Out with the old????

Almost 30 years ago, my mother-in-law surprised me with a new Sunbeam Mixmaster stand mixer. It wasn't my birthday, Christmas or any special day at all. She said every kitchen needed a good mixer. Well, I've been using that mixer since then. I broke one of the bowls that came with it but other than that, I have not had a problem with it. Here's a picture:

While I was off work recuperating from surgery, I watched a lot of the Food Network and Martha Stewart. What wonderful Kitchen Aid mixers they used. Just throw everything in and it mixes it up. I don't have to stop midway in my cookie making to change the beaters to the dough hooks. And it sounded so quiet. I did some online research and found the model I wanted. It seemed to be the same price at most stores. Since I had a 20% off coupon from Bed Bath & Beyond, I decided to go there. I got $60 off. I love a bargain. Here's my new mixer:

I used my new mixer yesterday to make pie crust. How easy! The only downside to the new mixer is its weight. It is heavy! So instead of being put away in the pantry, the new mixer has to stay on the counter.

I've put my old mixer in another room for now. I cannot get rid of it. Every time I used it I thought of my wonderful mother-in-law. I actually hugged the mixer (and her) before putting it away. I'm thinking about passing the old mixer to my daughter. She may be able to appreciate it as much as I do as it was her grandmother who gave it to me. For the time being, it's in another room and I can hug it whenever I want.

Pet Proof Christmas Tree

Since we got J.D. two years ago, we haven't put up a Christmas tree. Because he ate the legs of the sofa and coffee table, we figured a tree didn't stand a chance. So, I found a Christmas tree curtain and a snowflake curtain. They fit perfectly on the French doors between the dining room and living room. We can close the other door to the dining room (or put up the kiddie gate) and the "tree" and gifts under it are safe from a two-year old "dab" (dalmation/lab mix-picture of him above).

Gingerbread Train & House

My grandsons spent last Saturday making their gingerbread creations. They were so proud of themselves and I was proud of them as well.

It's hard to be ..............me??

My daughter said something to me the other day that I didn't quite understand until today. While at home recovering from surgery, I notice lots of things that need to be done around the house that I didn't get to do before my surgery and couldn't physically do because of the surgery. A house is never so dirty as when you are unable to clean it.

Anyway, as I was complaining to her about things not getting done, she said "It's hard being you, Ma." She said that I do so much around the house and for others, that they don't see all that I do. Then I realized what she meant today.

Some of the things I routinely do is plan meals, do the weekly shopping, cook the meals, and usually clean up. This is after working a full day and sometimes stopping at the grocery store on the way home. After dinner (or while dinner is cooking), I put together breakfasts (cereal and milk) and lunches (sandwiches or whatever is leftover from dinner). Glenn has a specific spot on the counter where his cereal and snacks are and a specific spot in the refrigerator where his lunch is put. In the morning all he has to do is grab it and go. He doesn't do his best thinking in the morning.

Because I haven't been feeling well, Glenn has been cleaning up and putting together his lunch. Well, tonight he came home and handed me a bowl from his lunch bag. He said it was mashed potatoes. I couldn't imagine why he would bring home a bowl of mashed potatoes--was there a luncheon at work and he brought home the leftover potatoes?? This morning he grabbed the container of food from the refrigerator shelf where I usually put his lunch. Just happened to be a bowl of leftover mashed potatoes from last night in that spot and not the liver and onions he had expected. I thought it was pretty funny. I guess I do more than even I realize.

Christmas Cacti

My Christmas cacti started blooming a little early.

My First Blog

I named my blog Petals because every part of our life is like a petal on a flower--each is different, each is held together by others and is part of a whole, and each will eventually fade and be just a memory.