Too hot in the Kitchen

Why is January so long? I don't know if it is just me or what, but it seems like January is in slow motion. I've been busy, yes. But it is still January!!!

I pass my time on long cold January days by drinking hot chocolate or tea, making soups, baking cookies, reading by the fireplace, hot bubble baths. And talking on the phone...

A couple of days ago I was making french toast and talking on the phone. Yes, my bad. I noticed the oil was getting too hot and starting to smoke, so with one hand I moved it to another burner and in the process oil splashed on the hot element. That's right, it started a fire. First I yelled into the phone, then quickly thinking, I was able to contain it by smothering it with the potholder. whew!

Later when my heart stopped pounding against my chest and I was calm it occurred to me we had a fire extinguisher. But it was not anywhere in sight. I later found it inside a kitchen cupboard on the highest shelf. It is now sitting next to the stove where it should have been all along.

A word of caution - all it takes is one small mistake for a fire to start...you should be prepared in the event this should happen by making sure you have a fire extinguisher and place it in full view next to your stove. A kitchen fire is not the kind of heat anyone needs on a cold day in January or any other day for that matter.