First of all, Thank You! to everyone who shared the blog last week – there was a record number of hits. Keep sharing and Thank You again!
I have come to the realization that I am obsessed with anything that is made from reused/recycled flatware, utensils or silverware! And they keep popping up at me, everywhere I turn. It’s kinda like the shopping gods WANT me to find these things! I have no idea WHY, but I think I can remember when it started. Years ago while living in Maine, Friend Beth and I went to a craft fair and I was tickled by these wind chimes. I had to have them. At the time it was a major expense for me, but I splurged and bought them anyway. They have since tarnished and I leave them that way on purpose.
Flash forward several years. A few years ago Friend Dani and I went to an outdoor art fair and I had this keychain custom made. I had the artist (I have woefully forgotten the name) make them for my sales team members that were attending a conference with me. It was homage to “Rock On” – a phrase I use far too frequently.
For Mother’s Day John gave me a “spoon ring”. You older readers are well acquainted with these small affectations that are a throwback to the 70’s. I think everyone had at least one back then. For those of you NOT in the know, a “spoon ring” is the decorative handle of the spoon cut away from the bowl of the spoon and turned into a circle for your finger. I thought it was really cute of him to give me that considering my blog title and Twitter handle.
Now, everywhere I turn I am confronted by artwork, tools, clocks and jewelry made from flatware, utensils and silverware. Is someone trying to tell me something? My fave is the octopus necklace below. How cool is that?!
Available here 
I am thinking I need this! Get it here.
John already bought me this bracelet. Purchase here
And how interesting would THIS be on your desk? Shop here
It leaves me wondering who used these tools for their original purpose? How did someone come up with the idea to make use of them in a new way? What would have happened to them if they weren’t reused/recycled? (Moment of Truth – I am not the least bit crafty, in fact I am decoratively impaired and I don’t even accessorize well, but I appreciate and admire crafters and their work.) I am now enthralled with the idea of recycled art and reuses for things. For some time now I have been reusing interesting “craft beer” bottles to hold my olive and grapeseed oil in my kitchen (I just put a re-sealable wine decanter top on them for pouring). That’s about as crafty as I get.
Think about your kitchen. What do you recycle? Do you compost? Are you cleverly reusing something in a way not originally intended? Great! Be sure to comment and share your stories. I love to hear them.
Food Memories this week include making soup for Friend Laurie in my new Blendtec blender, a lovely Ancho Chile and Cider glazed pork loin and a fantastic shrimp boil for Father’s Day with some of our dearest friends.
Changes are coming to this blog – pretty soon I will start sharing recipes I find from different sources that are fantastic, or recipes that I develop. Also, take the time to visit our sponsors if you are so moved.
Until next week, go out and make your OWN Food memories!
Public Service Announcement – Since 1988 I have been using canvas grocery sacks. I began actively recycling in 1992. I had to rinse, scrape labels off and drive the recyclables to the center and I continue to make attempts to reduce my carbon footprint. Take a stand and if you haven’t already started using your own reusable bags at the store, try it! They are stronger, last longer and you won’t have so many of the little plastic bags floating around your house. It’s a little change that can make a big difference down the line. If this isn’t your thing – try something else to reduce – reuse – or recycle!
