How much do we take our microwave for granted?
Thursday night our microwave decided to throw in the towel and announce its retirement with a bang. The unmistakable loud noise followed by beeping tantrum was a clear cut ending to our eight year partnership, but the microwave at least finished steaming vegetables on its way out. Instead of spending the night relaxing at home after dinner, we found ourselves at a home improvement store buying a replacement over the range microwave. Now we are in the waiting process until they can install the new appliance more than a week from now.
That dependable coffee warming machine that also was a cornerstone for heating up leftovers now hangs dormant, unplugged and absolutely useless. And just like that, the debate of what to make on the stove, in the oven and well, living without began. My beloved matcha latte would be made without the soy milk because I am not about to burn that in a sauce pan. Other quickly nuked items like frozen pancakes are now made on the stove by their scratch and mix counterparts. Getting five people fed and out the door during the week had just multiplied in time. Perhaps there are more healthier options for breakfast in the morning now, but I can quiet hear the microwave giggling while he still is hanging in original location while waiting for his spare.
My husband had not fully thought it through when he brought home leftovers last evening. Lot of hibachi leftovers from taking the girls out with the grandma for dinner were on the top shelf of the fridge and I was determined that the dinners were not about to go to waste on my watch. So when all else fails and you were taught by a mom who worked in the restaurant industry, the frying pan comes out in a hurray. My children watched in total amazement as their mom sautéed their leftovers in a little more soy and teriyaki sauce while recooking the food on the stove. The food tasted great and was not nearly as dried out as it would have been if it was warmed up in the microwave. I might have to drink my coffee faster or risk it getting cold quickly, but I was sure enough not to let this broken appliance get the best of me.
The new microwave will have a lot of expectations set before him. He is made by the same appliance brand and looks extremely similar to his eight year old predecessor. Hopefully, the new guy last just as long or longer than the original!
