My List of Enjoyably Useful Things from 2015

[This isn’t an Oprah-like “buy the stuff I like” ad list - and that's a good thing because I certainly don't have an Oprah-like following ;-) It’s done purely for my own snicks.]

# 8  My Nespresso Espresso Maker

I can make a cheaper Flat-White at home, one that tastes every bit as good as Starbucks.

#7  Alexa, our Amazon Echo Speaker

She’s way more fun than those sea-monkeys I sent away for as a child and I like her even if she clearly demonstrates a preference for Reliable Husband's voice over mine.

# 6  Our Remote Control Thermostat...

Which allows us to control the heat or air-conditioning in our home from anywhere we have a phone signal.

#5  My Stand-Up-Paddle Board...

the human-powered, hands-down favorite of our guests last summer.

# 4  Netflix/Amazon Prime/FireStick/PBS’s online streaming and a Super Thin Amplified hdtv 50-mile Range Antenna

Streaming and free local antenna tv enabled us to “cut" the cable cord.- Well, figuratively that is -When Reliable Husband called to cancel they begged wheedled encouraged him to reconsider, offering to put us on “vacation suspension” for 6 months in the hopes we’ll meanwhile come to our senses.

# 3  The Great British Baking Show

And cutting the cord is how I found this show - having never been one to watch cooking shows or any of that Dancing-with-the-Star-like Hollywood competitive “reality” television, I surprised even myself with the watching of this one, a show that I salivated in anticipation of, then devoured, digested, and licked my lips and fingers with each and every delicious episode.

# 2  Simply Salsa...

by Jennifer, a sister of a dear friend of the family. She started selling her homemade salsa at farmer’s markets as a “side hustle” - Her product was picked up by the Greater Chicago area Mariano’s last year and is now being test marketed at the Orland Park area Costco. Being a home cook myself, who makes a pretty mean salsa, I’d say it’s “simply" the only salsa I’d ever consider buying.

Drumroll, please...

# 1  The Slow but Amazing Makeover of ALDI

I’ll admit when they first rolled on the market some years back, I was extremely skeptical as I looked down my nose at their generic-looking, knock-off foodstuff, which you then have to purchase with cold hard cash and bag yourself, using your own bags. You have to even ‘rent’ the grocery cart for a refundable quarter. But they’ve always had pretty good produce, though usually only the basics. And yet they seem to be expanding every year as they add more organic, upscale, and fair trade and UTZ certified products. These products are a bit more affordable for the basic American family who cares about this stuff. I’m very fussy about where I buy my groceries but surprisingly find myself including Aldi for food purchases on a somewhat regular basis

(And an honorable mention goes to my new MacBookPro. It makes me just love modern technology.)