When One Things Leads To Another . . . Again

Mmmmm . . . carbs!

Well, I did it again.  I am now the proud owner of a 25-year-old 18-pound-heavy pasta-maker.  And all I went to the store to get was a toaster oven.


I tell you, thrift stores are quickly becoming my very own dangerous addiction.  I keep going into them in order to save money, but I end up spending more than I had budgeted because I find all these other things I suddenly just can't live without.

Last Friday Bee offered to watch Mr. C so I could run some errands (sucker!).  To me -- and quite pathetically -- this was the equivalent of being given a spa day.  I spent four hours by myself in the middle of the day, meandering into stores and taking my time browsing in the breakables section.  Now -- don't get me wrong -- I generally enjoy running these errands with Mr. C; we have our routines down, and it's actually a nice expedition for us.  But I kind of forgot what it's like to shop with both eyes in the same direction.  For those of you who have also forgotten, I'll tell you: it's glorious!

At any rate, I decided to check out my local 'thrift store row' because I wanted a cheap toaster oven.  I have decided I need a toaster oven because I keep making my awesome homemade bread, often twice a week, and I feel very un-environmentally-sound heating up an entire oven for one loaf of bread (though that bread it totally worth it!).  I thought I'd just find a cheap little electricity-saving toaster oven instead, then I could bake to my heart's content.

Instead, I found the pasta machine for $24.95.  Resplendidly-80's, ridiculously heavy, but conveniently still in possession of all necessary parts AND the instruction manual.  I couldn't help myself!  Damn this whole housewife thing for making me want to try making everything from scratch now!

I will have you know, however, that the fettucini I made that night was really pretty good.  I tried both the version using all-purpose flour and the version using bread flour.  I can't wait until Bee's not around so I can actually try a whole-wheat version; imagine: healthy, homemade and tasty!  At least in theory.

The pasta machine is now camped out on the shelving unit in our garage.  Along with the deep-fat-fryer and the waffle maker.  I would have kept it in the kitchen, but there's no room because of our three Cuisinarts.  We are sooo American.

By the way: I did finally track down an awesome toaster oven ($12.75!).  Unfortunately, it did not include a manual, so I'm not sure how to run it.  It burned the top of my first loaf of bread.

But I'm not giving up yet.