Among my many collections of STUFF is flatware--knives, forks and spoons of various sizes as well as serving pieces. Our father always insisted we eat with sterling silver. It was one of our parents' first purchases when they married. (My brother uses it now.) Though our dishes were a cheap Blue Willow pattern and our glasses were often old jelly jars, the table was set with a tablecloth and properly arranged knives, forks and spoons, even though due to the menu some might not be needed.
When I got married we were given a sterling service for 8 plus numerous serving pieces which we did not use daily. Instead, Grandma Fowler got us a full set of Oneida silverplate (I don't remember the pattern) using Betty Crocker box tops and other General Mills coupons. After the divorce I got the sterling silver. It had been monogrammed which I had removed. I replaced the Betty Crocker silverplate (which I think later went to Kim) with another silverplate pattern which I used until I got tired of polishing it. I felt Daddy turn over in his grave when I switched to stainless steel flatware.
Meanwhile, I had inherited a set of silverplate from Great Aunt Lola and another from Aunt Tony. The latter was quite tarnished and did not come in a chest, so I put it away in a shoe box.
For a couple of years I used inexpensive stainless every day. Then I found a beautiful set of very nice stainless at an estate sale. It looks like Aunt Lola's silverplate. (If I'm not careful the two get mixed up if we've used both at a gathering.)
Recently I decided to sell some old sterling silver that had been gathering dust and tarnish in the cabinet. (Got an excellent price from Ashmore Rare Coins!) That prompted me to look at Aunt Tony's silverplate again. I spent many hours cleaning and polishing it. I even splurged and bought a couple of matching serving spoons from Replacements, Ltd. I used them for the first time at lunch today along with Aunt Tony's lovely china.
Lordy! I have 6 sets of eating utensils! I can set places for more than 60 people!
Sad thing is that I do very little entertaining these days. But when I do, I'll have plenty of knives, forks and spoons for everyone!
About Me
- grmapege
- I was born and raised in Greensboro, graduated from Greensboro Senior High and Duke University. After teaching in Medellin, Colombia, I married, then divorced Bruce Clapper after having 2 beautiful daughters--Cathy (Stewart) and Kim (Harrison). In later years I worked at the family business, Greensboro Printing Company, from which I retired in 1996. I'm ready for a bridge or Scrabble game any time. I waste a lot of time playing bridge on line. I enjoy theater (as a performer as well as a spectator). I've adopted a little (mostly) terrier named Murphy who is a great bed dog.
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