Look Back with Love

Nostalgia breaks across your mind like a vibrant sunrise or pops up out of the blue like a jack-in-the-box.  That warm glow of remembrance, tinged with bittersweet longing, is a powerful force. In joy and sorrow, we seek nostalgia’s comfort in childhood toys, beloved films, and cherished recipes. Nostalgia rejuvenates, amplifying joy and offering solace from stress.

For me, hot summer days send me back to my family home in rural Texas.  I hear the slap of the screen door and feel cool linoleum under my bare feet.  There were always cold glass bottles of pop in the refrigerator and, if I was lucky, a piece of ice box pie.  We spread a plentiful supper in the prized Corning cookware and we’d crowd around the table for cold milk and hot biscuits, pickles from Mom’s pantry and veggies from Dad’s garden.
These sweet memories shape the traditions I share with my children. Dinners are the gateway from one day to the next, a landmark where we lay down the frustrations of today and lift our hopes for days to come, sharing our “roses and thorns” over a delicious meal on plates and platters that hold a hundred stories.  Those plates are an integral part of the ritual, from the setting of the table to passing the peas.  Sometimes, the most important conversations I have with my kids happen as we load the dishwasher and stack the china away for the night.  

I am proud to share this legacy. Gathering around the table strengthens our bond, improves our well-being, and supports our children's success. They will carry these cherished memories forward, a source of love and strength. Their nostalgia will ensure our traditions endure, vibrant and alive.  Explore our Summer Lookbook for inspiration.

Julie