Country Kitchen:
Table Cloth Memories
By Mary Emma Allen
As I placed the red and green tablecloth on our table for holiday meals,
I thought of the numerous family gatherings at my mother-in-law's home
when it decorated her trestle table (the one we now have in our dining
area). Mum enjoyed making her table festive with an appropriate table
cloth and pretty dishes.
A table cloth from my childhood was the white lace one Mother received as
a wedding gift. For holiday meals and occasions when guests arrived, she
placed this on the large dining room table. Often it covered a colored
table cloth for festive effect.
When I discovered a light blue napkin with white floral design, I
remembered Mother using these for dinners when guests joined us. The
napkins might accompany the lace table cloth over white damask or simply
the damask one. She also had similar light green napkins for a change of
pace.
The covering for our farmhouse kitchen table was an "oil cloth." It was
cut from a roll at the general store and used and scrubbed until the
design faded. Then it was time to get another piece of oil cloth. What
fun to see what design Mother chose this time.
Collectible Table Linens
Table cloths, napkins, and placemats have become collectibles. Often they
might be some saved from our childhood. Others we find in antique shops
and at auctions. They remind us of our youth or early marriage years. Or
we may simply find them attractive and want to acquire for our own use.
It's become fashionable today to use these older linens to decorate our
tables and to brighten our dining rooms. Sometimes they remind us of
stories of childhood. Other times they're creating new memories for our
children and grandchildren.
Treasured Memories
I have a set of placemats a friend made and sent me as a wedding gift 43
years ago. Another attractive set is one our daughter stitched for me as
a Christmas gift after she was newly married. She also created napkins to
match and found napkin rings so I'd have something attractive for my
husband's and my meals.
Sometimes your treasured placemats will be those your youngsters make at
school...colorful pictures their teachers laminate for them to give as
gifts.
What Are Your Memories?
What are your table covering memories? You may not have the actual object
to use, but a glimpse of one in a magazine or stop will bring back fond
memories of family times together.
Then make your own memories today for future generations to enjoy.
Food Memories, Too
What foods did your family serve when using these table adornments? What
recipes are you creating for your family?
For our festive family meals, my daughter often makes her favorite
PISTACHIO SALAD. This is quick and easy to prepare and can be served as a
dessert if you prefer.
Mix together in large serving dish: one 3-oz. package instant pistachio
pudding (dry), one 8-oz. container whipped topping, one 20-oz. can
crushed pineapple, 1/2 cup maraschino cherries and 1/2 cup miniature
marshmallows, 1/4 cup chopped walnuts.
Variations: Recently she tried it with the sugar free instant pudding and
it turned out well. I prefer the salad without the marshmallows, but most
people like them included. Also, if your family doesn't like nuts or
maraschino cherries, you can leave either of these out.
Article (C) 2004 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
