The Wedding Blender

While I was engaged and finishing up my last year at ASU, I worked as a nanny. The family I worked for had the sweetest Grandma named Ruth who occasionally stopped by and spent time at the house while I watched the children. Ruth was delightful, very soft spoken and gracious. When Ruth found out I was engaged, she offered me a special gift.
“Let’s go to Williams-Sonoma and you can pick out anything you want,” she said.
I’d never been to William-Sonoma and didn’t even know what it was, but I looked forward to spending time with Ruth
Ruth took me to lunch and then we went shopping. When we arrived at Williams-Sonoma, I was blown away at the amazing selection. Everything from bake wear to kitchen appliances to pots and pans. Should I get a juicer? A nice skillet? A mixer? Then I saw the blender.

 I had never owned a blender, but I recognized this was the same blender the family I nannied for had. It was super for making smoothies. The Waring blender was what I wanted more then anything in the store, but it was $169.00. Actually, it was cheap compared to what most items in the store cost, but I couldn’t believe that Ruth was willing to spend that much money on my wedding gift? I looked for something cheaper, maybe a cake pan or something, but Ruth insisted again I get what ever I want.
“I saw you looking at this blender,” she said and kindly urged me to get it.
The joy of nannying is being introduced to new cultures and ways of life. Growing up, I was lucky to have an extra $5.00. Ruth’s generosity was overwhelming. My heart was so full, I wanted to cry. I was so grateful and amazed to be given such a beautiful gift.
When we checked out, the cashier pointed out the blender had the motor of a lawn mower, plus a lifetime warranty.
“If for any reason it stops working, just bring it in and we’ll replace it for free.”
I couldn’t wait to try it out. The blender was just what I needed for not just smoothies, but blending up pinto beans for the best refried beans ever, homemade salad dressings, blending zucchini for bread, pureed soups and so on.
Our first year of marriage, the counselor and I purchased a little 3 bedroom home in downtown Mesa.
 I continued to get more nanny work and babysat for many different families. One Saturday night, I was babysitting a little girl named Sophie when Derek called around 9:00pm to tell me he’d just returned home and called 911; we’d been robbed!
“Everything’s been torn apart, the mattress is overturned and the drawers are all pulled out. The TV, stereo and speakers are gone,” he said.
I sat for a moment, than had to ask. “What about the blender?”
“The blender?” he replied.
“Yes, is the blender still there?”
I really do love my blender that much and thank heavens, it was untouched by thieves!
My blender and I had a beautiful relationship until one day I tried to make pesto. I added a little fresh basil leaves, olive oil, pine nuts, garlic and parmesan to my blender and turned it on when the glass picture started making a funny noise. The basil steam had caught on the blade and pulled it apart.
I called Williams-Sonoma to inquire about getting a new picture.
“We only replace the base as part of the life-time warranty,” the clerk said. “A new glass picture runs around $65.00.”
Well, I loved my blender so much I forked out the $65.00, only to have it broken again a few years later. I once again, purchased the glass picture until last month; Payson dropped it on the counter. When I heard the crash, I just knew it! I ached for my little blender.
The blender base has sat on the counter, unused until a few weeks ago. I was shopping at Goodwill and saw this beautiful blender picture for $2.99. The thrifting God’s are soooo very good to me. I brought it home and it was a match made in heaven, hence the story of the blender lives on. It’s the wedding gift that keeps giving.