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Monday, April 9, 2012

Vintage in the Kitchen: Muffin Tin

USA Ekcology Silver Beauty T120-12
This is yard sale vintage. I did not own it 30 years ago. They were well-used before I acquired them and used even more in my kitchen. Actually, my mother might have given me this muffin pan in the late 70s....not sure. But, if so, she found it at a yard sale. 

You can read more about it here, an etsy site. She is selling two for $19.95. I don't remember the price, but I can guarantee you that I did not pay more than $1 for this, possibly less.

The pan is from the familiar Ekco brand. I am beyond impressed with the deep embossed letters on my muffin pan, unlike the stickers we peel off our pans or the slight engraving that we might find, engraving that is so shallow it can wear off easily.

When I use items that are so ancient, well-used, I wonder about the person who acquired the item first, wonder who she was, who were the children that ate the foodstuffs, muffins or cupcakes, in this case. My mind wanders to the loving mother and her bright-eyed children. Sue, I believe, shared the story of an ancient celery crisper that came from the home of a woman she knew well.

By spending $1 or less, I have (1) a quality product, (2) I spent less money, (3), it did not have to be produced, (4) it did not use more natural resources, (5) did not have to be shipped, (6) supported an underground economy. This is all green and frugal, appealing to my parsimony.

Your turn
Have you ever seen this particular pan? Own one? Or, any pan so distinctively marked? Do you ever wonder about former owners of vintage or merely pre-loved kitchen or farm items? Can you share the most nostalgic item you own in your kitchen?  There is bound to be more good stories amongst my readers.

14 comments:

  1. Stephanie, a friend of mine, emailed that she has the identical pan.

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  2. While I don't have this pan, I do have a lot of cookware and other items that belonged to my grandmother. There's just something special about using the same piece of equipment as women generations ago. Like you, I too, wonder about who used it, what she made, what her life was like. My favorite rolling pin is at least as old as the 1950s - I bought it nearly 20 years ago at an antique shop. Every time I use it I feel connected to a different time, a different place...

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  3. Karen,
    Yes, you understand. I have other pieces that belonged to both grandmothers, plus the items from strangers. It is an eerie feeling, putting my hands on someone else's belongings and using them in basically the same way. I wish antiques came with videos. Yes, the connection is there with me. You described the emotions so much better than I. Thanks for the comment.

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  4. Just my cast iron pans, 4 pans and a frying pan, from e-bay about 2 years ago, they were 25 years old then, and still used every day. Never wash them, just a wipe out, no detergent.

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  5. cumbrian,
    And, we know cast iron is just the best ever. Yay, for cast iron.

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  6. Thanks for stopping by my blog - I added the "follow" widget.
    Thanks again!

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  7. My rolling pin and the mortar and pestle belonged to my grandmother. It's all I have from her so they mean something to me obviously. I don't tend to romanticize antique items because I bought a lamp at an estate sale once and as I was walkingto my car with it, a bunch if old ladies started talking loudly, "Oh, remember that lamp? How she loved it so! I remember when she bought it. Etc."

    It felt morbid.lol!

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  8. LindaM,
    The whole idea of an estate sale is morbid with the person's belongings from in the bathroom, under the kitchen sink, dresser drawers, everything, all laid bare right in the home or on the lawn for everyone to gawk at. I really hate it and want to cry when the person is sitting there, watching cherished possessions leave with strangers.

    I love anything antique that suits me aesthetically or practically. Yes, I romanticize.

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  9. However, I will really cherish and love the object from then on. Knowing something was loved makes me love it more.

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  10. Lovely pan and lovely post! For me, it is my grandmother's pastry cutter from probably the 40s or 50s--a wooden handle and half a dozen wires in a half-moon shape. Works perfectly for cutting butter into flour to make pie crust or scones and of course every time I use it I think of her and feel grateful she's still around and turning 91 this month!

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  11. Rochelle,
    Thanks! My mother would be would be 91 this month if she were alive. I miss her, so the things she gave me are especially cherished and used lots. My mother did not have a pastry cutter that I remember. However, she made delicious biscuits and pie crusts without it. I am glad your grandmother is still with you. Thanks for the comment.

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  12. I have an old measuring just that used to be my mothers. Its over 30 years old and looks well used. I took it with me when I went to college and never got round to giving it back! I recently saw the new version of it for sale. It made me laugh in all its shiny newness. I prefer my older version with the story to it!

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  13. emeraldpie,
    What an unusual name! I agree about preferring the older version with the story. Thanks for stopping by and for the comment. I love the sharing of feelngs and stories.

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  14. I stumbled upon this post while searhing for information on that brand of bake ware! I have my grandmother's bread pans, all the Ekcology brand. I love, love, love them, and always feel connected to my grandmother when I am using them. The best bread comes from those pans! I'm sure she'd love to know that her great grandkids eat bread that was baked in her pans. I also have her rolling pin and glass liquid measuring cup... and her pancake pan. Wonderful treasures!

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Okay, hoping the annoyances have gone away.