Saying Goodbye to an old Friend
It was time to let Maxi go
Only my husband has been in my life longer than my KitchenAid mixer. My mother bought it for me at Lechmere Sales, in Cambridge Massachusetts, a long-gone store. I don’t remember the occasion or why we were there, but I was thrilled to get a real KitchenAid. The potential to make great food was just a beater away.
It weighed more than 20 pounds and came with two bowls a whisk, a paddle, and a dough hook. No fancy glass bowls back then, no pretty colors. No, this one was all business, plain white with a red band, it was a utilitarian workhorse with sturdy metal bowls.
I used it often, especially for the holiday dinners when our families gathered at our house. Parents, brothers, cousins, my stepdaughter, and later her children were all there in various combinations.
Maxi and I whipped up rolls, cakes, and cookies. Baking was my specialty and I became the “family baker.” I loved trying new recipes from my many cookbooks. I made savory dishes too, but desserts were my favorite.
As the years passed, kids grew up, some people moved, and parents passed away. Our gatherings became smaller and smaller with fewer people around our table. My husband and I got older, retired, and moved to Florida. Ten years ago when we moved here I wasn’t ready to let Maxi…
