*takes notes* Thanks so much! I've found a few more odds and ends in the different boxes I've unpacked. Somehow I ended-up with my grandmother's meat tenderizer. A bit odd, since I don't have a grill for the meat.... But I did find a few hotpads. I'm pretty sure my kitchen scissors are in there somewhere. Thanks for all the tips! I'll be sure to put them to good use.

I agree with shawn and allfiredup, and the only thing I would add is PLENTY of hot pads, trivets, and pot holders. No matter how many you have, it never seems to be enough, especially when entertaining and hosting large get-togethers such as Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners. Also of great use to me is a roll of good old-fashioned wax paper. You will find a million uses for it. Use it to line bottoms of cake pans, rub along sticky drawer tracks, oh so many things it can be useful for!

An egg timer...though I don't know of anyone who uses it to time eggs.

A good set of knives is definitely the first, then the whisk and spatula that you mention are also very, very hard to do without.

Here is a list I'd find it hard to do without in a kitchen.

1. Good knives ( you only really need 1 good 8-10" chef's knife and 1 paring knife )
2. Whisk
3. Spatula
4. Cutting board
5. Mixing bowl
6. Measuring cups/spoons
7. 2 cup+ clear liquid measuring cup
8. Colander
9. 13x9 casserole dish
10. Kitchen tongs
11. Vegetable/potato peeler
12. Can opener
13. Good meat thermometer
14. Grater
15. Silicone hot mitt