Hi Joan, Chef'n makes a scrub brush that slips onto your hand (check out thekitchn article on the Chef'n Palm Peeler: it looks like this, but is a brush rather than a peeler). Combine...

This was the Cooking Christmas in which I received: 5 cookbooks, a dutch oven, a small casserole, an immersion blender, and a mandoline. And knitting needles for the single non-food related item.

My family makes a casserole called Kenefles which are spaetzle layered with swiss cheese and topped with caramelized onions. It's served with a sour bean gravy and is ridiculously delicious.

My favorite G&T uses Hendrick's gin and a slice of cucumber actually. A delicious gin and a refreshing twist with the cucumber.

Trader Joe's Almond Meal is definitely too coarse for something such as macarons, but I found that it worked well and tasted great in linzer tarts.