About two weeks ago, our microwave just up and died.  It managed to finish cooking my chicken enchilada suiza then shut it's lights off forever.  Besides heating up leftovers, the microwave served as our primary clock and timeout monitoring system.  So, after some adjustments and moving another clock into the room, I started to get excited.  Finally, we could get rid of the microwave that contained the perpetual smell of old tacos and smelly feet.  Maybe even find one that would match the other appliances.  But then we removed the microwave from its built-in location and realized we were sunk.  The tag on the back of the microwave read "Manufactured in 1981".  Certainly we were amazed that it lasted so long, but mostly we realized that there was no way on earth we were ever going to find one to fit in the exact same space.  Here's Martin, giving the old microwave one final push.


For two weeks we searched for options that might work.  We went to every store in Hutchinson that carries appliances and found nothing.  It turns out that microwaves are built about 3" deeper than they were in 1981 when the handy cabinet was built.  After several trips into St. Cloud, we finally found one and brought it home.  Does it match the appliances?  Nope.  Does it fill the space?  Not even close.  Do we care?  Not one little bit.  Because we've decided that all we need in a microwave is one that has a turntable, a clock, and doesn't stick out past the edge of the shelf.

Plus, with the new smaller microwave I now have some extra space to put my recipe binders.  In case you don't talk to my friend Kathy as frequently as I do, let me introduce you to her invention and the best innovation of 2005.

The Recipe Binder.  If you're anything like me, you probably rip recipes out of magazines and print them off the internet when you find something that looks good.  Despite the best intentions, before I know it, I have a stack of recipes inches high and never look at them again.  Until Kathy came up with the best idea - here's how it works:
- Get a binder (or more)
- Buy dividers with pockets and label them with category names that make sense to you.  I have one binder that includes meats, seafood and other (like game birds).
- When you print out or rip out a recipe, put it in the appropriate pocket.
- After you've tried a recipe, if you like it, place it in a clear sleeve and put it behind the pocket divider for future use.  If you don't like it, throw it away (that's an important part).

This is the best system ever.  Try it.  I bet you'll love it too.