When you find an old kitchen thing, bowl utensil, or other old utilitarian object, do you use it?
I love old, antique items. I have collected them for years. I have gotten comments on them though. People always seem shocked when I serve supper in my old 1920s china bowl, or use my 1950s memory lane platter.
My theory is, I bought it why hide it in a cabinet? When I am gone I hope my kids will remember the happy meals served in these pieces.
When I buy them, I stand with item a minute, folks must think I am nuts. but each piece speaks to me I can imagine the wife of that era serving wiht pride a roast or mashed turnips or whatever.
Do old objects speak to anyone else or am I just a flat loon????
:D

Yes i totally agree, i used my china everyday because i thought why isn't tonight a special time. What makes it special anyway, i think just getting them out is special.oh and to answer your question your not a loon, things do hold memories not just people.

I use many old serving dishes, glasses, compotes, candy dishes, utensils, gadgets, bowls, and dinnerware.
I love the appearance it gives to serve things on proper plates and servers. I love my old cheese grater and egg beater too. My favorite is my old ice cream scoop.

I have good memories of the thrill of the hunt over each piece. I miss "treasure hunting". It's just not the same here in the flatlands as it was back East.

I think of my mom's Blue Willow place settings that we ate off when I was a child. (as well as the fiestaware my grandma had)
I hope I can create some sort of warm memories for my children/family in this area. I have such great mealtime memories from my family.

Sara

**edited to add** I feel many items *speak to me*. ~Who may have treasured it before me or used it. I think of the time period especially.

I have lots of old pieces, old gadgets mostly... I use some of them, but some are just too fragile to use now..... I look at pieces too and wonder where they have been..... How did the woman feel when she got it, did she marvel at the modern gadget she just got... The pieces are hang on wrought iron hangers on thewall and ceiling of my kitchen... I wish they could tell me stories...........

There is a TLC show (I think its TLC) called "If Walls Could Talk" about old homes. Wouldn't it be cool (or as dh says coolio) if the same kind of thing could be done for old dishes and other old gadgets......:)

I knew you weren't a loon all along but now others have confirmed it, your not. :D

I too use old things as much as I can. I don't plan on just looking at things when I purchase them. I enjoy using them and I too wonder what the woman who had it long ago did with it, if she treasured it as much as I do. I think about the pioneer life and wonder how she even managed to get it.

I love old things and continue to fill my house with them as much as possible. I'm hoping someday that most everything in my home is old. We just found a potato strainer (actually I think its called a rice strainer) in dh's workshop (in the attic part) and it reminded me of my great granny putting those potatoes through it and the potatoes coming out in long strings. Anyone remember that. I'm going to clean it up and use it.

We also found a jar lifter (after I had bought a new one) down in the basement. I'm using both!!

Cj, it's called a "Potato Ricer" I have on and they make the best potatoes, I use mine for southern style potato salad......

Almost all the bowls I use are old. In fact, my whole house is full of old things. I think in many cases, the folks that love Old stuff, can hear the whispered stories that come from the objects. I feel a warmth from old objects. I think that is part of the reason I surround myself with them. I have an old stool in my livingroom. The seat is worn smooth from years of use. I have an old wooden butter churn that has grooves worn from years of its handle turning to make butter. I have an old wooden chest that someone scribbled their name inside the lid long ago. Maybe that's why some folks don't like old things. They don't want to hear the stories or feel that warmth.

"If Walls Could Talk" is one of my favorite programs. Yes, things talk to me too. Often times they whisper stories of the past, other times, they yell out to me!

It is so nice to know I am not imagining things when I heard old items speak!
This is the first time i ever publicly said they talk to me! I was afraid someone would call the guys in the white jackets to come get me! LOL
But from the posts here, we can not all be loons!:D

Sure we can. we could start a bunch of loons club or something. LOL no i think it is something special but we all feel like you (at least i do) so we don't say anything at all so thanks for sharing that i don't have to wonder anymore.
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OMG! I thought I was the one who was the loon. I also find things that I know really found me. How else can you explain going to a yard sale or thrift store just at the right time and finding that something that gives you so much pleasure.

I'm still thrilled over that serving platter that I found in a box of toys at the thrift store a few weeks ago. I can't wait to use it but since ds does the dishes I am careful about what I use for everyday. I make sure I am the one who washes the things that I really don't want to lose.

I get so excited when I find something old that I know I can use and I often wonder who used it and what was their family like.:)

I have my Grandmothers rolling pin. I think of what kind of pies she was making, would she be laughing at my pie crust. I make the W"ORST pie crust, but keep on making them. lol