Courtesy oldhouseonline.com

Granted, things were far from perfect in the 1940s. Still, I feel like I was born in the wrong generation. It’s not that I’d like war rationing or blackout curtains, but—and call me simple—I’d love to have a 1940s kitchen. Here’s what a typical family’s would look like:

A white Sunbeam electric mixer and coral tins, a little bright for her husband’s taste, but they were a wedding present, contained the kitchen essentials: flour, coffee, sugar, and one not in use. There was a toaster that is so unpredictable, the toast could be burnt to a crisp one day and in it’s original state another morning. The white refrigerator’s exterior contained report cards, finger paintings, and reminders: John had a dentist appointment on Thursday and Abby’s ballet class was Tuesday not, Wednesday.

No email reminders from Abby’s ballet teacher or text reminders from John’s dentist—but also no Downton Abbey or Amazing Race, either. Maybe 2015 has something to offer after all.