Power Tools for Women

Long before it was considered hip in a Martha-Stewart-esque way, I was firing up the oven, making baked goods left and right. To me, it's just plain fun -- like playing in a sandbox.

I made my first chocolate chip cookies when I was 11. My mother was always fine with me baking whatever I wanted, as long as I cleaned up after myself. My sisters, on the other hand, would mock me relentlessly, calling me SuzieHomemaker or SueAnn (anyone remember her from the Mary Tyler Moore show?). Mock me though they did, they always enjoyed the fruits of my labor.

After graduating from college, I set myself up in my first apartment. I needed everything. A couch. A table. Bakewear. I bought myself a hand mixer - a Black & Decker workhorse. One of my co-workers at the time looked at me, bewildered - "A mixer? That's something you get for a bridal shower!" Uh, well, I like to bake so I need a mixer. And since when do you have to be married to bake?

A few years ago when I did get married, I included the be-all end-all, creme-de-la-creme of mixers, a Kitchenaid stand model, on our gift registry. And we got it.

And you know what? That mixer has sat proudly on our counter for 3 1/2 years -- unused.

Until yesterday. And now, my baking world is forever changed.

I don't know what kept me away from it. I wanted it, and yet I was intimidated by it. It makes no sense whatsoever. I don't know why the hell I waited so long to use it. The mixer is, in a word, AMAZING! I whipped up a thick batter for peanut blossoms, completely without effort. I stood in awe of the mixer's power. I used 2 of the attachments, tried various speed settings. I called my husband in to admire it in action. He was glad to see me use the thing, as he's been wanting to box it up and put it away since I never use it.

Well, that has changed. Look out. I'm going to be a baking fool, looking for any excuse to use that mixer. Arrgh! Arrgh! Arrgh!

In other SuzieHomemaker news, I'm no longer a Pampered Chef virgin!  I attended my first Pampered Chef party last night at my friend Kristi's. Oh. My. Goodness.  I brought the catalog home and drooled over it for the rest of the evening.

Besides the microwave, what's your favorite kitchen tool?

Comments

[Jennifer Thorpe]

GIRL!!! Whatever TOOK YOU SO LONG?!?! I use mine at least once a week, I think...more lately, with the holidays and my latest bread-making kick! I want to be buried with my mixer! (well, that and my washing machine. It'll have to be a mighty big hole). A whole new world has been opened up to you! ENJOY! :)
My dad was talking about what he should get Mama this year for Christmas. I told him, A KITCHENAID MIXER! How the woman has made it 54 years without one...I don't know....

[Kristi]

Oh, I am so in envy of your mixer. That's item #1 on my Christmas wish list. I want one! I didn't register for one when I got married (and you're right-who needs to be married to have a mixer!), because I thought I'd never use it. And I probably wouldn't have before this year. And now, I stand in serious mixer envy. Right now though, my favorite kitchen tool is probably my coffee grinder. Does that count? ;)

[Aginoth]

Our three tier steamer is our most used item I think

[Marie]

Jennifer,
LOL! Yes, that will have to be a big hole! Hope your Mom gets one...

Kristi,
I know. I thought of you as I was using it. It is everything you think it will be. And more. ;-) If I were a coffee drinker, I think the coffee grinder would be a fave for me too!!

[Holly]

I too have mixer envy...LOL. I've wanted one for as long as I can remember! If I'd get wise, I'd simply buy one. This time of year I burn up at least 2 handheld mixers...LOL. Anyway, "caught" ya through the Thursday 13 blogroll! Happy Holidays and happy baking!
*huggles*

[muzik]

Mrs. Muzikdude wants one of the 6 quart Kitchen Aides or a Viking...I'll be more than happy to buy her one of the industrial mixers. That way I'll have something to mix concrete in.

[vw bug]

Oh my... I have so many things I love in my kitchen... my crockpot with removable center, my wok, toaster oven, single cup coffee maker and so many more... Since my laptop stays on the kitchen counter... would it count too? BTW, I have a kitchen aid mixer and LOVE it. The best accessory my family bought me was the piece that goes under the bowl. I put ice chips in it when making divinity or meringue. Enjoy!

[Tammy]

I received my mixer for a wedding gift, lol, altho I'm sure I'd had others before that. It's a plan ol' Black and Decker handmixer...and I still have it (and it still works!). It's looking a little rough, tho...I got married in 1991!

[nat]

My favorite tool is my Sunbeam hand mixer, avocado green, circa 1977. Still works great!! I love my Kitchen Aid stand mixer, too, but like you, I was intimidated by it for SO LONG! I got over that, though. ;)

[running2ks]

The holy grail of kitchen appliances, the mixer--I'm married, what, over 11 years now and I don't have one. And I bake all fall and winter. Coveting.....drooolinggg.

The microwave is my favorite, yet, so second to that may be my food processor (which is too small and I need a new one).