For those of us that are admitted coffee addicts, there is nothing like a rich cup of hot coffee to get our days off to the right start. The smells and flavors of the coffee is enough to put a smile on our faces. Then there is the delicious special specialty coffees like cappucino and espresso that we usually only get to enjoy when we’re out in a restaurant. But you can enjoy these wonderful coffees in the comfort of your home with the De’Longhi Espresso & Cappucino Maker.

This cool looking, retro-style cappucino maker creates top notch coffees that will make you think you’re in a fine restaurant. It automatically self primes and is constructed with a durable stainless steel boiler that will last for many years. It even has two distinct thermostats so that you can control the steam and water temperature. What’s great is that this machine can be used with pods and with an ESE filter holder. Makes a great frothy drink too! Simply a perfect coffee machine for any coffee-lover.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of getting your own first place. Whether it’s buying a home or condo, or renting that first apartment, it’s yours. And when it comes to supplies, every new homeowner or apartment dweller needs all of the help they can getting setting up their home. There are some wonderful kitchen items that can be very unique and useful housewarming gifts.

What’s great about giving a kitchen gift is that it is bound to get lots of use. Does your person like to cook quite a bit? Then why not pick a great pot or wok. Are they a big coffee drinker? Then a new programmable thermal coffee maker is sure to be a bright spot in their new kitchen and their daily life. So have fun picking something special, something that fits your budget but has that personal touch your friend or family-member is sure to love.

Long ago, long before our electric, induction, and gas stove tops people cooked on an open fireplace. Imagine regulating the temperature on your meals cooking on an open fire? But there is something so appealing about having a fireplace in the kitchen, or in multiple rooms of the house if possible. Something very romantic and soothing, especially on a wintry day.

Many homes now have fireplaces with gas logs that give the look of real logs without the mess of lugging firewood into your home and cleaning up the ashes. They’re also very efficient and can do a good job of heating a fair amount of square feet. Then there is the vision of the big stone fireplace stacked with fresh wood and the smell of real wood burning. That’s something you can’t get with a gas fireplace. Both types have their own wonderful qualities - wouldn’t it be nice to have a bit of both, say a nice woodburning fireplace in the den/kitchen area and gas logs in the master bedroom? Ah, perfect for a wintry day.

These are some basic tips for setting a formal table.

• Linen should be immaculate and all china, glass and silver should be glistening
• The plate marks the center of each place setting (any decorations on the plate should place the sitter)
• Allow a minimum of 25 inches length for each place setting space (30 inches is preferable).
• Allow 15-16 inches in depth for each place setting (so, for example, all glasses, plates, etc. are set inside an imaginary line 15-16 inches from the edge of the table).
• Placement of silverware: Knives and spoons are placed at the right (the knife should be closest to the plate with the cutting edge turned toward the plate), forks at the left (with tines facing upwards). The silverware should be set ½ inch from the edge of the table with the 1^st one to be used farthest from the plate.
• Glasses are set to the right of the plate, near the point of the knife.
• Bread plates are set on the left at the point of the fork, with a spreader laid across it.
• Napkins are placed to the left of the fork
• Salt, pepper and water carafes should be placed between on the table every two place settings.

While the chance to do something this fancy is rare for most of us, it’s fun to know how it’s supposed to look when it’s done right. Now, we just need to remember when to use what piece of silverware for which course! It’s worth a visit to Emily Post for more table setting and etiquette information.