Get Cooking!

Recipes, Kitchen Gadgets, Cookbook Reviews, Gluten Free Recipes...

You are here: Home / Archives for Gift Ideas

Gift Ideas

The Way to this Rachael Ray Collector’s Heart….

By

Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

My husband went and did it again… he proved to me, for the billionth time, that I didn’t just marry a great guy, I married my hero. I wrote a post on my food blog a while back about a gorgeous set of Rachael Ray measuring cups. I wondered how in the word I didn’t already have them… given how I collect all things Rachael Ray and am in love with the colors.

Well, not only does he apparently read my food blog (awwwww), he takes hints even when they weren’t intended to be hints!

You guessed it.. I now own the gorgeous measuring cups and a ridiculously beautiful Purple Rachael Ray Moppine Towel as well.

In the pictures, here, the purple measuring cup looks more gray, but it is unmistakably a beautiful purple. One of our cats, sweet Dokkie, seems to be inspecting the colors above, doesn’t she??! When you’re a cat mom who is also a food blogger, you do not…. absolutely do NOT…. take photos of anything without help from at least one little Nosy Parker.

Some might would shoo the cat away and take professional-level pictures but not me. I simply take what I consider to be the cutest picture!

Rachael Ray Mopine and Measuring Cups

Rachael Ray Moppine Towel and Measuring Cups

As you can tell, the purple moppine towel is absolutely gorgeous – such a deep, bold shade of purple. I love the way Rachael Ray Moppine Towels (Amazon link) are made – you can put both of your hands into the hand pockets, allowing the rest of the moppine towel to cover your forearms, protecting you entirely from the hot deliciousness you’re removing from the oven. When you click through the link Rachael Ray Moppine Towels (Amazon link), you’ll see the WIDE array of colors available. I’ve had the red before as well and it’s also a beauty.

You can find the gorgeous Rachael Ray Measuring Cups on Amazon, too.

Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

Rachael Ray Measuring Cups and Dokkie

Fill Your Home (and Life!) with Colors You Love

By

Purple Placemats

Purple Placemats

The beautiful purple (“Eggplant”) placemats (Amazon link), above, are a recent gift from me to me. Purple is my favorite color and, since it makes me deliriously happy, I color as much of my world purple as I can.

I think of adding color to our worlds this way: If our life were a giant live-action coloring book, we would be able to choose many of the colors used on the pages. OUR coloring book… OUR rules! Sure… stores, nature, restaurants, and other people’s homes come pre-colored but we can darn well determine the colors we wear into them!

Our homes… our turf… is most definitely in our control. As you’d expect, purple is a recurring theme in our home and yard. I also love red (What is it with me and loud colors?? Don’t answer that…), so beautiful jewel tones of red an purple accompany one another frequently.

2020 has been a bust, to say the least, and it has all but drained me emotionally. As someone who is INSANELY empathetic, I cry as I see or read stories of sickness and loss. I’ve also been extra, extra worried about my family – 4 of us are in the “high risk” group (health conditions such as asthma) and one is pregnant! My third grandbaby is due any day and worrying about him and his mommy (my oldest daughter) has been a full-time job.

Recently, I ordered the gorgeous placemats, kind of as a mood lifter I suppose and they have brought so much happiness to me. Sounds crazy, I know, but each time I see them, I feel good. In a year like this one, we all need MORE of these kinds of things in our lives.

After I ordered these placemats, I saw the purple and white dish towels pictured below. I pointed them out to my husband and, because I married a sweetheart who just manages to get sweeter each year, he ordered them for me and surprised me with them a few days later.

 

Purple and White Kitchen Towels

Purple and White Dish Towels

The dish towels and placemats each come in a wide variety of colors and are very, very reasonably priced. I’m very, very impressed with the quality of each. You can mix and match the beautiful colors or do as I did, and simply go with your favorite color in the world.

Here’s the thing… while these are simple, simple purchases, the effects they have on your psyche are anything but simple. Every now and then it’s absolutely magical to do something out of the ordinary, completely self-serving, and fun. Not only does it make your world more colorful and fun, it lifts your mood and makes your psyche dance.

How are you going to beat that?!

See dish towels on Amazon.

See placemats on Amazon (The things I love the most about these placemats is the perfect size and the fact that they’re round! You can easily fit six on a table, without worrying about the edges touching… I’m just anal enough to be bothered by such things).


EDIT: I just found matching dishcloths on Amazon – and they’re available in even more colors than the beautiful towels are…. the yellow and red ones are just gorgeous!

Purple Placemats

Bamboo Pig Cutting Board…. Yes, Please!

By

I have always had a total, complete, and all-consuming love for pigs. If my cats (the one animal I have an even greater affection for) allowed it, I would have one – a female I’d name Patsy Swine. Come on, how could I not?

I often blog about pig collectibles and kitchen items on the food blog because I’ve heard from so many readers who love them almost as much as I do. I say almost because none of y’all have a name picked out for a pig you’ll never have.

This gorgeous bamboo pig cutting board is from Amazon and I am in love with it. It speaks to everything my own kitchen’s decor is about – a rustic/whimsical approach, heavy on pigs.

Here’s the thing – I have always loved pigs greatly. I even began “collecting” pigs for the kitchen over 12 years ago. Then something happened that made me fall even further in love with them and made me want to have them outside of the kitchen as well as inside of the kitchen…. this “something” that happened is a precious, lively, adorable 2 year old named Maddox and he (along with the rest of my family) makes my world go round.

Since he was about 6 months old, he has LOVED pigs and cats (I keep telling people he IS my spirit animal). While he loves all animals, there is a certain, palpable joy that comes over his face and into his voice when he sees a pig or cat (real, stuffed, drawing, figurine…). If it’s a cat, he laughs and meows. If it’s a pig, he laughs and oinks.

Why wouldn’t I want more of that in my life??!


Adorable Kitchen Gadgets for Kids who LOVE Dinosaurs!

By

I was on Amazon earlier (full disclosure, I’m never really officially off Amazon), looking for dinosaur-related plates for my grand-babies. I have three grand babies and they’re all little boys – one is 2 years old, one is almost 6 months old, and the youngest? Well, he isn’t officially here yet, but he IS officially loved!

I found three WONDERFUL Dinosaur Food Holders from Funwares:

The TriceraTaco (the triceratops is one of kids favorite dinosaurs) is pictured on the left. It can hold tacos – or sandwiches, waffles, toast, English muffins, fish sticks, chicken nuggets, etc.

On the right is another one I’m kind of freaking out over, the NachoSaurus. I love that he comes with his little food dish for dunking and dipping. He could be used for fries with ketchup just as easily as chips with salsa or cheese. He could also hold candy, carrot sticks, or other snacks.

Last, but in no way least, is TacoSaurus Rex (pictured below). This guy can hold tacos, sandwiches, bagels… whatever the little “boss” has consented to eat that day!

I can’t wait to whip these out on my 2 year old grandson – he is WILD WILD WILD about dinosaurs and will love these.


Multi Hard Boiled Egg Peeler: One A-Peeling Kitchen Gadget!

By

Ingenious! This Multi Hard Boiled Egg Peeler is going under the 2019 Christmas Gifts for Cooks Guide category but, let’s be honest here, this is something most of us will want… not just before Christmas, but also before Thanksgiving. Kangaroo Eggs (Deviled Eggs to most of you, but one of my daughters started calling them Kangaroo Eggs when she was little and they’ve been Kangaroo Eggs in our family since. Come on, how could they NOT be?) are a staple of our family gatherings. Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of July – hmmm, now that I think about it, they’re at get-togethers as much as I am.

The only thing I hate about making Kangaroo Eggs (Deviled Eggs) is the peeling. Hate it with a passion. Some have a beautiful gift for shelling a hard-boiled egg without causing any damage to the egg, itself. They’re peels even look like works of art. My youngest daughter, Stephany, is the world’s most gifted egg artist. Every egg, perfect. Every peel, long and glorious. She doesn’t even chip a nail in the process.

I do NOT have this gift. Like, at all.

That’s why I am very excited about the Multi Hard Boiled Egg Peeler, on the left.

I’ll soon be making these popular eggs and everyone will think Steph made them! I may or may not let them in on my secret.

Multi-Hard Boiled Egg Peeler Description:

  • Peels 1-3 eggs in under ten seconds. Quick, simply & no mess.
  • Egg Stripper spins and rotates in water to loosen and remove egg shells.
  • Simply fill the egg stripper base with water up to the water fill line. Add hard-boiled & chilled eggs. Close & shake it up and down (but not too hard!) for about 5 seconds.
  • Seeing the white of the egg indicates that egg shell was loosened enough and the egg will be ready to slip out of its shell.

The Multi Hard Boiled Egg Peeler is available in two sizes – the small allows you peel 3 eggs at once, while the larger one accommodates 5 eggs. Since I make mine in batches of 12, I’m just ridiculously anal enough to go with the smaller one, as 3 is a factor of 12…. 4 spins around the block will get the job done.

And they thought I never paid attention in math class. Obviously I did…. that day.

For those who want to REALLY make Kangaroo Eggs (Deviled eggs) as simple as is legal, check out the Dash Egg Cooker.


Bee-U-Tiful Glass Honey Dispenser (Sorry, I Had To….)

By

I eat honey as often as any self-respecting bear.. more often than the intermittent fasting bear crowd.

My Honey Obsession Checklist

  • in hot tea
  • honey mustard dressing
  • on oatmeal
  • on toast
  • drizzled over hot cornbread
  • in yogurt
  • drizzled over freshly fried chicken (add a little red pepper flakes for a real knockout!)
  • a little warm honey drizzled over bacon & eggs is Heavenly
  • I have even been known to drizzle warm honey over pizza – it is AMAZING.

Judge me, if you must, but it will not slow me down!

The only drawback to my honey fanaticism is the sticky little containers – even those shaped like bears look (and feel) unsightly. I was actually on Amazon yesterday shopping for Orange Blossom Honey (have mercy!) and I saw the beauty pictured to the right.

Can you say TOTAL game-changer?!

The Glass Honey Dispenser promises me that it will not drip, it will keep my honey (even the extra-special kind I order from Amazon) fresh and fabulous – and that it will look gorgeous doing it.

This bee-utiful hive-shaped glass dispenser would make a wonderful gift idea for anyone who loves honey.


Gorgeous Pfaltzgraff Football Platter

By

The gorgeous Pfaltzgraff Football Platter shown here isn’t just on my gift-giving list this year, it’s at the top of my, “Buy for my own darn self” list as well.

My family celebrates any and all seasons, days and occasions as we can. What can I say? We love to eat, love to laugh, love to make a lot of noise and look for a reason to do all of the above at once.

Football season was made for families like this one!

Whether it’s college football or the NFL, weekends just become a lot more fun this time of year, don’t they?

Product Description from Amazon

  • This rectangular Football Platter will be a big winner on game day
  • Designed to look like a football field, this platter is perfect for serving your guests lunch meat and cheese, hors d’oeuvres and more
  • Football platter measures 17 inch long x 11 inch wide
  • Crafted of ceramic
  • Use & Care: Microwave and dishwasher safe

I’m picturing so many delicious things on this gorgeous platter…. pigs in blankets, cookies, brownies, sandwiches, chips, cheese and crackers… and, just like that, I’ve made myself hungry.

See Pfaltzgraff Football Platter for more information and a closer look. This is a beauty.


Kicking off the Christmas Gift Guide with a Sloth in a Coffee Cup (Because Why Wouldn’t I??)

By

I have good news and bad news for you… the window of opportunity for Christmas shopping is now officially wide open! You can shop for Christmas gifts now without being looked at like you have three heads. That’s the good news.

The bad news is this window begins closing a little bit each day, until it relentlessly slams shut before you know it!

That’s why I’m beginning the 2019 Gift Guide for Cooks and Foodies today. I may not have the graphic for the sidebar yet (soon, soon) but I have a fun gift to kick things off with – the Feeling Slothee, Need a Coffee mug you see here.

Crazy cute!

For whatever reasons, gifts like this are my favorite to give AND receive – the deliciously unique and fun variety. The kind that makes the recipient smile ear to ear as they show it off to everyone in the room.

  • Designed exclusively by Geek Details and shipped exclusively from Geek Details.
  • The imprinted design is beautifully displayed on both sides of the mug and looks as pictured. It stops approximately 1 inch from both sides of the C-handle.
  • The premium full color sublimation imprint creates vibrant, long lasting, lead-free designs.
  • Microwave and dishwasher safe for your convenience.
  • Eleven ounce white ceramic coffee mug also holds a great cup of tea and includes a large, easy to grip C-handle.

I love everything about this adorable coffee mug, especially the fact that it is an exclusive design (there’s that uniqueness that floats my boat). I also love the fact that the design is on both sides.

See Feeling Slothee, Need a Coffee for a closer look. SO DARN CUTE!


Colonel Popper’s Popcorn Maker: Healthy (but Delicious) Snacking Made Possible

By

Colonel Popper Microwave Popcorn Maker

Colonel Popper’s Popcorn Maker

I have a foodie confession to make. I am a snacker. What’s more, I am a snacker who is uncommonly passionate about her snacking. When I stop and think about it (which I’m doing now, for better or worse), I do very few things without a snack within reach.

  • Watching a baseball, football, or basketball game on tv
  • Watching an old movie on TCM
  • Posting on one of my blogs
  • Cooking supper
  • Working a puzzle
  • Reading

Yep… everything has to have a snack close by.

Popcorn

I have popcorn in front of me at the moment – made with my new obsession: Colonel Popper’s Popcorn Maker.

We’ve already established that I’m a snacker of the highest order, so it’s obviously very important to me that my snacks be as healthy and low-calorie as possible. Otherwise I’d be in a world of trouble.

Fortunately my favorite “go to” snack is popcorn and now, with this ingenious little popcorn maker, it’s healthier than ever.

Colonel Popper’s Silicone Popcorn Maker is super durable, safe, and eco-friendly. You can eat fresh microwave popcorn right out of the colorful popcorn bowl. I can say from experience – you’ll never want to pop popcorn without a Colonel Popper again.

Five things you’re going to love about Colonel Popper:

  1. Such an inexpensive snack! Use any popcorn kernels – which are about as cheap as it gets.
  2. BPA Free Silicone Microwave Popcorn Popper makes up to 14 cups of popcorn, plenty for your kids and family.
  3. MUCH healthier than microwavable popcorn you buy in stores. Who wants those harmful chemicals around their family? I certainly don’t.
  4. Easy and convenient. You simply pour the desired amount of kernels into the bowl, add butter/oil or (my personal favorite) ghee, and “pop” it into the microwave. After you remove the perfectly popped popcorn, add a little salt or other additions that float your boat (M&Ms, Parmesan, etc.)
  5. Easy to store. The bowl collapses, when not in use, to a height of 2 inches – freeing up counter space and minimizing cabinet space. Perfect for college dorm rooms or even an RV Camper with portable microwave.
  6. Dishwasher Safe – these words are always like choir music to my ears. You can either hand-wash your Colonel Popper or use your dishwasher.
  7. Available in eight gorgeous colors. You can match your personality, style, or favorite team colors. Truth be told, the Colonel Popper is so inexpensive, you can grab several different colors. Some of the colors are transparent and others are solid. Be sure to take a close look at each – and good luck choosing. They’re all beautiful!
  8. Makes a great gift idea – fun, original, and highly useful.

The Colonel Popper’s Silicone Popcorn Maker  comes with a handy guide that tells you everything you need to know to pop perfect popcorn time after time. You’ll want to hang onto this guide by either storing it right with the popper or keeping it in a drawer.

When you add the kernels to the popper, be sure it’s in the “up” position, as opposed to the collapsed position. It’s at this point you can add either oil, butter, or (my personal favorite, by far) ghee – my favorite ghee is the best ghee available, Ancient Organics Ghee. I fell in love with ghee on popcorn about a year ago and haven’t seen fit to eat it any other way since!

Topped off with a little salt (I love Rachael Ray’s Pink Himalayan Salt) and you have a fun, delicious, and guilt-free snack for any occasion.

Click through any of the links to learn more about this ingenious little popcorn maker and… trust me… even if you do buy several for fun gift-giving, you will want a Colonel Popper’s Silicone Popcorn Maker for yourself.

Colonel Popper Microwave Popcorn Maker 2


FUN Pig Molds for Pig Collectors

By

  I have a few things I love to collect and pigs are one of them. Not the real kind, unfortunately. My cats draw the line at sharing their food, attention, cuddles, or beds with anything that snorts.

When I found these adorable Pig Molds on Amazon, I knew I had to tell y’all about them because I’ve heard from many of the food blog’s readers who love pigs as much as I do.

First is Piggy Pop (pictured to the left).

Piggy Pop makes Pigs in Blankets easy peasy.
Product Description

  • Use any dough or pancake batter
  • Fast, fun and easy
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Easy as fill, insert and bake!
  • BPA free

Piggy Pop provides a cute and creative way to make Pigs in a Blanket and then some. This is a silicone baking pan that bakes 12 pig shaped treats at a time. Simple and easy to use, you simply fill each of Piggy Pop‘s molds with pancake batter or dough, add the cocktail franks and bake.

Piggy Pop comes with a recipe guide that includes 12 tasty recipes. The baking pan is oven safe and heat resistant up to 500 ° F.  I love the fact that it’s dishwasher safe.

Pig-Shaped Pancake Molds

Next up – Silicone Pig Pancake Molds (pictured to the right). I love these just as much as Piggy Pop. My grandbaby, Maddox is absolutely obsessed with Pigs (and with adorably making the “oink” sound!) and I cannot wait to make him pig pancakes!

Product Description

  • Make breakfast more fun with pig-shaped pancakes; bake 2 at a time with this set
  • Stainless steel curled tail functions as a stay-cool handle; folds flat for storage
  • This silicone mold is heat resistant up to 500F, BPA free
  • Dishwasher safe so cleanup is a breeze
  • Designed in the USA

Candy Molds

Last, but not least, the Perny Silicone Pig Candy Molds (left). Again, I am SO anxious to make Maddox pig candy. It’ll be the first Halloween candy I make and you bet it’ll be used for many Christmas candies!

With these adorable molds, you can make 20 pig-shaped candies (or chocolates, jell-o, ice cubes…) at once. The molds are BPA free and made from high quality 100% food grade silicone.

These are safe for use in the oven, freezer, microwave, and dishwasher.

Simply pour your favorite recipe in the mold, prepare, and cool completely. Then turn it upside down, this flexible silicone candy molds offers a non-stick surface that allows the sweets to pop right out with a little push from the bottom.

If you prefer another animal, when you click through, you’ll find other animals and shapes available on Amazon.