In my kitchen:
Is this lovely Hebron glass plate.
I was wiping this plate the other day and I said to Maus, “This is my most precious possession.” Not in the monetary sense but in the sentimental sense. My mum bought it for me in the early 70’s. It was the first item in my glory box. For those too young to know what a glory box is: it is a collection of household items gathered by young unmarried women in anticipation of married life. I don’t know if one has a glory box these days, but you sure did in the 70’s.
I remember this plate being purchased. I was with my mum in David Jones (an Australian department store) and I saw a stand with this glassware on it. It was all in shades of pink and purple, my favourite colours then and today. I could not believe how beautiful they were. I pulled mum over to show her. I don’t think she concurred with my enthusiasm. She was more of a china girl than a glass girl, but she did ask me which was my favourite. I chose this plate. She later went back and bought it for me.
I have only ever known that it was Israeli glass (originally, it had a Made in Israel sticker on it) but, because I decided to show case it today, I have been doing a bit of research. I have found that it is actually Hebron Glass which takes its name from the city in which it was made. Hebron is in the West Bank and glass is made by the local Palestinian families. According to Wikipedia, the glass industry in Hebron was established during Roman rule in Palestine (63BC to 330 AD) and has been flourishing ever since. Today, however, due to ongoing export problems, the decline in tourism, and restrictions on Palestinians freedom of movement, industry production has suffered. Under these circumstances, the survival of the Hebron glass industry is in question.
This month has been a lot like Christmas. My mate, Colette, and my sisters, Vickie and Juanita, have all been on holidays and returned with presents for me.
I mentioned in my previous post that Colette brought back a haul of gifts, including the single “Y” customisable cookie stamper, with which I have had fun.
In my kitchen:
Is this wonderful brush that Colette also bought me. I suspect you are looking at it and thinking, “Why would a friend bring their mate back a scrubbing brush?”. In fact, that is the very question Colette’s mum asked Colette. But look again. This brush is different.
This brush is a bread proving basket cleaning brush. According to the label, it removes “residual flour and debris from basket grooves prior to washing.” How cool is that? I have a dishwashing brush kept, exclusively, for that purpose. That can now be relegated to washing dishes. “As far as I know, I am the only one in the blogosphere with such a brush,” she thought, smugly 😀
In my kitchen:
Are two ravioli cutters. When she was away, Colette was on a mission to find kitchenware items I didn’t have. A ravioli cutter was her only double up. But it doesn’t matter because the one I already had is smaller than the one she bought.
I was just thinking… I could also make square wafers or biscuits with these. What a great idea.
In my kitchen:
Are some new tea towels, again, from the lovely Colette.
As you can see, the first one is all about the gorgeous Bichon. None of the puppies on the tea towel is as pretty as Maggie, Lily or Jules but it is the thought that counts 🙂
This tea towel was designed to commemorate the work of Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragette movement. The colour palette of green and purple was inspired by the original ‘VOTES FOR WOMEN’ handbills and posters and, as we all know, are international women’s colours.
In my kitchen:
Is some Fleur de Sel de Camargue, again a gift from Colette. Fleur de sel is the cluster of crystals that forms on the surface of seawater. It is hand raked and harvested. Fleur de salt is the crème de la crème of salt.
In my kitchen:
Is some flor de sal which I bought in Aveiro, Portugal. According to their website, the salt flower contains only minerals and nutrients, as well as microcrystals which facilitate digestion and has the advantage of being absolutely natural, not being subject to any manufacturing process, including washing, which removes very important nutritional components such as plankton and small debris skeletons of tiny marine animals, major sources of calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, among others.
In my kitchen:
Are more gifts, but this time from Colette’s mum. Colette mentioned that her mum had scored a box of Blackpool Rock on their latest trip. I must have “oohed” a little too enthusiastically because the next time I saw Colette, she had extracted from her mum, three sticks for me. (One didn’t last long enough to be photographed. Alas, now all have gone – Maus likes it as much as I do.)
When I was a kid, if anyone went to England, they would return with Blackpool Rock for everyone. Whenever you eat the sweets you had as a child, they, invariably, disappoint. I am glad to say that was not the case with this Rock. This still tastes great. The peppermint and aniseed flavours are very strong. The only thing I noticed was it is not as has hard as I recall. I don’t know whether this batch is a bit old or whether it is just me remembering it to be harder than it actually was.
In my kitchen:
Are two Koziol graters. I have had the larger one for some years (a gift from my cousin when he came back from Europe) and the smaller one was a gift from my sister, Vickie. I don’t use them as graters – they are too pretty. They are great kitchen ornaments.
Koziol creates fun designs for the home. The company’s directive is to make desirable designs responsibly, which means they only use thermoplastics that are 100% recyclable with non-toxic pigments and any waste created during manufacturing is recycled.
In my kitchen:
Is a Delfware tile, a lovely gift from my sister, Juanita. It came with its own Certificate of Authenticity which I am sure contains lots of other interesting information but, alas, the tile is in Bridgetown and I am in Perth. I do know, at least, that the tile is part of the “Work and Play” series. I just love the simplicity of the design. If the tile can take heat (I am yet to check that out), I will get Maus to make me a wooden frame for it and use it as a trivet. If not, it is destined to be an ornament.
In my kitchen:
Is a pussy cat mould. Have you seen these guys before? If you follow other bloggers’ IMK series, you would have seen this mould on Mandy’s (from The Complete Cookbook) post. I commented that I could make kitty soaps with her mould. Before I knew it, Mandy had offered to post it to me. In anyone’s language, that is very generous. Thanks, Mandy. I intend to imbed some little pussy cats into bars of soap. Stay tuned.
In my kitchen:
Are tomatoes 😀 Well, not any more. I pulled out my pumpkin plants late last month. In amongst the pumpkins was a tomato plant. We didn’t get around to picking up the debris until a couple of weeks later. When Maus was bagging the rubbish, she called out, “Do you want the tomatoes?” At first I thought she was joking but, no, in the couple of weeks the rubbish had been lying around, a number of tomatoes had ripened so we had fresh tomatoes as late as mid-July.
It is all about broccoli and snow peas at the moment. I picked a huge bowl of snow peas and three broccoli heads today.
In my kitchen:
Is this lovely, very elegant little cream jug.
We were at the local tip the other day and I spied some kitchen items in the recycle shed. You can take whatever you want from the recycling shed for a gold coin. I zoomed in on this little beauty.
I laughed at myself when I turned it over and was pleased to note it was made in Japan. I thought, as such, it would be a cut above a similar item made in China. In my mum’s day, if something was made in Japan, it would have been considered rubbish. How times change. I have checked this guy out and found a couple for sale in ebays around the world. It appears I got a bargain with my gold coin jug.
In my kithen:
Is my new soup bowl/ramekin. It is a find from the local op shop. I have, previously, bought three very ugly op shop soup bowls/ramekins for photo shoots and have been surprised that we use them. They are just the right size for a bowl of soup at lunch time. This guy is a cut above those bowls. If I find another nice bowl like this one, I will throw the others out. They have had their moment of glory in a post photo. This guy was made in Korea. I don’t know how that ranks in the Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan stoneware heirarchy. 🙂
If you would like to see what is in other bloggers’ kitchens this month, visit Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. Celia hosts In My Kitchen each month.
wow so many wonders in your kitchen. i am quite overwhelmed:) i love it all. i am a huge fan of various salts and have many different ones in my kitchen. i love the glass plate, and the cute graters. that tea towel is terrific. I have a similar one from the Muriel Matters Society (in Adelaide i think) who are fans of Muriel, a famous aussie suffragette. what marvellous friends you have! what a fab jug, and amazing cat mould. and those gorgeous tomatoes. anyway, it is all fab!!
Thanks Sherry
That glass tray is exquisite. Made more so by the story behind it. I am now coveting your bread basket brush. I need one of those. Am adding it to my Christmas list. I also have that French sea salt, bought back by my foodie friend, and I save it exclusively for sprinkling over fresh tomatoes. Good thing you have those too : ) I wish I had read this post yesterday. I swear I saw the partner to your soup bowl in an op shop. I would have snapped it up for you!
Hi Tania, What Op shop was it? I could check it out.
It was the Vinnie’s in Cambridge Street, Wembley. I also saw one in the Ruah store in Oxford Street, Mount Hawthorn but that was a little while ago so possibly no longer there. I will keep an eye out for you from now on.
Thanks Tania.
some great goodies here, especially the salt and the tea towels! -cate from IMK
Hi Cate, thanks for stopping by.
Lots of great goodies in your kitchen this month Glenda! I love your Fleur de Sel de Camargue – I have some in one of my spice jars, but haven’t used it yet. What will you use in on/in? Love any inspiration you can give me 🙂 And it’s great you still have a few more tomatoes – they seem perfect & sweet. See you next month for #IMK
Hi Nicole. Sorry – no inspiration for you 😦 The tomatoes are all gone now. It is all about snow peas and broccoli at the moment.
I love that Votes For Women tea towel. On my first overseas trip in 1992, I visited the Museum of London where they had a Suffragette exhibit. I bought a ‘Votes For Women’ badge that I wear every IWD. As to the salt, I have a salty IMK post all ready to go for when my kitchen is ripped out. Stay tuned. Glory Box… chortle!
I Fiona, I look forward to your post. It may give Nicole and me inspiration.
Americans had hope chests. I had one and my sister who’s 3 years older looked at me one day and said, “Good grief, I’m going to need a despair barrel!” I love that Hebron dish.
The brush is genius!
I’ve got both of those cutters but I don’t use them much. At the time they were must-haves. 🙂
The old glory box (hope chest) what fun! It is quite ironic really. The older you are to marry then, logically, the more comprehensive your chest would be. Everyone loves my brush 🙂
Your Hebron glass plate is absolutely beautiful – especially with such a lovely personal history attached. We called glory boxes “hope chests” in my part of the US. Really want one of those proving basket brushes! Leave it to you to have yet more tomatoes… Great post, Glenda.
Thanks Debi, The tomatoes have all gone for the time being. I bet the buggers will be self seeding all over the place again soon. You will be able to grow great tomatoes in Greece.
An impressive collection Glenda but you had me at that bread brush…I use a similar brush on my bread proving baskets but I have not seen a specific, purpose built brush. Any idea where is came from?
Jane everyone is loving my bush 🙂
What a beautiful collection, so many things here I love! I love the ravioli cutters and want one, even though I never make ravioli and I already have a ravioli wheel cutter thingy that has never been used. And that brush! I want it too even though I don’t make bread much either!
Hi Faye, Everyone wants my brush but it is mine mine mine 😀
I see why that is your most precious possession. Beautiful. Guarantee I would drop and bust those beautiful graters, very pretty. The jug, the rock, that basket brush, all great. I had a ‘running away from home’ box ready for my target to run away as soon as I turned 18. Bang on the day, loaded box full of things I’d lay-byed I left. Best thing I ever did! The term ‘glory box’ just left me cold I’m afraid. Thanks for showing all the goodies 🙂
Glory box is such a wonderful term full of anticipation, alas I never married but at least I got to keep all the goodies mum bought me 🙂
Hi Glenda! That brush is simply gorgeous. What a treasure.
Hi Misky, it is a gem and very popular.
Glenda, so many wonderful things in your kitchen this month. I was particularly taken by that tile, it’s simply gorgeous! And those European graters are so cute – I have never seen them. And that proving basket brush – the BEST present ever. You lucky thing x
Hi Ania. That brush sure is popular.
What an exciting month! So many gorgeous new finds. I love the Hebron glass plate, it is gorgeous. I can only hope to have tomatoes that late in the season, I just planted more seeds in the hopes of getting late bloomers.
Hi Gretchen those tomatoes were rogues in every sense.
Glenda, lovely things in your kitchen and that stick of rock has taken me back. On school trips it was a must buy to bring back as presents for everyone. Yes, brush envy and proving basket envy, I have neither. Love the colors in the special Hebron glass plate your Mum bought. I knew the glory box as” the bottom drawer”, although I never had one. 🙂
Hi Moya, What no glory box? 🙂 Poor darling. I am guessing everyone who has read this post has brush envy – and so they should:)
Oh I am jealous of your brush! Must find one! Glory box – there is a term I haven’t heard in a long time. My mum bought hers with her from Italy, it is still sitting in her attic. Great IMK this month.
PS I have a recipe that uses fleur de sel – some caramel fudge.
Thanks Josephine. I wonder whether young women still have them. I love that brush 🙂 You know, salted caramel just doesn’t appeal. In my mind salt and sugar just don’t go.
The brush is on Amazon! Going to get one!
Fabulous
Glenda, you always have so many wonderful things in your kitchen every month. We also had a glory box or trousseau or a bottom draw as we called it. Would love to start a new one with a few things that need replacing in our home. 🙂
I am so pleased your kitty mould arrived. I always worry posting things internationally. Enjoy using it. I am looking forward to seeing your kitty inspired soaps.
Have a wonderful week ahead.
🙂 Mandy xo
Mandy, thanks again for the mould.
Your blog post made me SQUEAL with delight Glenda and you had me at the Hebron glass plate! I do hope the industry continues as would sad to loose this tremendous learned art! I loved the cookie stampers …well, your post was so warm and welcoming today! Thanks for this month’s kitchen view too!
Thanks Joanne
Glenda, your beautiful Hebron plate looks like an impressionist painting of your header photo! What a wonderful story behind it, too — hadn’t heard the term glory box — loved reading about your Mum ‘n’ you, xo. When I looked at your ravioli cutters I thought they were “shoe buckles” at first! (Guess you can tell how old I am, ha!) Those graters are cute and colorful as can be, too.
Hi Kim, Mothers used to buy their daughters nice things before they were married so when they got married they already had some things for their house.
Here they collected things in “cedar chests” — a beautiful cedar-lined “trunk” of sorts — my Mom still has hers! Thanks again, Glenda.
Your glass plate is divine. And I NEED a bread proofing basket cleaning brush STAT.
Jenifer, everyone wants my brush It is so cute.
What wonderful presents. Both you and your friends & family have good taste, in the company you keep, goodies and food. I love salts, and pussy cats 🙂
Thanks Ella, my mate Colette and my sisters are the best.
Bread proving basket cleaner…I want one! How cool 🙂
Hi Carol, I am afraid that brush is taken. 🙂
Well I have tea towel envy! My bichon Monty, is exactly as described, a very handsome older gentleman, he’s currently snuggled against me. Can you taste a difference between the salts? Thanks for the peak into your kitchen
Hi Sandra, I haven’t opened the French salt yet so I don’t know whether it tastes different. My babies-all three-are more beautiful than described 🙂
You have scored rather well this month Glenda!! Pass the salt, yes the good one please. And the tile is rather lovely too. It is amazing to think that you have just pulled the pumpkins and also found some ripe tomatoes in July- just goes to show how different our seasons are.
Hi Francesca It is pretty cold here. I think it just goes to show how tough cherry tomatoes are. I scored amazingly well this month.
I don’t know where to start! So many lovely items and you obviously chose your friends wisely too. I have to say though the proving basket brush is my favourite – I’ve never seen anything like that before. Lucky you 🙂
Nancy, I knew all the bakers out there would have scrubbing brush envy. I would if I saw it on someone else’s post 🙂
Hi Glenda… greetings from Budapest… lovely things in your kitchen this month, as always… and I adore your photographs. xx
Hi Liz I hope you are enjoying your time in Budapest. Thanks.