Things you have had forever.

CarolfromTX

Senior Member
Location
Central Texas
I am always puzzled by the holiday ads for dishes and gravy boats and casseroles and such. Dave was cooking some chicken tonight and I admonished him to use cooking spray. We discussed the casserole dish he was using. I said I was pretty sure it was a wedding or shower gift. Which would make it almost 50 years old. Do people not keep their stuff? Do they buy new stuff every couple years? I don‘t get it. I‘ve used the same cookware for 50 years.
 

The Swedish style cutlery I had from my first marriage is what I use for everyday. The Corning Ware casserole dishes have been around forever. Like you, that means 49 years. Thankfully I don’t have the same old pots & pans or husband. They weren’t very good quality.
 
As far as I'm concerned, and from much of what I see and hear of these days, today's generation could care less about anything used, old, or heirloom.

My husband works with a man who openly brags that he and his wife buy new furniture for their home every few years.

As for my husband and I, we keep everything, with some things getting used, while other things are saved in hopes of preserving them.

I have cookware from the late 50's and 60's, some of which I inherited from my mom.

I think many of us from yesteryear's generation are that way.
 

I have my mother's Wearever cooking pots. Even though one has a handle cracked, the pot is ok and they clean up nice with a brillo. I have Corning Ware too but they are hard to clean if food is stuck to it during baking (yes I use a cooking spray) and they too need a brillo to get really clean. I used to use a large electric fry pan but it bit the dust and to replace isn't worth it as nothing out there is as good or will last as long. I also have some Denby casseroles but they are heavy and I can't lift as well with arthritis in my wrist.
 
I have my Grandmas mixing bowls with a picture of fruit on the sides as well as some depression glass.
I love cooking with the old cook and bakeware.
Every time I use these things I think of them.
I have my old Presto pressure cooker which is now over 40 years old and going strong.
Not only do I cook with these things but I serve some of the same foods that my grandma and mom served in them.
Pickles and olives go in the cranberry glass dishes. Fruit salad goes in a bubble glass bowl and I have a special serving dish for a cheese spread my mom made on holidays.
These days the kids don't seem to care. Mine seem to live out of the dish washer. Whatever they pull out that's clean they use.
I saw my son in law stir green beans that were cooking with a knife.
I have a favorite utensils for most everything I cook.
I don't own a dishwasher. At the end of the day everything is in its place.
Actually I find it relaxing to do the dishes after a family get together. I get comfortable in my robe and slippers and rehash the evening as I scrub away.
 
I have my Grandmas mixing bowls with a picture of fruit on the sides as well as some depression glass.
I love cooking with the old cook and bakeware.
Every time I use these things I think of them.
I have my old Presto pressure cooker which is now over 40 years old and going strong.
Not only do I cook with these things but I serve some of the same foods that my grandma and mom served in them.
Pickles and olives go in the cranberry glass dishes. Fruit salad goes in a bubble glass bowl and I have a special serving dish for a cheese spread my mom made on holidays.
These days the kids don't seem to care. Mine seem to live out of the dish washer. Whatever they pull out that's clean they use.
I saw my son in law stir green beans that were cooking with a knife.
I have a favorite utensils for most everything I cook.
I don't own a dishwasher. At the end of the day everything is in its place.
Actually I find it relaxing to do the dishes after a family get together. I get comfortable in my robe and slippers and rehash the evening as I scrub away.
Ruth. You and I went to the same school.

I have a pot that my mom used for potatoes, and to this day I make potatoes in it, and as for the right utensil for the right service, that's me.

I wash and dry dishes by-hand... have for decades, and just love the quiet alone time I get when cleaning up the kitchen at the end of the day. I look out the window and while working at my own speed, reflect on the day. No rushing, no time-frames, I get done when I get done.

I recall my mom telling of an aunt who used to live out of her dishwasher, and it used to turn my mom off visiting her and having coffee at her place, because dear aunt would pull the coffee cups out of the dishwasher when company arrived, and that's going back to the early to mid 70's.

In my childhood home, old-fashioned hand-washing and drying of dishes was the order of the day as well, and I used to help with the drying all the time.
 
There was a joke in our house. My husband used to always say when my Mom passed we got the
Waterford. Everyone thought we were going to get Crystal. Actually it was Waterless stainless steel cookware. I did get the cookware but my husband passed about 10 years before my Mom. He never got to use it.

I also have many other things from my Mom, MIL, my husband's grandmother and from his Aunts. Each item is precious to me. They are a used but a dinner plate from my husbands grandmothers wedding china is safe in my china cabinet.

The sad thing is when I pass, I don't know if my DIL will want these things. She does have a set of dishes from her grandmother that were brought here from Japan. I hope she will love our family things and give them a home and pass to future generations
 
Have a toaster from the late 40's that's still in use. Many of my tools are at least 50, years old, have several metal lathes, and a milling machine that are over 100yrs old, and my big Niles lathe ( over 10k lbs ) is at least 130yrs old, and in excellent condition.
 
I have some old Franciscan Desert Rose china that I have loved and carried around with me for over 50 years now, through all the moves of that lifetime of wandering from one place to another.
Most of the time, the dishes have been packed away in the box , and seldom used.
My mother had old Franciscan and also Fiestaware from way before I was born, when she and my dad lived in Southern California , before moving back to north Idaho.
Some of my collection was from finds from yard sales and thrift stores over the years, and a couple pieces from eBay.

For the first time ever, they are now going to be housed in a china cabinet !
My husband made me a beautiful china cabinet just for my Franciscan and my vintage teapots. He is not quite finished yet, so I am not putting anything in until it is completely done; but here is how it looks, and I can hardly wait to use it .


9173D41F-0371-45CC-9B9F-8CB778CDC3AD.jpeg
 
I have some old Franciscan Desert Rose china that I have loved and carried around with me for over 50 years now, through all the moves of that lifetime of wandering from one place to another.
Most of the time, the dishes have been packed away in the box , and seldom used.
My mother had old Franciscan and also Fiestaware from way before I was born, when she and my dad lived in Southern California , before moving back to north Idaho.
Some of my collection was from finds from yard sales and thrift stores over the years, and a couple pieces from eBay.

For the first time ever, they are now going to be housed in a china cabinet !
My husband made me a beautiful china cabinet just for my Franciscan and my vintage teapots. He is not quite finished yet, so I am not putting anything in until it is completely done; but here is how it looks, and I can hardly wait to use it .


View attachment 258986
I love that Desert Rose pattern. Use it! Enjoy it, please.

I have the Franciscanware sea shell pattern. I've lost a few over the years, but I use it all the time.
 


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