A Few of My Favorite Things Lately

 

It's been quite a long while since I've shared one of my posts of purchases, gifts and such that I've gotten and I thought it high time I shared with you all once again.   The following items were all purchased in the past six months. 

The first items were all ordered from Amazon.  I've included the links and this is an affiliate link.

Mixing bowls.  I had a set of three that were stainless steel that I liked rather well.   Then Katie asked if she might have them.  I had the two mixing bowls that I was given when I got my Kitchen aid mixer and felt those would do since I am on a quest to better utilize what I have in my kitchen.  

 I loathed using those two mixing bowls off the mixer.  They have a narrow base and were constantly tilting this way and that.  I found myself, more often than not, grabbing the Dutch ovens from the pot set and using those.  I was not pleased with those as mixing bowls, either.    

So I broke down and ordered this set of stainless steel bowls with silicone bottoms from Amazon.  I am so glad I did!   

I was sure I'd never use the very largest bowl but I use it more often than I'd thought I might.     I like that I have a variety of sizes to choose from for different recipes. But what I love about these bowls is the silicone bottom that keeps them on the counter, in one spot, while I mix things up.  Yes, you can do the same with a towel underneath but I never thought of the towel until I was already mixing and the bowls were skidding across the counter.   The silicone bottom is a no brainer.  And the colors are pretty.  I find that when I have things to use that are pretty I enjoy my tasks that much more.  

The smaller two bowls have measurement lines inside so you can just pour in flour or sugar or liquid to the desired amount without getting out a measuring cup.  The larger bowls do not have that measuring guide inside.  I've had the bowls four months now and it took weeks before I noticed the measurements on the inside.  

I've been hearing about this book for ages. 

A Year Without The Grocery Store

 Kimmy mentions it often on her vlog, She's In Her Apron.  I've had the book on my wish list for about a year now and I finally broke down and ordered it.  I got it yesterday and scanned through it and I can honestly say I can see that this is really going to help me to think better about building up my pantry to that 12 months level I would like it to be, as well as to begin thinking in terms of longer term storage items.  

As I scanned yesterday, I found that at the end of most chapters the author has a checklist of things to do in order to build up the area of your food storage that the chapter relates to.  I noted a couple of areas I hadn't thought of at all.   She also breaks down 72 hour bug out bags, which is something those of us who live in Hurricane or earthquake or wildfire areas might well need at some point. 

It's not a big book in terms of number of pages.  It's available on Kindle Unlimited and Audio Books for free and in paperback  as a full sized book and a smaller sized (mine is the smaller sized one).  There is also a companion workbook that you can  buy to go with the book.    I haven't decided if I'm going to do that yet or not since the book is still 'new' to me and I haven't studied it deeply but so far I'm pretty impressed with it.

In January we made our annual trek to the doctor. I was fairly alarmed at my blood pressure reading at that visit.   I had been feeling for some time that my blood pressure was up.  However, we had no way of checking it here at home, which frustrated me no end, since  I'm married to a paramedic.   After the doctor visit, John went online and ordered this blood pressure kit.   

 

It is 'paramedic' approved per my husband's professional opinion.    It was easy to set up and it appears to read accurately.  I am a bigger woman and the cuff is plenty big enough.   It's a good price point and so much better having one on hand than not having one at all!

In the past, I used sticky tabs on pages to tabulate different sections while working on genealogy.  I started using them as well to mark recipes in various books that I used fairly often.   Now I use them to tab the recipes I think look good and will try one day.  

 I find sticky tabs very helpful over all.  I'd purchased the Post It brand in the past but they went way up in price earlier this year.  I found these tabs in a 500 piece packet for far less than the name brand tabs.  They are quite sturdy and come in various sizes.   I'll be using these for quite awhile!   

I'm thinking they'll be nice to also use to tab quotes I find in books that I'd like to share but soon 'lose' as I read on.  I don't worry they will damage my book pages because they are easily removed but sticky enough that they don't come off until you move them.  I've also found they can be reused a few times if you stick them back to the little card that holds them.

When we installed the new dishwasher, John wanted to put a drip pan under it.  We knew we could buy them for washing machines but I was doubtful we'd find one that would fit our dishwasher.  He persisted in looking and eventually found this one.

I like that the front end is open.  Yes, it does mean the water will run right out onto the floor in front of the machine but that doesn't bother me.  I was more concerned that we'd not find a pan that allowed us to put the front piece on the bottom of the dishwasher to hide the underside if we had a lip on the drip pan.  I like that if we do experience another leak, there won't be water just standing under the machine wreaking havoc!   

While cleaning up the graveyard there were some trees that were too large for my good loppers and too small to bother using the chain saw for.   After discussing the problem at some length, we decided to look for larger loppers that had more length to the handles as well to reach some of the places we couldn't quite get to on foot.  

These are 27 inches long and will cut up to two inches in diameter.   They ratchet to adjust wider open, too, something that totally impressed John.  We find them sturdy, heavy duty and easy to use.  

These last two items were not purchased through Amazon.    I'm not posting the link to either one, just telling you about them.  

If you watch YouTube cooking videos, odds are you've seen this item before.  Mine was a "Gramma is a Sucker for the boy's school sales projects" purchase.

I paid too much for mine and that's the truth.  I've heard, but don't know for sure, that you can buy these at Dollar stores for about $4.  Amazon averages closer to $10.  I wish I'd paid even that for mine, but never mind.

Again, I dislike one use items but I've really come to like my meat chopper for several reasons.  Of course, it breaks up ground meat as it's browning very nicely.  You can also use it to shred cooked boneless chicken breasts.  One night when I was very busy and didn't want to fumble to the back of the crowded utensil drawer for the potato masher, I used this.  I've mashed beans to thicken soup with it.  Worked like a dream.  I'm wondering if I can use it to cut shortening or butter into flour...I plan to try that later when I'm baking.  

And finally I have one food item I want to share.

I've seen Mama buy these several times and then Katie was looking for them when we were out grocery shopping the other day.  I'd never tried them but Katie shared how much she really liked them.   I'm not a fan of the Cheese flavored crackers.  I eat them only on rare occasions and it's usually because I'm really hungry and that's the option.  I find that cheese crackers can be a bit doughy when you're eating them.  And flavored crackers are often too salty, too.

Last week while we were out grocery shopping, I found the item on the cracker aisle and picked up one for Katie.   When she opened the bag after I gave them to her, I asked if I might try one.  And then I asked for more.  They are soooo good!  They aren't doughy like a cracker.  The consistency is similar to a Kettle Chip but not quite as hard.  They are crispy and lovely. They taste cheesy but not salty like the crackers tend to taste.  

I won't be buying these much in the future but I will buy them when there are others about to share them...they are just so good that I think that I won't stop eating them if left alone with them!  

That's all I have to share at present.  Let me know if you purchase any of these items for yourself and what you think of them.