Now the reason you have to be an only child to ensure that you get that Well-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, is that for some odd reason people started collecting them. Yes, some people bought more of them than they would ever use. They got prohibitively expensive. No more picking up one for a couple bucks at that estate sale, since that was really the only time anyone got rid of them - when they died or found a place where they never had to cook again. Which I'm not sure I'd like - the not cooking part, just to clarify.
Oh, in my foolish youth, I got rid of the cast iron skillet that belonged to Grandma and Grandpa. Bad decision, that. I found it difficult to lift, difficult to clean and keep rust free. Short sighted of me, I know.
ReplyDeleteWell, I married an Only, but sadly did not get a skillet. I did however, score a lot of other neat kitchen stuff, some excellent linen, and some interesting old china. Win, Win!!
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley - That's right, you are an only child - easy to forget since you mention so many relatives on your blog. Do you ever wonder were the old pan ended up? Because I'm sure it is still going strong somewhere. I had forgotten the rust issue, which happened occasionally in Seattle, but hasn't been a problem in Oklahoma, where I am constantly having to cover myself in body butter to sooth the dry skin. Bright side to almost everything.
ReplyDeleteOh Patricia, how I would love to compare notes on this. The linens were the most interesting to me - with all the monograms from his ancestors. His mother also was a glass collector and and her mother collected salt cellars. His mother only kept a few of the salts, but they are excellent. The silver was a trial in Seattle, where the constant rain tarnished it within a week of polishing it, but in dry Tulsa, it still shines an entire year later.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of the silver, I had a great relationship with my mother-in-law, but she knew I wished she could quit smoking. When she told me that she didn't want to live forever, I told her I wished she would, but if she was determined to die young, I was really going to enjoy having her silver tea set. She laughed so hard at that. I can just see her looking down and smiling every time I look at it. I think she would have turned 100 this year, I just realized.
That cast iron surely cooks up some good food, but I agree with Shelley about its shortcomings. I have several pieces but rarely use it, but I'm glad I've hung onto it.
ReplyDeleteAfter several yard sales to clear out the house before we moved to SLC, I still had a collection of 'stuff'. We had a 'house cooling' party, a sort of leaving do, for all our friends. I got a pile of brown paper bags (this was 1991) and put a few of the items in each bag and handed one to each of the leaving guests. My old boss and her husband (very old family, loads of money) ended up with the skillet. I'm pretty sure they put it in the trash, but she was from the Deep South so perhaps she might have kept it - though I'm confident she had her own. On the bright side, another friend loved her knitting magazines...
ReplyDeleteI have a cast iron skillet too, that I bought new. I wonder which of my 3 will want to inherit it? :D We have absolutely no only children in our family, both sides, in-laws too, and going way way back!
ReplyDeleteOur cast iron gets a good workout, one large skillet, one small skillet and a dutch oven. There's also a corn bread pan (makes little loaves shaped like corn) and an aebleskiver pan. Most people look at that last one and go "Huh?"
ReplyDeleteI do not like Teflon at all!
Darla
I didn't marry into an iron skillet-y family. More hummels (sp?) which are not our cup of tea. I have been collecting a bit of Le Crueset which is not the same as it does burn (i've had to throw out of few) but I loved reading about a colourful Mum who took her set around central Africa in Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness.
ReplyDeleteHi Sanda - How nice to have some even if you only use it for decoration and nostalgia.
ReplyDeleteHi Again, Shelly - What a neat idea! And how funny that you remember who got the skillet.
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn - Interesting about your family having no only children. That's how my family is - but my in husband's family, two children is the most for generations. Some only and some none. His parents had no problems getting pregnant, but couldn't carry any but my husband (and his twin, who didn't survive) to term.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, Darla - You have an aebleskiver pan too? My husband originally thought it was a meatball pan. I keep meaning to try it for them. What do you fill yours with? It was always applesauce for my grandmother.
ReplyDeleteHi Jody - Hummels aren't my thing either. I do have a bit of old Le Creuset, but don't like using it on an electric stove, so only use it in the oven. Would love to have one of their Dutch Ovens. Marilyn Monroe was very proud of her set of Yellow Le Creuset.
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