Fun fact: over the weekend we got a microwave! It’s just a little one, but it gets great reviews — and it won’t take up too much space in our kitchen.
I realize microwaves are nothing new, but as it turns out, we haven’t had one for over 3 years! It wasn’t really intentional, it just sort of happened. When we moved to France, the house we rented didn’t have a microwave. At first we wondered if microwaves were looked down upon in France, but learned later that wasn’t really the case. They are widely available anywhere small appliances are sold, and it wasn’t unusual for us to see one in our friends’ homes. Our landlords just preferred going old school, and didn’t keep one in their home.
Since we were embracing the full La Cressonnière life (and originally thought we’d only be there for a year), we decided we didn’t need a microwave either.
It took some getting used to. In fact, little June was only 9 months old when we moved to France, and I missed having a microwave to warm up tiny baby portions. But after a few weeks, we formed new habits and didn’t miss the microwave at all.
Then, when we moved here, though The Treehouse came furnished, the previous homeowners weren’t microwave users. So once again, we were in a microwave-less home. And since we were out of practice using them, it didn’t occur to us to buy one until recently.
This made me wonder: is there a “modern convenience” that you currently live without? I’m thinking of things like dishwashers, laundry machines, microwaves —maybe even Kitchen Aid mixers and toaster ovens. And if you had to choose, which one could you absolutely not live without?
For me, laundry in my home is essential! Second, would be the dishwasher. We’ve had a dishwasher in our home since we first moved to New York in 2001 — it would be hard to give it up. In fact, the dishwasher here at The Treehouse broke within a week of moving here (it was from the 80’s and on its very last leg), and we had it replaced within the month. We missed it too much!
As for other “modern conveniences”, I’m pretty flexible. I can live without a microwave. And I’ve never actually owned a stand mixer (shocking, I know. Hah!).
How about you?
Tons of vintage dishwasher images here.
No dishwasher here! We didn’t realize until after we had signed out lease that we had no dishwasher. We’ve gotten used to it – but I do miss it. I don’t think we’d easily make do without a microwave, so glad we have that! Funny how much we start to rely on things to make our lives easier – but we can always make do without them.
We have lived without a microwave for 15 years and without a dishwasher for one year. I don’t miss either! I do have an antique reproduction farm house sink with two drain boards for drying dishes, one on each side. Without this sink or a good place to dry dishes, I think I would miss my dishwasher.
I realize I’m a little late to the game here, but this is a topic I pride myself on. My husband has taken some convincing, and he still misses some modern conveniences, but we live without
microwave
blender
electric mixer of any kind
food processor
toaster
dishwasher
dryer
car
and we’re perfectly happy. I like a simple kitchen, a simple home. I do have an ice cream maker though. I’m an ice cream snob, and it’s hard to find all natural brands in my price range, so we just make some from scratch every now and then. That and a crock pot/pressure cooker are my only electric kitchen appliances. (ok and a refrigerator). And I have a portable washing machine that hooks into the bathroom sink because it just made sense for cloth diapers. Coin-op is a pain and expensive.
I’ll be honest, I love all of my modern conveniences! Washer & dryer, toaster, microwave, Bosch, blender….all of it. They are just so fun :) I’ve been without a dishwasher before though and can totally handle that (I grew up using the dishwasher as basically a sanitizer). I just recently got my (hand-me-down) Bosch and cool new blender, but have lived without those for years. Fine without a TV, but need the internet. And I’d be buying new clothes ALL the time if I didn’t have a washer and dryer!
Our toaster broke a couple years ago so we’ve been toasting things in the oven (on broil) ever since. A toaster would be easier, but we decided the counter space is too valuable.