I admit it - I love the gadgets. I own a dehydrator so I can make my very own beef jerky (which I've done twice in the 7 years I've owned it.) I tried to talk my bride into buying our very own rotisserie so that we could bake, roast, broil, grill, griddle, toast, rotisserie and bun warm our way to happier, healthier cooking. Cooking with things you plug in just makes me happy. But tonight I saw an electric vegetable peeler advertised on TV. Who, I wonder, sat peeling a potato thinking, "If only this peeler was battery operated..." If your life is so hectic that you need to save that extra few seconds it takes to peel a cucumber, do yourself a favor - lay off the latte. The Gradys will be sending you each one for Christmas.

My lunchtime order at Briazz: Me: I'd like a Caesar Salad, please. Briazz lady:: Ok. What kind of dressing would you like with that? Me: ... Briazz lady: We have ranch, honey mustard, vinagrette, caeser... Me: ... Briazz lady: Um, caeser? Me: Yes, please.