Ever since my friend Anne got us an ice cream machine (!!!!), we’ve gone kind of, well, overboard — not only making but also of course consuming many, many batches, including:

• Jasmine tea with chocolate slivers
• Brown sugar cinnamon
• Spicy chocolate
• Fresh mint with Oreos

Mmm.

(Any suggestions for future ice creamery are very welcome.)

The ice cream maker is but one of many kitchen upgrades we hope to make before our March 2011 departure for Benin. You’d think moving to the developing world would require downsizing technologically, but I’ve been assured that our house will be equipped to handle anything, assuming of course we invest in the appropriate converters. Bread machine? No problem. Pasta maker? Sure. Deep fryer? Why not.

We’ve already got most of the basics (except for a food processor — that’s probably next up), but what other kitchen gadgets would you suggest? The more bizarre (i.e. the more popular they would make us at potlucks), the better.buy xenical or orlistat