But, like they say, better late than never. I’ll admit I was kind of sad, thinking Will had forgotten to get me something for Christmas. He is a little forgetful sometimes… But today, our friends, Sherri and her husband, John, popped by unexpectedly just while I was getting out of the shower. Oh oh. No pants! Yep, Will retrieved my jeans but not my embarrassment. It seems they had been contacted by Will so they would order me a Breville food processor like Sherri has. It had come a bit late, but wow, here it was. (Once I got into my pants!)
My arthritis in my hands is getting worse so cutting multitudes of potatoes into chunks to can, dicing carrots to add to my mixed vegetables and dicing tons of veggies to make several salsas was getting painful. Sherri said she loves her Breville, as it slices any thickness, dices several sizes, and grates too. Perfect for all our canning. I’m not a kitchen gadget kind of girl, but this sure will make my canning more fun. I had to apologize to Will even though I hadn’t said a word about him “forgetting” my Christmas present.
Well, tomorrow we get up at 5 AM and go down to St. Lukes’s hospital in Duluth for my angiogram, which is before my heart valve replacement with a TAVR procedure. After them digging around in my arm for 15 minutes, trying to hit a vein for my CT scan a couple weeks ago, I’m sure not looking forward to it. Must be done, though. So, suck it up, buttercup! I know I’ll be glad to have that done, at least!
I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year! — Jackie
What a great gift! Will be praying for you!!
The first Christmas I was married I was 17 and pregnant. I got a baby blanket and a skillet as gifts. I wasn’t quite mature enough to appreciate not getting a personal gift. I do recall that I used that baby blanket to rags as it was the only one we had and, of course, I used the skillet for many years. Future years I was much more into the practical than the personal.
I made bread totally by hand for years, but arthritic hands now appreciate a mixer with dough hook. I’m on my second food processor which is about on its last days and am thinking of food processor attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer as a replacement.
Praying your heart procedure goes smoothly and you have a fast recovery.
I suspect (and hope) the giver(s) heart was in the right place. One year I got my mom a new electric mixer. Hers was old and heavy. The new one worked much better (first time doing mashed potatoes with it!). I’ve often wondered if I should have purchased something else for her (I was in early high school years). Water long under the bridge regardless. She’s passed away but the mixer is still in use.
Drink a lot of fluids the day before to get those veins popping up.
Happy New year.
Happy new Year Jackie Will and Family,
you’re gonna Love this kitchen gadget! vein searches can be a “pain’ praying for the more fortunate medical personnel for the next procedure .God Bless you ! you re gonna want to get into the kitchen to using the “gadget” an filling them new jars.
Oh i gave my daughter in law a subscription for lids for her gift this year. practical gifts that also brought a laugh when received!
Mary
So glad for you for your food processor.i got one last year for Christmas. It sure helps speed things up and yes it’s a lot more challenging when we get older 😁.. I love that mine dices too. Enjoy 🤗
Praying that all went well with your angiogram and that the replacement will too. I have deep veins that are hard to find so they use a small butterfly needle to draw blood out of the back of my hand. It’s so much easier!
That’s a great looking machine you have there. I know you can’t wait to give it a test run. A belated Merry Christmas and may 2025 be a smooth ride for you and Will.
What a lovely gift!
Praying your surgery goes well and have a quick recovery!
Prayers for successful diagnostic tests and treatment. I’m in the midst of some diagnostic stuff, too, so sympathize with the uncertainty that involves. Take care!
Katherine
My husband had the TAVR procedure years ago. ITs great and not so invasive. Sometimes they had problems getting an IV started on him.. Then they used a paramedic. They always seemed to hit the vein. I hope your angiogram and TAVR go well! You will feel great getting that new valve!!!
I am jealous of your Christmas gift but now I have something to put on my list for next year!
Wow, great gift, Jackie! I am 76 and recently got arthritis in my hands really bad. I was considering a food processor but afraid the thing would come apart, explode, and fly through the air. Everyone is telling me I should get one. If you are brave enough for one, then I will break down and try one too. LOL
You also will be in my prayers for a good results and painless procedure. Hang in there and remember, spring is on the way!
Happy new year and good luck with the tests, hope they don’t find any serious problems. Will pray.
Best of luck to you. I’ve had two angiograms in the past and don’t envy your coming event. I sent the card too soon, but the message was heartfelt. I’ll be thinking about you, as I usually am up at that hour. You’ll have my prayers.
I have the same appliance and I love it. It has saved me so much pain on my 72 yr. old hands. Dry winter here on our Missouri farm. I have followed you for years.
Handy with a knife, but the food processor is a game changer! I use it every day and I’m sure you will enjoy yours.
Hoping for a speedy recovery from your surgery. We’ll all be thinking of you.
Jackie, as always I so enjoy every one of your blogs, like a long-time friend. I got a kitchenaid a couple years ago to make einkorn sourdough, but after one fail (that flour is now around 5.00 lb.) haven’t got the nerve to try again. So put it aside this Christmas to be replaced by an air fryer I didn’t want; but hubby has always wanted. Have to compromise sometimes. He knows I don’t want my kitchen counter cluttered with appliances. I think I will, however, use Christmas gift money to buy a meat grinder attachment for the kitchenaid. I have a manual that you attach to counter, but there is no counter or table, nothing to screw it to for use; must attach it to our deck handrail outside, instead. Really not a good situation. So kitchenaid, it is. Praying for you and yours, from conservative, far north California.
Praying for a successful surgery!
Happy new year to Jackie and Will.your new food processor will save you so much time. my mother and sister had ‘rolling veins “ and it was an ordeal to draw blood. They dreaded any procedure. Good luck
Wishing you the best of luck on your procedure! I’ll be praying for you Jackie!
Awesome present for sure…I hope your heart procedure goes well .I had open heart surgery 6.5 years ago and I am still here doing well….getting older is not for the faint of heart is my motto..I hope your test will tell the doctor all he needs to know..take care
Wow! Jackie. What an awesome Christmas present. Those things aren’t cheap. Work smarter, not harder. If it saves your hands then it is money well spent. Good for Will. I hope you and your family have a wonderful, healthy, fruitful 2025. God bless you and may he help you during your procedure. May you feel like new.
I’ve also experienced occasional pain prepping veggies and kneading bread dough. So, I got on ebay and found (and ordered 2) Oster kitchen centers. I owned one back when they were still being made, and lived it until a plastic gear broke and replacement parts were no longer available. Sadly, i threw all the still viable attachments to the curb. It doesn’t dice well, but happy with what it does do. Slice 3 thicknesses, shred, blend, mix, knead, grind. Plus it has blender, citrus juicer, and food processor attachments. The only part I didn’t buy was the pasta attachment.
I also dig out my bread maker a couple times a month.
Of course, my hands quit hurting after that purchase, so, it frequently just collects dust.
Breville is an excellent brand – I have a coffee grinder. And have been coveting their toaster for quite some time. Better half spied an Italian tomato press (he’s 3/4 Italian). Due to doing some research (aka time passed), we ended up saving $50 on it. I’ll take it. We’re not much on gadgets that pretty much just take up space – we can’t justify an air fryer for example. BUT I do have to admit I’m coveting your food processor.
A bit late but since dad has “challenging veins”, there is a unit to apply heat as well as a “vein” finder. You might want to ask/check it out for future use.
I’ve used the suck it up buttercup too – pretty blunt and to the point IMHO. Good luck but dang, aren’t there any night owls in the medical profession lol.