Buckle up for safety....

Food - A friend of mine made this Carmel corn and it was simply great!

Simply great Carmel corn (makes 14 cups.)

Ingredients: 12 cups popped corn; 1 cup mini pretzels; 1 cup salted cashews; 1 stick of unsalted butter; 1 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/4 cup light corn syrup; 1/2 tsp. salt; 1/2 tsp. baking soda; 1 large brown paper grocery bag.

Directions: Place the popped corn, pretzels and cashews in the paper bag. Shake to combine. Melt butter in a large microwave-safe bowl, 1 minute. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Microwave for 2 minutes. Mixture will boil. Carefully stir and microwave for additional 2 minutes.

Stir baking soda into sugar mixture. It will foam up. Carefully pour over popcorn mixture. Fold top of bag over and shake to coat popcorn.

Place bag in microwave; cook 1 1/2 minutes. (watch carefully as higher wattage ovens may cook faster. Alternatively, transfer mixture to a greased sheet pan; bake at 250 for 1 hour, stirring.) Remove bag and shake. Microwave an additional 1 minute. Pour onto large cookie sheets to cool.

Dish - New seat belt law goes into effect in MN, Tuesday, June 9, 2009.

I have traveled into other states that have signs that read "Click it or ticket it," but you will not find them in Minnesota. However, chances are they will be coming soon to a street you drive on in the state of Minnesota. Minnesota has now passed a law that will permit police officers to stop and ticket any driver or unbuckled passenger failing to buckle up. Really guys, it's true. The violation for the driver and unbuckled passengers carries a $25 fine.

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S967030.shtml?cat=1

Just how much control do we want the government to have?

This newly passed law raises some hairs on my head (I don't have a hairy neck, sorry). It is not just this law, rather it is the accumulation of these small, and sometimes, trivial laws that raise the hair and I feel as though my hair is in need of some gel, or something.

Undoubtedly, this law will save lives. Many studies have shown wearing seat belts do save lives and I wear a seat belt EVERY TIME I ride in a car, I just don't like the fact that there is now a law telling me I have to wear one. I am not a rebel, nor am I defiant, or contumacious, I simply like making decisions for myself. If I ride in a car without a seat belt and I get in an accident and I am either seriously injured; that is my fault and a consequence I have to live with.

I will not argue with the fact that in cases where there are children, the elderly, or people with mental disabilities who cannot make sound decisions on their own there defiantly needs to be some laws in place to protect them.

I will agree that most of the time, "Without rules there is chaos," I just don't think this is one of those times.

I ask that you entertain me for just one moment. What law will they pass next? I am going to blow this way-out of proportion now. The government starts out with small laws that seem harmless and well intended, for our own safety and those around us they tell us. And we accept that rational, even applaud it, but these laws eventually lead to much larger issues and before you know it, the government will be involved in issues where we won't want them to be.

Now, if they want to "govern," I can think of other things they should focus on protecting us from, such as: cell phone companies that gouge us, bank fees, or how about.....the rising gas prices just in time for summer!

Will gas hit $3.00 this year?
http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/topstocks/archive/2009/06/08/will-gas-hit-3-this-year.aspx
Don't they know we expected this? Anytime a holiday, weekend, or summer rolls around coincidentally the gas prices jump.

Embellish - Drop a habit that has kept you from reaching your full potential.