Niamh's Profile

You can keep the butter from going bad by adding a little salt to the water (more necessary in non-arid areas) and changing the water every three days. The ones that have an opening narrower than the base keep the butter from falling out.

I also like mine (and the french one above) that are part unglazed pottery. The water can evaporate a little better and it is the evaporation that cools the water and butter.

I live in a major fruit producing region in NY. Its not just cherries. All our stone fruit and a lot of our apple and pear crops are almost non-existent.

I once brined a small turkey in a large stock pot and the high salt content did cause some minor pitting.

I also have some click-clacks that have been working well for years. They are very durable and airtight but the seals are not functional at freezer temperatures. I recently bought one of the oxo square ones and I like it better. The oxo is a more convenient shape, seals very tightly, and washes well. Assuming it proves durable, the oxo definitely wins.

KittTheDog - I was just going to say the same thing. When you are feeding a newborn, especially breastfeeding, it seems as though feeding time literally takes up a majority of your life both day and night. Having food ready to go that you can eat while feeding a baby is really helpful.
My group of friends has a tradition of bringing over a dinner for the whole family but also what we call breastfeeding foods. Easy to eat with one hand (preferably no utensil), non-messy, good refrigerated or at room temperature so they can sit around or be grabbed quickly out of the fridge. This can include pita, crackers, prepped fruits and veggies, nuts, hummus, cheese cubes or slices, nuts, cold salads, etc. Sometimes we will make these into boxed or tray meals so the mom doesn't even have to think about picking up more than one thing. One of the things I get lots of compliments on is a brown rice salad with chicken, peanuts, veggies, and a lime dressing. It does require a spoon but if you drop a little on the floor or the baby's head it isn't a big mess. It is very nutritious but also light. Also, it is good warm or cold so you can just scoop some into a bowl anytime.

Sometimes I just eat it with milk (1% is what we usually have in the house) but occasionally I like to dress it up with a drizzle of honey and handful of raisins and roasted almonds. I prefer the Barbara's Shredded Wheat to the original Nabisco.
http://www.barbarasbakery.com/cereals-shredded/

Dansko really are not perfect for everyone. I wore them for years and loved them and then slowly started developing significant problems with my feet and knees. After trying everything else I decided to change shoes and sure enough, it was the clogs.

I kinda like it. I also don't understand the haters. "Not your thing"? Fine. "Hard to keep clean"? I get that too. But how does this look any more like a cage than any other crib?

I know a lot of people have already said this but I have to add my vote for the "rinse and hang up" method. I never have trouble with mold the mat just dries. Mine just hangs upside down (suction cups up) over the side of the tub and dries completely that way. No mold, no fuss, and no extra devices or work required.

To not be seduced by the allure of "new" recipes and stick with the stuff that I do well and know works. That think I have been doing for years is really good and people like it!