Appliance Whore

I have recently learned something very important about myself.  I am an appliance and kitchen gadget whore.  I am not ashamed to admit it but it may surprise you how much I really love kitchen accoutrements.  Every year when the holidays roll around we all take time to reflect on what we may enjoy receiving on Christmas morning.  My father sent me a funny commercial which highlights the consequences of poor gift giving by husbands.  A husband dared to give his wife a top of the line vacuum for their anniversary.  The horror!  She put him in the dog house where he was forced to fold laundry for an eternity unless a panel of wives could be convinced he should be paroled.  All I could think of while watching this humorous clip was how much I would love to have my husband give me the top of the line vacuum for a Christmas gift. 
My dear husband in an effort to be thoughtful and loving, gave me a gift certificate for a day at a spa several years ago.  Massage, facial, manicure, pedicure; the works.  I was touched he would give me such a thoughtful gift but that gift certificate sat on my desk for almost a year before I cashed it in.  I know, you think I am crazy.  I just couldn't do it.  I really don't like people I don't know touching my and the thought of being sanded and tenderized just isn't appealing at all.  Not to mention that fact that I would need to be hypnotized to overcome my germophobia ifor the pedicure foot bath.  Eeewww!  It just sounds so yucky.  Whose feet have been in there before me and what weird skin disorder could I potentially catch?  Was it cleaned really, really, really well?  The spa just isn't for me. 
On the other hand, I can drop some serious cash in a Kitchen or appliance store.  To this day, the most thoughtful gift my husband gave me for Christmas was the Viking Food Processor and matching Blender.  I was completely surprised and I still get a thrill from using them.  My latest acquisitions include a balloon whisk, a very large wooden spoon, a huge ceramic bowl-I really love it!- and the mother of all roasting pots.  A Le Creuset Oval Roaster in Red.  It is beautiful and I have been carefully considering which recipe I will use to christen this amazing kitchen tool.  I even got it for 1/2 price which makes it all the better.  It sits in the center of my kitchen table so I can admire it while I consider where its home will be. 
I realized tonight I would rather have a Food Saver than a diamond ring.  I rarely wear the one I've got because I generally have hands that are covered in something wonderful (I wash the wonderful off them immediately of course). I would rather have a 6 burner, gas Viking stove with a double oven than a new car.  They cost about the same.  I would be in Heaven if I could get my hands on a stainless steel, 24 cup commercial muffin tin. 
For one of my anniversaries my husband gave me a diamond anniversary ring.  I loved the ring but secretly I thought I was getting a new washing machine.  I was momentarily disappointed.  He has since learned my compulsion for kitchen tools and that is why for my 20th wedding anniversary, I am patiently waiting for my Cuisinart 14 inch wok skillet to arrive in the mail.  We special ordered it of course for the free shipping and got it on sale!