I’ve already shared some stories about my Mom. She loved to travel, and she loved to entertain. And “company” meals around our dining table were much anticipated culinary events.
Mom was a “city girl” (if you can call Kalona, Iowa, a city) when she married my Dad. And even though we lived on a farm, she knew how to set a BEAUTIFUL table, complete with lace tablecloths and stemmed drinking glasses.
I never really appreciated her table settings, china, and her attention to detail before she died, but I look back now and marvel at her sense of style and sophistication. She truly was the consummate hostess.
But recently I missed Mom even more than usual when I made a discovery hidden far back of one of the drawers in my dining room china cabinet in Iowa. This small treasure was buried under stacks of unused vintage napkins and tablecloths I inherited from her. I was totally mystified as to why a land-locked Iowa farm wife would be in possession of a boxed set of pastry forks imported from Great Britain!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story. Your description of a beautifullu set table reminds me of my mother. She had been the head of the housekeeping dept of a rich executive of Dow Chemical in Midland, Mi before she married my father. I loved her tables and her choices of food which would also be color coordinated. When I was first married here in Holland I was looking forward to being able to entertain in my own home. The lady I had lived with before was well known for her entertaining and she too set a beautiful table. This however wasn’t something my mother in law enjoyed. She also quickly discovered how much I liked a pretty table so she would move things around, messing things up as much as possible. This was throughout the yrs a constant battle with her and I was determined to win. That aside, I had 2 daughters and a son that loved to create a pretty table. I love dishes and have several different sets. My daughters each lend the different sets and all my pretty dishes get used. Our son is an excellent cook and his son loves to cook and bake.
Mary…Thanks for sharing your story all the way from Holland! It just proves my point that food and the way it’s served is an important part of cultures…all around the world. I would love to enjoy your beautiful table setting and dinner in person… so maybe my Bucket List needs to be updated…yet again! Bon Appetit!
Patty,
Love all your family stories that you share. Wish we all had such great memories.
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Dorothy
Thanks Dorothy! I love to relive my past…and to share it with all of my readers!
Fun post! I always wondered what those forks were for and now I know. I love that picture of your Mom!
Thanks Ferne! I’m glad we BOTH learned something…and who knew Mom and Robin Hood had something in common!
Patty – Thanks for sharing. I remember what a wonderful hostess your mother always was. No matter when you dropped in you were always welcomed and served with something for a snack and a beverage! She was a very special woman.
Thanks Mary Jane! I learned SO MUCH from her…and I loved being part of any event that happened around their dining room table…Great memories!
Fun story- but the first thing I think about when I see those forks is – what about those of us that are left handed?!
LOL! Great question Judy! But NEVER FEAR! They actually make LEFT-HANDED Pastry Forks too!
My curiosity is not satisfied. I wonder if Mary from Holland ever won her battle with her mother in law and her table settings. My mom, aunts and grandmother also always set nice tables. I’m afraid I was the one that broke with tradition as our lives became more and more casual. Still have the nice dishes though.
Wow! Thanks for your post on the Loxley Pastry Fork Setting. I host vintage fashion shows and I seat 60 guests. I am collecting these little pastry forks for a future fashion show. I am trying to date my collection. I am hoping there is a date on your Mother’s invoice. The box has the appearance of 1920s packaging. Any information you can share with me will be greatly appreciated
Hi Gwen! Thanks so much for your comment! I checked again, but there is no date on the information included with the forks. Sorry! But I’m guessing Mom acquired them in the 30’s or 40’s. I’ll check with my brother to see if he can shed any light on the subject…and I’ll check out your website. It sounds very unique and interesting!!
I just found two sets (!) in my mother’s flatware box. It held a service for 12, so I guess she wanted to be prepared. These are in her silver keeper silver box, so mine only need a bit of polishing. Can’t wait to use them! Thank you for the wonderful story.
Oh Sandra…How Wonderful! Thank you for sharing your discovery with me! And send me a photo when you use them for the first time. Doesn’t it feel like a hug from your mother??? These memories are PRICELESS to me.
XOXO
Meemaw