Saturday, December 24, 2011

A Vintage Find

No, I know what you're thinking.
 Let me just say right now that I have NOT discovered a way to use a mixer in my cardmaking! But you just gotta check this out. I'm so tickled! 
Now,I know I'm a little on the retro side (and btw,can we just leave the 1987 Isuzu with 280,000 miles and the burnt orange formica countertops out of it) but listen, this is what happened:
 My daughter and I were in the middle of making a lemon merengue pie on Tuesday and guess what decided to burn out halfway through meringue making?? Yup, our six month old sunbeam. Now I have a pet peeve with mixers, I seriously go through them like they're toothbrushes.Every six months they start making that funny smell and click, they stop. I'm sick to death of it.
Well after having to finish the meringue with a WISK (you heard that right)  my biceps looked like the "we can do it" lady.
Yup. That's me right there :)
Looks painful, doesn't it?
Anyway!
My mind went back to our old 1950's Sunbeam that I bought at a yard sale for $1.50 some years ago. It worked like a dream and the only reason I got rid of it was because a beater broke and I had no way of buying a new beater. (We didn't have internet then ~ if I only knew!)
I decided I would rather spend $20 or $30 bucks on a mixer that has already lasted 40-50 years than spend the same on a modern mixer designed to self combust after 1 year. (if youre lucky). So while the lemon merenge was in the oven I went on ebay. What a treasure trove of vintage mixers! I could so easily get into this. They even had a turquose bullet from the 60's. Chrome and everything.
In the end I ordered two. A 1970's avacado green mixer (to go with the burnt orange countertops) and this white Oster below.
Both of them were  barely (if ever) used. Still in its box with warranty card and recipes. 

Is that cool or is that cool??
Check out how tiny those beaters are.  The recipe book says I can mash enough potatoes for 12 people with them. Whaaaat? Mash potatoes with a mixer?? Enough for 12 people with this??
Well!  I'm all set then!.
One thing though....With "Happy Jane" cupcakes and prune muffins galore I may never make it to my craft table. 
If you don't hear from me by Thursday have Stacey drive by and bang on the bathroom wall. :D
Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone!


20 comments:

Linda Wescott said...

They are fantastic......and made to LAST in those days....they had never even imagined a throw away society. Can you imagine the complaints if things burnt out in less than a year...we expect it don't we lol. Hugs lin

Carla S. said...

Fabulous finds, Dorcas, and a fun story! I think I saw one of those mixers when I was cleaning my Mom's house for sale this fall! It certainly would have been from the same era and it was still working fine as far as I know! Too bad things aren't made like they used to be!

paola said...

i had a real chuckle at this post Dorcas, they sure dont make things the way they used to, seems you and i are in the same boat i also seem to go through mixers like no ones business, mind you i do mash my potatoes with my mixer so maybe thats why.
smiles
Paola

THERESA said...

Yeah, have to agree, the older the better,lol, they realised how to make more money, that'ss why they don't lats!!
Ok , will shout for Stacy....hehehe
Have a Blessed Christmas with family and friends.......:))
lotsa luv

Erni said...

Oh dear, you gave me a cause to smile on a bad day ! pardon me,but your fight with that mixer was so funny. Well,i murdered also some of them,but the Kenwood Chef is still working - after hm,I think 42 years or so. have a wonderful weekend ! Erni

Julie said...

Mash potatoes! I'll be by in a while lol!
;)

Debbie said...

Oh just fantastic. I LOVE 'EM!
I wouldn't try to MASH the spuds (for 12 people If I were you, mash enough for 2 perhaps!!)

Ha Ha, I would also suggest NO cakes!! But thats just my opinion...
A superb find.
On a big headed note"....I was bought a mixer for a wedding present and it's used all the time and I love it. I will have been married 27 years on January 12th!!
Debbiexx

Linda said...

Love the story...I love retro as well (as I am retro I think!) Happy Holidays!

Ulina / Apricot Bubbles said...

COOL, Dorcas!!
I love "retro",too! I´m a child of the 70´s :-)
I have this love/hate thing with lamps - basically I love them, when I buy them, but hate them when they bust after 1 or 2 years *grrrr*!
Have fun with your "new" mixer!
Hugs,
Uli

Denine said...

I love your post Dorcas...
Congratulation on your FINDS... how awesome is that!! Not just 1 but 2.. yipee....
Its like a scavenger hunt without leaving your couch. hehehe :)

Stacey G.-2 Craf-t-4u said...

Cool! Can't wait to try what yumminess this puppy can churn out! Esp. since you turned me back to sugar! LOL!

Cheryl said...

You're so funny, but it is so true! I am still using the Sunbeam my mom got as a wedding gift 45 years ago!

Anonymous said...

Awesome !!

I still have one, 32yrs old and still going strong !



Just ordered this years duck eggs for the incubators, more muscovy and some indian runners.


Aj.

Jeni said...

Wow, awesome find Dorcas!!! They just don't make things like they used to. *sigh* It's a shame we live in the "disposable/throw away" age. Have fun mixing up some goodies! ~jeni :)

Tine said...

LOL, Dorcas. It is amazing what you can find on the Internet if you are looking in the right places. Have fun with your cake making & I hope your mixers serve you well.
tine :)

Claire said...

Lol, how cool! Have fun with your new toys, I'm sure they'll last longer than a new one. My mixer is about 28 years old and going strong
Claire xx

Linda Simpson said...

A good chuckle and fab find Dorcas. Thank you for your comment on my blog. I have added the candy to my side bar and also become a follower.

Hugs
Linda xxxx

Kate said...

Looks good. I actually have the 1970's Acovado Green Mixer. It was my mom's so I didn't have to go far. Yes, it is still working and I love it.

Hugs,
Kate

Faye said...

OMG! That is sooo beyond cool! I love these things! They are so reliable. Is there any of that pie left btw?! Oh and I'm loving your organicity with the stash! Hope you've had a fabby Christmas? xxx

Jilli said...

Wow, they look fab, gonna have to have a look on ebay myself. I just love vintagey stuff. Hubby and Mum are convinced I was born in the wrong era. Anything from 20's to 60's i just drool over! I bet the USA stuff is far better than we can buy in the UK though! xxx

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