Saturday Stirrings

Carol over at I Throw Like A Girl hosts Saturday Stirrings where she and others post great recipes. I don't usually participate since we all know my lack of cooking abilities. However, this week she did a Mug cake recipe, and that reminded me of the Cake In A Cup recipe that I posted last Fall, so I decided to re-post it again.

Is it cheating to re-use a recipe? If I haven't used it in SS before? I hope not! lol

Ok, the recipe is here: Cake In A Cup

The best part about this recipe is that it could NOT be any easier. Seriously! And it makes great gifts. I made up 2 batches of the mix and put them in baggies for my girls for college and included a new cute mug to go with. It is perfect for dorm living and it is super easy! Ashley commented that even "R", a super clumsy guy that lives on the floor above her, likes making this and supposedly "R" is like me and has trouble walking and chewing gum.

They (and their roommates) loved it so much that over Christmas break they made up several batches to take back with them to give to their friends. One of our nephews made some to give to Grandparents and Aunts/Uncles for Christmas.

Head on over to Carols to check out more great recipes!

Me And My Ugly Mug

Ok, I admit that I don't have a wonderful history to the mug I am entering in Linda's Ugly Mug contest today. As a matter of fact, I don't even have a coffee maker at home. But, I do enjoy a yummy Vanilla Latte when I go out as much as the next lady, so yea, I'm all about entering this contest.

Since we don't have a coffee maker at home, we only have mugs for when the kids (or hubby)make hot chocolate. I looked through our cabinet and didn't see anything I thought would qualify as "ugly". Most are the cute snowman mugs that I bought several years ago. There is one with hubby's name on it that says "Worlds Greatest Golfer", and I have a mug that says it's the "Left-Handers Mug" with all kinds of quotes and info regarding being left-handed.

Then there is the tacky mug, and I'm not sure why we even still have it. It's way in the back of the cabinet and could have a family of spiders living in it for all we know, since it never gets used. Back when we first found out we were expecting multiples, someone gave Jay a mug that says "Ask me about my stud fee". Tacky yes. Ugly, not so much.

BUT I REALLY WANT TO PARTICPATE!

So I did what any reasonable adult would do...I hit up every Goodwill and thrift store I could find. In the 3rd store I went to, I found my mug. I actually laughed out loud when I saw it for the first time. I have to think that whoever created it, was forced into making it, due to a lost bet or something. I can't wrap my mind around the thought that someone made this because they actually thought it was a good idea or something.

Here's some close up shots of my mug:

I'm not sure if this is supposed to represent some sort of Hansel & Gretel fascination or what, with the cherries on top of the trees, as if luring children to the door, but it kind of creeps me out.

Be sure to check out all the chips in the paint. I did not do those. They came free with the mug. I stopped counting them when I got to 25, including the ones along the inner rim. There are 6 just in this shot...can you find them all?

Top 10 reasons why I should win Linda's contest:

10. You gotta admit..it IS ugly. It's colorful...but it's ugly.

9. I didn't have a coupon, so I paid the entire $1.50 out of my own pocket for this mug.

8. I have never won anything, honest. Ask anyone who knows me.

7. It will help my husband realize that I haven't lost my mind, I did buy the mug for a reason.

6. I had strange people looking at me as I stood in line waiting to buy my mug. I'm pretty sure the check-out clerk felt sorry for me, as she tried to make me feel good about buying the mug.

5. Gas prices still aren't cheap, but I was willing to make the sacrifice by driving a half hour to the city, all over the city, and the half hour back home.

4. I have no life. Winning this would be the highlight of the year for me (so what if it's only January).

3. It was 1/2 price day at the Goodwill I bought this at. People were everywhere, and I saw a few that I'm pretty sure where eyeing this mug. I was willing to rumble to get my mug.

2. I already have my acceptance speech written, copied in triplicate, notarized, and memorized.

1. It was below zero degrees outside on the day I went shopping. Now THAT's commitment and dedication!

Head on over to Linda's to vote for me!!!

Oh, and if I win, you're invited to come over and I'll buy you a latte to celebrate with me!

*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*

Note Added : Someone asked me what I planned to do with the mug after the contest since I only drink coffee when I'm out. I have the mug on my desk right next to my computer screen. It makes me smile everytime I see it. I think of the fun I had looking for it, I think of the fun I have because of it (by going to Linda's to see all the other ugly mugs) and I think of how it's helped me to not be so serious. In the past I would have never participated in something that seemed "silly and pointless". But, win or lose, I am so glad I did! Seeing the mug reminds me of all that, so the mug will stay right here on my desk and who knows, maybe in 30 years or so, Linda might do another ugly mug contest and I'll enter it again. :)

I Love A Good Hunt

Linda over at 2nd Cup is hosting an Ugly Mug contest. We're not coffee drinkers here at home (I will on occasion have some when I'm out), so we don't have many mugs in our house. Just some cute snowmen mugs from Kohl's for our cocoa.

But, I have been know to enjoy a yummy latte now and then, so I wanted to join in the fun. Little did I know that the fun would be just in trying to find an ugly mug.

I wish I would have had someone along with me because I wouldn't have been nearly as embarrassed as I was giggling by myself at all the bizarre and ridiculous things I saw. I only had my camera phone and I had to be quick to snap some shots, because it was 1/2 price day and let me tell you, the bargain hunters were out in full force and they were looking at me as if I were going to try to steal some of these things!

There are some interesting items to be found at your nearby thrift store and/or Goodwill store.

Here's some proof:

This was a clown figurine. It's actually much creepier looking in person than it is in this picture. His lips aren't even painted on straight. I'm not sure who is more intoxicated...the clown or the person who attempted to paint him. I can't imagine putting this in a childs room. It'd give them nightmares!

A patchwork rooster napkin holder. What every good farm home needs, right? Not this farm home.

Who in their right mind would want a hotdog and hamburger soap/lotion dispensers? Who would even make such things? And....WHY?


Isn't this just a lovely toothbrush holder? My family would disown me if I brought that into our bathroom.

I don't even know what to say about this last one. Ok yes I do....What in the heck is it??? It's a holder for something....Jewelry? Ponytail holders? Dentures?

I did find a mug, so I am super excited now to post it when the time comes for the contest. I'm not going to show it yet, but I will fill you in on my conversation that I had with the checkout lady at the Goodwill regarding the mug:

Goodwill Woman: Oh well, isn't this a nice, ummm, mug.

Me: (chuckling) yes, isn't it?

GW: So, is this for you or for a gift?

You know, there is no right answer to this question. If I say it's for me, that screams "this woman clearly has no taste", and if I say it's for a gift it screams "this woman clearly has no taste in gifts", so I said the first thing that came to my mind...

Me: It's for my friend, Linda.

GW: I'm sure Linda will love you for it. It is very, uh, colorful and so pretty.

Me: Thank you. I think so too. (trying not to laugh)

GW: Did you bring in your coupon? If so, you get it at 1/2 off. That'd be only 75 cents.

Me: Oh shucks no, no coupon. I'll just have to pay the full $1.50. Thanks anyhow.

I gotta be honest, I giggled most of the way home. The mug is sitting by my computer and remembering the look on the ladys face at Goodwill still makes me giggle each time I look at it.

Even if I don't win this contest, my day today makes it all worth it!