Today's Menu

Every day when the kids get home from school it's the same old thing; "What's for dinner, Mama?". Sometimes they each ask it multiple times. Haven't they figured out by now that I don't think that far ahead? Ask me at 5:30 when I've got my head stuck in the freezer trying to find the answer to that question.

In an effort to make life easier for all of us, I've tried to start planning my meals a little earlier in the day and writing the menu on my ironstone plate with a dry erase marker. Actually, that's a little misleading...I'd like to say that I do this all the time and no more last minute desperation dinners. In reality, I write it on the plate when I happen to have it planned out ahead of time.

So, that's my little tidbit for the day, in case you didn't know. You can write on china with a dry erase marker and it wipes right off. You probably knew.

And that ironstone? A month ago I stumbled upon a whole set of it at Goodwill. I got 8 dinner plates, 13 salad/dessert plates, 12 bowls, this large platter (they call it a chop plate) and the cream and sugar set for about $45. I hemmed and hawed. I didn't really need it, and I couldn't find out much info on this particular pattern online, other than the basics.

It's called Federalist Ironstone, made in Japan, pattern is Harmony House #4238. It may have come from Sears, and according to Replacements is circa 1968. There seemed to be quite a lot of it available online, but it didn't appear to be in great demand. That was the kicker; if it was selling on ebay for $$$, I would've kept it (there are listings, but no bids).

I returned it all, except for the chop plate and the cream/sugar. At the time I just didn't feel like I could justify spending that much on something I didn't need. I fully expect to find out someday that this pattern is highly collectible and worth ten times what I paid.

And if you know that it is, please don't tell me.