Never has a weekend had so many highs and lows.
I was looking forward to a little Friday night wind down – quiet dinner at home with a friend and her little boy. Watching over the boys having their bath, all seemed calm and in order when smoke started billowing out of our kitchen.
The one time our friggin’ sensitive smoke detector conked out.
Not getting into explicit details, let’s just say the positives are that I can now get that brand new stove cooktop and oven I’ve been dreaming of.
Probably could’ve done without the flames gushing out of my old oven and a fire blanket that didn’t quite do its job, resulting in the arrival of a huge fire truck and at least 3 firemen.
At least we’re all safe. Thank goodness for fantastic neigbours and supportive friends helping out as we evacuated our place for the night to let the smoke disappear.
The twinions of course, didn’t miss a heartbeat. The highlight for them was of course seeing the big flashing lights on the fire truck and getting colouring books and balloons from “Fireman Sam”
Lesson learnt? Besides the fact that left over animal fat on the grill is as good as leaving oil…everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE should have a fire extinguisher in their house.
I know they’re ugly and don’t match most kitchen interiors. However, they are essential and lifesaving.
A fire blanket is also a great accompaniment.
After all that drama and excitement, a trip to Capitol Theatre for The Lion King saw more of the theatrical kind.
The production was beyond spectacular.
Goosebumping moments happened when the electric chemistry between Narla and Simba lit up the stage during “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” and the glorious opening with all the animals during “The Circle of Life”.
The unique combination of clever puppetry, elegant contemporary dancing, the colourful and imaginative costume; they all married into a magical atmosphere that can’t be adequately expressed.
The energetic cast was a broad mix of international talent – Australians including indigenous, New Zealanders, South Africa, Ghana, Malaysia and China.
There is also something very profoundly soulful about traditional African music. The rhythmic chanting and the melodic harmonies just took my breath away.
For the moment, the show’s season is scheduled until August. But if the wild reaction of Saturday night’s full house is any indication, The Lion King is sticking around for a while yet.
So it is in life, the weekend was full of amazing experiences as well as close calls.
Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hakuna Matata.
So, how are you? What fires have you put out lately?
Disclaimer: Tickets to the Lion King were given but as always, all opinions in this post, are my own. As for that scorched oven? Definitely all mine.
Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT
Glad the fire was ok – what a scare!
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Even more Riddle Me This?
Wowsers. Thank goodness you’re all safe and that your house didn’t burn down! I need to get a fire extinguisher. We have a fire blanket but definitely need an extinguisher. Glad the weekend ended on a high note with The Lion King. We saw the show in London and it was fabulous.
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..The best thing you can do before designing a house renovation
Only a professional blogger would take photos in an emergency situation 🙂
I vow to buy my first ever fire extinguisher. I imagine it works much better than flailing arms.
kirri recently posted..Free registration for Celebrate Your Life, begins January 13th, 2014
That would be scary for anyone. I hope the new oven and cooktop are worth the smell of smoke. We have had a few fires around us already this year. Whether they are in a paddock, house or a header going up its never a good feeling
Annaleis from Teapots and Tractors recently posted..{Review} Beetle Bottoms
Glad everyone’s ok! I didn’t know firemen carry colouring books and balloons in their fire engines??!!!!
Anyway I hope to catch the Lion King the next time it comes to Singapore. We caught a mini performance of it at HK Disneyland and loved it!
AI Sakura recently posted..Projecteo | A Tiny Instagram Projector + {Promo Code}
Holy wowzers Grace, that is one epic Friday night! I’m glad you’re all safe and that only the oven is damaged. My delightful little people had a good go at burning our place down last school holidays, but I’m proud to say that they knew exactly what to do – grabbed their baby sister and ran out to the letterbox – while I put the fire out. All I can say is thank goodness for smoke detectors here!
Emma Fahy Davis recently posted..The one where Mercedes has surgery
CAN-NOT wait till Lion King hits Melbourne!! But the fire, gee Grace that is some seriously scary stuff! So glad to hear you guys were ok, very tough situation to be in xx
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted..Melissa and Rebekah: A Leap of Faith
Feeling compelled to go and make sure my oven is clean right now after this!!! That is a little terrifying, but glad everyone was ok. Would love to see The Lion King, but those kind of shows never come to Darwin sadly
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Dear Santa 2.0 #IBOT
Glad to hear you are alright. That’s really scary.
Thank goodness that the last fire I had to put out happened 4-5 years ago while husband was cooking and somehow he managed to get the fire from the stove got into newspaper pile in the kitchen. It was scary but it was just a minor incident.
The Lion King show sounds brilliant. We are yet to see it.
Oh dear!!! I have done something similar – cooked bacon under the grill one night and thought I’d turned it off. Unbeknownst to me, the switch/dial was faulty and it didn’t turn off. So we were sitting eating dinner when the kids spotted flames coming out of the grill … scary. I worked out the gas was still getting through and managed to turn it off at the bottom of the stove but the griller tray (full of fat) was still alight – I dumped it in the sink and ran water – not knowing that you SHOULDN’T do that!!!!! Water and fat don’t mix!!!!
You should have seen the flames. The kids wasted no time in evacuating, I managed to get the fire out thankfully. Scary though.
Janet @ Redland City Living recently posted..Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids with Too Many Toys
Eep the oven fire sounds scary! Glad it all turned out ok though.
The poster for Lion King looks amazing, so I can’t even begin to imagine how breath taking the show was.
Tegan recently posted..RedBalloon Marketplace Review
So lucky there was any major damage – but yay for a new oven. My favourite musical is The Lion Kimg – it is magical!!!
No Grace the upside was that you had firemen come to your house! You know how many women would kill for that!
Anyhoo I have a similar funny fire story. At least its funny now. At my friends hens night at her house we were out on the patio having dinner and drinks when April said whats that it looks like my house is on fire. We all turned and saw black smoke coming out of the lounge and then promptly shit ourselves. Her mum went in and got the burning pan and threw it in the sink with water. Unfortunately it was burning oil so that ignited an even bigger blaze that almost got to the roof. I thought the house was going to completely burn down. Luckily April got some towels and managed to smother it out just before the roof caught fire. Her whole white kitchen turned black in minutes and the flames were really intense its scary how quickly it can get out of hand. But never fear our topless waiter cleaned up all the kitchen cabinets and then about an hr later the striper arrived lol. We all got really drunk after that.
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..Mummy Must Have | Bibska bibs
OMG, Toni!!! That story was scary and hilarious all at the same time!!! Bet those topless waiters made up for it! As well as the copious amounts of alcohol!
Yes, firemen showing up at your doorstep is always nice. Just need to behave myself in front of my frantic husband…heh 🙂
Blimey that sounds a shocker… BUT no-one injured and very thrilling for the boys so not all bad. Hope it gets cleaned up soon. There’s an autism-friendly version of the Lion King coming next year so I plan to head over to support that – sounds fab. Take it easy… I’ll be dropping off the radar soon so all best wishes to you and a Happy Hogmanay when it comes. xx
Seana – Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel recently posted..Imagine What Happens Next… Bringing back the art of storytelling through imagination
The Lion King is one show I most definitely need to see …..if it comes to Adelaide, I am so there! It sounds like a week of highs and lows for you and family, but glad that there was a happy and safe ending.
Annie recently posted..Why getting your kids outdoors could save their eyesight
The Lion King is my all time favourite movie AND show! I am just bummed it didn’t come to Melbourne again . Big high to a big low… as long as everyone is safe and well and a few bonus firemen experiences in good positive ways in the end 🙂 x
Tahlia @ the parenting files recently posted..New Year’s Resolutions Resolved!
Grace, that’s my nightmare!!! Thank goodness you were all OK, and just quietly, a little bit exciting for the boys.
Love the Lion King xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Simplify Your Life
Wow, so glad to read you were all ok. It is one of those things many of us think will never happen to us….My boy would also have been in his element to see Fireman Sam.
Sarah@SnippetsandSpirits recently posted..A Wee Snippet of Ireland
Oh honey that must have been scary. We have a fire extinguisher but no blanket, mental note to get one. I’ve heard rave reviews about Lion King, glad you could have something nice to do despite your house almost burning down! Too many fires going on around here, I’m just managing to keep them from turning into infernos by the skin of my teeth 🙁 x
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Alvin the cheeky Elf – who is on everything except the shelf! Wordless Wednesday
OMG!! Fire Brigade. Glad you are all okay…and I could really do with a new oven…hmmm. So jealous about the Lion King though 🙂 Cheers, Tanya
floodproofmum recently posted..Kids, Careers and Life
OMG so glad you lived to blog about it! I call all my close calls blogable events now. Although I honestly could do with less blogable events at this time of year.
Mystery Case recently posted..Coming up | Conversation Corner | Bullying
Oh my goodness. Glad you are all safe!
L
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1530 – Christmas Gifts
God, how scary. We do have a fire alarm but no extinguisher or blanket. I just did my fire training at work, so hopefully I’d remember what sort of thing is needed to put out which fire. Anyway, I would love to see Lion King. I’m glad you all had a lovely time.
Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me recently posted..Don’t touch – Dettol giveaway
OMG Grace you had an appearance from the fire brigade! That is hilarious although I am glad that everyone was safe. I think the message here is that Friday nights are TAKE OUT night 🙂 x
Neets recently posted..The Life of a Triathlete’s Wife
Glad to hear that no one was injured Grace! Always a silver lining that you can get that stove that you wanted!
stephanie recently posted..Gift giving
Sounds freaky but also exciting at the same time 🙂
We do have a Fire Extinguisher in our Motorhome, Touch WOOD {touching my head!!} that we never ever have to use it.
Ovens are funny things, they get so hot so quickly.
At least you all were safe and had an exciting adventure 🙂
Lisa Wood recently posted..The Best Gingerbread House Ever