Sunday, November 4, 2007

Jade. Salt. Pepper. Flavoring food and a reminder of Ojai Grandma.

My grandmother on my mother's side was quite the world traveler, it wasn't uncommon to be getting postcards from Thailand, Germany, or the Arctic from her. Her home was a literal museum of maps carved from ivory, abalone jewelry, paintings from the Middle East, and books from antique book shops from who knows what corner of Europe.

She was one of the first American's let into China in order to explore it after it had securely cut out Americans for nearly 60 years. She was able to see a country that had not prepared itself for the tourist droves that grow larger with every passing year.

There she found a small jade bowl. A trinket that sat on a display shelf for years. Eventually it passed down to me where I kept it on a display shelf for years myself in my bedroom where no one ever really saw it.

Finally though, I've given it use and a place where it can display itself. I keep it in the kitchen.
It contains a good amount of kosher salt mixed with ground Tasmanian pepper and pink pepper. The earthy, pungent flavor of the Tasmanian pepper, and the subtle fruitiness of the pink pepper give a nice balance of flavor. So any dish that needs just a quick pinch of salt and pepper, I just pop the lid off the jar and grab what I need, without fussing into the cabinets.

Beautiful, practical, and a wonderful and constant reminder of my Ojai Grandma - A woman who explored the world, made me fresh orange juice and Lucky Charms in the morning, and was a beautiful, stubborn, loving person who loved her toast burnt to a crisp.

17 comments:

  1. I loved reading about your grandmother and the fact that she burnt her toast!

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  2. That's a terrific way to remember a great grandma and use one of those knick knacks that don't really have any other use than to look pretty.

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  3. It's beautiful! Your story just inspired me to use some of my family's gorgeous china for my spices. Thanks! I love grandma and grandpa stories...

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  4. what an amazing way to honor both of your passions.

    I love these tidbits of you:)

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  5. your grandmother would love what your doing with her momentos

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  6. I use one of my Grandmama's glass chicken jars for salt next to my stove as well. Since she's passed I've put her things all around so she is always near.

    Your Jade container is beautiful!

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  7. What a great way to put a lovely heirloom to use.

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  8. What a beautiful way to remember her.

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  9. Beautiful story. Loved it. Thank you for sharing.

    My Grandma Florence passed away when I was pretty little - so I wasn't given any of the heirlooms I'd so value now. However, at a recent engagement celebration dinner, my Aunt gave me a candy dish to commemorate the occasion - it was my Grandmothers. I was SO excited to have a family heirloom!! I put it on display that night!! :D

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  10. how beautiful!!!
    you're very lucky to get it.
    :-*

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  11. I also had an exotic Ojai Grandma ! She passed away at the age of 96 this March, but she added so much to my life. She always set an amazing table, and brought back tremendous gifts from around the world. I feel you !

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  12. I really enjoyed this post. It's a lovely container.

    I adore using my Grandmother's dishes, as well as other odds and ends I have collected at thrift or estate sales. I firmly believe that "precious" objects should be used and enjoyed rather than locked away in a cabinet.

    Thanks for sharing this one.

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  13. What an outrageously great idea! Sounds like your grandmother was quite a woman!

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  14. I love that container! I am using a container on my counter to keep my dried hot peppers and some garlic, but I am running out of counter space - I will keep my eye out for a jade container, though!

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  15. that's a beautiful and unusual piece, and a wonderful way to commemorate your grandmother.

    (hi, i'm new... i've been blogroll hopping because i'm living in a dorm with no oven so the only baking satisfaction i get is voyeuristic :p anyway, i've read a bunch of your back entries, and i think you're hilarious... and i'm planning to pelt my friends with your cupcake recipes when i get home)

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  16. At first I thought it was filled with cooked rice! :) A blend of exotic spices is just as nice.

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  17. I love this. The bowl is beautiful and I love using beautiful things for practical purposes. Won't you consider entering thsi post in our Apples & Thyme event?

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~Garrett