Great Shakes

Sure, it’s just salt and pepper, but these bright, bold shaker sets will spice up any table.

What better way to turn the usual grind into a conversation piece? The newest salt and pepper sets by Mr. Dudley are made of rubber wood and come in four fashionable colors--green, blue, yellow and orange.

The shakers are 6 1/2 inches tall and cost $25 per set.

Mr. Dudley also manufactures a battery-operated mill with lights. The one-hand function makes it a cinch to use for those with arthritis or some other hand or wrist ailment, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Mr. Dudley, based in Oceanside, has been manufacturing salt and pepper sets and individual mills and grinders since 1947. There are more than 200 items in its inventory. Mr. Dudley products are available throughout the county; call (800) 447-2600 to order or locate the nearest retailer.

Torch Frosted

The lore of the West comes to life in these barware pieces handcrafted by artists in the Foothill Ranch for Nostalgia Glassware.

The Tribal Spirit collection, featured in the Last Best Place catalog, have rounded corners that fit well in your hand. The etched figures rise up from frosted bottoms.

The frosted bottoms are achieved by the artist holding each piece with a heat-resistant glove and applying a torch to the glass. There are undulations on each glass, which are an image of the artist’s gloved hand.

A set of four glasses (two sizes, 10 1/2 ounces or 16 ounces) is $68, the ice bucket is $68 and the pitcher (45 ounces) is $68. Call (800) 252-4766.

It’s Got Sense

Dishwashers these days are quieter and have a bigger capacity. Now, there’s a version that appears to have a mind of its own.

Maytag’s latest line of Jetclean dishwashers can choose which wash cycle is best to clean the dishes.

Called Intellisense, the dishwasher has the ability, at the push of a button, to sense the amount of food soil in the water and choose the most efficient cycle and time it will take to get things clean. The Smart Start button, essentially, takes the dishwashing decision out your hands.

The dishwashers are available in white, black and almond with an optional stainless-steel-trim kit.

For information on pricing and the nearest dealer, call (800) 688-9900 or visit the company’s Web site at https://www.maytag.com.