I had time to remember my childhood, as I was learning how to cook, when the smoke detector often told me when my meal was done...or in some cases overly done.  And remembering those times I set off the Barber's smoke detector while staying with them this past year.   In all that traipsing down memory lane, I thought this blog would be of interest to those who know me best.  This past weekend while the great celebration was taking place.  (Remember from the previous post....the fire department was right next door in ALL its glory.)  Within my first two weeks of being here, I really wasn't trying to get their attention!

    So what is the story?  I was cooking french fries and fish.  I had them both in the oven cooking.  The fish for 40 min and the fries for 20.  They were almost done.  I just had minutes left.  You could smell the Delicious aroma as they cooked.  The fireman's festival was in full swing next door with all sorts of noises wafting in through our windows.  As I go to check on the lunch, I notice steam rising from the oven...you know the crack where the door closes.  I check on my meal and it is NOT burning.  It is just good hot steam rising from the oven.  When suddenly there is this horrendously LOUD siren going off.  Ach!!!  Did I really just set off the smoke detector?  I frantically look around the room to see if I could see the source and don't.  I don't see a smoke detector anywhere in the room.  Then I look outside to see if the mass start to stare or come towards the apartment complex.  No, not yet.  Then finally this horrendous noise starts to die off.  And then suddenly starts up again!  Ach!  That cannot possibly be me!  No one is looking my direction.  I've already taken the meal out of the oven and turned it off.  When I suddenly realize that it is not a smoke alarm sounding, but the fire engines next door sounding!   Let me tell you, it could wake the dead of 1,000 years.  (oh so glad I was not calling the attention of so many German firefighters) 

   Keep in mind we live on one side of town.  We get a phone call shortly there after from a friend who called to say, "Hey, keep the noise down!  Your party is way too loud!"  :)  They heard the siren on the other side as if it were next to them.  If Hunter had been on the ball, he could have respond with, "No, it's just the dinner bell."  :) 

     Just glad it wasn't the smoke detector.....speaking of the smoke detector, I do need to locate it in the house....not through cooking either.