Yesterday we took a day trip. :) We took my aunt and cousin down in the country to the Amish Store. I love going there and if at all possible would probably buy a 25 pound sack of every single thing they have! I did limit myself, difficult as it was, but bought two big bags of steel cut oats, a bag of couscous, a large sack of red hots to make apple rings with, some Wisconsin cheese curds, and several "gadgets."
I think gadgets are one of my downfalls. I love them and have absolutely no room for them. I bought three sets of measuring spoons - now what's up with that? They were all different....one was a regular set of metal spoons with all the regular sizes in it (I only have an ancient set of Tupperware ones and they are stained and ugly), one set had only a teaspoon and a tablespoon but they had magnets on them and stuck to each other, and the other set had one spoon for a smidgen, one for a dash and one for a pinch. Loved those! And I bought a small sifter for powdered sugar when you want to sprinkle it on a cake, which I do at least once every five years. And a butter crock. Yep, a butter crock. I like to keep my real butter on the counter so it's soft enough to spread. This crock is kind of strange because you put the butter in the lid and water in the bottom and then put the lid down in the water. It's supposed to keep butter good for 30 days if you change the water every three days. Uh yea, I'm really gonna remember to do that.
At home I have an apple corer which I use about once a year, and an orange peeler which I frequently forget I have. If I were really trying to simplify my life I'd just use a knife and be done with it. But gadgets seem to call my name. They lay on the shelf and whisper...and then they get louder and louder until I grab them and run to the checkout counter. Do they do that to you too?
26 comments:
I am gadget lover big way...as far as measuring spooons I have four complete sets and a partial one...but I use them...sometimes in cooking I will have used all three of the four sets...don't want to measure baking powder after measuring vanilla in the same spoon.
Some gadgets I have - forgot the name of them and what they are used for...oh well...got to keep the economy money flowing I suppose.
Have a great week!
Yes, they do that to me too! My favorite store in the world is a kitchen store. I could spend all day looking at the neat things. I recently bought a zester, a teeny tiny grater to make lemon zest. I wish I would have had that when I made that lemon cake 5 years ago! I fall for measuring cups that are a set of small mixing bowls, or measuring spoons with ornate handles, or just about anything on the crowded shelves of the kitchen store that is advertised as something I really really need if I want to be a good cook. Aren't we funny?
Hi, Marlene....that sounded like a neat field trip. Glad you are enjoying your aunt and cousin.
You didn't mention tapioca. Didn't you get any of that? Amish stores usually sell it, and it's wondereful. Jo S.
What fun! I love kitchen gadgets but don't use some I have. I need to focus on using them again and making life in the kitchen a bit easier. And fun!
~Adrienne~
I just stumbled on your blog. Enjoyed it and yes, I am a sucker for gadgets. Not just kitchen gadgets, but those too, just gadgets for everything. Then I wonder why I bought them. They are fun though and sometimes I use them. Like my apple corer. Maybe only once a year but saves alot of time when doing lots of apples.
I have a few gadgets that I forget about. Now that you mention it, I have an apple corer too that I have not used in ages. lol
My DH use to buy the latest for me in the kitchen for Christmas till we found out to not give anything that plugs in! So now it's more fun stuff than for the house! I had the butter thing that I got from the Vermont Country Store. I had trouble with the butter staying in the lid so I gave it to a church rummage sale! Hope you do better with yours!
You went to Amish country and didn't say a word about quilts??
My husband's alter ego is "Mr. Gadget." I'm quite happy with a knife, but no. He buys me an apple corer, which I never use. Apples come in all sizes. One corer cannot do a good job. When he bought me a microwave I was aghast. How could I ever master such a new-fangled gadget? [That was a long time ago. I've got the hang of it now!]
Then he bought me a food processor. Oh Lord, this man will just not leave me alone in my comfort zone; has to keep pushing. It stayed in the box for a few years. Finally, one day, I was tired and didn't feel like doing something the old-fashioned way. I remembered the food processor. Got it out of the closet and dusted it off. Geez! I wish someone would have told me how handy those things are! I never looked back.....
'fraid I'm a sucker for kitchen gadgets myself. Let me know how the Butter crock works for you. I've looked at the Butter Bell brand online and haven't gotten around to pushing the "buy" button yet. Now I can wait and let you test it out first.
Well, there are some gadgets I couldn't live without and there are some in my drawer that I never use.
I have a set of tupperware measuring spoons on a little ring. I like them because you can take off the one you want and wash it separately.
While we were vacationing in the cabin this week, I used a one sided knife that I loved. Sort of like a mini cleaver. I used it for apples on a wooden cutting board. I'd love to have one of those.
Good post!
Mama Bear
I love gadgets too. Where is the Amish Store that you went to?
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Gadgets definitely do that to me also and then they lay in my drawer or cupboard. I have several from Pampered Chef parties which the demonstrator said that we couldn't live without. Well, I forget they are even there...and how often do I make homemade ravioli anyway???!!! Like never!
gadgets LOVE THEM.........if not forthe apple peeler,corer,slicer the hot apple rings would not be so plenty ful....thank you for you blog...god bless
Oh, you bought lots of good stuff!
I have one of those little butter bells and I absolutely love it! It works really well, unless it just gets really hot in the house~and then the butter 'drops' into the water, but it doesn't hurt it, you can still use it.
I'm a gadget girl from way back. I actually get a lot of them in thrift stores. Many of them are like new. The latest is a sort of rubbery tube to peel garlic. It works a wonder.
Did you go to the one in Excelsior or the one just a few miles west of Jeff City? I love them all. AND you make those spiced apples rings. We love them. It's been years since I made them.
BT went to the Amish store a couple of months ago and got me a juicer, makes a breeze when canning tomato juice. He also got me a magnetic lid lifter. The little Amish girl knew just what I wanted when he tried to explain it to her. Maybe you can get one on the next trip.
I wish I could take a day trip with you to visit the Amish store.
I love to read about the Amish.
I'm a great gadget lover too Marlene! I have a drawer full of them. I would love to visit an Amish Store. I love anything Amish. I used to love visiting the Mennonite Bakeries when I lived in Horse and Buggy country up in Ontario for a time.
I'm kinda' a gadget gal too. :)
I've heard the Amish have the funnest stores, there is one in SW that I have a goal to get to, everyone calls it the Amish Walmart cuz its huge and loaded with stuff.
I am a great fan of gadgets but, like you, forget I have them.I don't have room for any more!
love, Angie, xx
Read through several of your posts today and was especially touched by your comments on the reunion and your brave aunts. Seems like the joy of just living has left me these last couple of months as I struggle with commitments that I have not by choice, but by need. I have definitely been just breathing, not living. Your posts reminded me that joy comes from within - our spirit, our faith. You know, in reality, its a blessing to know that someone needs you.
I too love kitchen gadgets...they generally end up being given to somebody visiting. However, I wouldn't trade my Slap n Chop, One-touch can opener or sandwich maker....
They do...they do. Gadgets call out to me any time I pass them in the store. Like you, I have no room for them in my kitchen drawers any more...but they still call to me all the time. Luckily I found some magnet hooks which I put inside my cook top hood that I can hang gadgets from....ha...that settled the crowded drawer situation!
I hope that you have a great week. Hugs, Lura
Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree - I LOVE gadgets! I love my Magic Bullet, my 'green' bags, my new coffee pot that dispenses, my apple corer/slicer, my microwave egg poacher and omelette maker, my Pampered Chef chopper and my Aerogarden! (to name a few :-)Guess I got that from you Mom!
I make lists then get to busy to remember to read the thing! Pretty much oiling the squeaky wheel.
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