This belonged to my maternal great grandmother. It was her spoon holder. For years it has held a place on a shelf in my mom's home. A few weeks ago, she passed it on to me.

I was glad to have it but I wondered where I would put it.

Then after my 'a-ha' moment last week to make every day special, I decided to use it.  

Now it will have a home on my kitchen counter. Perfect for that morning bowl of cereal or the late night bowl of ice cream.

vintage fire king

While I was having a little 'looksee' at Mom's, I also found this beauty in her basement. I brought it home and now I'm one step closer to eliminating the plastic. I can't wait to use it. It will be perfect for baking a casserole or side dish and the lid makes it easy for storage in the fridge. It's a vintage Anchor Hocking Fire King 9" Casserole dish with lid. Pattern is Candleglow.

Do you have any vintage bakeware? I think I'm going to try and scout out some other pieces.

An Addition to My Collection

Last week, Small Notebook posted this question: "What Do You Collect?" which made me pause and consider what it is I collect. There are lots of things I have because I like them but not necessarily because I collect them. One thing I do collect is vintage cookbooks.



I don't think I started this collection intentionally. It evolved. I've enjoyed reading cookbooks for years. My reading of cookbooks started when I was 8 and received the Betty Crocker New Boys and Girls Cookbook as a gift from my mother. I remember looking at the photographs in it for hours and wanting to make every single recipe in it. I branched out and began reading other cookbooks that were in mom's pantry.



Fast forward 18 years when I was a new bride and I wanted to cook for Lawman. I started reading cookbooks and cooking magazines again. I started testing recipes. I found my love of cooking. My mom soon saw my love of cookbooks and she gave me some that had been in her collection as well as some from her mother. Now as I sit here writing, I can see, at a glance, 11 vintage cookbooks. The oldest copyright date that I can find in my collection is 1926. Most of them are from the 50's, 60's and 70's.



Alison surprised me with a new addition last week, The Split-Level Cookbook by LouAnn Gaeddert (photo above). I can't tell you how happy that made me. And, the fact that she found it at a thrift sotre made it even better. I love that she knows what I like; it makes me feel all warm & fuzzy inside.



As I read through this book last weekend, I had to smile. The copyright is 1967 which I believe is about the time that the suburbs became popular with American families. The introduction states, "The leisurely family dinner with Father presiding at the head of the table has, for millions of families in this country, become a sometime -even a rare - thing. Blame Father's commuter train, his business duties which often keep him at his desk long after his secretary has gone home, or his huge business lunches." Sadly, I'm not sure much has changed since then as the majority of families don't have dinner around the table together.

In a recipe for Beef Packages, the instructions read, "Bring the sides of the foil up and wrap loosely with druggist's folds." I know I've never seen that before.

One recipe title gave me the giggles...Smoked Butts with Crab Apples. I had this scene in my head of Lawman coming home and asking what was for dinner. My reply, "Smoked Butts, dear." Oh the hysteria. Surely you think it's funny, right? Please tell me it's not just me.

With each recipe is listed a suggested menu, including dessert. I don't make dessert every night,do you? I'm not a June Cleaver.

It was my birthday and I can ask for it if I want...

Update - I had a request to show my birthday apron. Scroll to the bottom and you'll find it.

Several weeks ago, Lawman asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I had one thing on my list.

An apron.

Ok, pick yourself up off the floor. Are you done laughing yet? Lawman got a good laugh out of it too. So did my girls. An apron?

Was June Cleaver the first thing you thought of? Be honest.

I know that several decades ago aprons were part of the daily wardrobe for many housewives. Somewhere during the sexual revolution they were discarded. As were many other things. But, I do think they (aprons) are making a comeback although it may be more for the sake of a fun kitchen accessory than a functional item. My mom and grandma used to wear an apron.

During the late 60's my mom could be seen busy in the kitchen with an apron around her middle. She'd use it to dry her hands, wipe off the counter, etc. Granted, she spent an awful lot of time in the kitchen in those days. More than I do. She had hired men to feed at lunch. Her meals didn't consist of sandwiches either. It was a full blown meal -- meatloaf, pork chops or chopped steak with all the fixin's. Did I mention that she also made homemade bread and desserts? For lunch. Then she'd do a repeat for dinner. It's a wonder the gal ever had time to sit or sleep. Maybe she didn't. I don't know. I was a kid; I didn't pay attention to that sort of thing.

During the 70's and early 80's she wore what is called a cobbler's apron. It was a sleeveless top that snapped up the front. During these years she was working outside of the home but would don the apron to prepare lunch so she didn't get her work clothes dirty. Cooking was much easier too as it was just 3 of us; no more hired men. I don't recall her wearing aprons once I left home. I guess she didn't cook much at this point as it was just her and Dad.

Back to my apron.

I wanted it because I thought it would be fun. Yes, fun. Laugh if you want but I enjoy being in the kitchen. Puttering around, mixing, stirring, chopping, etc. is therapeutic for me. I like to cook. And more than cooking, I like eating. So does my family. They may laugh because I spend so much time in the kitchen but they sure do benefit from it.

(Look at these fun aprons.)

I guess I thought having an apron would inspire me to be productive. Sound crazy? I think it's something like getting up in the morning and getting dressed. Putting on the right attire so to speak.

I haven't had an opportunity to don my apron since I got it but I hope to be wearing it/using it on Sunday.

No, I won't be wearing pearls and heels like June either. Maybe just the apron. Ha.

My Branch of the Family Tree

My mom's sister shared this photo with me. It is of my mom & dad taken about 1945.

I love it for several reasons.

1. It's the only photo I've ever seen of my dad in his Army uniform.

2. They're so young. As children, we don't see our parents as ever being young. But they were.

3. They're expressions. They look so somber. I wonder if it was the day that Dad was leaving for WWII. If so, that explains it.

I love old photos such as this. I think it's important that we (the younger generation) preserve these images to share with our children and future generations. It's an important part of our heritage.

Do you have photos of previous generations? Do you have ideas for preserving or displaying them that you'd like to share?

Vintage Linens

Last weekend we went to see my folks. Mom wanted help cleaning out her clothes closet. She also wanted the linen closets done but time didn't permit so it's on the list for the next trip.

I don't know how the subject came up but I happened to mention that I love vintage linens. She sent me home with these dishtowels.

Aren't they great? She thinks she bought them at a local bazaar years ago. Can you imagine the time that went into these? Not only are they embroidered...

...but they also have crocheted edging. No two are the same. Each crocheted edge is different, even on the same towel.

I love the colors. They're so cute that I'm even considering purchasing a coordinating fabric for a backing and making pillows out of them. I think they'd be darling in a guest room.