THE SHOPPING THREAD :-)

[maddy]

I find it's so hard not to buy any magazines, that has a hint of "Christmas" mentioned on the cover  ......it's like there will be 1 special thing/recipe I will miss out on, so I buy them all just in case 

[cookie1]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. On Tuesday I came home with: The Women's Day, (I usually buy this, not sure why), Australian Good Food, BBC Good Food, Super Food Ideas and Feast. This morning I was looking at the WW Christmas magazine. I managed to not buy it.

[Amanda]

Spot of retail therapy in the kitchenware store today.
Some new pastry brushes, a nice new silicone spatula and some stripey teatowels!
Oh, and some shiny red shoes yesterday!

[andiesenji]

I'm glad I'm not the only one. On Tuesday I came home with: The Women's Day, (I usually buy this, not sure why), Australian Good Food, BBC Good Food, Super Food Ideas and Feast. This morning I was looking at the WW Christmas magazine. I managed to not buy it.

Not the only one for sure.  I used to buy them too but haven't for the past few years, since I retired.  When I was still working (and driving 140 miles a day, round trip) there was a newsstand in the hospital lobby next door to my office building and as we lunched at the hospital a couple of days each week, I had to walk right past and would pick up one or two. 
Now I avoid the magazine aisle in the local stores because I tend to buy things I never  bother to read.
I also have saved all the holiday magazines from years gone by and I have a tall stack of holiday cookbooks. 
The only exceptions are the little holiday cookbooks from Pillsbury or Betty Crocker which are sold next to the check-out counter and I manage to pick up while standing in line. 
I think I've actually found more good ideas in those little creations than in any of the big fancy cookbooks.  I just don't use their mixes or products and substitute for something I have on hand. 

I'm very good at "winging it" with recipe modifications. . . 

[Cornish Cream]

I went shopping with my SIL's today and we visited a Lakeland where I bought this
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/14489/3D-Christmas-Cookie-Cutter-Set and this
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/15555/Kransekake-Pan these
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/15577/24-Tulip-Muffin-Cases 

[andiesenji]

I used to be a total sucker for cookie cutters and amassed a pile of them, not just for Christmas or holidays but some funny ones (howling coyote, saguaro cactus, turtles, pinwheels and etc.) but finally reached the tipping point and said "No More!"

However strange things happen and for some reason (possibly because of seeing all the ones I have and use) people began giving me cookie cutters.  Oy!  I absolutely do not "collect" them and only have them because I used to do a lot more baking and had a use for them.  Does this convince my friends - No.  I still get the occasional cookie cutter when someone comes across an odd one.
And there are some real oddities out there. 

Consider these:  an alligator and a palm tree (from Florida), an odd lumpy amoeba shape that is supposed to be decorated like one of the dancing raisins (did that fad reach OZ?),  a Harley-Davidson motorcycle where one is supposed to carefully fill in the lettering of the "proprietary" name (from the HD shop here in town), and lastly and most oddly, a chastity belt cookie cutter, complete with key!
I have given all of the odd ones away, hopefully to never again see the light of day.  Thank goodness no one ever thought to give me any of the "naughty parts" cookie cutters.   

[cookie1]

I'm glad that store isn't too near to me CC.
I used the tulip muffin cases to make [urlhttp://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=5183.0=]panettone[/url] last year.

Sorry I can't get the link to work.

[Cuilidh]

Andie, we got a violin shaped cookie cutter when we were in Cremona, Italy a couple of years ago - I gave it to one of my colleagues in the hope that she would be inspired to make some cookies, but I'm still waiting!

I love some of your oddities - you wonder who actually sits and thinks "...I think I'll make a [shape] cookie cutter today".

[tarasis]

I'm glad that store isn't too near to me CC.
I used the tulip muffin cases to make [urlhttp://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=5183.0=]panettone[/url] last year.

Sorry I can't get the link to work.

Here you go Cookie, just needed a = between the l and the h of urlhttp and remove the = from the end of 5183.0

panettone

[Halex]

Maddy i saw the ww retro cookbook today in DJ's 30% off, so tempted to buy but have a very expensive december coming up.

Did you buy it?
hally

[achookwoman]

Dan Lepard's Short and Sweet has just been released.  I ordered it from Book Depository,  $34.,  no postage charge.  I bought it for the bread recipes but the cake recipes are inspiring.  He explains, in very simple terms the chemistry of bread making.

[foodiepep]

Today I bought the pasta roller attachment for my Kitchenaid for $79.99  am so happy about that.  (They are usually $150.00)

It will be so good to be able to roll out pasta without needing a third hand. 

[cookie1]

Thanks Rob. I don't usually have any trouble but today it wasn't playing.

[kezza]

Today I bought a Panasonic breadmaker after reading posts about using them just for baking.  Still getting my head around reading instructions, as I have never used or seen one used before. Also started my Christmas shopping in earnest.  Does anyone in WA know where I can buy jars for mustards, jams etc. either online or local?  I used to buy mine from a shop in Subiaco markets, which of course is now no longer there. I am after small to medium size.

[achookwoman]

Kezza,  re Panasonic bread maker,  if you want any help just ask.    Best to make a basic loaf to get started.