Confessions from My Kitchen

Before I show you this, I want to tell you that I have potholders that are new-ish. I also have the capability of making as many potholders for myself as I could ever want. Still, in my potholder drawer, there is this...

Yes, I still use my Strawberry Shortcake Potholder. Most of the time I just grab it, thinking nothing of it. This week, however, I really looked at it. I'm thinking it is starting to show some wear and tear. What do you think? Well, I guess that is to be expected. I've owned this particular potholder for 37 years. No, that is not an error. I did say 37 years.

When I was 18 years old, I packed up my car in Turner, Montana and drove to Moorhead, MN...all in one day and all by myself. Mike, who was then just my boyfriend, was already in Moorhead, MN going to college. I went out there and moved into my first apartment. I actually moved in that same night, after driving 15+ hours. Aaaaah, youth! Not long after that, I found a job and a roommate. It was my first real venture into the grown-up world. What better way to start my grown-up life than with a Strawberry Shortcake Potholder?

That day that I left my family in Montana I made my first stop in Malta, MT. I believe it was around 6:30 a.m. when I arrived in Malta. I was going to say "good-bye" to two of my friends from high school, Karla and Valerie. They were sharing an apartment there and I remember thinking their place was pretty cool. Anyway, they were up and waiting for me. I don't remember much about that visit. I'm sure it was pretty short as I had a long way yet to go that day. I DO remember that they gave me a gift for my new apartment in Minnesota. Yep, it was a Strawberry Shortcake Potholder, along with a matching towel and dishcloth. It was sweet.

Now do you get it? That silly potholder reminds me of two sweet friends as well as the day I struck out on my own. It is a silly thing to save, isn't it? Still, it makes me happy so there you have it.