Vince...another Sam's Club tri-ply clad owner here. I compared my Sam's Club to my friends' All-Clad and the difference in the "cooking experience" is nada, zippo. The big difference is in the cost! I also lived for many years with my "purchased when I was newly married" Revere Ware. As I got older I decided that I must be a really good cook, since I was using less than stellar cookware and produced really good food. I coveted friends' top of the line cookware, but having a frugal side and being a veteran "shopper", was not ready to plunk down an arm and a leg on cookware that cost a small fortune. I knew I could do better, and researched, researched, researched. I spent more than needed hours looking for the perfect cookware/cookware set that would give me the benefits of All-Clad without the hefty price. And then I went to Sam's Club...just an ordinary day. Saw the Member's Mark tri-ply clad, and the light went on! I handled every piece, saw how the lids fit, looked at the thickness of the construction and decided that it was time. And at less than $130.00, it made sense. I also know that if I wasn't happy with it, I could return it for a full refund. Try that with a retail store! Long story short...you have proved that it's the nag that can keep up the pace to the finish line, rather than have a burst of speed and then poop out before the final bend. You'll love how it evenly holds the heat, how it gives you that delicious bit of fond, how it gently caresses your delicate sauces when necesary, how your pasta keeps on boilin'. BTW...Cook's Illustrated is looking for you!

In this book (which it took the librarian about 35 seconds to find - it was on the display table by the front door) it's called "The Christmas Song". "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Yuletide carols being sung by a choir And folks dressed up like Eskimos. Ev'rybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe Help to make the season bright. Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow Will find it hard to sleep tonight. They know that Santa's on his way; He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh. And ev'ry mother's child is gonna spy --- To see if reindeer really know how to fly. And so I'm offering this simple phrase To kids from one to ninety-two; Although it's been said many times, many ways, "Merry Christmas to you". Hope you're looking forward to an inspirational one - I think that we need such, this year. ole joyfuelled

Well Kathy I certainly remember and care. MM is a real trouper. I am really looking forward to getting mine planted.

Kara, I do have the impression there were a lot more new/rare finds this time around (definitely compared to the spring show). Typical me, I hesitate and it's too late. Anyway I am already way past my budget for the year, seems that happens by early spring nowadays :( As examples, first time I saw a Myrtillocactus cv fukurokuryuzinboku, and a Eulychnia castanea spiralis. Quite a few Cereus forbesii spiralis, Lophocereus schotti monstrose and Trichocereus bridgesii monstrose. Many Ariocarpus retusus, furfuraceus and fissuratus, many nice Euphorbia as well. Besides the small bridgesii monstrose, all of these in the $50-100+ range. Mesembs not so much besides the usual. If I measure by how frustrated I am coming out of the sale, I'd say it was a pretty good one this time around!!! One more show to go to next week in San Juan Bautista :)