Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Look at what I found in the cupboard above the fridge!!

How in God's name did I not know I had these!!

Look at what I found in the cupboard above the fridge. The three bowls on the right were nested in the cupboard. I needed to make room for a canning jar of Kombucha.
First the backstory. I used to have a set of Gripstand bowls. They were accidentally given away during a move, oh about 34 years ago. Gripstand bowls were made by a company called TG Green. I LOVED them. My mom had one and I just loved using it. I learned to cook using that bowl. I grew up, bought two for myself and you know what happened to them. See above.

I bought myself another one about the size of my mother's about 30 years ago. My husband accidentally dropped something into it and broke it. At that time I just couldn't afford another. So I bought a knockoff. It developed a lot of fine cracks so it needed replaced. So after last thanksgiving I went on the hunt. Turns out, sadly, they aren't made anymore. ARGGGGHHHHH. I went online and looked for TG Green Gripstand bowls. There are some on eBay, but OMG they're crazy. One in mint condition is about 100.00. I looked everywhere for a knockoff...there just aren't any. So I started researching. I read about Mason Cash bowls. Amazing bowls but they don't have my beloved gripstand feature. {update: Mason Cash now makes a Gripstand Bowl. You can get it in Canada at Lee Valley} So I went to my favorite kitchen store in the world!! Muffet and Louisa in Sidney BC. I bought myself two Mason Cash bowls. One large, one smaller.
That brings us to today. I had to make room in the cupboard above the fridge for the Kombucha. I opened the door. I actually let out an "OH MY GOD", so loud my husband asked if I was okay. There were three very neatly nested gripstand bowls. The smallest is an actual TG Green. The other two are Cloverleaf. I've done a bit of research and I think Cloverleaf is the same company as TG Green. I'm in nirvana.
So I have one TG Green, two Mason Cash and two Cloverleaf Pottery/TG Green. Okay, confession time. I also have two vintage Pyrex bowls. A yellow and a green from the 50's, and of course my 35 year old Tupperware mixing bowls. Can you say 'overkill'?
Vintage Pyrex
Well, as I said to my husband tonight. I definitely have enough bowls to last me the rest of my life.
Mason Cash and Tupperware
As people who follow my blog know, I am suddenly on a decluttering and de-pack-ratting my house. I am spending hours a day doing it. I cannot believe what a gift these bowls are. I wonder how many other little treasures have been squirreled away that I have no memory of.

11 comments:

Mark Willis said...

Just don't be tempted to give them away - or take them to the Recycling point...!

Erin said...

I wouldn't dream of it. I just cannot believe my good luck. Have you ever used these gripstand bowls? They are a dream...and very nostalgic for me. Yup, very good luck indeed.

Jane and Chris said...

I could kick myself, I left a set in the UK when we emigrated thinking I could easily buy more here.WRONG!I have one,and I love it...but it's a smaller one.
Jane x

Joan said...

I have two of those bowls I've had for years. I use them every time I make bread. Love them!

Erin said...

Oh Jane. I'm so sad for you. I know exactly how you feel. And I imagine you know how excited I was to see these in the cupboard. I still have no idea where they came from. I am thinking of them as a gift from the universe!!

Erin said...

They are absolutely the BEST bread bowls in the world. And nope, I'm not exaggerating am I?

Anonymous said...

Can you return the Mason bowls? My Dad saw on the news in the last month or so that Pyrex is going to start making measuring cups in plastic. I immediately bought two glass measuring cups because I don't want PLASTIC! They suspect that it monkeys with our estrogen and causes cancer.

Erin said...

Thank you for the heads up. I, as well, will go buy more glass measuring cups. I won't use plastic. I think if they discontinue glass they will be disappointed with sales. I hope at least they offer both.

Erin said...

I can't return them. I've used them. Darn.

Gardeningbren said...

Well I had to get up and look in my cupboard to see if that was what I had...sadly, no! Mine's a knock off, made in Canada. But, I loved reading your story and finding out about this ceramic ware. Will keep my eyes open for a piece.

Erin said...

Brenda! HI! I loved my knock off a lot and it served me well for years. Wish you great luck in the bowl search. I am going to start haunting our many thrift shops for old Fire King Jadite. My grandma had the mugs and they are totally nostalgic and make me feel warm and fuzzy.