As you’ll see in the coming days as I try to resume a more regular blogging schedule, I’ve been spending a lot more time in the kitchen. But this morning, the cloudy sky and crisp fall air made me think of only one thing. Pumpkin bread.
I love pumpkin bread. Surprisingly, though, I don’t like pumpkin pie. This is the recipe I whipped up this morning, courtesy of Alton Brown. (They’re baking as I type.)
But this post isn’t about the bread. It’s about the hand mixer behind the pans. See it? That’s a Sunbeam Mixmaster Heavy Duty Hand Mixer.
According to eBay, it’s vintage and worth $3.99.
This one was worth a lot more than that to me, though. My mother gave this mixer to me when I moved out, to help me get started in my new home. Not only that, it wasn’t new then. It was the same mixer I’d used for years at home; the mixer my mom used when teaching me to bake. I’m 46 now, but I’m guessing my mixer was about 40 years old. Was. Past tense.
This morning, the pumpkin bread killed it. In the midst of the smells of pumpkin and cinnamon was an odor attributable only to an electrical fire as smoke started seeping from the inside of the mixer.
Let’s call it cardiac arrest. At least it went quickly and was in no pain, doing what it loved up until the last beat (pun intended) of its heart motor. For an appliance, it had a remarkably good life, and I’m going to miss it. They don’t make them like they used to.
Farewell, my dear friend. And thanks, Mom, for giving it to me (even though I’m pretty sure you just wanted to get a new one, LOL).
I would frame it in a treasure box with a glass front and hang it on the wall. With its story written and placed in an envelope taped to the back. ♥ After all, it’s a Darth Mixer, and that’s pretty special.
Aww, so sad. I agree that you should keep it. Hope you didn’t throw it away already. 40 year old mixer Ebay value = $3.99 – Memory value = PRICELESS$$$
Hmm, I guess its up to me then to pass my old one to you.
No, I think it should go to your daughter, but thanks for the offer.