Mine

<?php
		$sidebar = new WP_Query('cat=1&showposts=3');

		if ( $sidebar->have_posts() ) {
		    echo "<ul>\n";
		    while ( $sidebar->have_posts() ) : $sidebar->the_post(); ?>
		    <li><a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a> -- <?php the_excerpt_reloaded(35,'<img>'); ?></li>

		    <?php
		    endwhile;
		    echo "</ul>";
		}
		?>