Why you should keep your fingers away from the mixer

I’m pretty sure you are sick of reading about my super awesome stand mixer. What can I say, it’s super awesome and it gets used alot! The babes love to stand and watch it work. I’m not sure why it’s so interesting to watch a blade whip about, but they seem fascinated. I DO have to constantly admonish them to “Stay back!” and “Keep your hands away!” and “Don’t touch!” Because they are 4 and 2.5, they will invariably ask, “Why?” This is a commonly asked question, and I have to admit, much of the times my answers are substandard! In this case, I would generally respond, “Because it’s not safe.” (Actually, I think that is my answer for many of their “Why” questions.) Anyway, yesterday, we had a little incident which brought home the importance of keeping your fingers away from the mixer.

We were making bread. The dough hook was in place, it was set to speed 2 (out of 10) and every now and then I’d add another 1/2 cup or so of flour. I was also sauteeing stuff on the stove and cooking some squash in the micro. One particular time, I went to add the flour, and I must have glanced away. Honestly, I don’t exactly remember what happened. I DO remember that there was a loud clanking sound as I was jerking my hand back and simultaneously realizing that the measuring cup was now being whipped around in the bowl. I quickly turned the mixer off, looked over at the babes, and was met with two sets of even-more-giant-than-usual eyes.

“Mommy! What was THAT?”

“The measuring cup.”

I figured this was a great teaching moment, so I pounced.

“So did you see what happened to the metal measuring cup? What do you think would happen to your fingers?”

The 4-year old didn’t miss a beat and said in a dramatic manner with sound effects:

“Break! Break! Snap!”

I’m thinking it’ll be awhile before they mess with the mixer again. At least a full hour or two=)