Happy New Year!!!

Welcome to 2012 - It already feels like this is going to be a positive & exciting year for everyone!!




Did you know, in Scotland, the New Year celebrations are called Hogmanay???
Well, with this tradition, the first visitor of the year (called the "First Footer") has a lot on his plate when he arrives at your home:

1. He must be a tall, dark, handsome man (...No, I'm not even kidding!).
2. He can't be a doctor, minister, or gravedigger (yikes!)
3. They cannot have a Monobrow!! (My personal favourite)

They do have a certain advantage, though, as the lucky "First Footer" gets a kiss from all the girls!!


Anyway, the point of this tale is that, in this Scottish tradition, the "First Footer" must bring several customary gifts, including:

• Coal (to bring warmth to the house )
• Money (for financial prosperity)
• Bread (so that everyone has plenty to eat)

So, with that in mind, let me be your "First E-Footer" of 2012!
[I'll have to break one of the rules, though - I'm not a tall, dark & handsome man... BUT I don't have a monobrow, and I'm not a gravedigger...]



In the place of Coal, I'd like to share a couple of quotes with you that always bring warmth to my heart & a smile to my face:

•  "Most of us would be upset If we were accussed of being "silly", which comes from the old English word "seilig" and it's literal definition is "to be blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous."
-Zig Ziglar

(So it's more of a compliment than anything else!)

•  "Happiness is like jam. You can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself."            - Anonymous

Instead of Money, here are a few money-saving tips that might help guide you through the year ahead(courtesy of:  www.diversifi.com.au & www.dumblittleman.com):

• Unplug appliances (kettle, toaster, TV, radio etc) when they're not being used - apparently you can save even more cash than simply turning them off at the wall!

• Shop when you're in a hurry AND stick to your list - that way you'll stop those impulse purchases & save so much more cash in the long run!

• Interest Rates are now at an incredible low of 4.25% (with another rate cut anticipated as early as February!), so try to fix your current home loan rate now, if you can - Because all good things must come to an end eventually!!

As I can't bring you a loaf of Bread, here's a fabulous (and super easy) recipe for Chocolate Mug Cake (courtesy of www.allrecipes.com.au)!!

Ingredients

Serves: 1

• 4 tbsp flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp butter 
• ¼ tsp vanilla essence
• 1 tbsp choc chips
• 1 large mug

Preparation method

Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 3 minutes

1. Add dry ingredients to the mug, and mix well.

2. Crack an egg and add it to your mug. Be sure to mix it well to avoid any pockets of flour in the corners. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the vanilla essence.

3. Pop your mug into the microwave & zap for 3 minutes on maximum power. Wait until the cake stops rising, and sets in the mug.

4. If necessary, run a knife around the sides of the mug, and tip the warm cake out of the mug and onto a saucer.

 So, we hope that your year is filled with health, wealth & happiness... (and yummy mug cake!!)


Love,
The Verge Girls  xoxo