In Joann's words:
Pine Hollow Drive for me was a place of unconditional love, learning, and fabulous food. It was picking currants for jam, watching cherries turn into pie, and being allowed to have a makeshift farm stand on the sidewalk in front of the house. Julia and Roland were my great aunt and uncle---Julia, my grandmother’s sister. However, my grandmother passed when I was 10, so Julia, Ami as I affectionately called her, was my senior role model. A superb seamstress, a culinary genius, and a whiz at Jeopardy, Ami taught me things I carry with me through life. They were beautifully simple gifts….but the art of making me feel so special was crafted from her hands and her heart. I could write a book about the both of them and their impact on my soul, but for now, I will tell you that these lovely folks who lived on Pine Hollow Drive fueled a passion in me for giving my guests the royal treatment every single time. “Treat your family like guests and your guests like family.” I wasn’t armed with a cell phone or even a camera back then, so my vivid memories of her talents will have to be described in the best way I know how...words and stories. From her perfect lemon meringue pie to her Sunday roast, everything was served with a heaping side of love.
Pine Hollow Drive for me was a place of unconditional love, learning, and fabulous food. It was picking currants for jam, watching cherries turn into pie, and being allowed to have a makeshift farm stand on the sidewalk in front of the house. Julia and Roland were my great aunt and uncle---Julia, my grandmother’s sister. However, my grandmother passed when I was 10, so Julia, Ami as I affectionately called her, was my senior role model. A superb seamstress, a culinary genius, and a whiz at Jeopardy, Ami taught me things I carry with me through life. They were beautifully simple gifts….but the art of making me feel so special was crafted from her hands and her heart. I could write a book about the both of them and their impact on my soul, but for now, I will tell you that these lovely folks who lived on Pine Hollow Drive fueled a passion in me for giving my guests the royal treatment every single time. “Treat your family like guests and your guests like family.” I wasn’t armed with a cell phone or even a camera back then, so my vivid memories of her talents will have to be described in the best way I know how...words and stories. From her perfect lemon meringue pie to her Sunday roast, everything was served with a heaping side of love.
Ami’s Table: Ami’s everyday dishes mostly came from the grocery store: Churchill Blue Willow. Paper napkins were on the table in a cute little holder; so was the salt and pepper. The sides of the kitchen table dropped down, and I’d crawl under the table, lift up the leaf and slide out the wood bar to secure it so I could sit at the table with them for dinner. For certain occasions, we’d eat in the living room. Somehow, a magical table appeared from the basement, and Ami transformed that table into an elegant feast. Delicate china, cloth napkins, depression glass for water, silverware that had been polished for the occasion, and flowers, always flowers. Sometimes the damask tablecloth was so crisp it had a sheen that picked up the glimmer from the candles. Other times, lace adorned the table, but always with a damask tablecloth underneath it. I was taught to put my napkin on my lap, keep my elbows off the table, and say please and thank you for everything I ate. There were always extras of everything, especially mashed potatoes, my very favorite. I wish I had photographs of the table, the kind of china, and the placement of everything, but it made a lasting impression on me…and these celebrations were very, very special.
The Kitchen: Where the Magic Happened
Ami’s kitchen cabinets were small and metal, her kitchen so tiny that two people could not stand at the sink, even though I tried to be right next to her all the time she was in the kitchen. I can still hear the silverware being tossed into its slot in the drawer. I adore kitchen sounds…dishes coming out of cupboards, silverware gathered to be placed on the table, something sizzling on the stove. It was my music while I watched her move about. The refrigerator was small and rounded at the top. One could always find ginger ale and maraschino cherries. The pantry was filled with kitty food, canned corn, oatmeal and flour. Extra bottles of ginger ale were on the floor in there, too, just so we’d never run out. Ginger ale is for everything! Having a celebration? Pour some ginger ale! Upset stomach? Have some ginger ale! There was also a little spot where some brandy was tucked away. Ami used it in apple pie and lit it for some dessert she made with cherries. I also saw her take a tablespoon of it, like medicine. She put a little on a spoon and let me taste it. That was enough for me! There was a place on one shelf for Juicy Fruit and Blackjack gum, sugar, and shredded coconut. There were boxes of raisins, prunes, and cans of coffee. She could make anything from whatever was in that kitchen.
Her tools weren’t fancy; her pans were cast iron. Her stove was always splashed with bacon splatter and vegetable oil. There was no point in cleaning it. By the time dishes were done for one meal, she’d be getting out the mixing bowls for the next meal. She sifted her flour twice in a metal sifter. I loved sifting the flour. She grated her onions by hand. No Cuisinart; no blenders. But the meals that came from that kitchen were spectacular, and the presentation was its match.
Ami’s kitchen cabinets were small and metal, her kitchen so tiny that two people could not stand at the sink, even though I tried to be right next to her all the time she was in the kitchen. I can still hear the silverware being tossed into its slot in the drawer. I adore kitchen sounds…dishes coming out of cupboards, silverware gathered to be placed on the table, something sizzling on the stove. It was my music while I watched her move about. The refrigerator was small and rounded at the top. One could always find ginger ale and maraschino cherries. The pantry was filled with kitty food, canned corn, oatmeal and flour. Extra bottles of ginger ale were on the floor in there, too, just so we’d never run out. Ginger ale is for everything! Having a celebration? Pour some ginger ale! Upset stomach? Have some ginger ale! There was also a little spot where some brandy was tucked away. Ami used it in apple pie and lit it for some dessert she made with cherries. I also saw her take a tablespoon of it, like medicine. She put a little on a spoon and let me taste it. That was enough for me! There was a place on one shelf for Juicy Fruit and Blackjack gum, sugar, and shredded coconut. There were boxes of raisins, prunes, and cans of coffee. She could make anything from whatever was in that kitchen.
Her tools weren’t fancy; her pans were cast iron. Her stove was always splashed with bacon splatter and vegetable oil. There was no point in cleaning it. By the time dishes were done for one meal, she’d be getting out the mixing bowls for the next meal. She sifted her flour twice in a metal sifter. I loved sifting the flour. She grated her onions by hand. No Cuisinart; no blenders. But the meals that came from that kitchen were spectacular, and the presentation was its match.
I could go on, but I’ll stop here because there is so much more to tell…so much more inspiration, talent, and magic. Even though Ami didn't have a daughter of her own, she made an incredible imprint on me. My own three daughters are also such inspiration to me and working with them on different levels is so exciting! We compliment each other, critique each other, and are always learning new techniques along the way.
That is what we’ll do for your event…whether an intimate gathering or a more elaborate affair, we listen to your dreams and ideas and then we bring in the magic. We’ve curated lovely china, silver, and serving pieces from all over the world, and we know just how to put it all together in the most magnificent way. If you love vintage, cherished pieces like we do, you’ll know we should meet, have a cup of tea, and share ideas. Cadie and I can't wait to make your event spectacular...and we will!
That is what we’ll do for your event…whether an intimate gathering or a more elaborate affair, we listen to your dreams and ideas and then we bring in the magic. We’ve curated lovely china, silver, and serving pieces from all over the world, and we know just how to put it all together in the most magnificent way. If you love vintage, cherished pieces like we do, you’ll know we should meet, have a cup of tea, and share ideas. Cadie and I can't wait to make your event spectacular...and we will!
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