The first question I typically get when I tell people where I live (besides "Do you pay rent?") is "Do you have a kitchen?" This is a tricky one. Truthfully, the answer is "yes, I have a kitchen." But honestly, the reality is that a sink, dishwasher and microwave do not constitute a full kitchen. Those of you living in dorms can relate. I can recall living in the dorms at Agnes Scott and yearning for an oven. I would bribe friends and friends of friends to let me into their houses and apartments to use their ovens. The promise of fresh-baked goodies usually worked.

So, two years later, here I am. Still no oven, still no stove. Bummer.

I love to cook. I love to bake. I like to try new recipes. Thus, I knew there must be a solution for the absence of said kitchen in my life. While friends have kindly offered the use of their facilities, I need an outlet of my own. This is where the fondue pot comes in.

Shortly before moving into the house, I purchased a simple electric fondue pot. I am sure many of you have one of those tucked away somewhere, which  you may pull out for the occasional Valentine's date or beer and cheese dip. Side story - my favorite memory of fondue was when my mom would stop by the Circle K on the way home from church to purchase a single can of beer for fondue dinner. You could count on a comment when she came out about how she insisted to the cashier that she was not drinking the beer on a Sunday! It was merely for fondue. Of course.

Beer shamed-ness aside, my humble fondue pot did not know what was in store for it when I purchased it. Sure, the first thing I ever made in it was a delicious beer cheese fondue, reminiscent of the one my mom made all those years ago. But little did it or I know how useful this device would become.

You see, my fondue pot has become my stove - my lifeline if you will. The means by which I feed myself. Sure I could survive off frozen dinners and microwavable meals, but seriously, no! I must fulfill my desire to cook and explore new recipes and my fondue pot is along for the ride! I hope you will come along with me and share my adventures in cooking and trying new things. You might just be surprised at what a little fondue pot can do.

All hail the fondue pot!