Pleasure from silly little things

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

I went to a kitchen store today and made the following purchases:

6 stainless steel "condiment cups" for 4.99 along with some itsy-bitsy teeny little glass bowls that are even smaller than the condiment cups for a buck each. Why? Because I am a fervent believer in "mise en place" when I cook, and I always have all my premeasured spices, salt, sugar, tablespoon of tomato paste, etc. all laid out in front of me before I begin. I was always searching frantically for my ONE custard cup which I would measure the spices into. Look in the cabinet, not there. Look in the dishwasher, ok, there it is, now I can proceed or if it's in a running dishwasher, put all my spices into oversized bowls or plates.

Today, I realized, I don't have to live like this. I could go somewhere and BUY little saucers/cups for my use. They exist. I'm worth it. It's not like they cost the world. So I did.

I ALSO bought an olive oil pourer - glass bottle with skinny pouring spout. I am always drizzling olive oil over salads, soups, etc. and I HATE putting my finger over the top of the bottle. I hate to get a bottle in restaurants because I keep thinking how unsanitary it is. So now for the princely sum of $5.00 American dollars, I don't have to put my finger on the top of the bottle.

For about 16.00 I gave myself a world of cooking happiness today! :bounce:

[eleny]

1. It's nice having everything at the ready

I picture you feeling more calm in your kitchen as you cook.

I like little bowls for dipping instead of condiments getting mixed up with other things on the plate.

Congrats on your purchases!

[Lucinda]

2. I totally get it! And I get extra joy when the goodies aren't expensive.

My 4.99 La Cloche still makes me smile. And an $8 six quart plastic tub for dough chilling made me insanely happy.

:hi:

[eridani]

3. I got a pizza cutter and a small scoop to use for cookie dough

When you realize you need something because you've lived without it for awhile, that's what results in a drawerful of stuff that you will actually use.

[hippywife]

4. Worth it at twice the cost?

Glad you made yourself so happy today. I gather up as many little glass custard cups and ramekins as I can at estate sales at work. It provides me with a little reminder of a resident who has passed and makes me more organized in the process.

I'm feeling a little trip to Tuesday Morning coming on myself. :D

[AwakeAtLast]

5. I got one of the olive oil pourers, too!

Totally worth it!

:bounce:

[Tesha]

6. Doesn't it feel nice to treat yourself?

It doesn't have to be something big, just something to make your life a little easier or prettier or happier.

I went to Penzeys Spices a couple of weeks ago. I didn't spend much, but what I got has given me so much pleasure.

I'm glad you treated yourself, you're worth it and more!

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

7. I'm also on the lookout for a small silcone spatula with a long handle

I have one that I use ALL the time, so once again, I am always on the lookout for it in my own kitchen. If I see another like it, I will buy 2.

[kestrel91316]

8. I never knew until recently that there was a name for getting all your

ingredients ready before you start cooking, but there you have it: mise en place! I like to use my little Pyrex custard baking dishes for the spices and small stuff.

[hippywife]

9. Well, I went to TM this morning

and spend a couple of hours looking around. Nothing really exciting jumped out at me this trip. I did get a marble mortar and pestle and some new kitchen towels.

I looked at some saute pans but wasn't familiar enough with the brands to spend the money.

I do have the oil bottles with the skinny spouts and I love them, too. They had a few of those left so I bought a set that I thought would match the kitchen of one of my friends. I'll give them to her next week.

:hi:

ETA: there were some pieces of Appolia ceramic bakeware that were beautiful and very tempting but I have no room for anymore in my cabinets. They had two loaf pans but one was too large for bread unless you make a batch and a half in it and the other was the right length but was too shallow. Would have been nice, tho.