Be friends with your neighbor

I have been buying neckties online for weeks now, but that is all over. My neighbor just gave me boxes of ties from the 1960's and 70's.

The deck is the best place to lay the ties out and start putting color combinations together. Wow, that orange tie on the left really stands out.

Good combo - green, purple and mustard.

Look at this gem!

Not sure what to do with this one. (The tie, not the dog.)

I learned that you never know what treasures are hidden behind the walls of someone that is so close. Thanks neighbor.

Sugar

I like dessert, well maybe love dessert is more accurate. I could and do eat dessert everyday. That said, I need some options to keep the calories down and prevent me from eating a whole tray of cookies in one sitting. I came up with a single serving brownie.

2 Tbsp butter or butter substitute - I like Earth Balance
3/4 tsp brown sugar
squirt of agave
2 Tbsp flour
1 Tbsp 2 tsp cocoa
1/4 tsp baking powder
a tiny pinch of salt if you like
a couple drops of vanilla

In a small bowl or mug melt butter, add sugar and agave to butter and stir. Add remaining ingredients and mix until just combined. Taste batter. If batter is not sweet enough or too dry add some more agave. Microwave for ~30 seconds. This time will vary. Yum

I have more recipes coming soon.