A Pampered Chef

Yesterday I went to a Pampered Chef party. Growing up my dad never wanted my mom to invite people over and then have them feel obligated to buy something. That may be behind my own reluctance to host such a party. Though I'm less reluctant to attend. In this case, I really wanted to see the hostess since it was a friend I hadn't seen in some time. And I do like their products, even if they are a little pricey.

I usually have a dollar limit in my head going in to these things. Like most consumer events, you end up wanting more than you need. In my case I really did want to replace a spatula or two. I could have purchased the two separately - or in a package, that along with the two spatulas included several other kitchen utensils - for a few dollars more. But I didn't need all the things in the package. In fact several items were duplicates of Pampered Chef products I already have. Other items were tools I use only two-three times a year - like a masher.On those special occasions when I mash potatoes, I really like using the old potato masher I inherited from my grandmother's kitchen 30+ years ago.

Ergonomically incorrect and likely environmentally hazardous with its (presumed lead) painted wooden handle, Grandma's potato masher brings back memories of family Thanksgivings and Sunday dinners. I imagine her turning her own garden-fresh tubers into a fluffy mound of mashed potatoes for a threshing crew. I recall the family dinners we hosted when my aunt (Grandma's daughter) stepped in and did the last-minute potato mashing duty. I'm not ready to give up this piece of history for an updated version - no matter how slick, quick and easy it turns boiled potatoes into mush. Grandma's simple masher still gets the job done - and keeps some history and memories alive. And besides, by now all the paint has flaked off the handle, leaving only a hint of the green it once was. Any adverse effects from lead paint have already occurred and are likely so minimal as to be neglible.

I ended up getting a pizza cutter and some measuring spoons. Mine are old, but they don't have the history of my potato masher. They can be replaced.