It is long overdue, but I've finally done the product review I'd mentioned earlier.
I used my gift certificate to buy shoes from CSN stores - they were super cute (black, mary jane style), but even though they are my usual size when I got them they were too big so I had to send them back. CSN's service department was really easy to work with, which was a relief since
I HATE having to return things, especially online. I just filled out a form online saying why I needed to return it and had a mailing label emailed to me. I was able to pack it back into the original box and send it back via UPS, at no cost to me - hooray!
This experience confirmed why I don't buy shoes (or clothes) online - I need to be able to try them on to make sure they fit how I want them to. I'm still amazed that Kevin can just pull a shirt or pair of pants off the shelf and buy it without needing to try it on. I did consider ordering the next smaller size of the same style of shoes, but decided not to push my luck - I'll stick with buying shoes in person. Instead, I bought some kitchen items. loooove kitchen items.
I bought a gravy separator (I call it a fat separator) and am waiting until I get a chance to use it. I wish I'd had this item at Thanksgiving! We had Thanksgiving at our house so when we worked on breaking down the turkey, we didn't have all of the items we usually have at my parents' house. My dad and I went to TWO different stores trying to find a gravy separator without success. We had to settle for a plastic cup and poked a small hole in it, its not pretty but it worked. Next time I'll use this item - it has a strainer on the top to make sure only the liquids get into the cup and the spout is at the bottom so that the fat floats to the top and you can pour the broth off from the bottom. I love the way this one looks - it reminds me of the glassware from chemistry lab.
I also bought a melon baller, I love watermelon and cantaloupe and love the way that melon balls look.....mmmm melon, almost makes me ready for spring (almost). I did try to use the melon baller the other night when I was making spinach balls, but the baller is too small to use for that purpose, oh well it will work well for melon. I have a great melon salad recipe that it will come in very handy for, and they look so much cuter as balls then as cubes - making CUTE food is a valid argument for kitchen tools.
While I was ordering from CSN, I went ahead and got a second garlic press for my dad. I love the one I got so much, and he used it at Thanksgiving and said its better than the one he has at home. I have found that it works better if I go ahead and peel the garlic - that way the skin doesn't get stuck in the place where you put the full clove, but it does work either way. I love getting to be LAZY and still having fresh pressed garlic.
