So, I don’t know about you, but there are a lot of tools and items I often wish I had, but then I think, ‘Meh, I can just use a [blank] instead.’ Every time an opportunity to use the nonexistent item comes up, I think it would be so much easier if I’d just bought one, but no — but yes!
No more fearing that I’m going to bend a spoon when scooping out ice cream. I can stop using the mesh strainer to sift flour. And I can mash to my heart’s content. Three completely un-extraordinary (uh, that would be. . . ordinary) kitchen tools, but ones I’ve overlooked time and again — and I got them all for pennies at the thrift store and an estate sale. Satisfying.
My mom and I found an estate sale during its last day, when one was allowed to fill a brown paper bag for only $3. It was in the woman’s house; her things were spread out on tables and counters, and those sorts of sales always make me a bit sad. Glad that I can take care of the things I take home with me, but I wind up missing a person I’ve never met.
Along with the gadgets above, I also found an old picnic basket that I’ve cleaned up and need to fix (the latches; the rest is fairly sturdy) and line with fabric; I’ll keep my crochet projects in there once I’ve spruced it up. I also found two bowls:
Nothing out of the ordinary, except they’re the perfect sizes. The larger is great for a small bowl of cereal, and the little one is just the right size for ice cream. I had to test it to make sure, of course.
I so agree — generally I prefer fewer, multi-purpose things, but sometimes? You just gotta have a potato masher.
The brown bowl with the speckled rim brings back memories. My mom has a teapot in that pattern that she’s had forever.
“…those sorts of sales always make me a bit sad. Glad that I can take care of the things I take home with me, but I wind up missing a person I’ve never met.”
I can imagine the feeling. I felt that way picking through my aunt’s belongings. But I have some wonderful heirlooms. In fact, I just used some of her vintage lace in a pillowcase dress for my daughter. I told her stories of her great-great aunt while making the dress.
By the way, found your link in The Crafter’s Companion, which I checked out of the library last night.
But how on earth have you mashed until now? Speaking as the mother of mash-a-holic boys.
Ali — I’ve always used hand beaters, which is how my mom did it when I was growing up. It’s not very good for small batches, though, and it always makes a mess.