Best weeder I've owned in mmmmff years I got at Armstrong's a long time ago. I looked for a pic for this thread and found it's called a Cape Cod Weeder. Mine is around 18-20" long, don't get a short one as the reach is not just ergonomic, but useful under rose bushes. The ergonomic part that works best for me is that you pull the weed instead of push, which my back appreciates MUCH more. If you look around you can find lefty versions. Horizontally, it works great to cut the root at ground level for dandilion and bluegrass type weeds. For grassy, deep rooted weeds, it works great vertically by putting the pointed end directly into the dirt on the other side of the weed from you and pulling. Here's a link so you can see a pic, I've never ordered from them. Mine has a short loop of cord on the end which is also very handy. Here is a link that might be useful: Cape Cod Weeder

Okay, I've finally managed to read all this thread. I love the idea of that portable timer, but of course, a lot of timers are portable. The stove in my Tahlequah house has a timer that only beeps once, so if I don't hear the one beep, I'm out of luck. Having a timer that goes with me wherever I am would be cool. Early in this thread someone mentioned a bench scraper. I love mine. I actually ordered my Christmas present, a dough rising bucket. Since I needed to order some ingredients from KA anyway, it made sense for me to go ahead and order what DH was going to give me anyway, to save shipping. :) As for the above mentioned microplane with a tray - I learned an obvious trick from a Bobby Flay show once. I felt silly for not thinking of it myself. It's simply to turn the microplane so that the blades are at the bottom and the sides are pointing up, like a U. Then you can grate and catch the zest or whatever in the microplane. I've done it that way ever since. I lucked out at an estate sale the other day and found a 8" Henckles chef's knife for $10. I missed out on the Le Creuset they had. As I walked into the kitchen, a woman was laying claim to the entire set they had for sale. Oh, well, she saved me a bunch of money! Still on my list for Santa is one of those scraper paddles for my KA mixer. Sally

I meant to comment on how nice everyone's gifts are. Joanm, your dishes are beautiful! Nancy, What is that pot used for? It's so pretty. Is it a specialty pan for cooking a specific dish? Annie, if you pass through the Dallas area on your way south, let me know. Also, be sure to eat at Scampi's when you're in South Padre, and try to get a table either outside if the weather cooperates, or at least situated where you can watch the sunset over the Laguna Madre. It's been 5 years since I've been there, but the food and the service back then were superb. Sally

I bought the pull and chop as a present and tried it- now I have to get one myself!! Thanks beachem! I don't know if it is kosher to post here but I saw that bargainhunter above posted about how useful the Thermomix was. I am now selling my older model Euro Thermomix TM21 including the 240V transformer (to allow it to work on North American 120V circuits) on our craigslist if someone wants to try out the Thermomix abilities at a bargain price and is driving distance to Baltimore. It works well and I am including several Thermomix cookbooks. You can pm me if you want to see the listing. I also have a small electric egg cooker that I no longer use since I get consistently perfect hard boiled eggs on my induction cooktop so any gardenwebber is welcome to that if they can pick it up. Also several slow cookers that I don't use since I got my instant pot- just pm me. Would be great if someone could arrange a gardenweb kitchen gadgets or equipment swap /giveaway date some time!