Man but this lack of a search option is frustrating. I thought Pirula had put her foot in her mouth on a thread about coffee-makers of all things and had her post yanked ;-) until I saw the warning about GW searches being down. Took a manual search through a dozen or so pages to find this thread. Anyhow, the reason I'm posting is to request a performance update from the Delonghi 3300 Magnifica people. We were keeping an eye on this thread since have been on the market for a coffee/espresso maker and the husband was collecting reviews. Well, he too settled on the Delonghi Magnifica 3300 and I went to take a look at it today and I thought it was quite flimsy feeling especially at nearly $1K for a coffee-maker. The plastic dial seemed insubstantial and felt/looked quite flimsy and the wobbly buttons - a whole row of several flimsy, wobbly looking ones at that - don't inspire much confidence that this would last the year let alone at least 5 years service that you'd expect a $1K machine to provide. Also, most of this machine seems to be plastic. Is that true of the parts that contact and dispense hot water too? Certainly anything discernible seemed to be all plastic. Hot water swirling around plastic usually takes on a nasty flavour which is why glass or metal is usually preferred around hot water; is this interference with taste not the case in this machine? So, despite my incredulity at the fit and finish of this machine, because some of you have opined well on the workings of this machine, I'm asking those who have had it or have any experience with this if you can weigh in with your assessment of the machine, if it is providing the longevity or if things are dropping off at the rate that to me it would appear things should be dropping off of it. Also, we were looking at the Jura Capresso E9, F8 and F9 at Williams Sonoma. Any one have any opinions to share on these machines? All of these were at least somewhat more inspiring that they'd live to see the end of the year. Lastly, Ivette, for completeness we wanted to hear from WS about their reasons for discontinuing lifetime coverage for the Juras; to us anyhow, WS's stories for discontinuing their lifetime service warrantee on these machines are getting in the realm of the ridiculous. We went in a couple or so weeks ago and the lady there said that it was because they found that people were using the Jura's "semi-professionally" which these aren't built for and that was why they were breaking and WS didn't want to take that loss. Well, I thought that was a story and a half (how would WS know that their customers were using JC's thusly?). Today went in again, and asked a different lady and her even wilder story was that it was because these being pricey machines, there have been many thefts of these machines and people were returning stolen machines for a big store credit. So this was Jura's or Capresso's policy and no amount of questioning could get her to go off of Jura's warranties and on to WS's vis a vis these machines. Got a bit fed up that so many WS people thought I looked so gullible that I'd fall for such yarns, so I told her that was hog-wash and if she could confirm if these machines last or don't last. Not a good answer but to reassure us (wide eyes and promises on the bible) that Williams Sonomas around the country have been hit with a professional hit of Jura Capresso kidnappers. The next time I go to a WS, I'm going to ask again - the stories get wilder. I'd love it if anyone going to WS could check in and report WHY WS is not providing the longer than 2year warranty on these machines. Perhaps the mean of the reasons will point to the truth. I'd certainly like to know if JC's are fragile machines.

Okay, I'm not sure if I'm totally in love yet. Too short an acquaintance. But my new "Pro" KA mixer is so darned sexy that I believe I'm falling hard for it. rofl Mixed the dough for the shortbread for Strawberry Shortcake. NO RESIDUE in the bottom of the bowl. Everything mixed perfectly. Both the filling and the whipped cream also turned out to perfection. And I could actually add ingredients without turning it off, lifting the mixer head, etc. There's a night-and-day difference between the Artisan and the Pro. Doing the Snoopy dance! sm

I'm sure I could find something at WS, there's one in Grand Rapids that I wander through whenever I get the chance but seldom buy because it's so expensive. Maybe really good knives, and I bought my farm animal waffle iron there when they finally went on clearance. Elery left some of that copper cookware with the acorns here, but I never use them, they're too pretty, LOL. I'd love to have a couple more Calphalon hard anodized things, I love the 8 quart pot I use for jam and the 2 quart saucepan. I don't like the "everyday" pan with those two stupid handles on the sides, who the heck thought of that? I can't pick the blasted thing up and pour stuff out of it without burning myself. I asked that question a couple of times here and never got an answer, so I didn't buy one. That didn't stop Elery, though. He doesn't like it either, which is why it's here with me. Unused. As for the Le Crueset, I've never really wanted any. Elery has a couple of pieces and they're OK, but I still prefer my Lodge cast iron dutch oven, made right here in America. Never been to Sur La Table or Ikea or even Homegoods. I love Crate and Barrel in Chicago but I always take the train and I know I'd never get items back unbroken. Never been to a Kitchen Collection or Dansk outlet either. Iunderstand there's a Pfaltzgraf outlet in HOlland, about an hour and a half from me, but I've not been there yet either. Please excuse any typing errors, I'm using Ashley's laptop and I just hate it!!! Annie

OK, here goes, advice appreciated: My sheets arrived today (I ordered them on the 16th, took 10 days). I thought one of the pillow cases and the fitted sheet seemed off color compared to the other 3 cases and the flat sheet. But I thought maybe its just me and into the wash they went, on warm with 2 Tbs Vaska detergent). Once they dried it was very obviously different. The fitted sheet is a dark slate gray and the others are a cocoa-y brown. They are also HORRIBLY wrinkled, I mean REALLY, REALLY wrinkled. I keep reading here about WE's wonderful customer service. Is this something I should pursue? I really don't want to have to spend $$ to ship back or go thru the bother. Suggestions? TIA, Cathi