I have some new neighbors!
Aren't they cute? The babies are so tiny, I almost missed them as they plodded through the brush to the water, following their mom for a swimming lesson and a spot of dinner!
These are the first of many, I think. There have been a lot of ducks this spring.
And many geese, too. Mother Goose is still sitting but it won't be long before her golden goslings will be out and about!
I have more from the ditch but first, a pressing question. My microwave died. One night it worked, the next morning it didn't. I thought it might be a breaker issue but that wasn't the case. It's just dead.
It owes me nothing. A friend gave it to me in 1982 or 1983. It was her dad's. So this baby was close to 40, older than either Greg or Kevin and from a time when I was far more petite. It's time for a new model.
I ventured to the store yesterday and the choices overwhelmed me. Many of the models have an air fryer. So, my questions are -- do you have an air fryer? What do you do with it? Is it attached to your microwave or a separate piece of equipment? Will I miss it if I never had one before? Is it worth the $50 more? And do you have model recommendations for a microwave or ones to steer clear of? I'm not anticipating another 40 year run (not even for me!), but it would be nice if it lasted.
Please put your comments here or if you feel better about it, you can email me.
Back to the Ditch where the blossoms are still coming!
Aren't they pretty? Those that have fallen look like pink and white confetti on the sidewalk. It really is a glorious spring.
I thought I missed the redbuds, but they hadn't started yet. Now I am seeing many of them -- in lawns and at the Ditch, too!
Rockin' Robin thinks so, too! I have seen loads of robins this year.
And this fellow -- I'm not sure what he is yet. I need to check the bird book.
But he is very cute indeed!
I leave you with a couple of sights from late the other night. These fellows were comfortably grazing on the side walk -- Bunnies Seven and Eight.
And I loved this, too.
Goodnight, Moon.
Sharing with: Pink Saturday / Let's Keep in Touch
Our microwave went south a week before a big holiday party
ReplyDeletewe were having about three years ago. We too, were a bit
overwhelmed in making a purchase. We basically use a microwave to warm
things up and steam veggies, so we went for a mid price microwave.
We do not have an Air Fryer. I guess they are the thing.
I just saw my daughters the other day and one of the
grandchildren said they have one. My daughter was making
brats in hers and they looked just like they had been grilled.
Our microwave is a Samsung. Part of our decision was based
on what one would fit in the existing space.
Love your ducklings . . . and your pictures “singing Spring is here!”
I've no info for you on microwaves...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous pix from the ditch!
I don't have an air fryer but they seem to be all the rage. Just like the instant pot which I still dream about having some day.
ReplyDeleteWow! Forty years! Most marriages these days don't even last that long! haha! Good luck on your search, I can't help you with that. I bought my microwave just because it was tiny and looked very retro. Love all the little ducklings and beautiful flowering trees. Seems like a lot of bunnies this year, everywhere. Love that gorgeous moon shot. Hope you have a nice weekend. x K
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Ms. Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteDo you have - among your many friends - someone who owns an apartment building? These persons will tell you exactly the kind of brand to buy for any tried and true household appliance.
Please, I don’t expect a reply. Just waited - for the longest time - for an opportunity to tell you that I greatly admire your gift for writing.
Maria
Wonderful nature photos, it all looks so pretty. I don't have a microwave, when mine stopped working I din't buy another as I had used it so rarely. But I do have an airfryer, which is VERY useful and makes wonderful food quick and easy. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI can't be of any help, I'm afraid. I just don't like microwave ovens. I did own one, a long time ago, but it became an expensive {and large, back in the day} pop corn popper and beverage warmer. Mum had one that was much more fancy, that baked like an oven, but again, was never used for it's full purpose. Yours was a good age, if only all appliances gave such long service, landfill wouldn't be half as full.
ReplyDeleteDeb in Wales
I learned to cook using a microwave. I've used one since I've been on my own. This is my third one and it's at least 11 years old or older. I have a small one in the basement for dyeing fabric and other art. My friend Sally has an air fryer, but it isn't attached to a microwave. Sorry I can't be of help. However, I love all the photos of the great flowers and the adorable ducks. Don't get me started on geese, though (grin), since they have taken over my neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteHello, Jeanie
ReplyDeleteThe ducklings are so cute adorable. I love the pretty blossoms, all the spring blossoms and trees are looking gorgeous here. We do not have much space on our counters, we have a small cheap microwave we use to re-heat things. I have heard a lot of air fryers, not sure where I could put one. Have a great day, happy weekend!
Tiny cutie pies indeed, those ducks!
ReplyDeleteGolden goslings? Did you know there is a German fairy tale on one?
Ohhh! Our Miele microwave sure is sad. We have "her" since 1987 and she just heated up my lasagna...
I once killed her but Ingo fixed the problem.
Yes, we have a separate air fryer - fish fingers will go in there tomorrow. Ingo heats up those cheap buns in there, too. I wanna try broccoli next.
To be honest. Healthy, yes, but fish fingers without fat turn out ... "lame". But you might add another 40 years with the healthy way ;-)
Blooms here, too, and the robin is so cute!
And. The moon! Wow.
The microwave in this house is the one that was here when we bought the house and is still doing its job. I know nothing at all about them. It is just not something I ever give a moment's thought to. But what I do know is that your cute little bird is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. And that's a whole lot better than an air fryer!
ReplyDeleteOne of my pet hates is learning how to use new appliances so when i had to stop using my very simple no frills microwave because the metal was showing through inside, I got one exactly the same! Silly really as I expect it will go the same way.
ReplyDeleteMicrowave with air fryer- I didn't even know they made that. We have a small inexpensive microwave that we've had for at least 10 years. It sits on the counter and does what I need it to do. Heat and defrost. Sorry I can't help you any. But you did take some wonderful photos outside. Those little ducklings are adorable. Its one of the wonders of spring. I am glad David ID's that bird since I think I have one around here and I wasn't sure what it was. Very cute. I hope your week is going well. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteLove all your photos Jeanie. You truly are having a beautiful spring there. As you know our spring is long gone but it was incredible with bulbs and trees going the extra mile. As for your microwave, I'm not much help. I have a GE in the pantry that is probably close to 20 years that I use. I also have a built in M/W in the kitchen, a Jenn Air. I use both when we have a house full. I don't know a lot about all the new appliances on the market, not my thing to have a different one for each way of cooking. Guess you could say I'm an old fashioned gal. I even gave my slow cooker away! Happy weekend.........
ReplyDeleteI love the moon photo and the cute little ducks are just precious! I don't have anything fancy but I will say this. The new microwaves don't last like the old ones. That is the most irritating thing...having to get a new one after only a couple of years...every couple of years! Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI think an air fryer is basically a small convection oven. I bought one when I moved into the condo in Michigan, but I underuse it because of counter space issues. It's great for french fries and chicken wings, but that's all I've tried so far. Your photos are, as always, delightful.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos and I love seeing all the babies! As far as the microwave goes I personally would get the one that is a microwave, air fryer, and toaster oven all in one. I bought all my kids air fryers for Christmas a few years ago, they all love them and use them all the time. I haven't got one for myself yet but will get the combo when my microwave dies.
ReplyDeleteSpring is beautiful where you are!
ReplyDeleteWe bought a bottom-of-the-line microwave, and it serves us well. We only use it for re-heating food. We've never had an air fryer. We do have a countertop oven that has a convection oven option, and we get a lot of use out of that.
That sounds nice, a microwave and air fryer combo. Buy it. What have you got to lose?
ReplyDeleteThe moon is the most beautiful thing one can look out at in the night. It can be seen with our eyes, and we can even see features on it, like the gray patches (believed to be ancient lava fields).
ReplyDeleteLove seeing the duckling family to the closing of the full moon.
ReplyDeleteI haven't purchased a microwave in many years, but for some reason I always have a back up in storage. They do last a long time. Good luck finding the right one.
Ahhh - love the blossoms and red bud, plus bunnies too!
WOW...You mean that the micro ONLY lasted 40yrs? WOW...shame on it for giving up the ghost now! I would say you got your money worth but you stated that you did not pay for it!! haha....I say go get a new one...NOW. I have a small one just for warming food up but I am thinking of getting a bigger one. I do not have an air fryer but I would love one. My daughter loves hers. They say it is amazing. I am not sure I would want mine combined however, I guess it would take up less space if it was. Go get a micro, an air fryer or a combo, you deserve it! If you like fried food without the grease, they say the fryer is the way to go. CUTE little babes! Now I went on and on about the micro fryer that I forgot what else was in your blog!! Oh yeah.....spring. Feeling like summer here already today. Our spring is pretty much out of here.
ReplyDeleteI do not have an air fryer, but only because I do not have the counter space for one. My parents have one and they love it. They use it to make all kinds of things from fried to a pork chop to Brussels sprouts! When our toaster oven dies I plan to get a combo toaster oven and air fryer. If I needed a new microwave, I would probably get one with an air fryer!
ReplyDeleteThose ducklings are sooo cute! We haven’t seen any yet but didn’t see any last spring either. I don’t know where the moms go when they have babies. We have tons of ducks in the winter and then we see far fewer in the spring!
Hi, Jeanie. I can't help you with regard to an air fryer. We don't have one and one is not on my list, although people who have them seem to enjoy them. As for our microwave, it was purchased when we moved into this home, 2005. It is a GE. No problems to date. Mike is one of these people who before making a purchase, he knows how many nuts and bolts something has.
ReplyDeleteI love all the photos of your ducks and your bunnies. If your gardening neighbor complains about the bunnies hand him a large (from Sams) bottle of cayenne pepper. It won't hurt the bunnies, but they do not like it.
Your photo of the moon is glorious, Jeanie. You should paint it for Halloween Cards. Happy weekend, my friend.
Our local wetland has happy ducks and geese. The blurry photos look like paintings.
ReplyDeleteNo wisdom on a microwave here. I use mine to melt butter occasionally, or sometimes to thaw foods. Otherwise? It just sits over the stove and pouts. I had one that quit a few years ago, but apartment dweller that I am, I called the management and they brought me a new one.
ReplyDeleteI've not seen a duckling yet this year! I love yours. We're finally getting rain, so I'm dedicating tomorrow to house cleaning. Maybe. We'll see! I took a nap this afternoon; I'd forgotten how nice it is to sleep with a nice rain coming down.
One time Bob and I were walking our river walk trail and we almost stepping on some baby ducks. They are so precious! Love love that the blossoms are finally starting to bloom here. Yours are just beautiful! Janice
ReplyDeleteWas your microwave a Sharp Carousel from the 80s? We had one that lasted a really long tiome.
ReplyDeleteI have a GE model that I like. It has a button I can push for an instant 30 seconds rather than having to push several buttons to get it. Also, if I want just a few minutes-1, 2, etc, I just push that number and the microwave runs for that time (1 for 1 minute) etc which is really nice. Then it has all the regular settings that you would find on a microwave. I couldn't find a model # on mine. This looks like it: https://www.geappliances.com/appliance/GE-2-0-Cu-Ft-Capacity-Countertop-Microwave-Oven-JES2051DNBB
Good luck, Jeanie!
Lovely neighbors and the blossoms!
ReplyDeleteThat romantic full moon photo is awesome!
Those babies are so cute!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blossoms and that's a fantastic moon!
I love the ducklings, they are so cute. The bunnies are very funny too. Sorry, I can't help with details about the air fryer.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend the Sharp Carousel Microwave...had one since 2005 and it lasted until last year. I replaced it with another one that was larger, a little louder and very powerful..it heats everything evenly. Never had an air fryer because I try to avoid frying food, although they may fry healthier...not sure. I recently went vegan...started the middle of March, which like buying a microwave is an adventure. Since then I have lost about 10lbs that I needed to lose...sounds drastic but I feel better also.
ReplyDeleteI found an ally in a local store called The Honest Weight Food Co-op in nearby Albany NY. They have an amazing amount of vegan food and they carry non vegan offerings also. It is even on Instacart which is great too.
I loved reading about the ducks, blooms, bunnies, geese and other birds. Best wishes for a great rest of spring/early summer.
Activities of plants and animals become faster and faster now. You would find out natural miracles around your walking path. Happy Sunday to you.
ReplyDeleteOh the things you see!!!!!! Astounding & amazingly magical!
ReplyDeleteI'm not the one to help you with the micorwave questions. I always go low tech...I like simplicity...I resent all of the new improvements made because I think they're not friendly to the environment and are made simply for profits...But that's me.
Hello Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteThe ducklings are so cute, adorable photos. The Geese should be having their babies soon.
Love the blossoms, it has been a lovely spring. I see David has helped with your mystery bird, I was thinking it could be a Kinglet. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, enjoy your weekend! PS, thank you for the visit and comment.
Oh, dearest Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteit's so easy to love such neighbours and they will respect you for sure!
We have rabbits, squirrels and so many little birds with which we live wonderfully...and on the river fly seagulls, herons and storks, wild ducks and mallards, a wonderful company, don't you also think so?!?
I'm sending blessings on your weekend Dearie,
thank you for sharing another so lovely post of yours
Dany
Your world is beautiful! And flowers are in full bloom already. Love the moon pic! As you can see from my post, we are still brown except for the blue sky.
ReplyDeleteMicrowaves have changed a lot in the past 40 years---Oh, my!---so I don't envy you your research and final decision.
ReplyDeleteBunnies are my favorite thing to see in my yard. Sometimes I'm lucky enough to have a mom build a birthing nest in my Western Pine Mulch not more than 20 feet from my window.
Very cute neighbours and such beautiful blossom!
ReplyDeleteThat microwave definitely it it's job!
Regarding an air fryer... We had an actifry and it was great for doing chips/fries, but in no way replaced the microwave.
So many wonders:) I love baby ducks, almost better than kittens. They are just so sweet. And the blossoms are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThat was one hard working microwave. I know nothing about air fryers. I've just got a plain ole sit-on-the-counter Oster brand microwave and am perfectly happy with it.Good luck.
Have a great one.
Jeanie, there seems to be a lot going on at the ditch! Spring is beautiful around your house, I do love the redbuds! I have had my microwave for 18 years and it has been a good one so far. It doesn’t have bells and whistles, but I only use it for reheating my coffee in the mornings. Happy Weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love your photos. Those little ducklings are so sweet. You are a great photographer!
ReplyDeleteI don’t know what an air fryer is. My microwave is the Yamada Denki store’s brand, simple and inexpensive, so I’m afraid I am no help.
What adorable ducklings!! I'm not sure, but I think your mystery bird might be a female goldfinch. I don't have an air fryer, but I've thought about getting one.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that when we needed to buy a microwave for Ian's dorm room I just went to an estate sale. They always seem to be there.
ReplyDeleteLove the birds and blossoms!
A 40 year old microwave... I doubt appliances last that long nowadays.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea microwaves came with air-fryers now, but it could come in handy to "fry" chicken,fish or chips. I have one but it's a separate appliance.
Cute little ducklings and Spring flowers.
Sorry, I know nothing about air fryers.
ReplyDeleteYour bunny photos remind me of pointilism paintings. At first, before reading the text, they looked like men dashing about.
The ducklings are cuteness overload! Great pictures
So happy to see your ducklings -- they are such happy, good-natured birds, and I miss watching them in our back yard every time I see your pictures from the ditch. (Feeding & watering them when the temperatures drop below 0? Not so much, though.)
ReplyDeleteThere are so many wonderful pictures here - beautiful flowers, beautiful birds, truly, a beautiful spring. I'm so glad you didn't miss the redbuds!
Can't help you much with the microwave. If it were up to me, I'd get rid of ours and enjoy the extra counterspace. As for an air fryer, my take on it is that, if you have a convection oven, you can get all the benefits of an air fryer with a cookie tray topped with a grid. Be sure to use the convection roast setting, though. And if you have a multi-level convection roast setting, use that as well. Great for crispy potatos, crispy chicken, crispy... whatever you want!
Oh, those bunny shots look deliberately arty in the best sense, and that last shot of the moon is perfection. I thank you SO MUCH for sharing these glimpses, moments, with us on the blog.
ReplyDeleteMicrowave ... I had a Panasonic that lasted forever in South Carolina. Not an "also-an-air-fryer" but many other features I found useful. It was a countertop model. Here in Virginia, the house came with an over-the-stove model built in, a Whirlpool. It's temperamental (could have been misused by the former owners)so I use it for snack storage and the occasional butter melting or water boiling. Most of the time it's not even plugged in.
Knowing how you and Rick like to cook, I think an air fryer might be something you'd enjoy.
XOXOXO
Jeanie,
ReplyDeleteThe blooms and birds are so pretty!! I have a basic microwave because all I do with it is heat up things....It was $39 in Target....I do not want an air fryer because space is an issue in my small Kitchen and I truly do not have space for all these small individual appliances..... Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment.....It is supposed to be colder at the end of the week with temps only in the high 50's.....Typical for here in NEPA!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Lovely blossoms! And how about those new neighbors! So cute and so fun!
ReplyDeleteI have an air fryer. I don’t use it often.... but love wings in it.
Good luck with your choice!
These are great nature scenes from the Ditch,Jeanie. The ducklings are beyond being cute and so fuzzy! And all those blooms. I can't be much help with the microwave issue as we really don't use the one that is here in the apt and in fact when the kitchen was redone we asked NOT to have one as we preferred extra cabinet space, but alas we had to have it. The only thing we use it for is reheating coffee and occasionally to steam some veggies when on a tight dinner schedule. I know many people like air fryers, but we have never used one of those or an Instant Pot. We actually prefer an oven and stovetop!
ReplyDeleteOur microwave went kaput too. We replaced it with the most basic model we could find. Not much on bells and whistles in this household.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. Photo of moon is awesome.
ReplyDeleteOoohhh... how sweet those baby ducks!!! How BEAUTIFUL is spring where you are right now! Spring is still trying to take hold here. Only now just getting some green fringe on things. Your night photos almost look like Impressionist paintings! Wasn't that Pink Full Moon lovely a few days ago?! Your photo is breathtaking!! But how sad your old microwave died! Our old microwave that I told you about--it's still going strong, thankfully. I would be overwhelmed too having to look for a new microwave. We had to get a new stove two years ago--that was overwhelming enough... haha! Good to catch up with you, Jeanie! Loved seeing your art in your previous post--that portrait of Rick and Baby-Baby Grand is the BEST! ((LOVE & HUGS))
ReplyDeleteYour microwave had an amazingly long life. They are not making things as well now. I can't give any advice on a microwave now but I have found dual appliances complicate and are not usually satisfactory. I would not think if you haven't used an air fryer that you would start now. Sounds like a mess to clean up.
ReplyDeleteGood luck deciding.
Love seeing all the wildlife having babies and appearing in the ditch.
I just got an air fryer .My daughter had one and raved.I never jumped on the insta pot craze.
ReplyDeleteI got a plain air fryer.I have ovens..microwave..toaster oven in basement lol.
I wanted a single ..nice to look at air fryer because I did not want it hidden.So far so good..I have a few of my latest IG posts about it.
Perfect appliance as everything is crisp under and over ..unlike baking.Bang bang shrimp delish..general Tao..roasted peppers for pizza..fries..onion rings..
Oh, I love to see your nature photos, Jeanie, and that sweet Robin! One of my favorite birds. He looks very much like the ones here in Calif. Don't know anything about an air fryer. I don't even have a microwave right now. I just used the old one to reheat food, so I ended up giving it away. Aren't those bunnies a wonderful sight? Wow, eight of them!
ReplyDeleteHappy month of May, Jeanie.
~Sheri
Lot of Spring here today! Sorry about your microwave, but 40 years is a long time...I had an air fryer but took it back because we didn't like it, but I know they are popular...good luck!
ReplyDeleteJenna
That last photo is amazing.
ReplyDeleteCute little ducklings. :)
I have a microwave that my husband owned in his pre marriage days and it is lasted with us another 13 years.
I do have a air fryer as well.. I primarily use it for the kids lunches. Everything I had to fry (chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks) now go in there. No oil. It makes fantastic fries and I have also grilled veggies, reheated pizza (way better in there that in a microwave and easier than turning on the oven) and toasted sandwiches. It's a keeper in my books.
In my opinion, you don't need an air fryer. You have an oven, and it does the same job. The main difference between an air fryer and an oven is that the oven heats up the kitchen more when it's on, and the air fryer - especially when it comes as part of the microwave - can sometimes do the job a little faster.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're getting to see loads of life at the ditch, including plenty of new additions.
I wish I could advise you on microwaves. I have one that is rather simple and it has served us well.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos!
I love those bunny pics! And your robin... I didn't look at the other comments but might that bird you are wondering about be a goldfinch? Or is it too big...
ReplyDeleteYour New Neighbors are the best :-)
I'm catching up on my Blog Reading, I've been such a Slacker lately... never been a good Reader. *LOL* Your Photography is so good, that Full Moon Image, Breathtaking! I'm thinking of buying a new point and shoot Camera, any suggestions on what would be an easy Amateur Photographer Choice? Most people use their Phones now, but mine is an Older Model, not great at Photographs, so I'm still buying a Camera to replace my old worn out Kodak, which looks tragic, even tho' it's still working, Bless it. *ha ha ha*
ReplyDeleteMicrowaves can be so handy ...
ReplyDeleteI don't have an Air Fryer but they seem to be getting very popular.
Beautiful moon photograph.
All the best Jan .
oh, I really enjoyed this post, Jeanie. Baby birds are just the sweetest. I think that may be a female goldfinch of some kind. They aren't bright yellow like the males; more of a muddy green. And those tree blossoms are gorgeous!
ReplyDelete