Now we are (slow) cookin'

Yesterday I conquered a fear. I left the house while my Cuisinart crock pot was running.

In the winter I love making stews and soups in the crock pot-- great comfort food for a cold, winter day. However most crock pot specialties cook for 9-10 hours. With the exception of "work-at-home" days, I am never in my house, and awake, for nine hours.

I had heard that it was safe to leave your house with the crock pot on, although this belies any kitchen-common-sense I ever learned from my neurotic mother. You don't leave your house with the iron on, the stove on, or the oven on, so why is it "ok" to leave with the crock pot cooking? Nevertheless, yesterday as my crock pot made creamy, bacony, clam chowder I left the house to run to Best Buy. In an emboldened act of courage, I also went to Bed, Bath & Beyond. I was gone for a good hour and a half.

I rounded the corner to my circle (stopping to look for children of course) and my stomach felt queasy with butterflies. Joyous day! My house was still standing.

Today I learned it is ok to leave the crock pot on while going out for short errands. I dont think I would leave it for a whole day of work, but for an errand or two, that's fine.