Last Minute Gift Idea

I made a huge discovery recently as I was doing some last minute gift shopping. I found an unusual but quite useful sock accessory...gloves. Look carefully at the picture. These chic gloves are really two for the price of one. Pull back the mitten top, secure it with button and now you have fingerless gloves. Pull mitten top back over fingers and your hands remain warm and toasty with no skin exposed.
The following are 10 top reasons why these fingerless gloves/mittens should be purchased for MN winters
10.You have just finished painting your nails they need to dry and its time to leave for a party
9. You have just filled up your car with gas and need to pay at the pump with a credit card
8. You will be able to use your laptop outside
7. Lacing skates at an outdoor rink will be easier in the cold
6. Can text and twitter your friends for longer periods while standing outside
5. You will be able to sit for extended time watching your favorite sport game
4. Purchasing these gloves/mittens provides a reason for fairies to collect socks
3. Keeps your hands warm while shoveling all the projected snow in the next few days
2. Makes a wonderful gift for that special someone
1. Gives me a reason to use my Herberger's coupon

The following is a new recipe I tried for a brunch. I discovered a new product called Nutella which is a European hazelnut and chocolate spread. It is located in the aisle where peanut butter is found.

Nutella Swirl Pound Cake

Ingredients:

4 large eggs at room temperature, lightly beaten

2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 all purpose flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

2 sticks of butter

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 jar (13 oz.) Nutella (warm jar in a bowl of hot water)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 325 - grease and dust with flour a loaf pan 9x5 inches
2. Combine eggs and vanilla and lightly beat
3. In another bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt mix well
4. Combine butter and sugar and cream about 3 minutes
5. With mixer at on medium speed pour egg mixture into bowl in a slow stream
6. Turn mixer to low add flour mixture 1/2 cup at a time
7. After last addition mix for 30 seconds
8. Pour half the batter in pan
9. Spread 1/2 of the jar on top of batter and smooth over batter with spatula
10. Pour rest of batter over Nutella
11. Run a butter knife through batter to create marbling. Do not over mix.
12. Bake about 1 hour and check with toothpick should come out of center clean
13. Cool in pan 10 minutes invert and place on wire rack to cool