Chestnut keepsake chest

John Grossbohlin made this chest for his wife Michelle to keep important keepsakes in. It is made from chestnut from the fallen limb of a tree Michelle's father planted. You get the idea? a keepsake box, which is itself a keepsake made from material having very special significance to the keeper! And finished just in time for Christmas! Congratulations John, for finishing it in time and with such beautiful craftsmanship.

For Christmas I received a stand-up and cheer gift, Kitchen Aid stand-up mixer. It is a powerful made-in-St. Joseph, Michigan tool designed without any notion of planned obsolescence. If Detroit made cars the way Kitchen Aid makes mixers we would not be spending so much money on Toyotas and if we spent our money with long term quality in mind, we would be in a better economic position and live more meaningful lives today.

I am a very lucky man. With my daughter Lucy home from college we are sharing time together in the kitchen. She is practicing her cooking skills and Jean and I are helping and reaping the benefits. Shown below is tonight's 5 dish Indian dinner.