More than a coffee cup...

[NutmegCarrera]

So I had my coffee today in a cup that previously lived at my grandmother's house. This is the one thing that I wanted out of her estate after she passed away a little less than a year ago. She was 101, and lived well.
Immigrated from Switzerland when she was 7 (the age my daughter is now), and worked for her citizenship when she was in her early 20's. She came into the country through Ellis Island.

Settled (with her family) in New Glarus, WI (which is a largely Swiss community), and worked in her father's cheese factory. She left when she was a young lady, and worked as a maid and cook for a couple of doctors and political figures in Madison, WI.

Married my grandfather, and together they ran a small country store. She had her five children all in the house attached to that store. Both the house and store have been gone since the early 1980's.

She was widowed in the mid 1980's. Lived alone in an old farm house ever since.

Back to the coffee cup.

From the time I was a little boy, I remember this coffee cup in it's service. People would come to visit, and always were greeted with coffee, cookies or cake or whatever she had made that day. There was always something fresh and tasty. There were always people there visiting. They came to see her flowers, or the garden, or just to visit. Many evenings were spent visiting there with my folks, and lots of times, others were there too.

There was always coffee. Generally, it was Folger's - and it wasn't all that strong.
And she always gave her guests a mug like this one. There were probaly four of them, maybe six.

So, probably the one biggest memory that I have from my grandmother is the fact that there were always people around. They always gathered together to have coffee, and almost everyone drank from one of these cups.

For her 100th birthday, the kids held a party. I think we counted over 300 people in attendance. Remember, she was 100 - so some of her group of friends were no longer around. 300 people! I don't think I know that many myself.

Anyhow, I was drinking from that cup today.

[stomachmonkey]

Have omi's bowl, only thing I eat soup out of. Any other use or use by others is strictly verboten.

Have the other grandmas cast iron skillet. Use by other than myself is also forbidden.

Both of mine made it just shy of 100.

[Hugh R]

Nice, but no pic?

[rouxroux]

Great story...your coffee will always taste better from that cup.

[NutmegCarrera]

It really is prettier than it looks like. In addition to the cool Orange color, it is iridescent.

[Gogar]

Cool story!

My Gramm used to make me Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in this pot, so I understand where you're coming from. Happy (Grand)mother's day.