Terri Started with Avocado

Something EXTRA June 1978 page 13

WELCOME TO MY

AVOCADO WORLD

By Terri Andersen

 It started with a tea-kettle-a gift from an aunt who knew I had ruined my old kettle by letting the water boil out while I was upstairs ironing. When I first saw the avocado-colored tea kettle, the first thing that went through my mind was something like: “Hm, it’s very nice, but it doesn’t match a thing in my kitchen. Sure wish it was a different color.” In any event, I accepted the gift gracefully and it was just a matter of time before I found a set of avocado mugs that matched it exactly. Then came the avocado dutch oven and saucepan, and my little kettle became an integral part of coordinated kitchen. It would have been fine if I could have left it at that, but thoughtful friends being what they are, the next gifts I got were avocado salt & pepper shakers, avocado-print dishes, and even avocado curtains from a solicitous sister who didn't think my old orange and blue curtains “went with’’ the avocado dish towels and placemats I had somehow acquired along the way. Even my husband contributed to the totalness of the new decor by surprising me with an avocado dishwasher that Christmas. As my kitchen took on the look of a tropical forest, it seemed only natural that the adjoining dining room should take on some of its properties, since dishes and placemats do often wind up on the dining room table too. And what would go best with avocado-print dishes? Why an avocado tablecloth of course (courtesy of a color-coordination-minded bachelor brother), whose girlfriend decided to complement his gift with a centerpiece of an avocado candle encircled in white daisies.)

Now there comes a time in every home's life when it needs a new rug. Why I thought “avocado” when I went shopping for carpet, I’ll never know. Nevertheless, that's the color that caught my eye and that's the color I ended up buying. Oh, did I mention that the dining room leads right into the living room? And that it's all one floor, so to speak? Well, it so happens it is, therefore we go again whatever color covers the dining room also covers the living room. The fact that the drapes in both rooms are avocado just seems coincidental. When I found myself ordering an avocado-print slip cover for the sofa I began to think I might be overdoing this whole color scheme business just a bit. When walking into my living room presented one with a view that resembled a chlorophyll factory, I started to wonder if maybe it was time for a change. In fact, I was beginning to dislike the color avocado intensely. I wasn’t even sure I liked any shade of green anymore, for that matter. The other day a friend came over with a gift for my anniversary. And guess what, it was a teakettle in the prettiest shade of blue!! (Oh, no. Here we go again!)