I live in a condo apartment and I am terrified of setting off my smoke detector. I try very hard not to cook anything that will cause it to go off, and make sure things are well ventilated (window open full, fans on (both over the oven/stove and in the living room) so that it will help. When I bake something or cook something in the oven, I am filled with huge anxiety while it's cooking/baking.
At this moment, I have got some popovers in the oven. I've never made them before (though I have made homemade Yorkshires and, from what I understand, popovers are the basically the same thing). They have to bake at 450F for 20 minutes, and then lower the oven to 350F for another 10 minutes. I have 13 minutes and 30 seconds left of the first 20 minutes baking. My heart is racing and I'm prepared for the smoke detector to go off (cutting board at the ready so I can fan it while it bakes). I am REALLY hoping that this bakes fine, without the smoke detector getting involved.
I can't unplug this one, or turn it off. There is no batteries or off switch. It's a combo smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. It's the one that's good for 5 years. (11:30 left)
Ugh.. I hate that it freaks me out to use the oven. I'm good with the stove. I don't have any issues when I use that. It's just when I use the oven, and sometimes my air fryer (once with bacon and I think once with chicken wings - but I could be wrong there). The oven scares me. It's a silly fear; but it's because I live in the condo. If I were still at the house, I wouldn't care if there was an issue. If the smoke detector went off, I could just pull it down and undo the battery or simply ignore it. It wouldn't bother anyone else. But here - in the condo - I have my neighbours to think about. (9:20 left)
I am second guessing baking here hah. I don't know why I thought doing popovers would be such a grand idea. I like Yorkshires, which I eat with roast beef dinners. Popovers are usually served with butter, jam, or something sweet - eaten like a roll. Janet was talking about Popovers at work the one day and I've wanted them ever since. I decided to buy the ingredients and make some myself. I am really hoping I don't regret this.
(7:20 left) When the timer runs out, I'll turn the oven down to 350F for 10 more minutes before I remove them from the oven. I'm stupidly anxious. I can't relax to do something while I wait (besides typing this blog). I write this because I know that there's no one reading my thoughts. This blogger page is basically my diary. If someone stumbles on it, cool, but I really don't exist online so I doubt anyone will find me. I tried to go to Facebook again (I left it December 31, 2024) but the site refuses to allow me to rejoin it. (5 minutes left) I don't know why; but I guess it's for the best.
None of my friends from Facebook talk to me now - except for Melissa (Lissa), Gennifer (penpal), Kirsty (Penpal) and Alanna (Penpal). Everyone else, including Ron (who I had thought viewed me as family) have just ignored me. I tried writing to Haydn to reach out and say hi. He's never bothered to reply back. I guess I'm just not that important, memorable, worthwhile. (3 minutes left) It's sad. I feel very lonely a lot of the time. Having my online friends turn on me like they have is actually really hurtful. But - I guess it's true - I am irrelevant.
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Cooking first part - 450F for 20 minutes - success. Smoke Detector did not go off. The oven has now been turned down to 350F and they're cooking for 10 minutes (8:30 left). We'll see how they turn out. I had expected them to look like Yorkshire Pudding, but they look more like muffins to me. At least my dishes are all done (well, other than the muffin tin that's in the oven right now)
I'll update this when it's done and out of the oven. There's about 7 minutes left of cooking time. Anxiety isn't as high, but my heart's still racing a bit.
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Popovers cooked without setting off the smoke detector. They're delicious! :) I just did 2 up with butter, which I just sampled the first bite. Yum!
