I plan on purchasing this cookbook, along with the fondue pot I blogged about in my last post. The Everything Fondue Cookbook, by Rhonda Lauret Parkinson, features 300 tasty fondue ideas.

(The ‘Everything’ series is excellent. I own two of these books and can attest to the fact that they are well worth the investment.)

When it comes to cooking it seems that Ms. Parkinson knows her stuff. She has also written The Everything Chinese Cookbook and has been the Chinese Cuisine Guide at About.com, since 1998.

If you take the time to read some of the reviews written about this cookbook, you will see that it has been well received. Even the folks who were leery about buying it, because of all of the free recipes on the Internet, are glad they did.

As you might guess, there are yummy fondue suggestions for every meal and occasion. How about Ham and Cheese Fondue for breakfast, Crab Rangoon Fondue as an appetizer and Chocolate Kahlua Dessert Fondue as an after dinner treat?

What is the most creative fondue recipe you have ever come up with? We would all love to know what ‘dippers’ were served with it and how it turned out. Let the fondue begin!

I asked Santa to bring me the Westbend 3-Quart Electric Fondue Pot, for Christmas. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. So…I’m going to opt for the next best thing and purchase it myself. (I’LL show Santa!)

I like the idea of an electric fondue pot so much more than the open flame version. (You get to say no to Sterno.) This particular unit has a detachable cord, which can be easily removed. Its non stick surface makes clean up a breeze. The pot is dishwasher safe, as well.

Due to its large size, it can accommodate up to eight people and comes with eight jazzy color-coded fondue forks. Load up a couple of these on New Year’s Eve and let the fun and good food begin!

The Westbend Fondue Pot features variable heat settings from warm all the way up to 400 degrees. It has heat resistant legs, which allows you to safely use it right at the table. It is covered under a one year warranty.

Whether you are partial to cheese fondue, chocolate fondue or the wide variety of other fondue choices available… this is the set for you.

What is your favorite type of fondue and what ‘dippers’ do you provide to go along with it? My recipe cards are ready and waiting!

I live in a very small house and I hate it. I see pictures of sprawling kitchens and get tears in my eyes… well almost. I never even thought about purchasing a dishwasher, until I saw this one. The Danby 23-inch Countertop Dishwasher. I think it would work in an apartment setting, as well.

This unit can wash up to four standard place settings and easily connects to most kitchen faucets. Its energy star rated, so it won’t cost you an arm and a leg to run.

The Danby has five cycles, which include: pre-wash, economy, rapid, normal and intensive. That represents a wider choice than many standard size models, I’ve seen. It features automatic dispensers for soap and a rinse agent, should you choose to use one.

This countertop dishwasher is covered under a full one year warranty. An extended warranty may or may not be available, depending where it is purchased.

If you live alone or in a two person household, this nifty little dishwasher might be just for you… especially if you have a hectic schedule or hate washing dishes (or both).

I consider myself lucky because my hubby claims to like doing dishes and actually does them, a lot of the time. Believe me, if I didn’t have him, I’d order a Danby!

Believe it or not, I’ve never owned a pair of poultry shears. Every time I’m cutting up a chicken, I ask myself why. I guess I really need to invest in these Henckels Deluxe Serrated Poultry Shears.

When you are in need of kitchen cutlery this is definitely a brand to consider. Yes, Henckles knives cost a bit more than competing brands, but they are worth their weight in gold… or in this case, chicken. They come with a LIFETIME warranty, which makes them an even better value.

I hate cutting up chicken. YUCK! But, I’m sure these shears would make the job a whole lot easier. Because of their design, this particular pair cuts through bones and joints with very little effort on your part.

Made in Germany, the 10-inch shears are constructed with curved, high carbon, stainless steel blades. One of them notched and serrated to prevent slipping when you are cutting through the hardest of bone.

There is no need to worry about reaching into a drawer and accidently getting cut on these shears. The blades lock securely together, with the slide of a button.

These shears are dishwasher safe. But, hand washing is recommended in order to protect the edges of the blades.Henckels, anyone?

I scream, you scream, we all scream for… ice cream muffins.  I don’t know about you but I happen to love muffins, especially on a cold winter morning. Because you can make them a million different ways, they are an extremely versatile treat.

I was thrilled to come across this Sante Cabin Muffin Topper Pan. It is the perfect gift for the ‘muffin top lover’ in your life. This cast iron pan produces 6 big, yummy, muffin tops. (We all know that’s the best part, right?)

It comes pre-seasoned, which I think is a pretty nifty feature. It’s basically ready to use right out of the box. (Think Christmas morning muffins.) For those of you who may not be aware, cast iron is great to bake in. It almost guarantees that you will get a perfect, golden, muffin or other type of baked good every time.

Muffins freeze well. You can store batter in the refrigerator for up to two days. So, you never really have to be without them. (I always mix up a double or triple batch and freeze the extras. Wrap individually and pull out just what is needed.)

What is your all time favorite muffin recipe? Please consider sharing it with all of us. Our muffin pans are waiting!

Soy milk lovers, rejoice! Have I got the kitchen wonder for you. It’s the Sunpentown Automatic Soymilk Maker and it’s pretty nifty, indeed.

It makes milk in less than 18 minutes, from start to finish. The machine accomplishes the job, using just two ingredients… soybeans and water. It heats the water to the proper temperature, grinds the beans and then finally cooks the milk. You can’t get soymilk any fresher than that!

(You have the option of using either dry or soaked beans, although soaking isn’t really a necessity.)

If you take the time to read the reviews on this particular soymilk maker you will see that it passes the test, with flying colors. It’s very simple to whip up a fresh batch, every day.

The price is great, too. I expected to see a small appliance such as this going for much more. When you take into consideration cost of a single half gallon of soymilk, the money you’ll save will really add up.

If you have one of these machines, in your kitchen, please tell us what you think. I’m seriously thinking about getting one, myself. There’s no better time to start thinking about eating (and drinking) healthier than the New Year.

I’m a HUGE cheese fan. I guess that technically makes me a displaced cheese head. When I take on the task of grating cheese, I use an ‘old fashioned’ box type grater. Maybe it’s high time I purchase an upgrade.

I own or have owned several different Oster products and have been pleased with all of them. I’m sure I’d like the Oster CG100 Electric Cheese Grater, as well. (I wonder what else I could process in it?)

Because the unit sits upright, it takes up minimal storage space. The grater is rechargeable and includes two shredding drums… so it can produce, both, a fine and course grade of cheese.

Drums are see-through. This makes it easy to keep track of the amount of cheese that has been processed.

The unit is large enough to grate enough cheese, for 8-10 people, in one session. Of course, this number will vary greatly depending on how many people really LOVE cheese and eat more than their fair share.

As with all types of graters, electric or otherwise, it is best to process only hard varieties of cheese. Softer varieties tend to crumble and clump.

There are so many yummy tasting hard cheeses. Which one is your favorite?

Spiral hams will grace thousands upon thousands of holiday tables, this year. It’s no secret that my family prefers ham over turkey, any day. Since these ‘porkers’ tend to be a rather expensive menu choice, it is important to prepare them properly.

You’d be surprised at how many people like to eat their spiral ham at room temperature or even cold. B-R-R-R-R-R! If that’s not the case, at your house, the best thing to do is to follow the heating instructions on the package.

If instructions aren’t available, it is recommended that you bake your spiral ham in a 300 degree oven for 12-15 minutes per pound. (A meat thermometer should read 140 degrees.)

If you will be glazing the ham, it should be returned to a 400 degree oven after glaze has been applied. For something different, try cranberry or honey mustard glaze. YUM! Remove ham after 10-15 minutes. Glaze should be hot and bubbly.

Allow it to set 10 additional minutes, before serving.

Glazing is a very simple way to ‘jazz up’ almost every type of meat. Do you have a favorite glaze recipe that you are willing to share with us? It’s time to say no to glaze-less ham!

Don’t panic! There’s still time to make holiday cookies. So, I just had to show you these adorable cookies, made with the Cuisipro Green Train Cookie Cutters. All A-B-O-A-R-D! (These cookies would make a great snack, for those watching Polar Express, don’t you think?)

This is a five piece set that includes the coach car, engine, caboose, window cut out and wheel cut out. These cookie cutters are constructed of very durable plastic and are dishwasher safe.

They snap together, when not in use, taking up little storage space. This eliminates the possibility of losing one of them. (Anyone who tells you that they’ve NEVER lost a cookie cutter or two is fibbing to you! They are like socks in the dryer.)

The Cuisipo Company has been making all kinds of household goods, for over 55 years. They stand behind these cookie cutters (and all of their products) with a 25 YEAR warranty. That adds up to a whole lot of choo-choos.

They manufacture a variety of other cookie cutter sets, as well. These include: farm animals, nautical shapes, hearts, holiday trees and more. You could even use these when making more grown up type canapés.

Got milk? (Sorry, I just couldn’t resist!)

My husband and I are both candle junkies. So much so, we are distributors for a wonderful line of veggie wax blend candles.

Even though we remain loyal to our brand, we occasionally run across a brand we’d like to try. Paula Deen’s At Home Bakery Scented Candles fall into that category. (I’m a real sucker for bakery scents.)

Scents include but are not limited to: banana cream pie (shown), oatmeal chocolate chip, peppermint bark, hot mocha float and ginger cookie.

Each candle comes in a very pretty glass jar, complete with a ribbon and Paula’s corresponding recipe. These are large candles, 38 ounces in size.

Candles make wonderful gifts, because almost everyone burns them. They are the perfect choice for the person who has it all. Rest assured, as long as they are of excellent quality, candles won’t end up in the top of the recipient’s closet… or worse yet, passed on to someone else. (Say NO to re-gifting!)

What brand is your all-time favorite candle? Do you prefer bakery scents, like I do, or are you more into flowery fragrances? Is there a brand you’d like to try that you have not yet had the opportunity to? Inquiring candle lovers want to know.