Thursday, April 1, 2010

MY NEW GOODWILL ACQUISITIONS


I decided to make a quick run in to the Goodwill the other day. Let me tell you, it was quick. I think I stood in line longer to pay than it took me to grab up the bargains I found.

Sometimes it really amazes me what people decide to part with. Like this lamp, for instance. This is a beautiful, heavy lamp. It's not even dusty! The harp is missing, but that's super-minor. I didn't really need a lamp mind you . . . but for $4.50, how could I pass it up?





Then this little etagere thingy. I'm loving it!!! Another bargain at $3.50. It will definitely get a new coat of paint. I'm thinking heirloom white. If I could find square little plates to fit, I'd be ecstatic. But, I could settle for having some glass cut to fit, or maybe even tiles . . . hmmm, may have to investigate that.





This huge glass jar was a must have, especially at $3.50.

I have this almost horrible attachment to glass jars. My collection of vintage Ball and Atlas jars is overflowing. And I've never met a big pickle jar I couldn't live without! LOL!!! I'm planning on using this vessel as a little plant terrarium. Can't wait to purchase some delicate little ferns to plant inside.



Finally, I thought this cute silver-like urnish container would make a nice topiary, maybe. I'm pretty sure it's plated, but I really like the lines. And how could I pass it up at just $1.50!


Our Goodwill's had some decent pickin's the last few times I visited. I have been hitting it on Monday or Tuesday which is a good day. All the weekend drop-offs are usually out on the floor by then.


Can you all believe Easter weekend is here? Wow! Where has the time gone? Seems like just a few weeks ago most of us were knee deep in snow.

We have a pretty busy weekend planned. Tomorrow I'm spending the day in the
Big Apple, NYC,
with Son No. 2, his girlfriend and her mother. Should be a super-fun day trip. I'm hoping to hit
this time since it closed when were up last in December.

On Saturday morning me and Hubby are heading to Atlantic City. We're going to spend the 80 degree afternoon playing nine holes of golf. Oh, you didn't realize I play golf? Well, I don't really. I have cute purple gripped clubs, and cute pink and white golf shoes, and a matching pink glove, and just the cutest golf skirts, but I really can't play. Not yet. I'm still learning.

Anyway, after golf is dinner and then a concert. We're seeing Nickleback and Shinedown. Oh, something else you probably didn't know about me. I LOVE rock music. Well I like all sorts of music, but I love going to rock concerts of the bands I like. The loud music, the crazy people. We usually look like we're there chaperoning our kids . . . you know . . . the old people! Nope.

Then who knows what mischief we'll get into after the concert! ;o) We'll be heading home Sunday morning. AC's only a two-hour drive, so I'll be home in plenty of time to get Easter dinner on the table. Speaking of Easter dinner, I want to share with you my perennial Easter dinner desert. I wish I could make it and snap pics along the way and show you my finished cake, but I'll have to just show you the pic in my recipe book and share the recipe that I found online. so I wouldn't have to type the whole thing out. Thank goodness!

Believe me when I tell you this cake is
de-lish-issssss!!!
And, here's the best part, it is a light recipe. The recipe is from my 1999 Cooking Light Annual Recipes book. If you're looking for something new, and yummy, and easy, I urge you to try this cake.

BLUEBERRY POUND CAKE

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light butter
  • 1/2 (8-ounce) block 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 large egg white
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (8-ounce) carton lemon low-fat yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed of a mixer until well-blended (about 5 minutes). Add eggs and egg white, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 2 tablespoons flour and blueberries in a small bowl, and toss well. Combine remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with yogurt, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Fold in blueberry mixture and vanilla; pour cake batter into a 10-inch tube pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool cake in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan. Combine powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl; drizzle over warm cake. Cut with a serrated knife.

Nutritional Information

Calories:
287 (19% from fat)
Fat:
6.1g (sat 3.4g,mono 1.8g,poly 0.4g)
Protein:
5.7g
Carbohydrate:
53.9g
Fiber:
1.5g
Cholesterol:
57mg
Iron:
1.3mg
Sodium:
227mg
Calcium:
50mg
(above recipe was copied from My Recipes site)

This cake comes out perfect every single time. It's always a huge hit. And you'd never know it was a "light" recipe.

Have a peaceful Easter everyone. Hope you all get to share the day with family and loved ones. I'll be sure to share and post lots of fun pics from our antics this weekend on Monday.


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9 comments:

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

You had a good day at the Goodwill! That is a great lamp and I look forward to seeing what you do with that etagere stand you picked up. And that Blueberry Pound Cake looks wonderful. I need to give that one a try! Thanks for the recipe.
Have a Happy Easter!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I love pound cake! Luckily, I found a pre-made gluten free mini version that I love to have for a snack {I'm talking MINI}. You got some great items; I love that silver urn. Can't wait to see what you decide for the etagere ~ you're right you could do so many different things on the shelves.

Have fun in the city and AC! As for the golf ~ I have the shoes, a lovely shade of green clubs, the shirts, the glove ~ I'm like you! I look like I know what I'm doing, but have no clue. I'd love to learn though. We used to go to the driving range, which was a fun thing to do together when we could grab an hour during the week together. Have a great weekend, Carla!

Barbara Jean said...

Great finds!

Love the little Easter card, and oooh that cake looks good!

Blessings

Barbara jean

Jamie said...

Nothing better than some great cheap finds!! I'm a jar lover too and like you, am overflowing with them! I have many candle jars that I have yet to melt the wax out of so that I can turn it them into cute storage jars. Every time I think it's taking over and need to purge, I just can't part. LOVE the jar you found!! And the etagere'... Pat yourself on the back, good job!! Have a wonderfully fun weekend Carla! Hugs ~ Jamie

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Love your goodwill finds! I swear I have more fun looking around thrift stores than any day at the outlets or mall. Sounds like such a fun weekend, my daughter would be so proud of her mom going to those concerts! I love your 'my three sons' picture up top, it is so cute!!
have lot's of fun & good luck with the golfing, sounds like you'll be the best dressed golfer out there, that's half the game isn't it?lol:)

Happy Easter!

Darlene said...

I LOVE your Goodwill finds. I rarely find anything decent at ours and then it usually has a high price tag....CRAZY!!

It sounds like you are goind to have a fabulous weekend!! Hope you have a wonderful Easter.♥

Kerin said...

Wowsers! You are going to be busy, and I'll bet you're going to have a blast!
Love the jar!
Have a wonderful Easter

Anonymous said...

The one week I didn't go to the Goodwill-oh well maybe next week. Have fun in NYC and AC. I hope you get to the Tinsel Trading place -I have never made it there.

Lisa

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

Hey, guess what...that is the exact lamp base that sits next to the bed on my nightstand. Actually we have two...one on each side. I loooove them. The original lamp shades are beautiful.
May I say, you have great taste. Hee-hee!
Have a wonderful Easter with your family.
M.L.

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