Hi, Carolyn!

At this moment, I have three crockpots--two with removable "crocks" and one that doesn't have the removable crock.

I ordered an ULTREX Slow Cooker from HSN and it is a really good one. The other two, one is a 5-qt. and one is a 3 qt.,that I have are the Rival Crockpots that are for sale at Wal-Mart.

If I were you, I would get a 4, 5, or 6 qt. crockpot. I would also get one with the removable crock. In fact, I have worn two crockpots completely out. One of the crockpots was one that had the removable crock. I threw the electrical part of the crockpot away, but kept the crock. This way, I can use both crocks with my new crockpot.

Turkey stock and beef stock can be made using the crockpot. I love the smell of cooking turkey or beef along with celery, bell pepper, black pepper, garlic, and seasoned salt.

When we had Christmas Eve Dinner at our house, my sister came into the kitchen and saw the crockpot filled with orange peelings, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. She thought that I had made wassail, which I hadn't. I had made ambrosia and used the orange peelings along with the spices and water to make that wonderful "Christmas smell." However, I have had wassail that was made in the crockpot and it was delicious!

I ALWAYS cook dried beans and peas in the crockpot. I put them in a large pot and cover them with water the night before I am planning on cooking them. Add a ham bone, a pork chop, or some fried bacon to the peas or beans along with salt, pepper, and water, and you will have a delicious side dish.

Another good dish to cook is pork. Whenever I buy a boston butt, I put it in the crockpot along with onions, bell peppers, garlic, 2 T. of apple cider vinegar, pepper, seasoned salt, and water. The pork cooks for 9-10 hours. The pork is put into the refrigerator where it stays overnight. The next morning, I pull the lean mean from the roast, and throw the fat away. The "drippings" are heated and are drained in a sieve. I use these pork drippings as the liquid whenever I make rice. The lean meat is mixed with barbecue sauce and served on buns.

For me, it is worth getting up a little earlier in the morning to put something in the crockpot than it is to rush in after work and fix supper. After I have been at school all day long with my "children," I can barely remember the way home, much less think of something to have for supper!

As you can tell, I am a fan of crockpot cooking! I hope that this helps. If you need any more information, just let me know.

Happy holidays!