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Thanks for the hospitality

The magazines this month are full of suggestions for host gifts - what to take when you're invited away for a summer weekend. Let's see: photo albums; fancy bath soaps and lotions; wine and champagne, ice buckets and bar accessories; candy and gourmet goodies; an iPod; Tiffany pens; bestsellers; garden accessories such as watering cans; linen guest towels; a hammock; a stainless-steel portable fire pit; scented candles; a picnic basket; a game of horseshoes; or a can of caviar.

GE has introduced a "Sabbath Mode Kit" for some of its refrigerators to meet the needs of observant Jewish consumers. When the kit is installed, the door of the refrigerator or freezer can be opened without turning on or off lights, digital readouts, compressors or other components. That satisfies the requirement of observant Jews to perform no labor on the Sabbath. The kit has been certified by Star-K, a nationally recognized kosher certifying agency. For details, visit www.monogram.com and click on "What's New," then on "Sabbath Mode Kit for Refrigerators." GE already offers a Sabbath Mode feature on many of its built-in wall ovens.

- Compiled by Homes editor JUDY STARK