recipe wednesday - microwave popcorn

i was craving popcorn and wanted it with real butter without messing with the stove or buying an expensive popcorn popper. i promise when you try this you will never buy packets of popcorn ever again!
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INGREDIENTS:

3 Tbsp unpopped popcorn kernals

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DIRECTIONS:

1. pour kernals into a small paper bag (lunch size is perfect) and fold the top of the bag over twice to close (each fold should be 1/2" deep; you need room for the kernals to pop) and seal with a piece of tape (alton brown says you can use 2 staples to secure ... i'd rather not take the chance).

2. place bag in microwave on carousel. cook on high 2-3 minutes ... until the popcorn pops are 5 seconds apart.

3. open carefully and pour into a bowl (or shake it up in the bag ... it's your choice - i like to reuse the bag after popping) top with your favorite toppings and cover with a lid and shake shake shake!

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CLASSIC BUTTER TOPPING

1-2 Tbsp melted butter

1 tsp salt

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PARMESAN GARLIC TOPPING

1-2 Tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp garlic salt

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TACO TOPPING

1-2 Tbsp melted butter

1 Tbsp taco seasoning

1 tsp cumin

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KETTLE CORN TOPPING

1-2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 Tbsp white sugar

1 tsp salt

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try sprinkling on ranch dressing mix.

ENJOY!!!

CSPIA ... a.k.a. "national bankruptcy day"

i've just been assuming that everyone else knows about this ridiculous law that is going to be effective on february 10th. then i was chatting with my mom and sister last weekend and realized that not everyone reads blogs and forums regarding manufacturing or selling.
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not sure if you will be affected? if you manufacture anything for children under 12 .... if you sell anything for children under 12 ... if you BUY anything for children under 12 ... basically this affects EVERYONE!
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the law will require anything intended for those under 12 to be tested for lead. it sounds good, but the reality is that it will negatively affect many businesses. protecting our children is important, unfortunately cspia will not accomplish that.
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You can read my favorite article at Boutique Cafe, and here is the 2nd article in the series ... Please please please spread the word!
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UPDATED: new information from etsy
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What can you do?
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1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman 888-531-9070.http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspxComments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009.mailto:Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov.
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2) Email or snail mail your representatives. (sample letter!! super super easy!!)http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12274476
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3) Call your representatives. For their contact information just enter your zip code.http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/
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4) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue. The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
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5) Sign the petition.http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html
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6) Spread the word! Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.
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7) Join others in fighting this cause.
Facebook group
Twitter search
Save Handmade
Amend CSPIA
http://cpsia-central.ning.com/notes/Notes_Home
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Join the etsy community in the virtual chat with CPSIA Small Business Ombudsmen or send a handmade children’s item that will become “hazardous goods” as of 2/9/09 to Bobby Rush, founder of H.R. 4040.http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences-consumer-pr-3056/Etsy Thread
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9) Read more about this legislation and its ramifications:
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You can do your own reading, here are some places to start:
Etsy Forums
California Residents
Change.org - Save Small Businesses
Smart Mama
Fashion Incubator ... Coping with Crisis (how it will affect large and small businesses, plus links to other artcles kathleen has written), CSPIA Requirements, National Bankruptcy Day
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Fashion Incubator
Handmade Toy Alliance
National Bankruptcy Day
YouTube video
YouTube Video
YouTube Video
5 Minutes for Mom
Cool Mom Picks
The Smart Mama
blogher
Apparel and Footwear.org
Toy Association.org
Cafe Mom
Safety and Compliance
Zrecommends
SleepingBaby.net
Freshly Baked Blog
TimesCall

finley is talking

finley is all smiles these days, the other night she was talking like crazy, so i grabbed my camera and this is what she did ...

it cracks me up that you can see her looking at the camera and me, going back and forth! i can't believe she's almost 4 months already!

pantry organization

ok ... some of you know and some of you don't ... i signed up to sell tupperware. one of the main reasons why i did was because i want to organize my panty! the modular mates are amazing. seriously. but here's the kicker ... they are on sale in january for 40% OFF.

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if you live close i can come over and check out your pantry and help you pick what you need and i'll come over and help you organize your pantry when your order is shipped ... if you live far i can still help you through emails or phone calls ... and have them shipped directly to your house.

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email me at jodijeanbaird [at] yahoo .com ... or give me a call!

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did you have ants or bugs last year? did you throw away any stale cookies or cracker? are your cupboards a disaster? did you buy something and then come home to find the *same thing* "hiding" in your cupboard?

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an average "total kitchen" is generally around $430 ... at 40% off it would be $258. you don't have to do your whole pantry ... but after you do some of it, i bet you'll wish you had.

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here is a before and after of a pantry.

check out some more of the "after"s ... these pantrys look AMAZING ... let's get organized in 2009!!!

christmas pajamas

our family has a tradition of only opening ONE present on christmas eve, and it's always pajamas. this year i decided to make the ones for the kids. started and completed on december 22nd ... have you noticed a trend of me waiting until the last minute yet? the kids looked SO cute ... never got a picture of both of them ...

digital delights

here is what i've been up to since christmas ... the newest jocole creation ... pdf stationery!! printable cards (folded or flat) and gift cards or tags. all you need is paper! you can print as many as you like, for you, or give as a gift!

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This stationery set features a picture of abstract swirly carnations in white, cream, pink and green and is currently for sale in my etsy shop. (more designs will be listed soon!)

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Folded Note Card: 4.25" x 5.5"

Flat Note Card: 4.25" x 5.5"

Folded Gift Card: 2.125" x 2"
Flat Gift Tag: 4.25" x 2