Sissy is laughing at me. “You have trouble making choices, don’t you?”
But I don’t want to make the wrong one. I mean, this could be a legacy purchase.
I used to dream of one of those tilt-type mixers. But figured it was a luxury, and I didn’t have the space to store and operate one anyway. Besides, I had my nifty hand-held Sunbeam–the one where the beaters like to fall out into the batter.
But there was no hand-held one at the Cottage. And Dad was making his famous pork-and-bean bread. Or maybe it was something else. Anyway, he needed egg whites stiffly beaten–my job.
I pulled out their tilt-top stand mixer.
And. Fell. In. Love.
And I fell down, down, down into the abyss of Amazon and mixer reviews.
Because, see, there are sales going on now.
And I think part of this kitchen kreative streak is grief therapy. Like in the months and years of infertility workups and surgeries and pregnancy loss. When I was so down, the way up was through piecing and quilting and birthing beauty out of fabric.
Anyway, Sissy has a bowl-lift mixer. She says she loves it. Except if she were to do it again, she might go for a tilt-top. Unless there wasn’t a big difference in price. Then she might go for bigger and more powerful.
Others say the bowl-lift is not as user friendly.
Others swear by the bowl-lift.
The kitchen store people swear by the tilt-top Kitchenaid Artisan.
Mr. Google and I spend many hours together. I read opinions and reviews until my head spins.
I go from store to store and look and touch and feel.
And think about fresh breads.
And finally.
Finally.
I make my choice.
Of course, there’s the fact that I waited so long I missed the Artisan rebate.
Making my choice not so difficult in terms of price with its rebate.
Drum roll . . .
Ta-da!
The Kitchenaid Professional 600.
But wait.
There’s more.
I do not choose the white.
The simple color.
I choose the red.
P.S. I ordered it through Target. I’m a good little shopper girl.
Empire Red.
Bold red.
The color that for me has come to signify hope.
So that every time I use it I remember the hope in the tiqvah and the towla.
The hope that is within me.
The hope that lies within faith and family.
The hope of transformation from glory to glory.
The hope of seeing loved ones once again.
The hope of One who tilts toward our every need.
The hope of One who came down to lift us up.
The hope of Advent and His coming.
And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold . . . And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. ~2 Corinthians 3:11-18 (NIV)
Linking with Peter Pollock’s One Word at a Time Blog Carnival on the word down.
Oh, Sandy. Seeing the red brought tears to my eyes. Red was my mom’s favorite color. Since she died, my dad has replaced every appliance with that exact red.
You will love it….I’ve had one for 15 years. Runs as good as the day I got it.
Ooo…love your choice! It’s what I would pick. I think I’m turning green! Hope you enjoy it.
You will love it. I have a RED one too-one of my favorite gifts ever from hubby…use it often- 3 times a week or sometimes more around holidays.
I’ll think of you enjoying yours and remembering the significance of red. #HopeInHim
Mine is Empire Red, too.
Because the kitchen is my little empire. Or at least I like to think so.
Hope you love it, Sandy.
Excellent choice! Especially the reasoning for the red … I think of your towla post every time I see red anymore.
My mixers died today. My stand mixer, not kitchen aid, just stopped working. Guess it decided it had enough of trying to mix molasses cookie dough. It stopped right in the middle! So I used my trusty hand mixer which did finish the job then promptly spit sparks and began to smoke.
I think it might be time for a Kitchen aid…I am not going to like trying to decide which one….and then what color!! Sigh!
I do like your choice….
Your writing has been so rich these days Sandy – so moving.
Of course you picked the red one. It is just exactly right.
Sending love Sandy.
Red… yes, red. That’s what I would have chosen too. Did it come with any free apps?
OH, Sandy – I am so glad you continued this story. RED – how wonderful. And I may borrow your research, as I haven’t had a stand mixer since I burnt out my wedding-gift Sunbeam when making pretzels for VBS when my kids were young! Only hand held since then…
And I am SO GLAD you linked to the towla essay – I hadn’t found you by then (my eldest daughter’s birthday, as a matter of fact – Jan 28). Wonderful words, pieced together so beautifully.
And yes, your writing is even richer than its usual richness – and ALL of it, the creating in word and in flour and eggs – all of it is grief work, good grief work. Love to you.
P.S. Got a call from my mom’s neighbor today from mom’s apt. where she was anxiously awaiting my arrival today, wondering if I was all right, where was I??? I told her at least 10 times, I would be there THURSDAY a.m. to begin packing because I wanted her to go to the birthday party she was anticipating – and, of course, because I take care of Lilly every Wednesday. She said to me tonight, “I’m really not doing well at all.” And she is so right. And I am so sad for her and for all of us. And for you, dear friend.
Love to you, and prayers, too.
With limited funds, you do have to be careful with your choices. Things, like nice mixers, are expensive. If you choose wrong, you are stuck because you can’t afford to buy another. At least, that has always been my dilemma. So, I too choose carefully, weighing use with price and make the best choice available to me.
There isn’t a right or wrong way to work through grief, unless it causes the one grieving to stop functioning, or they cannot not at some point move on with life. These actions are therapy for a sorrowing soul. Good for you, Sandy. And yes, red is the color of joy!
Made me chuckle a bit…. yes you are one intensely positive perfectionistic [but lovely] lady. Glad you are so happy. Hope it lasts forever… AMEN!!