Curious George and the Firefighters
Two nights ago Eli and I finished off the day as we often do- by curling up in the rocking chair together with a good book. The book I chose to read to him was Curious George and the Firefighters. It was the perfect way to say goodnight to a crazy night.
My good friend Jenny had come to town to visit from Jacksonville. She was going to stay for dinner. Barb was out of town. The last time Barb was out of town Carl and I made fried okra and it was so yummy. Our plan was to make it again since Barb does not like Okra. I also planned on making Jambalaya. It was going to be a night filled with great southern food and fun.
I got a bit more than I bargained for.
I finished making the Jambalaya and it just needed to sit and simmer for about 30 minutes. Jenny helped me with the Okra by cutting it up while I made the batter by mixing flour, bread crumbs, 2 eggs, Creole seasoning- a lot of it, garlic salt, pepper, and and some minced onion. Next, I coated the Okra by mixing it up in a baggie filled with the batter.
All was proceeding smoothly.
I filled the bottom of a skillet with a small layer of vegetable oil. I turned on the stove to let the oil get hot so I could fry the Okra. While it was heating up Jenny and I went into the other room to chat. Then it was time to wake Eli up from his nap. I peeked into the kitchen on the way to get Eli and all was well. Jenny and I were in Eli's room a little over a minute.
When we came into the hallway I started screaming...
"Carl! CARL! CAAARRRLL..... FIRE!!!!!"
He comes quickly running in from working on his Sunday sermon on the back porch. What he saw was the stove completely on fire and it was spreading rapidly.
Carl began frantically running around. He was desperately searching for a fire extinguisher. (Quick side note and moral to this story- please make sure you have a functioning fire extinguisher easily accessible in your kitchen and that you know where it is hidden so you are not searching for it in the heat of the moment!)
Carl was so in charge of the situation. He yelled at me to call 911. He directed Jenny to take Eli out of the house. The adrenaline was pumping and the fire was growing (and the rowers kept on rowing for the danger must be growing for it doesn't show signs of slowing... ok it was time for a little Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory humor.)
Back to the excitement now...
I am on the phone struggling to remember my own address when Carl runs out onto the porch and grabs the garden hose and turns it on. He runs into the house and sprays it on the fire which was now reaching the ceiling.
Carl was the hero of the night- he saved the day! He put out the fire- hip hip hooray!
The next instant we heard sirens and went out to the driveway to meet the firemen. They were all suited up with their masks and boots and helmets. They went inside to assess the damage. Smoke was everywhere- it filled the entire house. It was so thick that it was hard to see through it.
Next we heard more sirens and then even more sirens. All together there were 7 trucks at the house plus a really friendly cop who drove a cop car. We were causing quite a commotion on Bentley Green Circle!
I felt absolutely horrible about all of this. I knew that this was ALL MY fault! I was cooking the Okra and it was my responsibility. This was such a disaster.
On the other hand the situation is ironically funny. Of course the kitchen would burn down! With everything else that has happened over the past few months- we should have expected this right? I am glad we can all have a sense of humor and laugh about it. It was quite hilarious. It can be funny because we are all safe. I am so thankful that we will be able to look back at this and laugh instead of it becoming the tragedy that it was heading towards.
Carl and I count it a miracle that the grease fire went out with water so quickly. Everyone says water is the worst thing to put on a grease fire- but for some reason it put it out this time.
The damage isn't all that bad either... let's put it this way- the house didn't burn down Praise God! There is soot pretty much everywhere. The ceiling over the kitchen is black and a lot of things will need to be replaced or cleaned. But this could have been much worse.
I am also thankful that I was not standing right there when it happened. This was such a freak accident that I think it would have happened whether I was right there or not. I think the potential for me to have done something stupid and gotten hurt was much greater had I been right by the stove- so again I am thankful that we were all safe. I am thankful that we can laugh about it- I think we kind of just have too at this point! And one more thing... I am VERY thankful for homeowner's insurance.
Here is the craziest part of it all...
The Jambalaya was not ruined. It was actually the best Jambalaya that I have ever made! It tasted so great and was cooked perfectly. I think I have discovered the secret ingredient...
One more interesting fact: Scroll down and read the title of the last blog I wrote before this happened. It is one of those things that just make you go hmmm.
posted by Kellie # 9:10 PM
