Death of a Hand Mixer

It happened yesterday.

It was so sudden.

I was in the kitchen.

Making Royal Icing.

You know, the stuff you use to ice cookies or make pretty flowers for cakes.

Then I smelled something burning.

Then I started hearing this horrible grinding noise.

I immediately turned off the mixer.

Maybe it’ll be ok.

I’ll let it sit for a few minutes.

It just needs to cool off.

I clean up the kitchen.

I go fold some laundry.

I come back,

            I take a deep breath….

                                   and I turn it on…..

                                                     and I turn it right back off!

                                                      The burning smell is there, stronger than before,

                                                       The grinding noise sounds like, like, I can’t even describe it,

                                                        You’ve all probably heard this noise before,

                                                                …or know someone who has.

And I have to face the fact….

I’m a murderer!

I’ve killed my hand mixer.      

It was a good hand mixer.

I’ve had it for about 10 years.

Hubby gave it to me for Christmas (even though the hand mixer I had was still working fine, and it was 12 years old)

It had 2 beaters,

a whisk attachment,

and dough hooks.

                                ….oh and a cute case I never used.

It always went above and beyond what the manufacturer said it could do

                Cake batter, piece of cake.

                Whipping cream or egg whites…..oh the peaks that mixer could make….

                That mixer wasn’t even afraid of bread dough, and some of the breads we’ve made together…

Some things are hard to accept.

                                      I had to try one last time

                                               it was still sitting on the counter right where I left it last night

                                                        I plugged it in…

                                                                   I lifted it up…

                                                                             I put my thumb on the control…

                                                                                       and I pushed the control up….

                                                                                                     and RIGHT BACK DOWN!

Time to call it…

Time of death – around 11:00 am, today.

I’ll wait a few days,

Mourning my loss,

Then check the sale ads on Sunday,

And go and get a new hand mixer.

It won’t be the same, I’ll always remember the fun this mixer and I had…
but I’ll make more memories with the new mixer.

Hand Mixer Killer, I mean Royal Icing


3 level tablespoons Meringue Powder
1 lb. sifted pure cane confectioners’ sugar
5-6 tablespoons lukewarm water
Make sure all utensils are grease-free 


Place confectioner’s sugar and Meringue powder in a bowl. Stir or mix at low speed until blended. Add water and mix 7-10 minutes at low-medium speed until icing loses its sheen. To prevent drying, be sure to cover bowl with a damp cloth while working with icing.

Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. To reuse, beat on low to restore original texture.

I added 1 teaspoon butter flavoring to my batch, at least my mixer went out with some taste…