things: old trays

Using Things: i use old kitchen things.  some of it is cool. some of it is just old. people sometimes give me funny looks.

my house was the ‘family cabin’ for 20+ years before i existed. i have seen many of the things in my entire life.  some things get a lot of use during patio extravaganzas – one of these things is trays.

kitchen counter loaded with prepped trays: dinnerware. condiments. bar glasses, ice bucket and garnishes. coffee and dessert settings. bbq items. so on.

here are my trays (bad props added to show scale):

1. Stoyke BBQ Tray – One of seven tray styles  designed by Marcelline Stoyke of Illinois  in the 1950s.  check out the comments from some of the artists relatives on JJGrerrley’s 2009 blog post about these trays . cool. anyway. 19 inches across. this baby is solid and fits a ton. Ebay: $20. To me: priceless.

2. Marshallan TV Tray – this one hangs over my stove.  it’s a small tv tray with short fold out legs for over ones lap. pull it down for larger buffet style parties. put plates on tray, with utensils or some such thing underneath. tray says MarshAllan MTG Co 1969. here’s a bit about the gent owned the company on Cleveland Seniors. hello sugar daddy! (talking about the old black and white pic where he looks the ripe ol age of 45, not now…. trust me, i’m not that shallow)

3. Football Tray – usually ends up being a bar tray because of its size.  generally men want this and it makes a great conversation piece.

test of the day: i blocked the team name. any guesses what this is all about?

4. Fake Wood Tray – just a great tray for bar stuff.

5. Red Glittery Tray – like that it has handles. gets covered with a cloth towel (wouldn’t wanna ruin the glitter) and makes perfect tray for dessert and coffee stuff. its made out of some sort of pressed wood board.  certain the toxic glue of the day has off-gassed by now.

6. Top of Old TV Tray – sits in the mix, just in case. last and least often used.  not very solid to carry heavy items. this must have been wobbly on its metal legs. imagine precariously trying to cut swansons salisbury steaks. i guess the shag carpet would help keep it a bit more stable

and there we have it.  every serving tray that i  own.