Cheap microwave popcorn! May 26, 2008

My boyfriend has this great way to make popcorn. It is eco-friendly because you avoid acquiring the packaging of the microwave stuff and you can recycle your own paper bag when done popping. It’s cheap because you buy the popcorn in a bag or in a bulk section, resulting in many more servings for your dollar.

Here’s how:

1. Obtain paper lunch bags and plain ol’ popcorn. You probably also would want some luscious, real butter. Mmmmmm, butter.

2. My BF and I usually use a little more than a quarter cup of popcorn. Place it in the paper bag and fold the bag over. All you need to put in is the popcorn; no oil or anything like that. You can adjust to find the amount of popcorn you like to have. We put it on the popcorn setting on the microwave, about 2:00? Experiment with your microwave, just make sure you listen carefully to make sure it doesn’t go too long between pops. It can burn somewhat more easily than store-bought microwave popcorn.

3. Melt some butter and drizzle over your popcorn. Add salt to taste. Devour.

Delicious!!!

A Review of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store April 27, 2008

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, 461 W 7th St, Saint Paul, MN 55102, phone 651-227-1332

Today we went to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store on West Seventh in St. Paul.  I like this store.  I have not really checked out their clothing, though today they had 50% off on certain colored tags.  What’s really nice about this place is that it is extremely organized.  For the crafty side of me, I enjoyed searching for my sewing notions in well-labeled drawers that actually contained what the label said they would.  The greeting cards were organized just like if you were buying them new.  Also, they have everything.  We found two boxes of vacuum bags.  Those are expensive!  If you had the time and knew your vacuum number, you could find a bargain.  In this store, be sure to search in every nook and cranny.  For example, tucked in one corner there were several ironing boards in excellent condition.  It’s not so obvious, but they do have a back room.  The only two drawbacks to this store is that it is kind of musty-smelling in the back room, and parking can be a little hard.  I didn’t ask or scope out the situation on dressing rooms.  However, if you want to support charitable work directly and would like to experience an extremely well-organized and well-stocked store, it’s worth a visit.  According to their website, there are also stores in Minneapolis and Duluth.