Close Call and Coffee Mug Chocolate Cake

Thank goodness for the newest neighbors on the block. Not the new neighbors from Minnesota, although we are happy they are here, too; but thank goodness from the new-est neighbors -- the ones from the San Francisco area.

When she saw something hazy floating by her kitchen window, she knew it was not San Francisco fog. She investigated and found a blazing bush at the house next door to hers. Then everything happened fast. She called 911. Another neighbor arrived with a fire extinguisher. We returned from church to see red and blue fire truck strobes lighting up the dark street, past our house.

A burning bush? Sure it happened in Biblical times, but now? Ah, seems someone had stepped outside to smoke, and the high winds of the day fanned a spark into a flame. The flame leaped to the new neighbor's bushes, but the firemen knocked it down.

What could have been a disaster turned into a friendly neighborhood visit. We met our new California neighbors, and, of course, instantly liked them.

While this is all true, I think it has potential as a plot for fiction. Or is it unbelievable? How would you make it believable? Are there ideas here for a nonfiction article? Home safety? Sure makes the importance of having a fire extinguisher on hand important. What other items should a home have?

And the photo above? It's fiction. Yes, I took it, and yes, it's fire; but it's one of those fire and water displays outside a hotel. I was just looking for something in my photo catalogue that looked fire-y (no, I don't mean fiery). But -- here's a fiery-fast chocolate recipe.

Remember when we had a recipe for a chocolate cake made in a Crock Pot? Good, huh? Today we have a chocolate cake made in a mug. Yep. This recipe is from Judy who got it from a quilting friend. Neither Judy nor her friend had tried it. (Thanks, Judy.)

Five Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

1 coffee mug

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons baking cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) (Are they crazy? "Optional" chocolate chips?)

some nuts (optional)

small splash of vanilla

Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla, and mix again. Put mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be "alarmed."

Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate if desired. Eat! This can serve two if you want to share.

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