Shelly’s Journal

We sit around looking at the unfinished spots. More than two years ago, Gil tore out the bank of cabinets over the stove and moved them into the laundry room. There is still a white spot on the wall that needs to be painted yellow. One light fixture was to go in above the stove utilizing the power that previously drove the oven hood. (I really don’t miss the oven hood. Just one less place for grease to collect.) Another fixture needs to be replaced and the entire ceiling could use a fresh coat of paint.

On the floor, Gil still hasn’t sealed the grout or finished putting in the molding he tore out when the tile floor went down. But, I still feel like a new woman in my kitchen. Why? Because I finally broke down and bought some things to use in the kitchen that have helped me out tremendously.

Food processor - I have already told the story of my new mini food processor. It is a thing that I use almost daily. Tomorrow, cole slaw.

Liquid measuring cups - I never had one until a few weeks ago. I did have one of those big Pampered Chef ones, but not a little one. Well, I did have a cup from my bread machine, but it didn’t have a spout and was really lame. So now I have a 1 cup and 2 cup. Again, I use them almost every day.

An Egg Beater - This was a luxury item of sorts. The one thing I remember from my mother’s kitchen is the egg beater. My kids have already developed the same fascination. I like it much better than the whisk.

Garlic Press - I had one, but a really lame one that never worked. I finally got a good one, and wow! what a difference. How did I live without this?

Mixing Bowls - I never really had a set of utility mixing bowls - some odds and ends from my mixer (big and glass). I got a 3 pc plastic set from Target that I just love and use one of them almost every day. I love working with them and I love that they are plastic for when my kiddos work with them. My little guy has a thing for the smallest bowl and the wire whisk.

Stand Up Mixer - Is that what you call it? I had this, but never used it. I broke it out this year and love, love, love it.

Pans - A new 10 inch skillet (the old one was literally falling apart), a new big skillet and the Rachael Ray 5 qt saute pans. What a difference good pans make. I have been lusting after the RR pan for 2 years, and finally broke down when I saw it on sale at Amazon. I love it. I can boil pasta in it, make rice or use it like a fry pan.

Still thinking about - a rice cooker. We’ve been eating lots of rice these days, and it would be nice to have one, but I know there are other options if I’m on the ball. I think I’d rather replace my favorite slow cooker (you can make rice in that, by the way) though first.

Since I’ve never been a big cooker, I’ve never missed these items. Over the last two years, I’ve been more into making good meals, and these things make my life so much easier - especially in the last month as I’ve tried to make dinner every night. I still can’t believe I didn’t have some of these things!

What would you call your essentials in the kitchen? Do you have a favorite “tool”?