Requiem for a Microwave

My microwave is dead.  Woe is me.  It's one of my essential tools.  The Cowboy has accused me of "always wanting something new."  Contrary to this indictment, I don't really want a new microwave.  I liked this one; let's name him Emeril.  Emeril's a good size with a turn table and a popcorn button, inverter defrost, 10 power levels, sensor cook, and many other amenties.  My inclination is to find one exactly like Emeril -- which will prove to be FUTILE.   I consider myself pretty low maintenance but when it comes to shopping for a new microwave, I'm gonna be super PICKY!  Emeril will be hard to replace.

Last night I had to fix supper without Emeril.  BOO HISS  I actually had to cook my vegetables  IN A PAN-- can you believe it??   Emeril is excellent at cooking my frozen vegies and defrosting meat.  Sigh

The Cowboy asked me to make strawberry smoothies for dessert.  On a normal day I nuke a quart of (homegrown) frozen strawberries to partially thaw them.  It's a trick I learned after ruining 2 blenders (a blog for another day).  On this NOT normal day I had to partially thaw the berries IN A PAN on the stove--gruelling. 

I said to Princess, "This is just like the olden days."
She asked, "Olden days?"
"Yeah, like before microwaves," said I.
"You mean you didn't always have one?"  she asked, incredulous.

No.  My parents brought home their first microwave in 1978.  Yet, I don't remember personally using it.  That was during my lazy teenager era.  (Yes, I have lazy tendencies --so I can sympathize with others so stricken).  I do remember that when my mom used the microwave and just one other electrical appliance, we blew a fuse.-- yeah, I'm that old.

My grandparents had the original Amana Radarange.  I think they used it to reheat coffee.  Then when it eventually died, it became a stand for the clock radio.

The Cowboy had a dinosaur microwave when we got married.  It had been his mother's.  To him it was perfect--one giant knob to turn.  And slow!!!  In the time it took to pop a bag of popcorn, we could feed and water all the animals.  When I forced it into retirement, the Cowboy was indignant.  He stored it in the barn for another 15 years till he finally disposed of it.

I'm fully aware of my luxurious life & I'm thankful for it.  Looks like I'll be shopping for Emeril's replacement 'cause I can't live without that necessity.

Strawberry Smoothie - Super easy

1 Qt frozen strawberries, partially thawed (microwave on hi for 1 min)
1-1/2 cups skim milk
1/4 cup splenda

Put all ingredients in blender, blend till smooth...  mmmmmm

Yield?  Ummm-- it makes 2 - 3 glassfuls.  I fill my glass and the Cowboy eats his out the blender jar.  hehe