The Queen and I are really just bit players in the burgeoning network of  foodies and friends of home cooking. But we’re sincere! As we go deeper into sources and tools and thinking about the world’s food system, we take baby steps toward a greater appreciation of the people, companies and organizations that help us eat more intentionally, and we care more about those who help us do that.

This year is shaping up to be the Year of Tools. We’ve taken the plunge into the sea of grown-up small appliances for the kitchen. As the stand (or is it “standing”) mixer arrived this week, I realized that we’re now a Kitchen Aid family: blender, food processor and mixer. These choices were based almost entirely on ratings from users and some of Dads’ friends. Checked out Cook’s Illustrated, Amazon, and Cooking.com. Observed carefully while learning how to bake from Martha. Kitchen Aid seems to be about everyone’s favorite. And then you go to their website and see all the solid Buckeyes who make the stuff somewhere in Ohio. Makes you proud the best is at least sometimes still American.

More baking adventures to come…