So, exciting day! Two years cancer free, and I took my sister’s Christmas gift, a certificate to my most favorite local kitchen emporium (http://sites.google.com/site/commonhousefly/home) and bought a whole bunch of guilty pleasures that are as functional as they are fun. In walking through the store with my daughter, I started thinking about all the kitchen necessities and guilty pleasures for homesteading. Tonight, I thought I’d start a list, but as you know, as I go through my day tomorrow, I may think of a few more so check back. Got thoughts on necessities and guilty pleasures? Please comment!

- large colander for washing, draining, and holding fruits and veggies for all homesteading activities
- a large bowl for mixing, holding, marinating, preparing anything (especially sugar and fruit for jam–check out my blogpost on canning or “we’re jammin'”)
- a really good wooden spoon–nothing better for mixing and stirring
- whisks in all sizes
- multiblade scissors or chopping instrument for herbs that cuts without mashing them
- a blender that has at least 5 settings
- a large pot for soups and stews
- a saute pan that simply releases the flavors of veggies
- garlic press to add flavor to those veggies
- a citrus press for lemons, limes, and clementine oranges
- a good food processor (it is worth the investment)
- a good paring knife with an eco-green cutting board
- a large stainless steel tea ball, not only for tea but for herbs and other spices you want to infuse into jam, pickles, etc.

Well–that looks like a good start and will certainly fill your cart on your next outing. I’m gonna go dig around a bit and see what else I can find that I can suggest, but I wanna hear from you–share on!
A grain mill, for grinding wheat into flour.
Cheesecloth, for turning homemade yogurt into cheese
A crock pot, for simmering homemade chicken stock
An immersion blender, for pureed soups and baby food
Mason jars, gosh I use them for everything
Large glass pitchers, for making fermented beverages
A family with an appetite, to help you eat all this food!
All wonderful! Yes, a crock pot sits right on my counter, and I am addicted to Mason/Ball jars. Unfortunately, I am gluten intolerant so no grain mill here but am dreaming of an immersion blender for Mother’s Day! Thanks, arealfoodlover!