COOKWARE UPDATE: I mentioned a while back that we had gotten the George Foreman grill with dishwasher-safe removable plates, and so far it’s turned out very well: Easy to clean, and easy to use. The Insta-Daughter has put in the flat plates to make pancakes a few times, but otherwise we mostly use it as a Panini press. That’s easy, quick, and makes you feel like you’re getting something special. Tell the family you’re serving sandwiches for dinner and it sounds lame, but tell ’em you’re making Paninis and it sounds fancy!

UPDATE: Dean Barnett emails: “Absolutely right! It also does a nice job on salmon steaks.”