Friday, March 14, 2014

Friday Smiles: the big Six-OH

It's time to join Annie at A Stitch in Time for our end of the week smile.

I entertained guests over the weekend, and after my friend set the table for lunch, I brought out my camera to take a few shots.  I didn't realize I got my camera shy friend "R's" back as she was talking to Bleubeard until I took the photos off the disk.

I was about to set coffee cups on the table, when my coffee maker sprung a leak and poured spewed water all over my counter and into the tea towel and cutlery drawers, as well as the shelves below.  Water has a way of meandering.  Needless to say, I had quite a mess on my hands, which led to a massive clean-up, purge, and loads of laundry.

After making coffee the "old fashioned" way by pouring boiling water over the freshly ground coffee for two days, I finally bought a new coffee maker.  I was afraid I'd never find a wonderful coffee maker like the Black & Decker I've had since 1985 (yes, you read correctly), I looked at the choices WalMart, the store we all love to hate, offered.  Not sure if you can see in my basket, but I actually found a Black & Decker design I can live with.  Nothing like my old one, but at least it has features I can accept.
 
Now if this new one lasts anywhere close to 29 years, I'll have a HUGE grin on my face.  BTW, I'm on my second pot since I brought it home, and it's 9:29 pm.

Now let's go smile with Annie at A Stitch in Time and start the weekend out right. 

28 thoughtful remarks:

Helen said...

your table looks very smartly set for dinner, and your new coffee maker very smart - forgive me if I'm doubtful, but not sure anything is made to last that long any more.... lol!!

Janet said...

Fortunately if mine ever breaks, I'm just 5 minutes from Starbucks!I'm not functional without my coffee!

Annie said...

Now that is something to smile about Elizabeth. Your old coffee maker owed you nothing lasting that long and there really is nothing like an old 'friend' but I do love new 'toys' of any sort :-)
Hugs,
Annie x

Vicki Miller said...

I am amazed your coffee maker lasted that long. Ours generally don't last more than a few years, but we give them a beating. We use them to make tea! and they are always on!

Anonymous said...

My superhero has a breakage problem, so we replace anything glass on a regular basis. i have a french press which I love and a back up and a mini stove top percolator too.....Glad you found an acceptable black and decker.....sorry about the laundry....xox

Julia Dunnit said...

Your table looks lovely, very inviting indeed. Water is insidious in it's ability to meander, I dread water involved breakages! Black and Decker do not sell domestic electrical products on this side of the pond, we know them only for tools and tough work equipment! Well, I love Walmart....I could spend a day just people watching!!

Unknown said...

Sorry about your coffee maker. Your new one looks great! I love your table setting and those candles in the middle are arranged so beautifully!

Well; It's time for me to go smell the coffee :)

Love, Marilyn xo

Twiglet said...

Your table looks such a perfect place for an enjoyable lunch. Well done on finding a good replacement for your old faithful friend - I mean the coffee maker of course!! x Jo

mamapez5 said...

Your table looks beautiful. Mine has disappeared under a mound of knitting for my Africa project! As I never drink coffee, I find it difficult to relate to everyone else's love of it, but I do love having a new gadget/machine in my kitchen. So I raise my cup of tea and say Cheers! I hope it serves you well. Kate x

Halle said...

Wow...29 yrs! Incredible! I think we've had at least 7 different pots in the last 20 years. Maybe since yours never dries out since you are using it more than once a day the minerals aren't so hard on it. Or else we just have extremely hard water up in the north.

Laura said...

What beautifully ornate chairs!
Your old coffee maker is the same age as me... hope I'm not on the way out yet though!!
Laura

Craftymoose Crafts said...

29 years is quite a feat! I don't think ours lasted half that long--and we only bring it out once or twice a year! My husband prefers instant coffee, and I only drink tea as you already know. Have a wonderful weekend!

elle said...

The new pots are definitely not like the old. But I can't take my eyes off your table's centre piece. Wowzers. I have lots of white candles and a big plate. I'm inspired. Thanks

dawn said...

WOW, that is a long time for a coffee pot!! I hope this one lasts you a long time. What a beautifully set table! Hope it's warm there today, we are going to be in the 50's and already feels good out there and the sun is shining!!

Just wanted you and your readers to know that Sienna and Colt's dad made it out of surgery and might come home today!! So happy about this and it's what's making me smile today!

Happy weekend to you!
p.s. my back got worse on Tuesday and is doing much better now. I can't sit for too long or do much crafting but at least it's getting better.

Divers and Sundry said...

i like your candle centerpiece.

pour-over coffee is very "in" right now, isn't it? so you are definitely finding the coffee solution there!

i hope your new coffee maker lasts like the old one did. since it's a dependable brand, i think you have a good shot.

Dianne said...

oh my goodness...I don't think anything lasts 29 years these days!
and does the big 6-oh refer to a birthday?! or something else? Your table and candles look lovely...I adore those chairs. anyway, have a great weekend without any more messes or water disasters!

Cheryl Gee said...

Nothing wrong with using an appliance for many, many years! I wish everything lived so long as your previous coffee maker!

From one creative coffee lover to another!

Anne said...

Well your coffee maker did very well! My DH worked for a company once owned by Black and Decker. I've just bought new saucepans. Had them 43 years nothing wrong with them. However the 18 year old cooker had to be replaced as it broke beyond repair and apparently my old pans hadn't got the right bottom :-) I kid you not . x

Caro said...

I think my Dad's coffee maker can probably rival yours for longevity! Looks like you have a good replacement. I have to say I love your table settings. Thanks for sharing a smile. Caro x (#12)

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

Rita said...

OMG!!! 29 years! That has to be a record for an electric coffee pot! Wow! Hope the new one lasts a long, long time. :)

Carol said...

Love your table and the set up too :) I love the old furniture the best ..it was made to last and has so much good character. We go through several coffee pots a year here. Our water is very hard and it wipes them out rather quickly.... no matter how often I clean it or run vinegar through it. For a while we bought bottled water so they would last longer.... but it cost more than replacing the coffee pots and then you have all of those plastic bottles to get rid of. :( Have a great weekend !! Happy St. Patty's day :)

Krisha said...

Good for you, a new coffee maker, especially after 29 years! I think I go through a coffee maker about every 10 years. if I don't break the pot first. LOL Now I keep the glass pots when the unit goes, so I'll have a back up.

creatorme said...

Geez it sure had a long life. I have the exact same coffee pot as your new one. I bought that when I was working Phoenix AZ last year. But now that I am home, I had packed it away since there is no reason to have both out. So can't tell you how long that will last.
You had a really nice table setting and beautiful pattern on your dishes. I had to notice the pattern. :)

Gill Edwards said...

what a nightmare to have water get everywhere but glad you got a new one thats to your liking. Only my hubby drinks coffee here so i just make him a cup at a time but i do love the smell of fresh coffee. Thanks for visiting, im a bit late this week.
Gill xx

~*~Patty S said...

Lovely table you have set E!
I hear you about how far water reaches...we had a cracked mixer something or another pipe inside and luckily we have a stash of worn towels...just washed and dried the second load and all is well again with fans blowing to help dry the wood and such (plumbers are very well paid and I am glad they do what they do!)
Hope you enjoy your new coffee maker...the choices of new appliances can be daunting...
Happy weekend to ya!
oxo

Hettie said...

Gosh that coffee maker lasted you a looooong while! I never realised Black and Decker made them. I only think of tools from B&D!!
Hugs
xx

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

Lovely new coffee maker. I have to restrict myself to only one caffeine drink per day as a maximum, otherwise I get hyper and slightly manic. My raised beds were really a necessity, the only way, I stood a chance of coping with my garden on my own. I still need more put in, but not until the cost comes down again. Everyone has turned production over to making fence panels to replace all those damaged in the storms. It is my house you can see, with the conservatory on the left. They are also high grade insulated to keep the warmth in during the winter. xx Maggie