Give the gift that keeps on giving (great parties) – a stainless beverage tub.

When it comes to wedding gifts, The Bob and I typically shop "on the list." We go straight for the bridal registry and choose something the happy couple has selected for themselves. I highly recommend this approach for most couples, and I have appreciated knowing that I'm getting them something they really need or want.

While shopping on the list has its advantages, what it lacks in most cases is the personal touch. I can give the newlyweds their 5th flatware place setting, but will they remember me every time they eat chicken cordon bleu? Probably not.

I was faced with this dilemma when some great friends of ours recently got married. I will admit it. I was at a loss. I was at such a loss that I didn't have a gift selected by their wedding day!

(NOTE: I fell on strict wedding gift protocol on this one – feel free to use it yourself – you have up to ONE YEAR to gift the couple. That saved my bacon on this one!)

I had several criteria for the "perfect gift" for our friends. First, I wanted to find something that was useful, but not "utilitarian." Second, I was leaning toward something monogrammed – to me, it feels old fashioned in a good way. And finally, and to me most importantly, I wanted the gift to be something that, whether they reached for it once a month or once a year, they would think of The Bob and me.

After an exhaustive search, several ideas that were abandoned (including a personalized bocce ball set), and many...ahem...discussions...between Bob and I (he said shop on the list), I ran across this sweet stainless steel beverage tub from Personalization Mall.

This fit all my criteria. And, by my way of thinking, they can use it for any number of occasions, it will look great on a buffet table full of ice and bevvies. But, they might decide to use it for something completely different. They could use it as a planter, a magazine bin or even to hold diapers someday, should the mood strike them.

When the tub arrived, I opened the box to check it out (and to make sure their name wasn't misspelled!). I was impressed with the heft of the thing, and the hammered texture and other details gave it an upscale look compared to some tubs I have seen. I recommend this, not only because it's worth the money, but I was also impressed with the ordering and shipping process – I had a good experience.

So if you're looking for the ideal wedding gift, try this one out. It's a great value, looks fantastic, and it keeps on giving – great parties - for the bride and groom for years to come.

How to control runaway plastic container lids in one easy zip

This is a trick I have been using for years to reign in the clutter of miscellaneous plastic container lids. Zip-seal bags.

I got tired of the endless searching for the right shape and size lid, and the annoying slidy-aroundy thing they did right before they fell out of the cabinet onto my head. So, out of frustration I grabbed a gallon-size zip-seal bag and threw in all the round lids. I did the same thing with the square or rectangular lids. The bag seals and goes vertically along the side of the cabinet next to the stacked containers (by shape and size, of course).

The odd thing about this little technique is that it has been very effective for me for YEARS, and it's one that The Bob has learned and sticks with. His cleanup job after dinner is to put leftovers in containers for the fridge, and it's quick and easy for him to find what he needs because they are separated and in clear bags. He even puts them away in the correct bag!

I know there are lots of newfangled container-and-lid combos out there that are supposed to help you stay organized. But unless I throw all mine out and start over, I will always have the odd-ball container to deal with. So, I will stick with my zip-seal bag trick, and encourage you to try it, too!

How to please a dozen hungry campers – extra beefy, extra easy beef stew

Our first big camping trip is over, and despite some interesting things happening (one ER trip, one tick, a case of strep throat, and one tornado warning), we ate well as we always do.

Traditionally one day of our trip everyone is coming and going, and we have guests coming and going, so it's always nice to plan one evening meal that can just cook on low all day and be ready whenever anyone's ready. This year I decided to try beef stew, and it was a hit. I of course use all the help I can get from the store, especially when camping, so I'm not slaving over a hot camp stove all day.

Everyone who tasted the stew loved it. It was beefy, filling and very flavorful.

Here's what you need for a huge pot:
5 lb. boneless beef chuck roast, cut into about 1" cubes
3 big baking potatoes, cut into about 1" cubes
A big handful of baby carrots, or you could use big ones cut into 1" cubes
1 big onion, roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large can beef broth
About 2/3 that can full of water
1 can French onion soup
1 packet beefy onion soup mix
About 1/4 cup flour
Olive oil

Here's how you do it:
1. In a big zip-lock bag, flour the meat, coating it pretty well.
2. Over medium high heat, coat the bottom of your stock pot with olive oil. When it's hot, add your meat in batches, turning frequently to brown. Take the batches out to a plate and loosely cover w/foil until you have all the meat browned. There will be lots of yummy brown bits in the bottom of the pan.
3. Lower the heat a little, add a tad more olive oil and sauté your onion and garlic. Stir to coat and cook until they are translucent.
4. Pour in the French onion soup and deglaze the pan – scraping the bottom to get the brown bits up. Then add the meat back in and stir to coat everything evenly.
5. Add the potatoes and carrots, the can of beef broth, the water, and the beefy onion soup mix. Stir thoroughly to combine.
6. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat. Cook on low, uncovered until the meat is tender and the potatoes are falling apart. I kept it on very low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 4 hours.

Really I should say I knew it was done when no one could resist the aroma any more! I fed 8 people with this one night, and had leftovers for about four people the next night. We served it with buttered bread for dipping up the really beefy gravy.

You could easily make this in your stock pot on the stove inside, but there's something wonderful about making it over a camp stove outside.