Rock Flower Paper ~ Scissors?!

I adore funky, unique items from creative companies and immediately fell in love with the rock-flower-paper company selections. 

There theme is "bringing the essence of nature home", and although it sounds dramatic, their items are show stoppers!

Take their trays..."Ho hum", you might say, "a tray is a tray!" 
Not so fast. These lacquer trays are very beautiful and difficult to make. 

They're made by hand [yes, that's right] 
with a finish that's dried under ultra violet light.
All their trays come with hang tags that introduce you to the artist.

Quince Red Tray with a high gloss lacquer finish 
that's heat & moisture resistant

They make a variety of placemats, totes, trays, napkins, aprons, kitchen towels...and so much more. What a spectacular shower gift any of their items would make (shower gift, heck...bring something as a hostess gift the next time you're invited to friend's and while you're at it, treat yourself to something).

And I've simply fallen in love with their canvas baskets. 
I move it here...then move it there...deciding exactly what I want to do with it, and using my women's prerogative and changing my mind constantly (!). 

These baskets are 100% canvas with a water resistant lining you can easily wipe clean and are collapsible with a sewn in wire rim 
in case you decide to store it away for the night.

Being a bird lover, I've been enjoying their #1 seller, 
the snowy bird canvas basket...

As always, shop locally to see if your favorite store carries 
any of these products; if not...
visit their website for additional information
rockflowerpaper

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and culinary instructor. She can be reached through her website, Bev Shaffer or at Bev's Email.

Nothing wasted....and made in the USA

There are some gadgets to use and just feel good about, and here are a few of my favorites from Preserve Products.

Their small cutting boards...designed to work hard and, as it says on the label, "make you feel happy for years to come". [I just might hold them to that one!] The board has a handy curve for holding and carrying, and for my general kitchen purposes it's the perfect size.

Available in red, white or green...

Usually after a year or so, my plastic cutting boards look nicked and scratched and not really usable...with Preserve's board, if it gets tired [when it gets tired] you can recycle it wherever #5 plastics are recycled. Or, return it to them and they'll recycle it for you.

Aren't you beginning to feel better about your contribution to the health of the planet already? Just wait ~ there's more!

All their products are Made in the USA, 100% Recycled Plastic and BPA Free. Their kitchen line is quite extensive [and they have other cool products for your bathroom and table as well]. 

They make colanders in two sizes ~

small and

large...

Their 3 piece mixing bowl set features bowls with handles and pouring lips. Each piece is "powered by leftovers" ~ including take out containers ~ "one day a food storage container, the next day a mixing bowl".  Cool!

Out of everything in their kitchen line, I love their food storage containers the most. In addition to the round ones you see pictured below, there are a few unique shapes available. The round ones twist to open and close, keeping everything well sealed in my freezer. They're also the perfect size for freezing something for the two of us. 

 

Have some fun in the kitchen with the entire Preserve line, and feel good about it, too! Be sure to check out their line on their website.

As always, shop locally to see if your favorite store carries 
any of these products; if not...

find their entire line here PRESERVE PRODUCTS

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and culinary instructor. She can be reached through her website, Bev Shaffer or at Bev's Email.

Fresh Herbs, In No Time!

I'm always suspicious when something reads, "just a simple twist of the wrist", and you can catch me mumbling "I'll be the judge of that". 

Enter Microplane's Herb Mill...and yes, it does say a "simple twist of the wrist". It's an amazing gadget that I'm in love with.

Perfect for cutting fresh herbs like parsley, dill, cilantro, sage and mint (just a few that I grow and use over and over), the "tiny scissors" in its dual action blade cut these herbs without bruising.   

Here's how it works:

• Rinse herbs well, then dry thoroughly and remove from the stem
• Remove top of herb mill and load herbs in the body
• Replace top and gently push down
• Twist top back and forth [remember, "simple twist of the wrist"!]

 

The soft touch top fits into my hand comfortably. And yes, it's dishwasher safe.
 
I used it tonight to add fresh parsley atop my shrimp with marinara and feta.  Add some fresh herbs to your life!!

As always, shop locally to see if your favorite shop carries 
any of these products; if not...

find Microplane online

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and culinary instructor. She can be reached through her website, Bev Shaffer or at Bev's Email.

Spring Is Just Around the Corner [REALLY, it is!] -- Plan Your Garden Now!

Who doesn't love to thumb through garden catalogs in the dead of winter, when it's 10 degrees outside, snow on the ground, and you just can't seem to get warm?! 

Flowers...and herbs...and vegetable gardens -- images that warm you and bring the sunshine into your home.

I love the idea of mini-gardens...celebrating the art of gardening and design, without all the fuss.

I was thrilled to discover Potting Shed Creations, and ordered three "gardens" I can't wait to use.

My Vegetable Garden kit is simple and ready when I am...

The perfect way to grow and cultivate a garden, the kit includes 8 varieties of seed, stakes, marking pencil [so I don't forget what I planted, when and where!] and some easy to follow instructions.

And what would my veggies be without fresh herbs, you ask? I'm ready with my Mini Garden-in-a-Pail ~ in this case, my herb garden.

A container garden in a leak proof, US made galvanized pail and all the ingredients to grow exceptional herbs. I have at the ready (for warm weather and sunshine, that is) my Organic Mixed Herb collection [basil, parsley, garlic chives]. 


I can't wait.

These pails are also available in 
heirloom lavender; 
forget-me-nots; 
mini tomatoes; 
and mixed zinnia.

Now my food planting is over, and the real pleasure of gardening begins...flowers.

My selections included "Scatter Gardens" -- you know, for those areas you don't want to mow! 

Perfect for creating striking drifts of color and texture...they come in:

     Butterfly habitat

     Hummingbird habitat

     Honeybee habitat

     Wildflower habitat

     Fragrant habitat

     and, 
     for those of you without a lot of sun,

                                                                            Shadeflower habitat

Now I'm spoiled. I didn't want to have to scatter anything. I just want to pop the lid, place in sun, water as needed and viola! Flowers.

I chose my favorite, brighten any day flower -- sunflower! I ordered the Mini Garden-in-a-Pail [kids] Sunflower. Hey, we're all kids at heart.  

It includes a recycled steel pail, children's garden gloves (which I'll have to give away), heirloom sunflower seeds, soil and growing directions. And get this, the ribbon around the pail is made [in the US] from recycled plastic bottles.

Goodbye winter, and hurry up spring. I want to grow things...

As always, shop locally to see if your favorite shop carries 
any of these products; if not...

find POTTING SHED CREATIONS online

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and culinary instructor. She can be reached through her website, Bev Shaffer or at Bev's Email.

Tea(ching) and Gifting

Whether it's a celebration of the Boston Tea Party, a party to cheer the mistaken invention of the tea bag by Thomas Sullivan in 1908 in New York,

or a winter soiree of your own, having a vessel for brewing the perfect cup of tea makes life's simpler pleasures more, well, pleasurable!

Two of my favorites:

Bon Jour's Loire Collection has a Glass Tea Maker with an infuser basket. 

Fill with your favorite loose tea (ginger peach, anyone?). 

A rough rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon (plus "1 extra for the pot") of loose tea for every 

6 to 8 ounces of water.

Fill the carafe with hot* water and let steep for a number of minutes, 

depending on your tastes and the type of tea brewed.  

Slowly press the infuser's plunger down to filter the tea, automatically shutting off the brewing process, then pour and enjoy!

One of my favorite features of this tea maker is its patented shut off infuser--

which seals in the hydrated tea leaves in the solid chamber, stopping the brew process and giving me more control over flavor.

When I want to "class things up", I bring out my 

Staub Enameled Cast Iron Teapot with Infuser.

Long a fan of cast iron's heat retention, I can brew a few perfect cups of tea in this baby

at once, remove the loose tea captured in the infuser, and then bring

this class act to the table to pour, sip and keep the tea hot for another cup.

Side Note:

This teapot is THE perfect gift for the tea lover who has everything!

Fresh Herbs Transform Basic Food into Flavorful Dishes!

...yes, it's true...and those same fresh herbs do it all without adding calories or fat. But how to store them so you don't waste what you just purchased or picked.

The FRESH HERB STORAGE JAR to the rescue!  Silvermark's innovative Fresh Herb Storage Jar is a practical (and attractive) solution that will help you preserve the freshness AND longevity of your herbs.

Now, I don't know about you, but when I take the time to buy a bunch of fresh herbs I want them to last so I can get multiple uses out of them. I want my storage solution to be compact and easy to use...and this definitely fits both those criteria.

Easy to use...you fill the porcelain base with enough water to cover herb stems. Be sure to remove any dead or discolored herb leaves and trim the bottom of the herbs (just like flowers) prior to storage. Place herbs in the jar with the stems immersed.

For some herbs that don't like the cold (basil and cilantro), you can keep the jar on the counter with the lid removed. For huskier herbs with shorter stems, you can unscrew the herb jar in the middle for easier access and handling. 

Large enough to store bundles of freshly cut herbs, but compact enough to fit in my refrigerator door, this helps me prolong the life of most fresh herbs for up to three weeks!

As always, shop locally to see if your favorite shop carries any of these products.

find them online...

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and culinary instructor. She can be reached through her website, Bev Shaffer or at Bev's Email.

Razor Sharp, and Won't Grate On My Nerves!

Hard cheese, soft cheese, carrots, potatoes...

     using a box grater to accomplish grating these was a task 

(I secretly) always tried to get out of!

Why? Because the box grater would slip, the cheese would "smoosh" 

from the dullness of the blade's

     holes, or the handle would break off...and I'd wind up 

being overly cautious not to add any grated

     knuckles to my finished dish!

This year I'll have to think of another excuse if I'm going to pass on the grating chores. 

The Box Grater from Microplane features 

surgical-grade stainless steel blades 

(in case your doc wants to make mac 'n cheese in the Operating Room) 

and an ergonomic, soft grip handle.

This grater includes their most popular blades--

     a medium ribbon blade (perfect for hard cheeses and chocolate);

     an extra coarse blade (mac 'n cheese, anyone?); 

a full sized slicer (perfect for veggies); and a 

     removable fine zester blade (for citrus fruits).

The non-slip rubber feet give it just the right stability, and ~ 

if I had a dishwasher (2011 resolution?), 

the Box Grater is completely dishwasher-safe. 

These same cute little feet lift the grater up off your work

     surface, giving you an idea of how much you've grated.

If you're not familiar with Microplane, their signature blades cut easily 

through both hard and soft foods    

     without tearing or shredding, and since I store mine in one of our kitchen cupboards, 

I'm happy it comes

     with an acrylic cover that fits easily over the blades.

Is part of the "new you" to not let things grate on your nerves? 

Then this Box Grater is for you!

As always, shop locally to see if your favorite shop carries any of these products.

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and culinary instructor. She can be reached through her website, www.bevshaffer.com or at bev.foodwithattitude@gmail.com.

Eggsactly!

Some kitchen gadgets fall into the "that's exactly what I need" category,

and the Egg Cooker by Chef's Choice definitely fits nicely into that niche.

I love eggs in a multitude of ways and was dismayed when they went through that

"eggs are bad for your health" phase. 

When we're traveling, I seek out great breakfast places with names like 

Eggspectations, an out of the way diner that specializes in fluffy, packed with fresh veggies omelettes, or an elegant restaurant where I can spend an exorbitant amount of money on freshly squeezed orange juice and superb Eggs Benedict.

My old electric egg cooker is worn out, and it only had two functions:

soft boil or hard boil.  Even the American Egg Board would tire 

of eggs consistently prepared only two ways!

The sleek, easy to clean design 

(reminding me of the perfect egg or my husband, John's, bald head!)

makes for the perfect countertop addition. When I have a houseful of fussy eaters,

the egg cooker's precision electronic timer allows me to cook seven eggs to varying degrees of "doneness" in the same batch...soft, medium, hard.

There's always one overachieving hen in the crowd!

When I used my old cooker, I had to use an oven mitt to remove the hot eggs when done to prevent them from overcooking. This model has an egg tray with handles that enables me to remove and rinse under cold water to bring directly to the table.

When  I'm feeling ambitious, I can poach three eggs in this cooker's egg poaching tray and set an elegant table for home created Eggs Benedict. 

[Can an electric hollandaise sauce maker be far behind??]

Overall, it's the perfect addition to my kitchen and 

allows me to cook my eggs "just right".

How to Tangle with a Mango!

Yes, it is possible to love something that has a large, flat, hairy pit!

Such is our love affair with the mango,

an enticing fruit with a peach like flavor and flowery aroma.

Getting to the fruit, however, is nothing to love!

Each of these gadgets were designed to enable you to eat a mango 
"on the half shell" ~ 
cutting the fleshy "cheeks" completely off each side of the pit.

The Mango Splitter by OXO works on a similar note to an apple sectioner. You hope the fruit is perfectly shaped, place the mango splitter centered on top, add some serious heft and the mango splits in two with the pit remaining in the center (just waiting, I might add, for you to eat any 

remaining fruit clinging to it over the kitchen sink, wet washcloth in hand). 

It's a handy little thing to have around if mangoes make 

regular appearances in your kitchen.

The Mango Knife by Van Vacter could, quite honestly, be the perfect mango tool. 

It's a quick and easy way to split, dice and peel a mango. It features a curved blade that allows you to get more fruit from your mango (assuming it's ripe), following the contours of the fruit after cubing with the tip.

The long, nonslip handle makes it easy to maneuver 
even when the mango is so juicy you're

"lost in the tropics of Ohio."

Diced fresh mangoes, warmed in a skillet and tossed in plain Greek yogurt is one of my favorite treats...but I would be remiss if I didn't long for those great mango margaritas I make as well. 

These are two gadgets that will be used in my kitchen often.

As always, shop locally to see if your favorite shop carries any of these products.

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author and culinary instructor. She can be reached through her website, www.bevshaffer.com or at bev.foodwithattitude@gmail.com.

Black Friday Redux, with Meaning!

After every "Black Friday" friends of mine tell the same story...frustrating experiences that ruined their weekend.  I say "it's time for some soft organic clothing that'll put the AHHH back in your holiday gift giving spirit!".

I've long been a fan of Maggie's Organics ~ I have their sheets (which, in the winter, are heavenly and soft), their scarves, their footies, their hikers, their tights, their crews in an assortment of colors ~ and I give them as gifts often.

It's easy to get so focused on inexpensive, volume shopping that we forget some of the basics [remember that saying, "It's the thought that counts"] ~ 100% certified organic fibers and fair labor practices ~ and a luxurious feel and quality product that is so superior to anything else, you'll wonder why your feet and the rest of your body haven't protested!! 

The perfect gift for that friend that's stuck in the 60's!

Maggie's Organics has been making high-quality durable and affordable socks and apparel out of organic fibers since 1992. They are the first apparel company to receive Fair Labor Practices and Community Benefits Certification...allowing you, with your purchases, a chance to feel good and do good at the same time!

The perfect accessory any time: an extra long scarf made from soft, lightweight 100% certified organic cotton.

 

Give the perfect gift that also tells a story. Here's a glimpse of some of my favorites, lots of which I'll be gifting this year as well (including a "gift" or two to myself ~ hey, you can't always rely on Santa to bring you what you want).

Even "Santa Baby" would love these !

Sipping in Style

"Tea to Go"

I am a huge tea fan...ginger peach to earl grey, I just about love it all ~ and since I seem to be in my car often, I enjoy the convenience of a travel mug. 
The feel of stainless on my lips or in my hand, however, is just plain, well, COLD, 
so when it comes to picking the perfect vessel for my hot tea -- porcelain is exactly what I enjoy. 
I can lose myself for just a few minutes while I'm sitting, bumper to bumper on the highway waiting for the traffic to clear...I can imagine myself sitting in a cafe sipping freshly brewed, 
hot tea in a porcelain cup. 

This eco-friendly Terra bird pattern Tea To Go cup by HUES & BREWS 
has some unique features I've enjoyed using.
The lid is silicone, helping to keep the beverage cold (or in the case of my tea) hot 
-- and it helps prevent spills on the go!

The double wall procelain cup traps in air for extra insulation. 
There's also a silicone stopper on the bottom that prevents water from entering the hollow cavity [that double walled insulation] when washing the cup. 

And the pattern? It reminds me of a trip to South East Asia...and the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden in Hong Kong, a place where men brought their caged birds and hung them outside to sing to each other while they socialized. 

Spirit 16oz. sip cup

So you won't be surprised to learn I also love iced tea...and love to travel with it. 

This green [BPA free] acrylic sip cup is sturdy and comes with its own straw.  

It's even designed to hold hot beverages 

[although I can't remember the last time I had the urge to sip something hot through a straw!].

Hues & Brews sells through retailers only...and their website will help in finding a retailer near you. They offer a wide variety of i-pots [Steve Jobs, eat your heart out] that make perfect gifts.

Wine Memories

Put away that 

Analysis of the life cycle of Cork, Aluminum and Plastic Wine Closures! 

It's just plain boring.

Memories are relived through wine bottle corks, and no screw top lid can replace that.

If you do keep those corks from those memorable moments ~ weddings, anniversaries, celebrations of any and every kind, a memorable bottle from recent travels ~ they're probably stored away in a jar or bag in the back corner of a kitchen counter.

Bring those memories alive as conversation starters and decoration with the new

WINE BOTTLE CORK CAGE. 

 

 

Available in an assortment of shapes and sizes, what a perfect gift with a very special bottle of wine, for yourself or friends.

A fun and innovative way to keep and cherish all of your wonderful wine memories. Just drop your treasured corks in the top.

 The "bottle" is an artfully sculpted metal work with colored glass spheres, and the reverse side depicts a grape image in metal. The bottom hinges open to release the stored corks.

How about a wedding gift with a bottle of something special with this tree ornament that will keep that special wine cork?  Perfect and unique.

 

Sifting through...

I've never been a big fan of sifters. Inevitably, someone at my home would rinse an old one and everything in it would become caked and the workings would rust, causing me to make that "ooh, yuk!" face when I would pull it from the cupboard [just before tossing it in the trash]. 

And my aching hand...after cups and cups of cake flour and cups and cups of organic powdered sugar, I felt like my hand was going to fall off...muscles I don't normally use were crying out for some ointment to be rubbed on them (or at least some cake crumbs).

Now a sifter that was easy to use, easy to clean and easy to store = that would make me happy in the kitchen.

I saw this Scoop & Sift by Cuisipro and thought I'd give it a shot. After all, it WAS billed as a "single-hand flour sifter" with a "handle angled for ergonomic comfort requiring minimal effort" and some days ~ well, let's just say I'm all about minimal effort.

Cake baking time. This sifter's front screen has a wide surface area, which I found ideal for getting the job of sifting done quickly, making my muscles very happy.

Because the single-hand trigger mechanism was easy to use, I was able to keep one hand free to measure and mix ingredients while I was sifting.

After my sifting chores were finished, I tapped the flour out completely and wiped it gently with a paper towel. The tag did say "dishwasher safe ~ top shelf" so as soon as I get a dishwasher (but that's another story).

Storage was a cinch. A twist tie and a large plastic bag and I stored the sifter near my cake flour for frequent use.  

And, just for the record, I still hate to sift ~ but it's a small price to pay for tender cakes and frostings, lovingly made.


Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author, and culinary instructor.
She can be reached through her website http://www.bevshaffer.com/about.

HOT and HIP!

hmmm.... you're thinking is that me?! Yes ~ and no. 

I've traded in some of my plain fabric aprons for latest hot and hip textile trend...aprons with delectable patterns and style...aprons by Art * Style * Design (ASD) Living,

They're fabulous coverage (and yes, I am a messy cook and baker)...but I love the colors and patterns. 

You know when you're cooking and guests arrive and you can't wait to throw off that apron so you look presentable? Well this collection might make you want to throw one on to impress your guests!

And yes, I adore this cupcake apron ~ the waist style keeps me from eating too many slices of CAKES to die for! ~ yet I can't resist the coloring and pattern because it's just plain delicious!

There's quite the range of coordinating kitchen textiles ~ potholders, reversible placemats, napkins and dish towels. Man who loves to grill? Hot daddy...get him skewered with this manly version...

Isn't it time you expressed your inner domestic goddess' unique personality, in style?

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author, and culinary instructor.
She can be reached through her website http://www.bevshaffer.com/about.

Do You ULU?

Kitchen gadgets with a story to tell, those that are conversation starters, are favorites of mine.

Add the ULU (pronounced "oo loo") knife to that list of favorites!

Purchased on a recent trip to Alaska, I was given a factory tour in Anchorage by Janice Gransbury, store manager. Used for centuries by native Eskimo people of the Arctic, ULUs were first shaped from slate and other stones. She showed me a remarkable display of ULU artifacts.

Photo courtesy of John R. Shaffer

Similar to a mezzaluna but without the Italian accent, the ULU offers great control and versatility for kitchen cutting needs. [As an aside, Alaskans use these knives for everything from cooking to sewing ~ and, in the event you're curious, ULUs are also used by the winners of the Alaskan beaver and seal skinning competitions!]

From a practical point of view, this legendary knife of the arctic performs some culinary chores with particular ease. Its rounded blade makes it perfect for my favorite uses: chopping nuts, mincing fresh herbs, dicing onions and dicing peppers. The unique design increases dexterity and leverage and makes chopping easier and (somewhat) safer.

You hold the ULU between your thumb and fingers with the top of the handle resting in the palm of your hand. (Always have the beveled side of the blade facing the piece you are to cut.) Use a sweeping motion of the wrist, leading to a rocking motion of the blade, never lifting the blade from the cutting board.

When cutting, try to use the full length of the blade, of course keeping your fingers away from the cutting edge! And ~ if you happen to catch a salmon in the pristine waters behind the factory store ~ you can use your ULU to skin it on the spot!

Photo courtesy of John R. Shaffer

 

 

 

 

There were many sizes to choose from, but I opted for the Inupiat style Alaska Birch handle ULU with an Alaskan scene of two Eskimos ice fishing laser cut in to the handle. Simply put, it just felt good in my hand.

Photo courtesy of John R. Shaffer

Check out their website The ULU Factory for styles, to request a catalog, or to order. Imagine ~ centuries old and still the cutting edge!

This Ice Rocks!

Kick back and chill…it’s summer. Not just any summer in any city…this is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame city and you need to chill in style.

Picture this: I’m in a store, leisurely browsing, when I happen upon this ice cube tray set (“Cool Jazz” on the packaging). It has grooves (no pun intended!) for three guitars, each with its own guitar neck stir stick in assorted colors. As if that weren’t enough, there are two mini musical notes that could become ice as well.

“This ice rocks!” I shout out, as my companion and others in the store slowly ease away from me.

Fun and functional, I had to add this to my ice cube tray collection (which consists of two trays of square cube shapes, one of which has a cover). Now I’m ready to drop one of these frozen groovy guitars into my drink, give it a stir, and let the good times roll. (Did I mention that, if you’re shy, these stir sticks serve as a real ice breaker?!)

But wait…you can’t give new meaning to “on the rocks” without some drinks to get your groove going. Here are a few to mix, sip and stir.

Summertime Fizz

10 to 12 fresh blueberries plus additional for garnish
3/4 ounce raspberry syrup
1 1/2 ounce gin
1/2 ounce Cointreau
3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
soda water

Muddle the blueberries and raspberry syrup in a bar glass and then add ice. Combine the gin, Cointreau and lemon juice in the bar glass. Shake vigorously and strain into a tall glass filled with a few chips of crushed ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a few fresh blueberries and an ice guitar. Serves 1.

Designated Driver Strawberry Cooler

2 cups chilled orange juice
1 1/2 cups hulled strawberries, halved
1 to 2 Tablespoons superfine or granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups ginger ale, cold

In a blender, combine the orange juice, strawberries and sugar until berries are pureed.

Place the berry puree in a large pitcher. Add ginger ale, stirring to combine. Serve in a tall glass with an ice guitar and a few fresh strawberry pieces for garnish. Serves 4.

Check with your favorite local retailers to see if they already have or can order this Cool Jazz Ice Cube Tray for you. It’s by Fred and Friends. www.fredandfriends.com

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author, and culinary instructor.
She can be reached through her website www.bevshaffer.com.

ROCK ON!

Okay, I’ll admit it. I have more vinyl and rock memorabilia in my home than tunes in my iPod. Some stuff the Rock Hall might be envious of…Beatles albums in mono (no, not the illness!), ticket stubs from Cream at Madison Square Garden ($4!) and The Doors in Asbury Park ($3.50!), a program (somewhat tattered and tear stained) from seeing the Beatles at Shea Stadium, Country Joe and The Fish’s LP “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die”. The music collection is filled with everything from rock to country to bluegrass to holiday tunes to classical. And yes, I still have a working turntable hooked up to our stereo system.

When ambition moves me and I’m in my what should I do with this stuff frame of mind, the topic often turns to these artistic, eclectic and somewhat ancient forms of musical entertainment. And somewhere, wedged between the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” and Beethoven’s classics lies the phrase what will they think of next! They, of course, being the Rhode Island School of Design and their graduate Jeff Davis. As part of a graduate thesis project, Jeff and his company, Vinylux, began breathing new life into these “obsolete piles of records” (Hey, I resent that!).

Putting chips in their Stepped Bowl and using the LP Coasters is a real conversation starter at parties. Their complete line can be viewed at www.vinylux.net, and includes such items as a Smooth Bowl, Stepped Bowl (pictured), LP Clock, LP Coasters, LP Snack Tray (pictured), Album Cover Note cards, and 45RPM Clock. You can even pick your genre, with choices that include rock, soul, jazz, blues, 80’s pop, disco (finally! a good use for disco music!), crooners, divas and more.

Their revived record products utilize as much of the vinyl and album covers as possible. (And listen to this, Mother Earth lovers ~ their products are made in the spirit of repurposing ~ left over material is recycled: the off-cut vinyl from the coasters is collected by plastics recyclers and re-processed, and non-usable album covers are converted into recycled paper. They’re committed to using post-consumer materials whenever possible, as well as non-toxic printing inks and minimal packaging. Very cool!)

My LP Snack Tray was created from Elton John’s “Tumbleweed Connection”, and the Stepped Bowl from Barbra Streisand’s “Greatest Hits” (which, coincidentally, includes the song “Second Hand Rose”). These are must have’s for your patio parties…and make perfect gifts for that hard-to-buy-for everyone on your list.

Bev’s Bites: Don’t forget to support your favorite local stores that might carry these gadgets…call around and see who has them in stock or can order them for you.

Bev Shaffer is a chef, food writer, cookbook author, and culinary instructor.