Things you don't think of

We have been very surprised about all the things we need for pesach. This is our first time at home in many years, and probably the first time ever we are really cooking at home.

We kashered silverware, and bought plasticware, so eating should have been no problem.

But we didn't have a spatula, or a potato peeler. Then we realized we needed a soup pot. And dish drains.

We needed paring knives and wooden spoons and serving utensils.

Too bad we don't need corn holders.

We also didn't bother shopping for food before yom tov. We were only going to be home for Chol HaMoed and the last days. Too bad no one told us every thing in Detroit is sold out before Pesach.

We are getting by. We went to four stores before we realized we would not find any oil, no matter where we looked. Or cooking spray. So we had to beg, borrow and steal soem of that stuff.

We did find some interesting things, though. Matza, which costs 8.99 at the kosher store for a box of machine shmura costs .99 cents at the local grocery. Matza meal is more than half off.

The osterizer we never used and put in a pesach box for one day came in handy, and we made grape juice slurpees for the kids last night.

The hand mixer came in pretty handy when we were making cookies.

So we are gettnig by. Even without a cup of fresh-brewed coffee.