Conventional wisdom dictates that one should consider donating clothes that have gone unworn for a year or two. I don't know what the rule is for kitchen gadgets, but I'm guessing that items that have been untouched for 5 years are no longer entitled to their dusty shelf in the closet. Such was the fate of one KitchenAid Mixer.
The KitchenAid Mixer is ubiquitous on bridal registries. It is found in the kitchen appliance section of the registry and is typically followed by the numbers zero and one. This means that the bride has requested one mixer and that her request has yet to be "fulfilled." At approximately $300 a pop, this is one serious gift. When I registered for my own tawny colored mixer, I had big plans. My sundaes would be topped with dreamy whipped cream and my meringues would have perfect snowy peaks. I was giddy upon actually receiving the mixer, a generous gift from the women who organized my bridal shower. Little did I anticipate that so much time would pass before its first use. 
So here it is, my big confession. I just (for the very first time) used the mixer this week. It has been in my possession for over five years, and there is no good excuse. I love to cook, and I bake every week. It is embarrassing to admit, but the mixer daunted me. I was comfortable with my dinky handmixer and intimidated by its stunning rival. I was afraid of the voluminous instruction manual and certain that the thing would take forever to clean. That said, I never contemplated getting rid of the mixer. I had every intention of using it, one day.
That day arrived without warning. It was raining outside, and I had decided to bake with Elijah. We settled on a recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies, and I had already begun pulling out ingredients when I noted that the recipe required use of a mixer. I hesitated. Should we use the handmixer? Should we select a different recipe? I was about to "discuss" this with Elijah when I realized that it was time to overcome my fears.
Needless to say, my concerns were entirely unfounded. The mixer's operation was virtually self-explanatory and no special clean up was required. The cookies were a hit, and I have already whipped up a second batch. Imagine, a device that actually makes baking easier. I feel a bit foolish for having waited so long to use it, but I am excited about the recipes I can finally try.
