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Showing posts from November 6, 2011

No One Who Cooks, Cooks Alone

“No one who cooks, cooks alone. Even at her most solitary, a cook in the kitchen is surrounded by generations of cooks past, the advice and menus of cooks present, the wisdom of cookbook writers.” Laurie Colwin Shawn and I saw this quote framed at one of the booths at a local Farmers Market here in Tulsa a few months ago.  Immediately Shawn had me take a photo of it so we'd remember it.  After reading it over again I realized how true it is that even at our most solitary time in the kitchen, the foods we prepare have most likely been prepared before us, perhaps by our own Mother or Grandmother, and then tweaked from generation to generation, cook to cook. I thought of my own Grandma, Grandma Stubbs.  Without doubt, we all have a Grandma that is or was the best at something.   My  Grandma Stubbs made the absolute best lemon cake.  For years and years after her passing no one could find her recipe.   Then, not long ago I came across a plastic sugar bucket full of Grandm

Amber and Aubergine Thanksgiving Table w/ Historical Transferware

Do you remember last July when I posted a table set with a series of plates by Crown Ducal that depicted 'The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere'?    I used them in a red, white and blue color scheme.  I mentioned then that I'd share more of that pattern at another time, in another setting.  Well, here is a Fall table setting in that same pattern, but a different color, unique to the one I posted in July.  I've much to share about it. Okay, get yourself a nice beverage and then settle in because this might be a lengthy post. Ready? Before we get down to a bunch of close up shots and such of my table I'm going to share a little information on the company that produced this series of special, historical plates.  Crown Ducal Based at the Gordon Pottery Works at Tunstall, Stoke on Trent, Crown Ducal was a trading arm of the A.G. Richardson & Co. Ltd.  Crown Ducal was formed in 1915 and is well known for the celebrated Art Deco ceramicist, artis