This isn't really a Christmas post. It's just that since I've been in the kitchen all week baking, I've become more aware of this...
Many of the things I use in the kitchen were given to me by friends... and some of those friends are no longer with us (physically). But every time I use the item, I think of them.
Also so many things I use were once my mom's (mom was born in 1913 and married in 1932)... so they are very old, but they still work fine. Mama's colander is a bit bent, but it has worked perfectly for me over the years. Also both her 'chopper' and her 'steamer' are old fashioned and out of date... but still work. Truth be told, they have lasted longer than many of the new appliances that are around now.
Here are a few pics:
 |
| mama's colander |
 |
| Mama's Sunbeam chopper |
Now the next is her old steamer... which I still use to steam veggies. It's dial is broken, but I have it taped up with masking tape and it still works fine.
 |
| Mom's Black & Decker steamer |
... and last (but not least as we use it every day)... mom's old sugar bowl:
And then there's her set of Magnalite cooking pots - which have served us well (but I'll spare you the pictures). Magnalite is still around, but you don't hear much about it these days. It's great cookware.
I'm sure that many of you reading this have similar memories in your kitchen (and/or elsewhere in your home). It just seems that today things are not built to last - which I find strange. I guess I can understand the economic side of it, but somehow still find it strange.
Anyway, I won't bore you anymore with such an uninteresting topic... but it was on my mind and I thought I'd share.
I'll close this with a few pics of our Pet Tree - which you have seen before - but it comes out every year displaying all (or almost all) our inside cats that have come and gone over the years... and also Goliath (daughter's horse that she lost to colic a few years back).
.jpg)
That's all folks! (Reminds me of the old looney tunes cartoons - if you're old enough to remember those - click on the blue or grey words to hear the old cartoon music)
Take care and if I don't get to post again before Christmas...
Merry Christmas!!
Hugs (virtually),
Rian
I have that Sunbeam chopper!! I use it at least once a week! It was a gift from a neighbor in the late 1980's as I was babysitting her children. I love it and thought about replacing it with a newer model. They don't make them anymore!
ReplyDeleteI use it a lot too, Miss Merry...
DeleteRian I love your pet tree AND the old kitchen appliances! Hey I had an Oskar food processor for years I loved seeing that again. If we don't talk again soon, Merry Christmas my feral loving friend 😊😸❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Dug!! 😊😸❤️❤️
DeleteI have several old colanders like yours, different sizes, some with feet some without. My grandmother owned a bakery in England, I treasure her loaf pans and pastry cutters, and decorate them with ribbons for Christmas. Love your sweet little pet tree, such a loving gesture to remember your pets .
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours.
Hugs,
Jo
X
Jo, your grandmother owned a bakery in England! That's so wonderful! My paternal grandmother was from London (Eleanor King), she came over to the States in 1920 with my grandfather, but she died before I was born. Wish I had known her.
DeleteThat’s lovely. I’ve been thinking, as I was reading your post, if I have any of my mother’s kitchen things. I have her measuring spoons, and maybe a couple cake pans, but that might be it. - Jenn
ReplyDeleteJenn, when my mom passed in 2008 (at 94), she lived with DH and I - so of course I kept many of her kitchen things... and love using them.
DeleteI don't have any gadgets from my mom's kitchen, though I do have her "English bone China made in Japan". That was her name for it. The dishes was a series offered by the local grocery store over time. She collected place settings for eight people, and though I don't display it, I did keep it, though have yet to use it.
ReplyDeleteIt's neat you have these items of your mother's and are able to continue to use them!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Mae, my mom collected those dishes too. And I collected them at one time for my mother-in-law. Grocery stores and sometimes movie theaters offered collectible dinnerware. Wishing you and yours a happy holiday!
DeleteThose ornaments are lovely! I love how cozy and special it feels sitting next to the tree. I just got a new carpet cleaning in my living room and that combined with the Christmas tree just warms my heart. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jessica. Merry Christmas!
DeleteRian, this is a wonderful post! I've been trying to remember all the old kitchen things I use that belonged to my mother. One that comes to mind is her sifter. I use it often and put it back inside the plastic bag and put a rubber band around it to keep it together, just like she did. I love your pet tree. That is so special! MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and all your family.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Henny! And Merry Christmas to all your fur babies!
Deletei am old enough to remember "that's all folks"!! i like your pet tree and i don't have any special kitchen gadgets, i wish i did!! i recently bought a new colander, it collapses flat and takes up zero space...i needed one anyway. merry christmas my dear friend, i hope your days are wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteI really wish they still had cartoons at the movies...
DeleteAs for the kitchen gadgets, I recently bought my oldest granddaughter a few of my favorites. She's been cooking a lot lately and thought she might like the ones I consider indispensable. Merry Christmas Debbie!
Probably the oldest thing in my kitchen is an ice pick that belonged to my husband's grandmother. It may have been an "advertising freebee" from the an house in Madison, Wisconsin where she and her husband lived. There is printing on it which says:
ReplyDeleteCONKLIN and AND SONS artificial and natural Ice. Phone Badger 25
That phone number alone says that it is definitely an oldie but goodie.
That does sound old, Victoria... do you use it? I remember ice picks...
DeleteI like the Pet Tree. I don't cook often enuf to have too many Kitchen Gadgets, I'm no Culinary Jedi but I sure appreciate folks who are! *Winks*
ReplyDeleteDawn, I'm definitely not a Culinary Jedi... but I do like to cook (especially bake). The Great British Bake-off is my favorite show. But you do eat out at some interesting places. Love those food pics.
DeleteThat is a cool steamer. I've never seen one before. The only thing I recognize that my mom had was that metal colander.
ReplyDeleteThe steamer still works, Kay... looks a little battered, but that's OK with me.
Delete