9/16/09

Mama's Kitchen and Red Gingham Curtains

Red Check Gingham Cafe Curtains, Mr. and Mrs. Plates, Wooden Chef Shakers, and an
O'Keefe and Merritt gas stove.
What do they have in common?
My Mama's Kitchen...in the 1950's, 60's & 70's.
Boy, do I wish I had that stove today. I spent many hours over that hot stove stirring gravy after frying chicken.
That's when we made gravy from the grease left from frying chicken...the good ole' sprinkle in the flour with a 'holey spoon' to make a paste and then pour in whole milk til the skillet was nearly full and then stir and stir and stir til it was thick and bubbly hot.
Oh! I nearly forgot, it's been so long, we put in salt and pepper right before the milk.
I miss that salty, whole milk, grease gravy today. Don't you?
This stove is almost like my Mama's....her's was missing a knob.
We tried knobs from other stoves and tried ordering one, but back then you were outta luck and better keep a pair of pliers handy.
Today you can get this O'Keefe & Merritt Reproduction Stove and replacement parts right over the WWWeb.
What will they think of next?

Funny what triggers one's growing up memories! Today it was the Mr. and Mrs. Plates found at the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
I remember making them in Vacation Bible School, but on paper plates.
Did you make your Mama a set, too?
These had been hanging in someone's kitchen for a very long time as was evident by the rusted hangers, the dirt and grime and the old yellow glue that was used to stick the fabric and rick-rack on the plates.
After a few hours of scraping and cleaning, they are ready to go on my kitchen hall wall...rusty hangers and clean plates.


The wooden Chef Salt and Pepper Shakers always set right on top of the stove within easy reach to salt and pepper the gravy.
I always thought the Salt Shaker looked like my Daddy, and if you look at my pictures here on CollectInTexas Gal, you'll see how it looks like me, too.
It's the eybrows.
Course, my Daddy didn't wear a Chef's hat.
His hat was a Black Felt Stetson in the winter and a White Straw Cowboy hat in the Summer.

I sure wish I had a kitchen window.
I'd sew some Red Gingham Curtains.

10 comments:

  1. Yes, those plates bring back a lot of memories for me, too. I can also just about taste that gravy made from fried chicken drippings. Thanks for the memories. Love your daddy in that Stetson. Vicki

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  2. Love the memories and the sentiments. I think it is wonderful to get them recorded.

    Carol

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  3. My Grandmother had those salt & pepper shakers in a large size. She lived an hour away from us and we visited her every couple of months on a Sunday afternoon. She had an old wringer washer down in her basement and I used to love poking around down there. She also had those really cool metal outside chairs, except those were large-size too. Thank you for bringing that memory to my mind!
    Hugs, Leslie

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  4. Anonymous9/17/2009

    Oh you poor girl! No kitchen window? Bet you have lots of other things to be happy about thouhg, don't you?

    I love Gingham in any color. ♥

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  5. I just discovered your blog and I am so enjoying getting to know you! I love how you write and the things you show and your memories! I don't have a kitchen window either. It's a bummer isn't it?! I'm a gingham girl too! Twyla

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  6. yum! chicken gravy! I haven't had that in a long time... and yes, this yankee girl has had southern fried chicken and gravy : )

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  7. Nope I don't miss that "milk gravy" my Mum still makes it every once in awhile!

    Thanks for stopping by and becoming a follower, can't wait to see your head vases tomorrow.

    I just signed up to follow you too!

    Leann

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  8. Anonymous9/20/2009

    Thanks for bringing back the memories. I love that picture of Daddy. That picture of you as I recall...your hair was a shade of PINK!! ha ha!!!
    hugs,
    LilSis

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  9. Funny how things work, I was just thinking the other day I wished I could find some of those plates like Mama had in her kitchen...I would like to craft some and sell them...
    Mama's were on plain white plates...
    funny how things work...
    love the blog...
    glenda

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  10. I just happened to see the photo of these plates and had to come see them...I have been thinking about these...My Mom had them also...I think we made them in Bible school...thanks for the memories!!!

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