Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

Smoke Story #1 - I guess their definition of microwave safe is different than my definition of microwave-safe

I had a few experiences with smoke a few weeks ago, not smoking, mind you, but smoke.  The first experience was with a microwave safe container (or a supposedly) microwave safe container.  I was cooking a small batch of brownies (because if I cooked a large batch of brownies, I'd probably eat them all).  After I mixed up the batter, I wondered what to cook them in.  The batch was definitely too small for an 8X8 Pyrex pan, and for some reason I nixed the idea of a cereal bowl.  Then a thought came to my mind - what about my plastic rubbermaid containers.  They're dishwasher and microwave safe.  I had used them to cook soup and vegetables in the microwave before and I hadn't had a problem.  So, I poured the batter in, started the microwave, and went to my living room. 

Image from threewisdoms.com

A few minutes later,  a burnt smell assaulted my nose.  I actually ignored it for a minute, and then I thought "the brownies!"  I went to the kitchen, stopped the microwave, and then...I made an error.  I actually opened the microwave.  Thick, toxic smelling smoke came pouring out of the microwave.  Seriously, I didn't know so such smoke could come from such a small container.  I should have closed the microwave at that point, or done something with the brownies/container, but nope...didn't think of that.  I just went and opened up my door and any windows I could get open.  And, if the smoke started to overcome me, I would go outside for a few minutes.  Eventually, I thought of removing the brownies and attached container from the apartment and went to Walmart for awhile (where I also tried to buy some air neutralizers).  Needless to say, my apartment (specifically my kitchen) still has that smoke/air freshener smell which is actually kind of a sickening smell.

Image from twinkiesproject.com

Here is a link on how to determine if your dish is microwave-safe.  I can not test for the validity of the site's information, as I have not yet tested it myself. 

Story #2 - Campfires and High-speed Winds: Not the Best Combination

A few days after my previous experience, I met up with my little sister in Western Montana (I'll try to write another post about what we actually did while there).  The first two nights we decided to stay at a KOA (thanks for the idea, Alycia) in a kabin.  The kabins were basically a little log structure with not-too-fancy (yet very comfortable in my opinion) beds, no bathrooms, and porch with a nice little porch swing.  Our Kabin also had a picnic table and a fire pit.

Image from Santafekoa.com

Image from tripadvisor.com

I don't think I've ever stayed at a KOA before, but they're kind of interesting.  I've just began realizing that most (if not all) KOAs are in the middle of cities, so it's kind of different from the traditional camping experience I think of.  In addition, they have a swimming pool (which wasn't open yet), hot tubs, wireless internet (which didn't work so well for us); and, well, they just aren't like the typical campground I am used to.  Anyway, back to the story.
So our second day there, my sister and I were discussing what to do for dinner, should we eat out or should we cook over the campfire.  Obviously, when we were making the decision we forgot about the winds that had been blowing all day long as we walked about town, because we decided to cook over the campfire.  We bought some wood, something to start the fire with, food, and you know...everything that you need for a good campfire meal with s'mores for dessert. 

Image from nps.gov

Our first problem was getting the fire going.  For some reason, the wind was always wanting to put our lighter out.  Our second problem was keeping the fire going.  For some reason the wind was always wanting to put the fire out.  Our third problem was being able to keep the food near the flame, as the location of the film was always changing.  The fourth problem - the wind was cold, and it took a bit of patience to get the food cooked.  We did eventually get the wood to light and stay lit.  I can't say that our sausages were completely cooked when we finally got to eat them, but my sister said a blessing that we wouldn't get food poisoning.  We were able to have a few s'mores; and then, we put the fire out.  It just was not putting off enough heat to keep us warm, so we didn't stay outside to enjoy the fire.  If it had just put off a little more heat...

The next day we learned that the winds had been 40+ mph.  Several fellow campers asked about our campfire.  Strangely, none of them questioned our sanity in choosing such a night to experience a campfire.