Ever since I discovered the wonder and glory that is the Progressive Wedge & Pop Apple Slicer, I’ve learned that I’ve become that person.
You know — that person who probably doesn’t need weird kitchen doohickeys but still wants them anyway. 🙂
The other night I discovered that the Pini Ace Hardware in Novato contains a plethora of rand-o kitchen utensils, doodads and culinary accoutrements.
Who knew?
I’ve actually been spending a lot of time there lately because of Tabs. El Hub and I are building that enclosure/private tower/playpen for him, which has resulted in us taking a lot of trips to the hardware store, usually after dinner at night (we go at least three times a week).
What typically begins as a trip to get gloves or screws usually ends with me marveling at something interesting but altogether unnecessary in the kitchen aisle, like the Fox Run Banana Slicer ($1.95) at the top, which perfectly portions your bananas into convenient slices (great for cereal!).
Or, there’s the Chop2Pot Plus…
Don’t you hate it when you’ve chopped a few carrots or tomatoes on your cutting board, and then when you go to carry them over to the pot — whoops! — the cats trips you up and you accidentally spill them all over the floor?
Yeah, me too.
Enter the Chop2Pot Plus ($16), a cutting board that folds up along the edges.
Hello, convenience. 🙂
And where, exactly, have these Tovolo Silicone Ladle Clips ($3.95 each) been all my life? I’m not much of a cook, but when I do bust out ye olde pots and pans, it seems like I’m always looking for a place to put down my ladle.
Keep your stovetop clean by holding the ladle over the pot. Genius!
Speaking of pots, these three sheepish Tovolo Pot Lid Lifters ($10.95 for the set) are not just cute; they’re also helpful. Use them to keep pot lids lifted and prevent food from bubbling over.
So, I’ve never actually made an ice cream sandwich, but if I did, I could make them look cute with these Tovolo Ice Cream Sandwich Molds ($11.99).
I call first dibs on the heart-shaped one!
What does one do when both she and her husband prefer their toast slices scorched to varying levels, and they’re both really, REALLY hungry for toast?
Toast FOUR slices simultaneously, to varying levels of toast-ness, with the Cuisinart Classic 4-Slice Toaster in Metallic Red ($74.99).
And for when you need an onion holder shaped like an actual onion, there’s the Hutzler Onion Saver ($7).
Why I see poetry in this, I do not know…
Lastly, these Tovolo Whale & Octopus Sandwich Shapers ($7), because I may not be able to eat actual octopus (it’s a texture thing), but at least I can eat a sandwich SHAPED LIKE AN OCTOPUS, if I want to.
Is this enclosure going to be an outdoor type ofthing?
We used to have the banana slicer, Not sure where it went
Hi Kate,
It’s an outdoor enclosure for the deck so Tabs can hang out there as long as he wants. 🙂
Sounds lovely, I hope you will let us see some pictures when it is done ☺
I’ll definitely take some pics. It’s basically done now but not in place yet because we want to stain the deck first, which should be done in the next week or so, weather permitting. Here’s to hoping Tabs likes it!
I would be really interested in the chop2pot because I end up spilling everything everywhere. We have the onion saver and it’s pretty handy. I thinking of building something for Tulip but not yet sure what….
By the way, didn’t you get a weird banana cover thing for christmas once?
YES! It was this weird plastic banana holder from my brother. The lame thing about it is only a certain size of banana can fit inside of it! If it was an expandable banana holder that could fit bananas of all sizes it would be a totally different story.
You know what Tulip might like? A shelf for her favorite window!
My mom has a cover for a half eaten banana so that it doesn’t turn brown. It actually works. I think she got it at Target in the dollar section or maybe even Ace hardware. She always finds stuff at Ace hardware.
Tulip has a hammock attached to the window shelf so that she can look outside. Now she’s obsessed with this box my mom has on a shelf. She goes in there and the only thing you can see are her ears peeking out.
Yeah, I think the doohicky my brother gave me was strictly for banana transport. Not sure if it prevents browning, hmm!
Tulip’s hammock sounds lovely! Tabs had something similar until he broke it. LOL.
I have flexible cutting boards I got from Pampered Chef. Totally worth it. (http://www.pamperedchef.com/shop/Cutlery/Flexible+Cutting+Mats/1013) Three pack and bright colors and has RULERS on the side.
I wouldn’t use that onion thing. Chopped onions or even a cut onion are a massive attractor to bacteria. Resist the urge!
I love the sheep pot lifters and the whale sandwich cutter! I’ll take both please! LOL. Gosh, anything with cute animals always gets me. (currently eyeing the new Paul and Joe palette with the elephant, cat and the other animals. My brain is fried I can’t remember anything!).
How fun Tabs is going to get an outdoor enclosure!
Hi Karen-
Pini Hardware is the BEST! I grew up in Novato, on Cherry Street, about as far away from your place as you can get and still be in Novato. Actually, it’s the “old” side of Novato, sometimes known as “the wrong side of the tracks.” Back in the olden days Pini was on Grant AVe across the street from one of your favorite breakfast places and across a parking lot from the only pet store in town–Scooters. In the olden days most bought dog and cat foot at the grocery store (horrors!) or the mill. Kitchen and home stuff at Pini has always been a wonder–just great stuff and often far from the ordinary. Also–the help at Pini–the best. If you are dog person, as am I, bring in your pooch and they always have dog treats at check out. LOVE Pini Hardware. I have an ACE hardware nearby–not quite Pini Novato–but a lot of great help and stuff. Love ACE!
Jennifer
Old Novato Girl–from when it was a one stoplight town–REALLY!!!
A lot of these gadgets are available at TJ Maxx for even cheaper. The kitchen/snack section is so much fun there. I considered the chop to pot cutting board!
I’d be a sucker for this kind of gadget, but my hubby is fiercely anti-plastic. If I buy plastic stuff I get THE LOOK, lol!
You’re on a roll!
That Cuisinart toaster is the technology we’ve all been waiting for! Move over, Martha (you know, Martha Stewart – of “is Martha Stewart Living?” fame) because Karen has found the fun basics to fit into any small kitchen that can drive me just nutz.
Now if you can just locate can a Revol “egg” poaching plate (I use it for crackers & cheese) to replace the one I accidentally (how else) broke last night! That’s the problem with washing something squeaky clean — it slides right through the towel, onto the tile, and then we have a situation.
I have 1 other one and evidently I must hang onto it for dear life because it is the last remaining one on the planet. Purchased during the summer of 2010 which, in kitchen terms is ancient.
That banana slicer looks scary.
I worry, that I would buy a lot of those 🙂
These things crack me up. You should Build some extra storage, too, next to Tabs playpen, to fit everything in.
Dude, you could have a career on QVC, you know. As Richard from Tommy Boy would say “you could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves”. HAHA! I was just thinking “of course, you just need to offset the lid slightly…. but those sheep are so cute”. 🙂 Congrats on turning your trips to ACE into a fun time and good luck with the enclosure – I can’t wait to see your pics. I’m glad El Hub is putting that Valentine’s saw to good use.
HAHAHA! Now I can’t get that ketchup popsicle image out of my head, thanks! Ya know, maybe one day you’ll see me on a late night infomercial selling Bedazzled Pajama Jeans. AND THEN YOU WILL WANT TO BUY THEM.
Do you ever give your hubby power tools as gifts? I swear El Hub’s eyes lit up like he’d just seen Santa Claus when he realized that I got him a saw.
Awwwww, those pot lid lifters are CUTE 😀 They be like baaaah-hah-hah-haaaaaahy us, Karen.
GIRL! You crack me up. LOL
I need to buy one of those apple slicers bad. At my house we are often eating apple slices with peanut butter or tajin chili powder.
Karen, which polish are you wearing? I love the color.
Hi Melissa,
It’s an warm orangey red called Myriam by Julep! Here’s a link to it if you want to check it out (apparently it’s on sale right now for $10): Julep Myriam.
I’m just amazed to see all these things they come with these days! And of course, we need them all! 😉
The sheep lid lifter are too cute!
Hi Aeris,
I know, right? The wonders of modern technology. I think the next time I visit I’ll be picking up those sheep. 🙂
Happy Thursday!
Haha! The hardware store is my DH’s favorite store on the planet. Anytime he makes a fuss when I want to go to Nordstrom or Sephora I just look at him and say, “I don’t make a fuss when you want to go to the hardware store.” His reply is that he usually buys only one thing and it’s always something we need. Good point about only buying one thing.
Can’t wait to see Tabs’ outdoor penthouse! I’m sure he’ll love it. Would love to have something like that for my girl(s), but neither hubby or me are the do it yourself type.
I just use a slit wine cork for a pot lifter, but those sheep are too cute…and sheep may be a weakness of mine. =)
I’d like that cutting board, it looks pretty useful! those sheep are so cute!
Can’t wait to see the photos of the Tabs enclosure! My friends did that, but outside under the patio for their 3 cats. The cats LOVED it and were not that happy when they moved and had to stay inside all the time.
Amazing finds Karen… I would have never imagined that foldable chopping board and banana slicer 😉
That sheep lid lifters are super cute.. I need these in my life! 🙂
I seriously want everything you posted!! Those ship lid lifters!! I don’t have an onion saver…but I do have a tomato saver that I keep q-tips in, LOL! I just love adorable things.
*sheep, not ship, lol!
Lol, so many fun things, but my kitchen is already soooo full! I’ve recently bought the Nessie soup ladle, it’s so funny. A soup ladle in the shape of a Loch Ness monster 😀
Wait!! Don’t buy that banana slicer. Pick up a Hutzler 571 on Amazon. After reading reviews of course.