Country Kitchen:
Special Dinnerware for Family Meals
By Mary Emma Allen
Do you have favorite dinnerware you enjoy using when you set
the table for guests, or which makes you feel happier at mealtime?
Perhaps these are items you picked up on a whim because you liked the
color or design.
Or they may be pieces of china that have memories of earlier
years...your childhood, a wedding gift, or a special occasion.
Sometimes in our hurry-scurry lives we don't take the time to set
the table with attractive dishes. We keep them only for "company" events.
One mother said she used the special dinnerware for her family, even
when there weren't guests. They were the most important people in her
life. Why not use her special dinnerware for them?
Dinnerware from Childhood
When cleaning out my childhood home after moving my mom to New
Hampshire, I came across odds and ends of Mother's "good" dishes, the set
she stored in her china closet and used for special occasions...our
birthdays, holidays, and when we had guests for. Most had gotten broken
or chipped over the course of more than 50 years, but I found a few to
keep for memory sake.
Then, most amazingly, I found the order and receipts for this set
of dishes. Mother once told me that they were purchased with money she
and my dad received as wedding gifts when they married in 1934. I hadn't
realized they were special ordered from a store in New York City. (I
grew up on a farm about 100 miles north of the city.)
I could imagine Mother looking over pictures of dish patterns and
deciding on this creamy one with flowers. Then when they arrived, Mother
unpacked the dishes and placed them in the china closet, one which came
from a furniture store in her home town. I still have that china closet
and found it marked with a label of the store.
Pretty Dishes for
Children
In our busy lives, I still try to bring out pretty dishes for my
grandchildren to enjoy. Some are pieces I have because I simply like.
Others came from my mom or mother-in-law.
For special meals, I use the bread plate my mom had for special
occasions. It, too, was a wedding gift.
Made of glass, it is oval with a sheaf of wheat on the bottom and the
words, "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread" around the rim.
My mother-in-law made deviled eggs for special occasions and
served them in a glass plate with egg shaped impressions. We have this
plate and tell grandchildren the stories of these meals.
Make Your Own
Memories
Collect some special dishes of your own that you use for special
occasions with your children and grandchildren. Let them make memories
they can tell future generations.
Will there be something they pick up in years to come and say, "I
remember when Mom (or Grandma) used this"? Then they'll regale their
children with family stories.
Food for Memory
Delve into family recipes or create some that you serve to your
family for enjoyable meals.
PRETZEL LAYERED SALAD is a delicious recipe my daughter makes.
It can be served at the meal or used as a dessert.
First layer: Mix 2 cups crushed unsalted pretzels, 3-4
tablespoons sugar (depending on desired sweetness) and 2/3 cup melted
butter; spread this in a 9 x 13-inch pan. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 6
minutes. Cool before filling.
Second layer: Mix together 8 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar,
8 ounces whipped topping. Spread over the cooled crust.
Top layer: Dissolve a six-ounce package strawberry jello in 2
cups boiling water. Add a 10-ounce package frozen strawberries. Chill
until this is almost congealed. Then spread jello mixture over the
cheese mixture. Chill until set.
(C) 2002 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing her "Cooking Column" for newspapers
and online publications for 30 years and
has compiled a family cookbook. She’s currently compiling a
cookbook/story book,
"Tales From a Country Kitchen." Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
The Country Kitchen Series
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Memories at the Kitchen Table
The Pioneer Kitchen
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Cook to Cook Letter Writing
Backyard Picnics
Summertime Picnics
Cookie Cutters!
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Strawberry Festivals!
