Our Favorite New Kitchen Toys
Santa was good to us this year. Err.. technically last year? He made sure that we will have no problem maxing out on our luggage limit when we return to Germany. (I think it’s because I ate all of my carp on Christmas Eve.)
The general theme at our house seemed to be Fill Up the 36 Foot Kitchen. It’s working.
My sister and her husband gave us A Baker’s Odyssey. It’s a beautiful cookbook I’ve been eyeing since, well, I gave it to my sister at her bridal shower last year. It’s filled with recipes from American immigrants, which is perfect. I’m fast becoming the Alton Brown of international pastry cooking around our house.
But you know what the problem is with international cooking? Measuring cups. You can’t find them in Germany. Most people in Europe measure ingredients with a metric scale, which means I have to bring my own measuring cups from the US if I want to follow my favorite cookbooks. We walked into an Anthropology for the first time just before Christmas, and Martin managed to sneak these European beauties under the tree. They’re measuring cups and Russian dolls in one, which will make them just perfect for our German kitchen:
Naturally, I had to return the favor. A candy thermometer wasn’t very accurate when we made ice cream outside. We needed something better. Martin also NEEDED a way to measure the temperature of our fingers (mine are six degrees colder than his). And the walls. And every other thing in the house. He NEEDED a way to measure his elaborate electronics projects. And he’d let me borrow it for the kitchen since he doesn’t really cook.
I surprised him with his must-have Fluke Mini Infared Thermometer of his very own. Just like his dad’s. (You can see where Martin’s Must Have reasoning came from now, huh?). It measures from -30 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
What wonderful gifts. We can’t wait to take them to Germany. (Martin can’t wait to measure the temperature of the concrete walls.) Of course, we sent paperless thank you notes for everything.
What about you? What did Santa leave for you and your family?
January 2nd, 2009 at 9:47 am
My christmas was full of stuff for around the house, which is my favorite kind of gifts. My favorite gift would have to be my new bigger crock pot. Which reminds me I better go put dinner in it if I expect to eat dinner. I also recieved a cook book to go along with my crock pot. There are so many recipes I am wanting to try, including apple butter. I have to wait until I get canning jars for that though.
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:47 am
Hi Katie! Thanks for stopping by my blog. My most favored presents were an 8 x 10 framed picture of my parents (from them) and a copy of Multiple Blessings by Kate Gosselin. I read it in a day it was so good :)
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I love, love, love those babushka measuring cups!!! Adorable!
I did get a few cool things for the kitchen, too: a double griddle that fits over two burners on the stove is a favorite! Can’t wait to make more than one pancake at a time:)
January 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Love the measuring cups! Doug has an infared thermometer too, and he’s also measuring with it.
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
What cool measuring cups! Unusual too! I like how they are double duty things. We don’t have an infared thermometer, but I have seen them being used. Very interesting.
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I love those little dolls! I have a really old set somewhere…not sure where they are. I should take your advice and de-clutter my storage space, and hopefully find my old treasured dolls!
Santa was very good to us this year – I got a new camera, for taking countless photos of Fiona Foo, and Matt got lots of good music and dvds of his favorite show from home: Red Dwarf! :)
January 5th, 2009 at 8:38 am
The doll measuring cups are gorgeous! I got jammies, jammies, and more jammies for Christmas. But I wanted them and I love them. I finally have something other than ragged old Tshirts and sweatpants to wear to bed. :)
January 7th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I like your doll measuring cups – very cool. I got a point and shoot camera this year, and I have been using it a ton!