I am on my 3rd Braun coffee maker in 10 years. The first one was dropped and the second one make a whirring sound after it was shut off. I went through about 3 different brands until I realized that it was my favorite coffee maker. Then I found out that Braun was no longer making this model I was so upset until I found it at Shaw's Supermarket as a display. I think I begged for it until they caved! I don't know what I'm gonna do if this one dies!

A few years ago, there was a big stir in the SF Bay Area about "poop berry coffee"...people were actually lining up to pay an outrageous price to buy a cup of it. (I can't remember how much, I just remember being incredulous.) I have four coffee grinders. A spiffy little Bodum that I bought last week at a Cost Plus sale for ten bucks, which is my current grinder (it looks nice on the counter). It's arrival has pushed my old, reliable Mr. Coffee grinder into the pantry as a back up spice grinder, waiting for the final demise of my other Mr. Coffee (newer than the other, but not as reliable apparently, as it's held together with duct tape already.) And, I have a decorative hand-cranked coffee grinder that I have never actually tried. I'm sure I would get tired of cranking before I ever came close to producing the fine powder I like to make my coffee with, if it would even be possible.

Pampered Chef has a nice chopper that I use mostly for onions, but also use for nuts. I have an old, cheapo nut grinder where the nuts are fed into a cup on the top, you crank a small handle, and the nuts go through the blades into the bottom. It "grinds" them a little finer than I like sometimes for cakes, etc. but is perfect for some recipes. I especially like the finely ground nuts to roll my cheese balls in and for some salads and candy making. Here is a link that might be useful: Pampred Chef chopper

I have just about every knife imaginable. When I do squash, I wash it first, then microwave it for a minute or two, depending on the size. Cuts SO much easier. I've used my Wusthoff cleaver, my 8" Wusthoff chef's knife, a chinese cleaver and even resorted to DH bringing in the wood-mallet thingie. Microwaving makes it MUCH easier. I have the Solis Maestro burr grinder. I guess after 10+ years, they are discontinuing it and the newer version will be the Baratza. I spent about $130-50 (can't recall now) for it but it has been a JOY to use. I too am the only coffee drinker in my house. I have every gadget for coffee and tea. Love this thing. I guess these days, anything that lasts 10 years is considered golden, IMHO.