Look for ladles that are made of one piece of stainless steel rather than a handle and dome which are spot welded together. With use, spot welded ladles tend to come apart. Buy several differnet sizes.

Buy a sturdy stainless spatula for general uses and a Teflon spatula for your non-stick pan. In addition, buy a silicon baking spatula for scraping bowls. Silicon is an amazing substance which is heat resistant up to 550 degrees.

An outdoor kitchen can help you slow down and spend more time with family and friends by putting all the ingredients for outdoor dining close at hand. It can be as simple as a storage cabinet for cooking gear or as ambitious as a full kitchen with grill, refrigerator, sink and eating area. Either way, your yard will gain an outside "room" that's a natural gathering spot.