Ode to modern conveniences

Just over a week ago, the microwave we've had since we got married died on us. It was making strange buzzing noises and it was glowing inside one of the walls (!) So we quickly unplugged it.

Without a microwave, I quickly realized how poor I really am at cooking. Sure, I know how to use a stove and oven to make meals, but when it comes to thawing meat and heating stuff up (like leftovers and water) I am really bad! Unless I plan WAY ahead for dinner (more than 4 hours :) we end up with piddly for dinner.

But yesterday we got THIS!

Hallelujah!!!!!

Then I went garage sale-ing this morning (in a REALLY nice neighborhood) and found a Regal Kitchen Pro breadmaker for $2!!

It didn't come with a manual, but I found a copy of one online, and it's got lots of good recipes in it. I plan to make my first loaf of bread this afternoon and eat it with homemade raspberry freezer jam I made a couple weeks ago. Of course, if the breadmaker ends up being worth crap, I'm only out $2.

*sigh* Life is good :)