Here's my response to @galenkp 's weekend contest this week. You can also join the contest here
It was on a wonderful week day, I had made up my mind that I was going to go to the market that day. It had been a busy week for me as usual. As a nursing mother and someone who worked remotely, I had my hands full daily with housechores and jobs from my clients and bosses. So it usually took a sacrifice on my part to set aside a day of the week when I go to the market, shop and return home to cook stew which would last for the next four or five days. I had no maid or help so it was just me.
On this particular day, I had a deadline to meet before 12 noon. So I had woken up early, seen my first child off to school, washed, cooked the morning meal, cared for my baby and ensured that he slept before I started to work. I wanted to quickly meet the deadline before going to the market. All these I had to do before my first child returned from school in the afternoon by 3pm.
As I worked on, I was distracted a lot of times by my baby but I worked on.
Eventually, I exceeded the time I set for myself but I managed to submit the job by 2pm. Afterwards I left for the market,my baby strapped to my back. I had a lot to buy so I was tired even before returning from the market.
It was in this tired state that I cooked all that I needed to cook. Juggling my toddler who had also returned and baby by the side. I was able to finish cooking all I needed to cook by evening and I resumed my writing while waiting for dinner time and my husband to eat.
Few hours later....
My children had slept, my husband had returned home from work. I needed to only warm the stew for a while and serve it. My husband was deeply engrossed in a football match while I lit the gas cooker to warm the stew. I didn't wait in the kitchen, I had stepped out of the kitchen briefly when I heard my baby cry wanting to be fed.
I took my phone with me to continue working briefly while I fed my son. All these while, I had forgotten that I was warming stew to serve. My husband's angry voice brought it back to myconsciousness however.
He quickly called my attention that the stew was burning already. He wasn't pleased either. Not even the fact that I had been breastfeeding while it happened softened his reaction. I rushed to the kitchen and almost cried out loud at the burnt stew which had almost totally burned.
I didn't know whether to cry, or be angry. I didn't know whether to blame my forgetfulness on the fact that I was tired from all of my activities earlier in the day, or if to blame my husband who didn't notice in time that the food was burning or the fact that our kitchen was built in a way that you could hardly perceive the smell of food if it was burning.
But I was sad because my efforts to make the stew had been wasted, we couldn't enjoy the meal as much as we wanted and I had to cook another stew the following day.
Afterwards I learnt to always stay with my meals in the kitchen while cooking especially if they're meant to be warmed or they have a short cooking time. I also decided to get help as often as I can to avoid being too occupied or overwhelmed with responsibilities.
Yes this is key. Sounded like you just had too much on your mind. Xx
Yes.... thank you
Wow. I can imagine the anger and frustration. I am sure if he perceived it on time too he would have dropped it. You people were left with no choice than to seek alternative on what to eat. That can be painful hahahaha. I don't stay too far from the kitchen when I manage to cook sha. Ah... I have heard and seen a lot of stories too.
That is very important, I have burnt things that did not need much cooking time as I wasn't in the kitchen🤣🤣
If he was hungry he could have looked after the stew while you fed the baby.
Oh well, these things happen and thanks for sharing your story, and here is to no more burnt stews😁😁
Burnt food can certainly be a traumatic event. I had done my fair share, I had to even get rid of the pots.
Great lessons learned. Like children, food on fire should not be left on their own. 😁
Yes it can be traumatic
Thank you for your comment