Smart Shopper Electronic Grocery Organizer

On the Home Front

New way to create, print errand lists

The SmartShopper Electronic Grocery List Organizer is a voice-activated device that records, categorizes and prints supermarket or errand lists.

The gadget comes with 2,500 preloaded items and automatically categorizes lists into common supermarket aisles. It allows you to designate quantities and flag items that have coupons.

The organizer is magnetic or wall-mountable. It sells for $79.99 at Brookstone; Bed, Bath & Beyond; and online at Amazon , The Sharper Image and www.SmartShopperUSA.com .

Daylily show

The Richmond Area Daylily Society Show and Sale is free to the public today at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden . Regular admission is required to visit the garden.

The sale begins at 9 a.m. and runs until plants are sold out. It's being held in the education and library complex.

Splash zone

Birds need water to survive, but they also enjoy splashing around and bathing in the water.

Adding a bird bath in the backyard can attract new species and encourage cool-water frolicking. A wide variety of bird baths is available, but birds aren't selective — an inexpensive homemade one will suffice.

Simple bird baths can be made by placing large plant saucers or ceramic bowls on tree stumps, logs or on top of larger pots. Water should be no more than 3 inches deep to provide a safe bathing environment for smaller birds.

Keeping the bird bath clean and the water fresh is essential to a healthy water source. To do this, make a habit of scrubbing out bird droppings and algae weekly and replacing the old water with a fresh supply.

It's time to . . .

Now that daylilies are in bloom, it's a great time to divide them and share with friends. Knowing the colors, you and your friends can start new gardens or expand old ones. Simply dig them, divide them and cut off the fans to 2 to 3 inches tall, then replant.

SmartShopper SS-301 Voice-Recognition Grocery-List Organizer ...

Gone are the days of magnetic note pads on the fridge for writing up errands and grocery lists! As I run out of items around the home, I just walk up to the Smart Shopper, and tell it what I'm out of. It even knows the different errands I need to run-I can tell it I need to go to the post office, the bank, the school, dry cleaners, you name it!! It keeps it all stored together until I'm ready to print. When I'm ready to go shop for the day, I simply print out the list, and it categorizes my grocery items by department-a real time saver when you don't want to backtrack all around the store!:) The print out is clear and easy to read (ever forget your glasses?) and the print-out is on paper like adding machine tape-I just slip it into my purse or wallet, no bulky list to fold up. A useful addition to any busy household, this electronic grocery-list organizer makes it easy to keep track of needed items come shopping day. The unit features a user-friendly control panel with a digital display, and it can be kept on the refrigerator door or other central location for quick access--no need to track down a pen and paper. To use, either scroll through the 2500+ items in the built-in library by pushing the up/down arrows, then push "select" to add it to the list, or simply press the "record" button and say the item out loud for hands-free operation; the device comes equipped with advanced voice-recognition technology, making it convenient for both younger family members or those who may have trouble writing due to arthritis or other health problems. Add anything from food, beverages, and health and beauty items to cleaning, school, and office supplies. It can even learn new items. The handy time-saving device not only adds items to the list, but it also automatically organizes the list into categories, which helps facilitate more efficient shopping expeditions. Even more, it can keep track of two separate lists simultaneously, can designate quantities and flag items that users have coupons for, and, thanks to its category-management function, can match the list to a store's layout, make changes, and add categories. It even comes with a built-in kitchen timer. When it's time to head to the store, simply press the "print" button for a list that slips easily into a pocket or purse. Save time, money, and frustration--no more second trips for forgotten items or buying excess items that were already in the cupboard.