Toasters: The Final Frontier

Why is the toaster forgotten?  In a world where blenders can turn golf balls to powder, where ovens can cook a whole turkey in under an hour, where microwaves have as many functions as iPhones - the toaster stands forgotten.

We recently spent a lovely week in San Diego and were graciously hosted by some family in their very fancy house.  The kitchen was a dream!  Perfectly organized, a humongous fridge, top-of-the-line stainless steel EVERYTHING!  Then good old Uncle pulled out the toaster.  I'm guessing the thing was circa late 1980's.  Today's modern bread was too tall and stuck out of the top.  It looked like it had been through the war.  Bagels?  Ha!  Forget about it.  Poor little toaster.

A little while back, my in-laws redecorated their kitchen.  Well, redecorated is an understatement.  They gutted the kitchen - ripped out everything and started from scratch.  It was once a 1950's country themed, blue and white tile up the wazoo mess. Now it's a sleek, comforting, masterpiece.  I want to give the walnut floors a big hug every time I go in there.  The lighting is gorgeous.  The appliances are fantastic.  Except that toaster.  I'm not even going to take a stab at the age.  The fact that the cord was wrapped in raveling thread should be indication enough that this thing was ancient.   I'm surprised you didn't have to place it near an open fire and turn it with your foot.

Finally, FINALLY Grandma brought a "kitchen warming" gift.  Oh, yeah, deluxe fancy toaster!  "I thought you needed an upgrade," she explained with a smile and a wink.  Mom in law said, "But the old toaster works just fine."  The nasty tile and hideous old fridge worked just fine, too.  The old blender got updated.  So did the skillet.  Even the oven mitts got replaced.  Poor, poor, forgotten toaster.

Please, people, I implore you dear readers, don't neglect the toaster!

Oh, yeah, that's a see through toaster.  Now that's an upgrade!