhere you put him.

This snowglobe is the perfect gift for the collector on your list!

Let it snow! This trio of snowmen with their silver accents are so versatile, you can use them as the center of a vignette. Possibilities are endless.

This Snowman family will make the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy person on your list!

Join me at Make Mine Pink for Christmas. It's time to start checking people off of your shopping list. You'll find lots of great gift ideas.

Visit my website for more Christmas ideas!

~Shelly

Holiday Decorating

Are you getting holiday catalogs in the mail, too? Browsing through them is so much fun! I found some inspiration .....I started with a table runner and a throw pillow.
I simply wrapped the table runner around the pillow and tied to add some holiday color.

Then I decided to add some ribbon and vintage millinery for add a little romance! What do you think?

Finally, I decided to add another table runner tied in a bow. I attached at the knot and then found some old lace and a little vintage bling. I love all of them. Now, I have four dining room chairs, maybe I'll do something a little different for each! What inspires you?

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is... more beautiful.-Norman Vincent Peale

Brocante

French translation: flea market

Brocante Antiques ~ I just loved the look of this place.....but was terribly disappointed not to be able to browse. The shop was closed! I couldn't resist a pic, thou. I'll have to go back so that "we" can see what's inside.

I'll keep you posted!

~Shelly

Sweet Simple Things

It looks like the Zinnia's are just about finished. I picked the last of them and made a small bouquet. I tied a fall ribbon around the vase. (I cut off the wire edges and scrunched the ribbon, so that it looks a little tattered) Sweet and Simple don't you think?

“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

Dangerous Chocolate Cake

Sunday night, home alone who wants cake? I do, I do! But just a little bit of cake.....so what to do? Make a cake in a mug! hugh?

This recipe came to me via email a while back and I hadn't had a chance to try it yet....so here's what you do (the recipe follows). Mix ingredients and microwave.

I used a big mug because I wasn't sure how much space the ingredients would take.It did reach the top of this mug, but went back down after cooking!

Transfer to a plate for dining!

Yummy! I have to tell you it wasn't bad at all. All of my chocolate chips ended up in the center for some reason, though. It was very sweet and didn't need icing! This fall when it's too cold to get out I'll probably experiment with a few different versions. It's a pretty good emergency gotta have cake recipe! All the mixing was in the mug ~ I used the measuring spoons and a fork to stir. The kids will love this, it's pretty fun, too!!

Dangerous Chocolate Cake-in-a-Mug

* 1 coffee mug
* 4 Tbsp. cake flour (plain, not self-rising)

* 4 Tbsp. sugar
* 2 Tbsp. cocoa
* 1 egg (used a jumbo egg - all I had on hand)
* 3 Tbsp. milk
* 3 Tbsp. oil (used Enova oil)
* Small splash of vanilla
* 3 Tbsp. chocolate chips, optional (you can add a few chopped walnuts)

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well with a fork.
Add egg then mix thoroughly.
Pour in milk and oil and vanilla, mix well.
Add chips, if using.
Put mug in microwave and cook for three minutes on 1000 watts.
(Really fun to watch) I stopped at 2 1/2)
Cake will rise over top of mug--do not be alarmed!
Allow to cool slightly; tip onto a plate if desired. (Comes out great
and cut into four long pieces)
Add some drizzles of chocolate syrup and some Cool Whip, or you could add canned frosting, too.

I was told that the batter does rise up 'way over the top of the mug, but doesn't run down the side. Fun to watch!
Note: Be careful not to overcook-some microwaves are higher than 1000 watts, and three minutes was a dab too long--dried the cakes out a little bit.
Be sure to watch it the whole time it's baking in the microwave, although
they say it's not good to stand near the microwave!!!

Q. Why is this cake the most dangerous cake recipe in the world?
A. Because now we are all only five minutes away from chocolate cake any time of the day or night!!!

It's in the Details!

In need of a quick gift? It's getting to be that time of year. I am going to make up a few to have on hand so that I'm not rushed to find something later.

If you love vintage dishes too, you will have these things lying around! This particular soap is from England and has the most fantastic fragrance. I'll share some soon.
All you need is a small vintage dish (sorry you can't see mine better, it has sweet pink roses), and some decorative excelsior (found at your local craft store) your treasure (you could use your own favorite fragrance) and some pretty old ribbon.

After the bow was tied, I thought it needed something else.......so I put a vintage key in the ribbon! Now it's perfect. You could use a chandelier drop or a vintage tag. This is where you can add your own personal touch ~ It's in the details!

Do you have any quick gift ideas?
~Shelly

Our Daily Bread

Isn't it amazing what can happen when you combine ingredients that include sundried tomatos, basil, rosemary, love and care? I didn't make this fantastic bread, but the ingredients were attached and love was on the list! I think that it makes all the difference. A local whole food baker makes and delivers to my favorite fruit stand. It's such a treat. Especially dipped in specialty olive oils. You really can make a meal of bread and wine!

This dried flower blew into the yard. I thought it was pretty here!

There are only two ways to live your life. One is a as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. - Albert Einstein

Wonder what miracles November will bring.......

~Shelly