There isn't anything that I haven't tried in my crockpot! I have crockpots in various sizes and shapes. I have big ones for major meals, medium ones for football game parties and small ones for dips and sauces. I especially love a good chocolate recipe cooked in one. Here are a few of mine: Crockpot Sweet-Spiced Sweet Potatoes 2 lbs. sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2" pieces 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp/ ground nutmeg pinch of salt 2 tbsps. butter, cut into 1/8" pieces 1 tsp. canilla extract Combine all of the ingredients except the butter and vanilla, in a crockpot. Mix well. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours. Add butter and vanilla; stir to blend. Makes 4 servings ------------------------------------------------------- Citrus Simmered Steak 2 lb. round steak 1/2 cup drained mushrooms and stems 1 medium onion sliced 2 tablespoons catsup 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup water 1 tablespoon cornstarch Cut round steak into pieces to fit in the crock pot. Put the steak in the pot. Mix together all other ingredients and pour over the steak. Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours or until the meat is done. ( I usually double the sauce ingredients to have more.) Enjoy! óÃò .·:*Ãö®öñåQüéëñ*:·. óÃò Here is a link that might be useful: Crockpot Caramel-Apple Slices (Kid Friendly)

The house is about 8 years old; I've lived here for 4 years, and the countertop was here when we moved in. So, I don't know who the fabricator was. I called one granite fabricator place and they said that granite can't be repaired and that I'd have to replace the whole slab. I have a hard time believing that, especially after reading the links above. I'm running into a problem finding a reputable expert to repair it! Aargh!

Regarding books, we first take them to a used book store for credit or cash. You get more if you choose credit. Last time we got $120 credit for 2 big boxes. We turn aound and buy more books there, though the selection has been getting less and less. I think fewer people are reading and taking books in. We try to donate any left to the library for their book sale, but they are getting more and more picky in regards as to what they will take. They hardly took any the last time. DH reads a lot of the latest best selllers. They must get a lot of those, so don't want them. And also they said they have limited storage area. We give what's left to Goodwill.

I also looked at those roaster ovens. Crock pots are more for making a couple of meals for a working couple. I NEED the variable digital cooking temps, delayed start and early shut off. Easy to clean exterior(the paint is coming off mine). The clamp on lid for transport, nice! I'm excited, it should arrive today! I have a rack of pork ribs & spicy BBQ sauce I'll throw in tomorrow. No regrets!