Happy New Year
That’s it. No punctuation. 2017 was a roller coaster. We had some very good days, like Sunday, December 31. My granddaughter was baptised. That was a wonderful way to end the year.
But there were many days last year spent in the hospital with my mother. And I said final, earthly good-byes to cousins and friends. Good and bad equalled out, I guess. Felt like a roller coaster, though.
I did, finally, get to empty the storage units that I had been renting since September 2014. That was a burden lifted from my shoulders- my sons did the heavy lifting. Ha! It will also free up funds to go to something else.
At my farmhouse the empty boxes piled up on the porch, as the collections found a permanent home. Tea pots, Fire King mixing bowls, Flora Gold depression glass. Sadly, many pieces of the depression glass did not make it out of the storage unit whole. Delicate cups and saucers, an oblong butter dish, footed scalloped dishes and a big platter were shattered. Oh, well. I had fun all those years ago searching to build the collection and now I get to do it again.
Three years ago when we were packing up my belongings, many cookie jars in particular, my eldest son told me: “Mama, when you eventually get settled somewhere, I know one thing; when I come to visit, there better be cookies in everyone of these cookie jars!”
I found them as I unpacked. I can tell you where they came from and/or who gave them to me. There’s a very inviting and satisfying sound to a lifted cookie jar top. Washed and dried, then lined up on the kitchen counter.
Thinking about what my son said, and seeing how cheery they all looked grouped together, cookie recipes starting coming to mind. Expect a cookie of the month recipe for 2018. There that’s my New Year’s resolution. Let’s see if I can keep it.
I also found all of my cookbooks. Many Southern Living cookbooks, including the two that have my recipe for Granola Muffins. I had originally called the recipe Cereal Muffins, but the kitchens at Southern Living renamed it.
I know I’m not suppose to write about the weather, but I just can’t help myself. It’s cold, folks! The high temperature for our part of Mississippi is 34°. You Yankees are probably telling me not to complain. Remember, I’m Southern. My blood is thin. As soon as Christmas is over, I long for warmer weather and planting flowers and vegetables. I’m excited about the prospect of homegrown food and flowers on my table again.
New Year’s Blessings from the Exiles Kitchen.
theexileskitchen 
It will be so exciting to get yourself all in one place again! Didn’t know you are such a collector. I am too. I’m told that younger people rarely have an interest anymore in having a parent’s collection of “whatever”. I’m glad to know others still do appreciate the “journey”, AND the “collection. Wishing you a fantastic 2018!!
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Mama and her sisters taught me to love junking, mainly because I got to be with them. Sunday after Parker’s baptism, while we were at her celebration dinner, I showed her the picture of the cookie jars. She said her favorite was the big strawberry. I told her that when she got her own kitchen I would give it to her.
If I remember correctly, you collect blue and white dishes? I know they have a specific name…
I use everything I collect. I like to imagine who first owned the things I have. What kind of cake batter or cookie dough was mixed in the big yellow Pyrex bowl? Did the large Flora Gold bowl get used for eggnog at Christmas or popcorn around the card table?
Mama always picked out something to put on a shelf and look pretty ( until it collected dust, that is). Like I’ve said, I use my collections. It’s a full service working kitchen, not a museum for vintage kitchen wares. If they get broken, oh well. Just an excuse to go on the hunt.
As always, thanks for reading and commenting. And I pray y’all have a great New Year!
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