simple solution: teaching kids to set the table

Question: If the silverware had a fight, who would win?

"Bite" silverware designed by Mark Reigelman.

Each Sunday after church, our married kids and their families (and Annabelle the dog) come over for dinner. It's pretty casual, but we always sit down at the table to eat together. We also have horrible special traditions like making a batch of oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough after dinner, and devouring the entire thing. And Ella always challenges her big brothers to a game of Mario Cart. (And usually wins--seriously. Luckily, they're good sports.) It's a day I look forward to each week because it means I get to see my grandlittles and catch up with my bigs.

Recently Ella has become more interested in helping out with the prep before everyone arrives. I think she believes they'll get here faster if everything is done. So, I've been teaching her to set the table.

About forty-five years ago, my Grandmother Hilfiker taught me a simple little poem to help me remember which side of the plate the knife, spoon, and fork go. It's so simple I've never forgotten it, and still recite it when I set the table. It goes like this:

The silverware had a fight,
The knife and the spoon were right,
so the fork left.

Not super uplifting I know, but I always remember (and now Ella is learning), that the knife and fork go to the right of the plate with the napkin, and the fork goes to the left.

 Answer: The knife and the spoon win!

Speaking of silverware...

I'm in love with stamped silverware. I know it's been around a long time, but I find it classic. I found a delightful little shop on Etsy, Beach House Living, that has the most darling words and phrases stamped on silver. Thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

Spring is on it's way, and I can't wait to start growing lots of basil (for a fabulous brushetta recipe I'll share) and rosemary (just because I love the look of it).

Love the cursive stamps used on these.

Special spoons just for ice cream? Oh yes, a must. :)

Just plain sweet. And I love even more that they don't match.

Have a great day!

Post also shared at these fabulous blogs: The 36th Avenue, Somewhat Simple, Six Sister's Stuff