I've been in the kitchen most of the day. Baked a double batch of M & M cookies as requested by my 11 year old, and Pumpkin Cranberry Bread for breakfast tomorrow. Thinking of doing a baked, stuffed french toast for Christmas morning, and DH has requested sausage balls. Christmas dinner is usually a ham, and I just need to finalize the side dishes. We had family in town all last week, and did plenty of cooking then, so I'm looking forward to the slower pace of just having the immediate family for Christmas. With three small children, it's hectic enough! Merry Christmas, Dennis! Enjoy your time off. Bonnie

There are wonderful suggestions on your previous thread on that same subject; I'm going to get that Gourmet issue which lists the best ones. For me a cooking holiday is eating out every single night, lol......... Here is a link that might be useful: cooking courses

seagras, that's usually our New Year's eve tradition, the leftovers with a couple of things added. This year, I decided, and the little one agreed, we'd eat everything that was in the fridge or freezer beginning in November, before buying anything new. After the big birthday brunch bash on Christmas morning, my fridge was empty! I'd taken everything to my sister's house for Christmas Eve and my mom's house for the Christmas brunch. I was able to clean the shelves. I still haven't restocked. Nothing is left. Clean slate. That's what I like to think of right now as, instead of burned out. I have to be creative with what's left, like say, extra hashbrowns. Delmonico potatoes? What can I say? I can't afford to throw anything out, so I have to be creative. I'm betting it'll be Greek, whatever I buy when I am finally fully inspired to spend money.

Hi Cindy, Thanks for your kind words. The stain is actually called "java", we didn't opt for a glaze, so it's just Bertch's java on maple wood. I've put a link to the Bertch website which has better pics than my photography. I haven't had any problem with dust collecting on the doors -- maybe because it's a 3" shaker, though I'm not sure that's it but for whatever reason the "ledge" is pretty pronounced making it easy to swipe at when cleaning up the kitchen. I had a beveled edge before and found it harder to keep clean. You might try posting a new thread to ask others' with shaker cabinets for their experience, I'm sure you'd get lots of responses. Good luck with your kitchen, enjoy!!! Kris Here is a link that might be useful: Bertch Door Collection