Measuring.
Amy gave me a measuring cup and spoon for Christmas! Did I mention this? At first blush it may seem like crappy gift, but given that I had been trying to survive with no measuring cup for several months, it's a great gift! I can make rice!

I could make rice before, but I always used the formula "one coffee mug of rice, one coffee mug of water and then a skosh more" and that tended to come out either mushy or unsettlingly al dente. Rice is very sensitive.

Also: soup that is neither colored water nor briny horror! Cake that doesn't have an unnerving texture! Mushy peas that are not too mushy! Pancake batter that actually turns into pancakes!

Also: the correct amount of bleach in my laundry? I would like to use the cup for this, but I'm afraid it might not be good for food afterwards. I have to go get another one! Apparently once you get into this measuring habit there's no escape.