For Christmas last year I requested a Primo Milk Frother, thinking it would be a good stocking stuffer. Move over Starbucks, I can not believe how much I love my frother! This cordless gadget transforms hot milk into a rich, creamy topping for lattes, cappuccinos and other beverages. But I also use it to mix creamer into my morning coffee, or stir any sauces I am heating slowly over the oven. It can be used for kitchen purposes also, such as quickly mixing eggs with milk for scrambled eggs, or smoothing out small lumps of batter. The uses are endless!

The frothing coils are stainless-steel, and the ergonomic handle makes it easy to hold while mixing. It is easy to store in its light weight stand-up holder. Best of all no cords! It requires 2 AA batteries. The removable stem is machine washable.

Forget spending tons of money on cappuccinos or lattes, this Primo Milk Frother is well…PRIMO

Just recently I decided to get acrylic nails.  My own fingernails have always left a bit to be desired.  So, I was excited to get them, however there was one thing I dreaded doing with them, dishes.  I have a dishwasher but apparently it is not the very best, it does not get my dishes clean.  So lately I’ve been trying to wash more of them by hand. No fun, but someone’s gotta do it.

So, yesterday I was in the local dollar store, and I was searching for gloves to use to cover my pretty nails when doing dreaded dishes.  Instead, I happened upon this great gadget,  a dishwashing liquid dispensing wand and scrubber for doing dishes.  It was super cheap, and though I’ve seen more expensive models I decided to opt for it and give it a try.

I got the gadget home and had to try it out. I whizzed through the dishes in not time, and even better barely had to get my hands wet.  I was one happy momma.  You can get a similar wand to the one I was using here.

Ok, so I’m expecting, and therefore have “cravings”.  One of my latest, shaved ice.  It is just something about the cold, the crunch.  So, I go off in search of the perfect ice shaver.  I have to have one, one that makes the best shaved ice possible.  As a teenager I worked in a snow cone stand, the machine we had make the most heavenly shaved ice for those snow cones.  If I could only find one of those.  But, alas, those are pricey and I’m on a budget so I go shopping…here’s what I find:

The Hawaian Shaved Ice Maker, and it’s reasonably priced at $34.95.  Not bad huh?  Now I can have have that heavenly ice that I crave.  It’s perfect for hot summer days too with the kids, or for a fun treat anytime.  Get some Kool aid and you’re all set.

These also make fun drinks to make at your next party or back yard BBQ.  It will be a great addition to your other kitchen gadgets, and one I’m sure you’ll find yourself using more than you ever expected. I know I sure will!

The kitchen timer, such a small, but oh so handy gadget, the everyday kitchen timer really can help us moms with so many important tasks,  accomplishing more around the house, putting the kids in timeout, making a game of clean up time, cooking the perfect meal, baking cookies.  All of it, the kitchen timer can help you to do and do well.

Using a kitchen timer for the previously mentioned tasks can be well…. handy.  Just think, you will be able to get more done knowing you have 15 minutes to do it and that timer is going to buzz when the minutes are over. It has been a motivation for me, and for my son if I can get him to stop asking me “mom, when is the timer going to go off?”

There are different models available out there today including the old windup, and then theirs the new sleek digital timer, whatever floats your boat, you can use them both equally as well.

So, what do you use your handy dandy kitchen timer for?

I’m thinking this gadget will cure my obsession.  Let’s hope so. You see I have an obsession with waffles.  Currently I am allowing Eggo to supply my need, but the real deal would be so much better. So I’m in the market for a real deal maker, a waffle maker that is.  You know the kind, the Holiday Express has them, so does Waffle House.  They make those glorious crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside waffles, heaven on a plate.

So, here are a few irons I found online as I began to research a cure for my obsession.  They range in price from super cheap, $16.99 to pricey $179.99 for a model that makes 4 waffles at a time.  I’m unsure which would be better, but I do know I’m on a budget.

This model is very simliar to what you see used in restaurants and hotels and for $39.99 it sounds reasonable.  It rotates, has the handy indicator light and makes those perfect Belgian waffles we all crave.  I think I’ll snag myself one….what about you??

photo credit: tmd

Double or single, refrigerator that is….which one do you prefer? As a newly wed my husband and I purchased the cheapest thing we could find I am sure. It was a single fridge, no ice maker, no extras. It kept the food cold but that was about it. It wore out of course and we were faced with another purchase, this time should we opt for another single door or go for the double?

We weighted our options. Our appliance color choice had changed since the purchase of our first fridge, and the fridge no longer matched the stove, dishwasher and microwave which were now bright white while the fridge was biscuit. Then, we knew we wanted ice and water in the door, so that was something we would have to consider as a feature and a cost. Finally, we wanted something energy efficient as well. Upon going shopping we were able to find it all and it turned out to be a double.

The double is great! Spacious, complimentary in color to our other appliances and with all the bells and whistles. So, which do you prefer? Double or Single?

photo credit: Michael_L

We’ve come a long way with making  home made ice cream and aren’t you glad.  No longer do you have to have someone sit on the ice cream maker while you turn the crank endless numbers of times and keep replenishing the ice and rock salt.  Now you can simple put all the ingredients inside, plug the machine in and walk away until it’s done.

The loudness of the machines are the only drawback to the joy that awaits when you’re able to pull out that thick, rich, sweet and cold ice cream.  Ice cream makers are a fun summer appliance that you may not use all year round but can surely get your monies worth in the hot days of summer.  They come in a variety of sizes and even have multiple functions these days.

Plus, there are tons and tons of recipes out there from traditional home made vanilla ice cream to sorbets and sherbets, so many you’re sure to find one everyone will love.  So, go find your ice cream freezer and crank her, I mean plug her up!