Hi marleesmom. Where were you in January when I made my post about immersion/stick blenders? I was considering a Russell Hobbs from Ebay but I couldn't find any reviews of it, so I went to Wal-mart (because of their liberal return policy) and bought one just to see if I liked the style. I planned to return it after using it a week and then buy the Russell Hobbs... it never happened. Glad you like yours... mine works, but it's so cheaply made I'm surprised the blades and cord wires aren't plastic... ugly too! Here is a link that might be useful: my immersion blender post

Another stand mixer owner here. Like meskauskas, I have a Viking stand mixer. Santa (er, Mr. Marv) bought it for me for Christmas. It was a replacement for an old KA that went to mixer heaven. I researched many brands and models and decided that the Viking would fit my needs. I have the 5 qt/800 watt model, which is perfect for me. I decided that the 7qt. model would be overkill, since I usually bake quite frequently as opposed to large quantities (I find it very therapeutic) and there are only two of us at home. I bake alot of bread and do desserts at least twice a week, as well. It can handle a double batch of bread dough with ease, and makes quick work of cake batter, cookie dough, etc. King Arthur Flour/Baker's Catalogue is a good place to start if you have questions. They are very knowledgeable and use many products in their test kitchens. They will give you alot of feedback, answer questions and ask you questions (like how many times a week do you bake, what do you bake, how many people are in your household). I would suggest calling their toll-free number and ask to speak to one of their bakers. It might be a good place to start. One of the criteria for a replacement mixer was how much room it would take up, and how easy it would be to move. The Viking has wheels on the back, so it's very easy to maneuver around the countertop. I'm extremely happy with my choice. I also have a food processor, which I use for shredding veggies, pureeing soups, etc. I very rarely use it for baking ingredients, except for the occasional pie crust, where you need speed and little kneading. Here is a link that might be useful: Viking mixer

That's prolly the price they were here, too, Annie. I was on a mission to get primer & plywood for cabinet shelves when I spied them. Last thing I need is dishes; anyway, that's what I told myself since I have nowhere to put them right now so I only let myself be momentarily distracted. (And yes, they are pretty, both styles.) And I do need a set of dishes since DSI broke one of the dinner plates to the set of $4 rummage sale dishes that I happen to like a lot. I'm hoping I'll find a plate that matches when rummages get started back up this spring/ summer since I'm not tired of them yet. I had brown dishes for a while, too. Got tired of those real quick so I know what 'ya mean about them being ugly!

I just bought one from Costco for my wife for Xmas. It is the Professional 550 model with 575 Watts. $50 off from Costco, $30 off from Manufacturers rebate, so final price is $250 plus tax. Plus if anything happens to it can take it right back no questions asked. I bought it before looking at reviews because I always thought the KA mixers were supposed to be good so didn't really think otherwise. The reviews I have seen are "mixed" at best, about 50% love it, about 50% hate it. Seems as though the quality has dropped considerably over the years and might be better off trying to find an old one that is 30-40+ years old that some fool is selling for cheap, probably last longer than a new one.