Ode to The Red Mixer

On By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry

You sit on the shelf until I’m ready
to pour in white or brown sugar,
wheat flour now, trying to be healthier,
eggs, baking soda or powder, depending…
and dark chocolate morsels,
milk chocolate, if I dare,
oatmeal and walnuts or pecans,
or molasses in autumn,
sugar cookies dressed in holiday décor –
my mouth waters.

You’re not the same mixer Mom used
when she created magic
with the same ingredients for our palates,
and yet each time you’re hard at work,
memories flow of Mom and me
in the kitchen with dark wood cabinets,
blending, rolling out, and baking,
moments more meaningful now.

You need to know that her love
shined through recipes in every taste –
savory or sweet, irrelevant,
our own personal chef whose dishes
filled us up to heart’s content.

I know memories flow
for my children of them and me
in our kitchen with mahogany cabinets,
blending, rolling out, and baking,
creating their meaningful moments.

Funny thing is for years
I wanted one of those fancy stand mixers,
but counter space kept me
from the purchase, and you know what?
I don’t need one because I have you!
You have created all the magic I need
in deliciousness and memory.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com

Lauren Scott is a recent Pushcart Prize Nominee who enjoys small-town living in Northern California with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their daughter and son live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, this family of four remains close. Lauren has published four collections of poetry, a memoir in verse and prose, and her first children’s book. She has been a guest on several podcasts, and her writing is featured at Spillwords Press, Gobblers and Masticadores, and LatinosUsa. At Spillwords Press, she was awarded Publication of the Year (Poetic 2026), Author of the Month (May 2023), and Publication of the Month (June 2025, October 2024). Lauren’s work is included in several anthologies. She is currently working on her second children’s book and another collection of poetry. Her muse discovers inspiration from family, spending time outdoors, and marveling at the mysteries of life. 

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82 thoughts on “Ode to The Red Mixer”

  7. Good memories, Lauren, traveling back to happy times, down through three generations. I can almost smell the cookies baking. Few things beat a cookie fresh out of the oven, cooled just enough to pop it into your mouth. Doest matter if it is chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, snicker doodle, molasses. or sugar. They are all good. And one almost always demands a second. Same with scones. I cooked up a batch yesterday. Had to eat one immediately afterwards. You know, to assure that they were good. Mmm, mmm, good.

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  9. I could relate so well missing my mother and remembering whenever I use her handheld mixer! Nicely done. She got a fancy one and I ended up with the old handheld one of hers. I’ve used it since graduating college and it works fine. It’s the mixer my children grew up with.

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  10. Dear Lauren I thought I had commented earlier.
    WP is being silly again 🙃
    This is a beautiful tribute to your mum .
    Big hugs to you my friend ❤️ xo ❤️
    In my house it was Dad that did the baking.
    I miss my parents too ..we think that they will always be there don’t we.

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    1. WP is moody at times, Maggie! Thanks so much, and I love how your dad was the baker. Isn’t it funny how we feel that our parents will live forever? I know this is how I felt when I was younger. I’m glad you enjoyed this tribute to my little red mixer that evokes wonderful memories of my mom. Sending lots of hugs and love. ❤️🌺❤️🌺❤️

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  14. It’s funny what triggers good memories from long ago. My brothers and I threw my parents a 50th wedding anniversary party. They were always frugal but generous people. My dad, in particular, never threw anything out. One of the things we put out at the party was their original toaster that was still functioning. I actually took the time to look for the company online. They were no longer in business. I suppose that’s what happens when you make your appliances too good.

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  26. Simply delightful, Lauren! I also have memories cookie making with my mom, who always warned me not to scrape the bowl with the spatula while the stand mixer was running. A stand mixer is a powerful machine! She had done it before I was born and had to have the mixing blades (no idea what they’re called) cut to get her hand free. She had scars. I loved making cookies with her and in later years with my kids and then my grandkids, but we always repeat the story and remain careful! Remember what happened to Grandma! 👵

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  27. What a good read, Lauren. I’ll just add that sometimes what we already have carries more meaning than anything new ever could.
    This felt warm. Like fresh cookies and something a little deeper underneath.

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    1. Hi Ritish, I love what you said about things that we have carry more meaning than anything new could. I also love that reading this poem for you felt warm like fresh cookies and something a little deeper underneath. What a beautiful thing to say. Thanks so much for your great comment and I’m really glad you enjoyed this tribute to the red little mixer. ❤️

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  28. Lauren – there were so many things I enjoyed about your post here – like the warm memories of your mom and the smooth comparison that allowed us to travel back with you – feeling the dark cupboards – and of course – the ode to a valuable mixer while missing your mom. Then, the mixed also had the modern vibe – my son’s new wife uses here to make “keto” cookie recipes – and we were just there as I watched her use that machine with finesse – and clean it etc – and then your little note about the space these machines take up! You gave us a lot of fun tasty pieces here… xxxx

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    1. Thanks for your wonderful comment, Yvette. I’m glad you enjoyed the different layers to this post. And I liked reading about your son’s wife using her machine to make keto cookies. These little things create wonderful memories. Thanks again! 💝

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