le chaland ashtray

we don’t typically collect ashtrays or have them in the house or use them on a regular basis in any capacity, but as i was unpacking (yup, still not unpacked), i happened upon this ashtray and decided that it would work perfectly as a coffee spoon spoon rest. and it does. those little grooves come in so very handy for the tiny spoons that i love so very much.

i don’t remember who brought this ashtray home from france or whether we were allowed to do so by the restaurant; nevertheless, it was acquired at a thanksgiving dinner on a boat in besançon, france, in november 1996. i was the only patron on the boat that evening that was not studying abroad in france and the only patron visiting her girlfriend on a spur of the moment trip – my first trip to europe. the details have faded with time, but i do remember foie gras for a starter and really salty pumpkin pie for dessert. apparently, the french don’t make pumpkin pie very often and don’t know it’s not supposed to be *that* savory.