What a Crock!

It's my 75th post and I'm not writing about grief or sadness or even my family for that matter. Rather this post is a tribute to my kitchen crock! Odd. . . yes, but it is what it is, so go along with me here. Below is a picture of my crock, and what a crock it is. You see, when Paul and I got married I had a small crock, big enough to hold a couple of spatulas, a small ladle, and maybe a few wooden spoons. I quickly realized that this crock would not suffice if I was going to cook in my galley style kitchen that had only TWO small drawers. I needed big. . . so off I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond (with a 20% off coupon, mind you) and purchased this beauty. Just so you know, it was the biggest they had. (I haven't checked to see if there is now a bigger size crock, for I fear that if there is, I will get a bad case of crock-envy. Ignorance is bliss in my world.)

I like to cook and I find much satisfaction in finding the cooking implement I need just an arm's reach away, and as you can see I've stuffed my crock full. I still have that pesky drawer full of kitchen tools that I sometimes use or never use, but fear I may need someday if I get rid of them. Here is a picture of an item I use almost everyday from that drawer. It's a piece of that anti-slide stuff you can buy at Wal-mart cut into a circle. I use it to open jars (works every time) and I put it under bowls and pans when I'm mixing something so that the bowl doesn't slide around on the counter. Now, get this, Ethan gave it to me. He found it when he was geo-caching with his dad. When you find a cache, you're supposed to take an item and leave something else. Well, MY SON took this for me, knowing I'd like it. While I can't even begin to imagine why it was put in a geo-cache, I'm happy it's now mine (after thoroughly sanitizing it, of course). It's since been stained, burned, and torn, but it's a keeper.

Anyway, I don't know about you out there in bloggyland, but the kitchen is my favorite room in our house. It is the kitchen of my dreams! After having a galley style kitchen in a small apartment for the first part of our marriage, I felt like I was given the moon when we purchased this house. So, in honor of my 75th post, I'm having a "kitchen contest"

Please leave me a comment and tell me what you think this kitchen gadget is used for (humor is so going to help you win!) I can't remember the last time I used it and because of the sharp points on the end, it sits in the back of my drawer. When we installed our new cabinet knobs and pulls, I found it and it took me awhile to remember what it was for.

I haven't decided when this contest will end. Probably after I write my next post so I'm sure you'll have at least a few days. The lucky winner will get this gem. . .

Okay, I know it appears to be used and not the greatest prize in the world, but I had to stick with the whole kitchen theme thing (and crocks are not easy to mail). This can opener is the BEST and I have two. The reason I have two is because I gave one to my mom for a gift and she gave it back! (Even though she reads my blog, I'm not afraid to say she's in a can-opener rut!)This can opener cuts off the top of the can without leaving a sharp edge on which I'm sure you've cut yourself or ruined a perfectly nice rubber spatula on.

To increase the competition I'll throw in three hand knit dishcloths. You can even pick the colors! (This is about as crafty as I get!) Gals, I'm sure you've got husbands out there that can come up with a humorous use for this mysterious kitchen gadget as well. In fact, I think I'd rather hear what they think it's for. Come to think of it, I'm wondering what my engineer husband would come up with.