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    Memories from Our Mother's Kitchen

    April 24, 2021 by Debbie Leave a Comment

    This Gr8 Dinner, Memories from Our Mother's Kitchen, honored our mothers and the menu was all dishes that we ate as children.

    In honor of Mother's Day, we are reprinting the Where Women Cook article from Debbie's Mother's Day Gr8 Dinner Theme in May of 2014.

    “Aromas bring us back to our days around the table.” When I realized that the date I was hosting that year was the night before Mother’s Day, my husband and I knew that we wanted to honor our mothers.

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen Gr8 Dinner counter decorations, a variety of vintage kitchen gadgets and flowers.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Our lives are so busy and complicated that gathering around a dinner table is not the common occurrence it used to be.

    Great 8 Gather around the dining table.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Mom’s kitchen was always all about the laughter, the conversation, and the delicious smells.

    The 8 of us have raised our kids together and become like family, so it was natural to want to share and re-create our childhood memories through food.

    Debbie's Mom's Brisket being served out of the roasting pan.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    I started with remembering the gadgets my mom and granny had used around the kitchen. Then I thought about my favorite meal, my mom’s brisket and fried corn. 

    So the theme came together easily, a vintage vibe with each of our mom’s best recipes. 

    Table centerpiece, white gerberas in vases, vintage metal cheese graters used as votives to cover candles.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    The Invitations

    Working in the art room at Sizzix and having a passion for custom invitations, I knew what the look should be.

    The next step was the invitation. Sizzix had just released their new 50’s line which included the lady with the apron die-cut. I found the vintage aprons and the flour canisters, and from there all the pieces fell into place.

    The size of the invitation doesn’t matter because the invitations are not mailed. They are always hand delivered and, remember, there are only three.

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen invitation.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    The invitation is the most important part of the dinner party because no one knows the theme or their assigned dish until they open their front door to find the uniquely created invitation.

    The Menu

    The main course, which the hostess always makes, would be the brisket and I had to include the fried corn.

    Each couple was assigned a course and it could be from either of their mothers.  Jurga brought her mother-in-law’s Spiced Salad, Anna was charged with the green vegetable, and Kyle brought dessert.

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen dinner, woman holding a white plate containing Brisket and Fried Corn and broccoli rabe.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Since Anna’s mom’s favorite green vegetable to make was a can of green beans (French style), she decided the better choice would be her Italian mother-in-law’s Broccoli Rabe. 

    Kyle couldn’t decide so she brought TWO desserts, her mother’s Never Fails Chocolate Cake and her mother-in-law’s Blueberry Bread Pudding…yummy!

    Memories from our Mothers Kitchen vintage decor
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    The Decorations

    As the date drew near, the decoration planning began. This was easy because the theme was basically the kitchen. 

    Between my own kitchen and my friend’s vintage collection, I had enough to decorate the appetizer table, the kitchen island and the dining table.

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen Appetizer Table.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Where should everything go? What will the place cards look like?  How can I incorporate the Bundt pan and colander into the design?

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen Dining Table set with vintage red and white flowered tablecloth. A vintage metal cake carrier is the centerpiece.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Where should I put the fresh flowers? In the bowl of the Kitchen Aid mixer! My old cookbooks are perfect, will they work in the centerpiece?

    The week before the dinner is when the pressure is on; the time-line, grocery list, shopping and all the prep…oh and making sure the house is clean!

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen place cards are a mini grater with blue tag with names.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    The hostess has the most work, but you only host once a year and the other couples bring a dish, so much of the load is lightened.

    As the day of the dinner party dawns I awake with lists of “things to do” going through my mind.

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen Island decor, vintage kitchen ware and a Better Home red and white cookbook.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    The day is a whirlwind and before I know it the doorbell rings and our best friends have arrived with delicious smelling dishes, beautifully wrapped hostess gifts, and wonderful hugs and greetings.

    We welcome them with one of Phil’s signature cocktails, the Ginger Mojito, and yet another Gr8 evening begins.

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen 4 ladies toasting.
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    As we celebrated the moms in our lives and our childhood favorite dishes, we enjoyed having Martha Schuster, of Modern Mayhem Photography, capturing these amazing shots for Stampington & Company and Where Women Cook magazine. Thank you Martha!

    Gr8 Tip: For decorations go shopping in your own home and borrow from friends. You’ll be amazed at what you can put together.

    As printed in the Fall 2014 issue of Where Women Cook magazine.

    ~ Recipes ~

    Phil's Ginger Mojitos

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen Mojito
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Fresh Tomato Bruschetta

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen Tomato Bruschetta
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Prosciutto and Melon

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen prosciutto and melon
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Spiced Salad

    Memories from our Mothers Kitchen spiced salad
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Brisket and Fried Corn

    Memories from our Mother's Kitchen Gr8 Dinner Brisket and Fried Corn
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Broccoli Rabe

    Memories from our mother's kitchen broccoli rabe
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    Blueberry Bread Pudding

    Memories from our mother's kitchen blueberry bread pudding
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography

    AND

    Never Fails Chocolate Cake

    Memories from our mothers kitchen chocolate cake
    Photo: Martha Schuster/ i see the moon photography
    « Fresh Homemade Lemonade Recipe
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