I am comparatively late in posting my Sepia Saturday entry this week and this means that I am posting this after reading many of the other entries that were prompted by the theme picture of the kitchens at Windsor Castle. Two things stand out. The first is that unless we happen to be of the royal blood, few of us have very old photographs of kitchens. Before the coming of flash photography and fast film, photography and dark indoor kitchens inhabited different worlds. The second common feature of so many posts is that they feature our mothers and our grandmothers, proudly posing in what was their domain. It didn't have to be Windsor Castle : just a few cupboards and a cherished pan or two. It was the place where the family came together, where news was exchanged, plans were made, jokes were shared. In the main, it was a happy room.
Here is my mother, Gladys, in her happy room. The stainless steel taps were the height of fashion and the tea-cozy was hand-made. If I could open those cupboard doors I could probably give you a full inventory of everything they contained. Somehow, I suspect that King Edward VII didn't have similar memories of the kitchens at Windsor Castle.
Take a tour of the other kitchens that are featured on Sepia Saturday this week by following the links on the Sepia Saturday Blog,
A lovely, happy picture of your mum, Alan. And if the clock is right (I can't imagine it wouldn't have been) it was taken mid-afternoon, with the sun straining to get past those fabulous blinds.
ReplyDeleteWhat A Bright Happy Kitchen!Gladys has the posture of a Ship's Captain on the Bridge, or a Pilot in her cockpit!
ReplyDeleteA cheerful kitchen, I'd say. I'd love to be there and enjoy a cup of tea and maybe a piece of cake or a cookie. I love that apron -- I could use one like that!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about it, but photographs of the kitchen are scarce. All of our family photos seem to have been taken outdoors.
ReplyDeleteHello Alan:
ReplyDeleteIn the kitchen or out of the kitchen, this is a wonderfully happy image to have of your mother and one we are certain which you cherish.
I think I shall have totake some kitchen photos. I remeber when all the ladies in our street, except the school teachers, wore aprons like Gladys.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a happy photo. Makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat and tidy kitchen; no wonder Gladys is looking so happy - and proud of her shiny taps and tea cosy!
ReplyDeleteOh this made me smile (!)
ReplyDeleteAlan, what a charming kitchen and such a lovely happy mum you have shared with us (she and it (cozy homey kitchen) surpasses any royal kitchen) ....so very delightful!
ReplyDeleteThis photo is like the epitome of the good happy mother and even the kitchen here sums up good times. Your mother looks to have been a lovely woman Alan! Thanks so much for sharing this. You make me want to run find a photo of my own mom to put up. :)
ReplyDeleteAlan, this is a precious picture of your Mom, and you are right about the kitchen being so important. My Mom used to have a "liquid embroidery" picture hanging up in her kitchen that she made, that said, "No Matter Where I Serve My Guests, They Seem To Like The Kitchen Best.
ReplyDeleteKathy M.
A lovely jug of roses in the corner!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Gladys baked some wonderful dishes in that nice bright kitchen. What a nice photo that I'm sure you treasure because of those memories.
ReplyDeleteNancy
You and your Mom (Mum?)have the exact same smile. I love her tea cozy and her nice clean kitchen. And her happy face!
ReplyDeleteBarbara
Your mother had a very homey kitchen. I am in an apron myself as I type this at my laptop making bread, and dessert for Mother's Day dinner at my brother's tomorrow. Happy Mother's Day to all! Rosie.
ReplyDeleteEdward VII probably couldn't find the kitchens
ReplyDeleteExcellent Post!
ReplyDeleteThat is such a lovely picture :o)
ReplyDeleteYour mother does look very happy. The lighting in the picture looks very nice.
ReplyDeleteQuite right. It's a corner of domestic life that tends not to get photographed. I remember taps like that. In fact my first thought was Sepia Saturday? It doesn't look that old to me... Hang on, that's because I've been around over half a century...
ReplyDeleteI find these everyday life pictures very interesting. I look at all details which tell the story of the era. Also this being England allows me to compare what we had here at that time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely picture of your mom. Her kitchen looks cozy and inviting. Imagine she spent many hours in the kitchen cooking up all sorts of delicious food.
ReplyDeleteThe shutter snapped at just the right moment! A beautiful choice for the the theme.
ReplyDeleteOh my, that looks like a tea cozy that belonged to my Scottish grandparents. I never have a use for it not being a tea drinker. I have thought of using it to keep a pot of cocoa warm, but I drink it too fast. I do remember how particular my grandmother was about her tea was prepared. She was not amused when my parakeet landed on the edge of her cup and stirred it with his tail.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine Edward VII's cook looking so happy either.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who she was smiling at? I am never that happy in my kitchen ..therefore your Mother must have loved cooking! :)
ReplyDeleteOh Alan that is a nice happy picture. The atmosphere reminds me of my grandma's when I was young - and isn't it strange that nobody wears a pinny any more. They are such useful garments!
ReplyDeleteA lovely photograph and they do say in real estate to invest in the kitchen. Indeed, why bother with a diningroom or a livingroom when we all know people will gladly gather up in the kitchen. The best gossip happens there!! Your mom looks a bit like she's about to say "Have you heard the latest about so-amnd-so?"...
ReplyDelete;)~
HUGZ