I wrote a new country song. It’s called my oven broke and I don’t care. Okay, so actually I’ve only got the title down so far.
But it’s true, my oven broke and I don’t care.
It’s a gas oven. And basically the thing {coil? I don’t know} won’t heat up and according to the HH if the thing doesn’t heat up it won’t light the oven {or something like that}.
We are nowhere near ready to start thinking about redoing the kitchen {ie: buying a new oven}.
I told the HH no worries… We could just eat salads for the next year. He rolled his eyes at me.
Then 2 o’clock {afternoon tea time} rolled around and I suddenly realized I wouldn’t get my FRESHLY BAKED chocolate chip cookie I enjoy every afternoon with my 1 caffeinated cup of tea each day.
Yada yada yada… The HH ordered a $50 part. It should be here in a week.
I think I’ll still work on my song. Do you think the title My oven broke and I don’t care – but then I did, is a good title? Hmmm. Maybe it needs a little work.
Costco Shopping Trip $60.33
Obviously the bacon was purchased BEFORE the oven broke. Cooking bacon in the oven is the ONLY way to go. Who’s with me on this?
Candied bacon is even better. Maybe not for the teeth, but that’s what toothbrushes are for, right?
Maryland crab dip. Does your Costco carry this? After trying a warm crab dip appetizer in Newport last week, I decided to pop it in the cart. I’m normally not a big fan of seafood… So the HH was surprised when I came home with it. And it was GOOD!
Starting the day off right. Steel cut oats {cooked in the rice cooker} with bananas, blueberries and brown sugar.
Big salad.
Thankfully the burners on the oven still work so I can make hard boiled eggs. No more bacon for a while though which is a bummer.
Butter beans with a little olive oil vinaigrette and bits of {jarred} roasted red peppers. Perfect-O!
Leftovers on salad are even better.
Salad al fresco.
Market Basket Shopping Trip $26.29
Chi Chi’s salsa rules! So do market Basket rotisserie chickens. They DO taste better than the ones Costco sells.
Big salad with chicken, avocado, pecans, tomato, cucumber, fuji apple, feta cheese and crusty bread bits.
Rainy days = hot chocolate.
And last but not least… Heat gun nachos. Hey man, whatever it takes, right? 😉
What did YOU eat this past week? Curious minds want to know.
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week $86.72
January $229.38
February $260.86
March $433.46
April $369.57
Rosemary says
I make bacon on the stove in a stock pot. I wrote a post on how I do it – in case you get desperate and need to make some bacon. I make a pound at a time and keep it in the fridge – 15 seconds in the microwave heats it back up when I want a piece.
https://mypracticalhome.blogspot.com/2023/10/food-prep-day-one-of-my-best-money.html
Holley says
My first thought was, OH NO how will she bake cookies?!!! I’m glad you’re back to caring! You NEED cookies in your life! That song though, I think it might be a hit!
As for heat gun nachos — I think that deserves a recipe write up of it’s own. I know my son and husband would be interested!
Jamie says
Do you have a Blackstone? That is the only way to cook Bacon!!
eliz says
Thanks for the tip on Chi Chi’s. Will give it a try.
Good luck with your oven.
Kelly-Jo says
I’m with you. I only cook bacon in the oven!
Kim M says
I’ve made muffins on the gas grill when our oven wasn’t working.
Emily says
I was going to suggest you get a toaster oven. It’s perfect for two people. We use ours way more often than the full sized oven.
suzanne says
Agreed. We have a largish Cuisinart that does everything but make coffee. I use it over the gas oven all the time. I’ve read good things about the Breville brand as well.
Mavis, curious minds are wondering why you want to replace what looks to be a very nice kitchen. White shaker and black soapstone are classic.
Mavis Butterfield says
The paint on the cabinets is chipped and cracked and the counter top is fake (some sort of heavy plastic?).
Lindsey says
A second on getting a toaster oven. We rarely use our full oven anymore, mostly for baking bread since I do four loaves at a time so need a large oven. Our toaster oven can also dehydrate and air fry. I wish I had purchased one years ago.
Virginia says
I also have a toaster oven and wouldn’t be without one. We use ours every day.
If you are not successful repairing your gas stove (sounds like you need a new igniter?) and need to replace it, give induction some serious consideration. I had a gas stove for about 25 years and replaced it with induction about five years ago. Wouldn’t want to cook any other way. No wasted energy, and the kitchen stays so cool now. Cleanup is a breeze too.
Kippy says
I’m also suggesting a toaster oven. Ours is a DeLonghi and has lots of settings including convection. We use the much more than big oven. It has
Sue says
Heat Gun Nachos–LOLs forever! I think you need to write a song about THAT. And maybe add some truck engine baking to the lyrics.
You could call it, “Real Women Don’t Need Ovens”
For me, bacon gets cooked in the pan. I save and use the fat for cornbread, baked southern style in a sizzling hot cast-iron pan.
I also used the microwave plenty during the busy child-raising years It uses a fair amount of paper towels but it gets incomparably crispy.
Oven? No thanks. At least I can wipe up the popping grease when cooking on the stove. And there’s no popping grease with the microwave/paper towel method. But the thought of wiping grease out the oven on the reg gives me the vapors… ;^)
Mavis Butterfield says
We don’t have a microwave either. 🙂 I’ve got a stovetop, a rice cooker and a toaster.
Sue says
Pan-fried bacon it is! Cook it on medium low and turn it at least 3 times.
Tracey says
Not being able to bake cookies means an EXCELLENT reason to try out a new bakery…. just sayin’. 😉 (going cookie-less should be a CRIME)
Lana says
Air fryer for the bacon. Quick and easy. Our dishwasher broke and we do care! Our new one is on order and expected June 13. YIKES! Not a thing we can do but wait or buy one we don’t want.
Jean C says
I know you responded a few months ago when I asked for the provenance of that beautiful mug. I reached out to the artist but did not receive a reply. Could you please tell me her name again? (I know she doesn’t do retail per se but was hoping for a gallery or store that she sells to).
Mavis Butterfield says
Sue Tirrell. She does not do direct sales. The best way to get one of her pieces is to watch her instagram page.
She typically announces when she will be at an event or when a gallery will be featuring her items.
Her pieces sell out in just a few minutes typically so you have to be quick.
Dianne Labadie says
Mavis,
I think you have a song there, sung to the tune of “Jimmy-Crack Corn and I don’t care”.
Bummer about the oven. You are right on target with the bacon and “millionaire” bacon. Nothing, but the oven will do. You had some nice dinners for the week. Heat made nachos is the best.
We do have a microwave, I don’t use it, but my husband does!
Gayle says
Did you sell that beautiful aga that you worked so hard for? I just wondered!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, it went with the house.
sandy says
You crack me up.
I have a 1930 Magic Chef with ovens that have. mind of their own, solution? Breville toaster oven ( the big fancy one) I am a baker-and I bake everything in it. My giant adorable 1930 Magic Chef with 6 burners is serving as a focal point of my 1915 house.
Historic houses are not for the faint of heart…cheers
Donna says
I use a microwave baking grill. It just takes minutes to cook. You don’t have grease in your microwave. The grill comes with a cover.
Elizabeth says
Sorry about the stove/oven….for a number of years now, especially since usually there is no more than 4 of us to eat at a time, I have just used a toaster oven. I like the larger ones with 2 shelves. Only if having a larger group does the big oven get used. The rest of the time I store some of my pans and cookware in it (taking it to my bedroom and laying on the bed until we are done with the oven, if having quite a few in to eat). And that is rare now that we have many in as we are old people. Hope the part ordered will work.
Beth says
We love bacon from the air fryer, comes out perfect