Joel and anyone interested ...

you were right in comparing our cookbooks and moves.... but I'm more 'downsizing' due to retirement ...and 'downsizing' lots of our stuff.

However, you also said you wanted to 'do' your kitchen since your move - so trying to not buy more cookbooks etc.

Have you thought about entering any of the cooking or recipe contests? Some of them are a good way to improve your kitchen .... some your bank account ...and some a nice trip. Granted you don't always win (I've had many a dry streak!) and sometimes I just have no time, ideas, etc.

There are quite a few contests posted on the Blue Ribbon Cooks message boards. I've posted some of them - as I've entered cooking contests since we returned to the U.S. back in '66 (well I didn't enter until late '67). I dearly wanted a self-cleaning oven and Pillsbury used to give them to the 100 Bake Off finalists at that time. The 'new' house we bought had a perfectly adequate range ....but not self cleaning. So I entered the bake off. Nothing. The next year instead of 1 entry I sent 3 .... and was amazed when I was a finalist. I got the trip to the BO and a new double oven range! And got hooked on a terrific hobby.

I am what could be called a 'creative' cook. Not a great cook. All the family cooks. Some of them are not very good at writing up recipes, amounts, etc. ..... sometimes it would be 'hey, Mom, if I took your recipe for Chicago beef and put that rub you use on ribs on it ....how would it work for such and such?" Well it worked and won a nice trip for that son. No extra $$$ - but you can't win them all.

Everyone in the family had microwaves we won over the years. Just a year or so ago we had to BUY a microwave ....what a surprise! Same with food processors, etc. And I did win another range from a different contest. Then we moved and had to leave it behind as it was considered 'built in'.

One often wins with the recipe one least expects. Say if you've sent 5 -- you have your favorite. And the one you put at # 4 in your choices wins! It's still great. And sometimes I send more or less the same recipe (with changes, improvements, etc.) for several years and it never wins a damn thing.

Granted, items you can't use - you sell. Trips are great -- and meeting wonderful people (who become lifelong friends) is also a big plus!

Sometimes you have to use a sponsors product that you probably wouldn't use .... and that isn't always the greatest. But one can say 'oh yes that 'such-and-such' is so quick and easy. And sometimes for a contest I'll try a product I've never used - and find out its wonderful.

You don't have to spend a lot of time at it. Just be accurate - follow the directions - and hope! And keep on trying. I found I had more time for entering when I was working full time - than I do now - retired! I often just make a partial (1/4) recipe -- as I am fat enough. And 9 times out of 10 it works.

Often you can just take a recipe you've been making and make several changes .... and what a surprise! You shouldn't have to make and re-make and test and re-test. Would be impossible to check allyour cookbooks, etc. etc. Just don't knowingly copy. Many recipes that win are very similar to recipes we all have . and it's 'why didn't I think of that!'

Anyhow, we're off in 2 days to cook at a nat'l oyster cookoff down in southeast Md (65 miles SE of Washington DC) - I'm in salads/outdoor category and my husband is in soups/chowders. We've both particpated in this cook off before ... this will be my 9th (# 19 this year) and his 3rd - we've won Grand Prize (both of us in soups - 1, 2 and 3rd. ) So it's just for the fun ... tho we are assured 3rd ($100) We mainly go because of the great seafood ... and it's a nice weekend drive for us. Hoping the weather will be kind. Then the following month, we go to your city - Windows on the World - where he is in a 'perfect manhattan' mix-off! Only 1 prize there - and I doubt his has a chance. But it will still be fun. So ..... get cooking. It cook help speed up that new kitchen.