The Mixer

I can't believe in all this time I haven't blogged about my mixer yet. It is my most prized kitchen possession. Pictured atop my side bar, it is a KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer in chrome. I almost went with the candy apple red, but then decided chrome had a much more classic feel. Boy did I call that one.

These mixers are ridiculously expensive, and it took me a long time to talk myself into taking the plunge. A long time, plus a rebate offer, a 20% off coupon, and $150 in gift cards cashed in from a couple of different credit card rewards programs. You might say I wanted it bad.

It is the greatest small kitchen appliance of all time. It's like having another person in the kitchen, but one who just does the mundane stuff and doesn't get in the way. I carve the turkey, the mixer mashes the taters. I prep the pans, the mixer finishes up the cookie dough. I'm hardly even a factor in kneading pizza dough anymore. I just stand there and take the credit.

Funny story: Before I got the mixer, Daniel and I baked cookies using a hand mixer. When I told him I was getting this super-powered stud power tool, he was actually sad. He said "You won't need me to help bake cookies anymore." Thinking quickly on my mommy feet, I replied "No, YOU won't need ME to help bake cookies anymore. " (I know, that was one of my better moments.) So instantly, he gets excited about baking cookies all by himself.

I buy the mixer on a Monday night, but we get home late and can't bake. The next night, I have Bible study, and can't bake either. But Daniel is so pumped I don't want him to wait anymore. So I do the smooth hand-off to dad and say "Just measure out the ingredients, turn the mixer on low, and let Daniel do the rest." And so he agreed. When I got home, I asked "How was it? How did the mixer do?" I hear Mark from the next room, "That thing is AWESOME! We didn't even have to scrape down the sides of the bowl! Not even once!"

Ah. The joy of cooking.

Editor's Note: Special thanks to Ferdlings for fixing the picture. Looks much better now.