[I will never again . . . (Part 3)]

Store my cast iron in the oven with the handle mitt still on. Good thing I started preheating the oven for a braise, and not a pizza.

I'd like to say I will never again turn on the wrong burner and scorch/melt something, but knowing me that's a fairly unreasonable expectation.

[I will never again . . . (Part 3)]

Oh, boy. This is my kind of thread. Seems like the right place to make my first post.

I think I'll get an early start on my New Year's resolutions. To wit:

I will not cause a stove-top volcano in a swanky hotel suite (that my company is paying for) by putting olive oil into a pan that is far hotter than I realize.

While making organic insect repellent for my herb garden by liquifying a head of garlic and a whole cayenne pepper, I will not stick my face into the blender and take a big whiff to make sure it's "strong enough."

If I chop serrano peppers for dinner without wearing gloves, I will not engage in post-dinner nookie.

I will not reach under the broiler to baste lamb chops (or do anything else). If, as a result of some temporary mental incapacitation, I do this, I will not touch the red-hot heating element with the back of my hand.

I will not leave any of the following unattended, even for "just a second," with two curious kittens who know the rules but have no willpower:

- Bacon

- Pizza

- Flour ("Wait a minute, only one of them is supposed to have white feet...")

- Scrambled egg

- Duck giblets (I was going to give them the heart anyways. Greedy little piglets.)

- Buttercrisp lettuce

- Porterhouse steaks