These pretty freezer trays are intended to hold single servings of baby food. But looking at them now, I'm thinking that we grown-ups can make good use of them, too. Especially when it comes to quick-fix midweek meals. More

For those of us lacking the desire or time for full-on water bath canning, there's the freezer option for preserving summer's bounty. Ball, that venerable maker of glass canning jars, has seen our need and come out with a series of plastic "jars" specifically intended for the freezer. What do you think: life-saver or over-rated? More

I'm sometimes a bit out of the loop when it comes to the newest and coolest in lunchbox design, so these Goodbyn bento-style lunch carriers completely passed me by until now. How awesome are they?! Forget the kids, I want one for myself. More

Vintage Linen Sandwich Bags from Country Life Naturals

• $16
• Country Life Naturals

Trying to do without disposable sandwich or snack bags? These big washable bags are a good place to start — they're lined with food safe, waterproof nylon, and so they can be wiped clean or dumped in the wash.

11" x 7" with a 3" gusset. More

Customized Glasslock Dish from Delovely Details

• $15
• Delovely Details

These Glasslock containers are truly fantastic: they snap open and shut easily, but they're still completely secure ahd leakproof. Plus they are glass, and microwave safe. They're the perfect containers for lunch, and you can even have them customized a phrase, or a name.

20-ounce, 6-3/4" x 5" x 2-1/2". Dishwasher safe. More

Cork Jar in Wave Design by Paulova Ceramics

• $62
• Paulova

I love Paulova's pretty, understated ceramic pieces. This jar would look beautiful out on a countertop, filled with coffee or tea. It's a special, hand-crafted piece to pull a kitchen together, with its blues and greens.

Approximate size: 5" tall x 4.25" wide More

Carved Spice Boxes

• $29.36
• Plumo

Since last week's popular post on spice storage ideas, we've been on the lookout for even more spice storage ideas. This box from London shop Plumo is a very beautiful option — perhaps best used for salts and other pinch-of-this, pinch-of-that spices you like to leave out on the countertop.

Made of waxed, stained wood. Available in purple and white. More

Cook and Serve Set

• $24.95
• Broadway Panhandler

These pans are handy: They go in the dishwasher, oven, and freezer. You can bake a cake or a casserole and then cover the leftovers with the pretty purple lid. But, let's face it: The real draw of this set is the polka dots. Isn't bakeware more fun with colorful polka dots?

Dishwasher, oven, microwave and freezer safe. 4.75" x 7.5" x 2" Large rectangular: 5.75" x 8.25" x 2.25". Also comes in a round set with stripes and orange lids. More

Traditional Portuguese Olive Oil Dispenser

• $28
• Kiosk

Olive oil is best stored in an opaque bottle that can preserve it from light and heat. I also like to buy olive oil in larger, more economical quantities, and pour it into a smaller bottle as I need it. This one, shaped charmingly like the Tin Man's oil can, is perfect. A simple, classic, functional object for your countertop.

7" x 6" x 5". Aluminum. Holds .5 liters. More

We've been a little avocado-happy around here lately, what with the breakfast puddings, our new favorite salad, and even an attempt at avocado ice cream. Needless to say, there have been a lot of avocados floating around the kitchen.

According to Cheryl Sternman Rule of 5 Second Rule, the best place to keep all these avocados is not necessarily on the counter as we've always believed. More