Sacredness of the ordinary

Lauren West

10/1/15

The Sacredness of the Ordinary

     The sacredness of the ordinary is something that, in my opinion, isn't discussed enough. Now I'm not saying you should go around greeting people by saying, "have you ever considered how sacred ordinary everyday things are?", because that may result in them running away and you don't want to be that person. However, every now and then while we're dealing with all of the bad things in the world, it's good to go back and appreciate the little things that mean the most.

    The people who know me best know that I love to bake. Ever since about 6th grade I've known I want to own and run  my own bakery someday. No matter how cheesy it sounds, knowing that I can make people happy with something I've created from scratch is pretty cool. And it doesn't hurt when there are leftovers for me. Okay maybe not only the leftovers but you get my point. If you're like me and you like to bake then you may know something that comes in handy quite often. Well, yes the oven but I was thinking more along the lines of a KitchenAid stand mixer. Now if you don't know what it is here's a picture;

        Now I know what you're thinking, or maybe I don't, I mean I'm not psychic. No they aren't necessary but really, who wants to spend an hour trying to stir something with a wooden spoon, and I'm certainly not coordinated enough to use an hand mixer. So I stand, ( ha ha get it, STAND, because it's a stand mixer? No? I'm sorry about that then),with my trusty old electric mixer. Technically it's not mine. It was actually given to my parents in 1992 as a wedding present by my mom's maid of honor so yes, this mixer is older than me. So if your wondering if there is an actual point to this than yes, and here it goes.

      I wish I could say that the reason this mixer is so special to me is because it was given to my parents on their wedding day and it's a symbol of their love and all that stuff but to be honest it's currently 6:13 pm and I just found that out about ten minutes ago when I asked my mom. It's OK, laugh at me all you want, I'm not ashamed. OK maybe I am a little bit. But I guess it's a good thing I chose this topic or else I would have never known! Stand mixers come in all different colors and patterns and some have attachments that can do anything from make pasta, to even churn ice cream. It probably won't come as a shock to you that the stand mixer in my home, yes the one from 1992, is a plain old white one with chipped paint and no attachments. But it works, so I love it just the same. Now to steer myself back to the topic I can't seem to focus on, the sacredness of the ordinary. This mixer may not be colorful, or modern, or have more attachments than an I-Phone has apps, but something about it makes me feel perfectly content.

    I may not look like this;

but really, we keep our mixer in the corner cabinet under the counter so every time I want to use it I have to lift it out of the cabinet and onto the counter. And let me tell you guys this thing weighs, are you ready for it, 20 pounds. I know right, for the amount of times I've lifted that thing I should look like the hulk. 

No matter how lazy I am, strangely enough turning on this mixer makes me feel at home. I mean I usually only use it when I'm already at home anyways but you get what I'm trying to say. My mom has always loved to cook and bake. Maybe not as much as I do now, but really she was the one who got me started baking and cooking at the young age of  3. Ever since then I've watched cooking shows on food network and hunted down recipe's on Pinterest. This simple little machine reminds me how lucky I am to know what I want to do with my life. It reminds me of good times I've spent standing on a stool just to see over the bowl. I have to say I've come a long way since then.

 

      

   

        Have you taken enough time to marvel over what a unique child I was *cough* am *cough*. We can just ignore the year I had a bob by the way, those were dark days. So even though it may be old, and weigh more than a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon ever would, I can't help but smile when I take out my KitchenAid. Smelling the delicious aroma of whatever is mixing reassures me that there is good in this world. If you haven't experienced this luxury I suggest you get on that right away.

  

Don't worry I've had enough writing too, for now,

Until next time,Lauren West

10/1/15