The Bearded Axe of Gimli is a wonderful collector’s item for those who are fond of swords. Created by United Cutlery brands this sword is beautifully crafted in such a way that it looks worn out. The axe is an exact replica of what was displayed in the movie the Lord of the Rings Trilogy movies. Since the axe is for display purposes only it is made of unsharpened steel. Read more »

We recently had a holiday gathering at work, where everyone brought in home cooked dishes and desserts for the celebration. There were so many delicious dishes it was hard not to eat everything. One of my favorites was the Swedish meatballs in a sweet sauce that had been brought in in a slow cooker. Another delicious dish was a warm pecan crusted cinnamon apple crisp that we topped with vanilla ice cream. I did notice that many of the dishes were brought in inside open glass and metal dishes covered with foil and plastic wrap. However, one woman had this great Pyrex Glass Portable Bakeware Set that made it so easy to bring her food to the event. Read more »

My niece is getting married soon and of course, she’s quite excited about it. She’s also caught up in all of the craziness of planning a wedding – the photographer, the flowers, the food, the reception, the honeymoon. And during all of this planning, she and her fiancee have been looking for their first home too. So the wish list for her upcoming bridal shower and wedding gifts has lots of household items on it, especially small home decor accessories and necessary kitchenware tools. We’ve decided to chip in together and purchase this great Rachael Ray 10 Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set as our gift to them. Read more »

Every supermarket I go in has the delicious aroma of rotisserie chicken wafting through the air.  That smell is so incredibly wonderful, that I’ve decided to duplicate that aroma at home.  I don’t have a rotisserie but I do have a crock pot, so I’m doing the next best thing; making a crock pot rotisserie chicken.  You might be asking yourself how that’s possible, since you can’t put the chicken on a spit and constantly be turning it.  The trick is to get the bird up off the bottom of the crock pot, so the juices can drip and sputter and do the rotisserie thing without the turning part.  Very clever… Very tasty! Read more »

Are you trying to find a classy gift to give? If so, check out the “Golden Vineyard Favorites” wine gift basket!  It is overflowing with class and taste!  The upscale Ghirardelli chocolates will put a smile on everyone with a sweet tooth, and the California wine and cheese will have them savoring the moment!  When it’s all gone they’re left with a beautiful tin and tasteful reminder of who gave it to them. Read more »

I always seem to be rushing out the door in the morning, forgetting to have a decent breakfast and instead hitting the drive-through on the way to work. I just love eating egg and cheese sandwiches, even if they are a little greasy for me. It’s just that they are so easy to grab and sinfully yummy, I can’t resist. Lately I have been trying to do a little better with my budgeting and my calories, so I’ve been cutting back on extras, including my breakfast sandwiches. But I miss them!  Then my thoughtful sister gave me an early holiday gift – a really cool Egg and Muffin 2 Slice Toaster. Read more »

We all know that cooking family meals can sometimes be a bit stressful and time consuming. That’s why we were so happy when we discovered this large covered clay baker from Romertopf- its simple design delivers absolutely delicious, easy meals with little preparation required. What’s so special about it is that the clay design traps moisture and slowly releases it into the food as it cooks, making clay cooking perfect for all types of roasts, fish, soups, and especially poultry. We love how our chicken turns out perfectly juicy inside and crispy outside – especially if we cook it with just a small amount of marinade and remove the top during the last few minutes of oven time. Read more »