It never hurts to be prepared for food emergencies.

I know all of you will forgive me for not posting anything yesterday because everybody’s entitled to an off day once in a while. I actually had plenty to say but just didn’t feel much like saying it. Today is different, however, so here I am. Better late than never.

I’ll begin with an important announcement. My Babycakes Pie Maker arrived this afternoon! It’s even cuter than I expected and I just spent a couple of hours searching online for savory pie recipes. The best and easiest of the bunch came from Betty Crocker’s website and they’re all adjustable from full-size pies to teeny ones. These include: 1) chicken pot pie; 2) southwestern pie; 3) taco pie; and 4) cheeseburger pie. Even Sam got excited, and he never gets excited about food unless it involves lobster. I’ll tackle the chicken pot pie recipe tomorrow with accompanying photos, if possible. Stay tuned for further developments.

And now I’m pleased to announce three swell websites I discovered yesterday.

Swell website #1. Pyknic.com sells (among other things) miniature food charms to wear around your neck. As a diabetic I have to admit I’m strangely excited by this concept. I might have to start wearing pancakes.

Other charms include a pair of teeny functional salt & pepper shakers, a vial of real barbecue seasoning and miniature cutlery. Because it never hurts to be prepared for food emergencies.

Swell website #2. I also recommend SoupsOnline.com, where you can find — go on, take a guess — every kind of soup on the planet, including dry mixes, jars of “starters,” seasoning blends, canned goods and all kinds of wacky ingredients. I ordered myself some packages of Sunbird Hot & Sour Soup mix and a jar of Better Than Bouillon chicken base.

Their prices are lower than my local supermarket and shipping is relatively cheap. As a tried-and-true soup fanatic, this is probably the coolest website I’ve discovered in a long time. Please shop there immediately.

Swell website #3. Hard-to-find DVDs at amazing prices at MovieDetective.com. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if their movies are illegal or bootlegged, they’ve got one of my all-time favorites — a title that’s never been released on DVD — The Late George Apley from 1947 with Ronald Colman, Mildred Natwick and Richard Haydn. So I ordered it. I’ll let you know as soon as it gets here so you can come over and watch with me. I might even make a few teeny pies.

Thank you for reading this. I have to take a fistful of pills now.