Blast from the Way Past
As you have most likely noticed, I have been absent from my blog. SORRY! I feel really bad. I was doing really good in May with posting multiple posts a week. I got sick the first week of June and we had company come into town for over a week and there wasn’t time for writing blog posts. I actually don’t remember three days of their visit because I felt sooooo awful.
I have so many things to share. A lot has been going on over the last four weeks and I have to “play catchup”.
First of all, I was unpacking a box (from our remodel) and found this cookbook, I mean “guide”, and just had to share.
This book looks a bit worn-for-wear, but given its age I’m not surprised. I inherited this and actually find it a bit enlightening. I’ll explain as I share what I discovered as I flipped through it.
I found a copy A Modern Kitchen Guide: A Complete Book for Up-to-date Recipes and Drinks. Although the cover has by “Sears, Roebuck and Co.” listed, I am not sure it is actually from them or just has their name stamped on it. As I did some research, I found the same title and inside pages on other web sites with different inscriptions.
One thing I do know, is my copy is copyrighted “1934”. Wow, that’s old! It is in really good shape, too. Which makes me happy. 😀 The pages are all intact and not falling out.
One thing I found entertaining was the number “inserts” its previous owner had stuck inside. I found this interesting… I talks about “California Cottage Cheese” and makes special note that “It’s Creamed”.
When I think of cottage cheese, I’m sorry, but California isn’t the first state that pops into mind. Can any of my California Readers shed some light on this? Granted I don’t think any of you were alive in 1934, I could be wrong, but you never know.
As you can see, when I opened the pamphlet there are several recipes…
Read the Try This section…
“Shives”??? They must have spelled “Chives” with an “S” in 1934… weird…
Now, the next t here were some newspaper clippings (with no dates though). One insert is going to make Emily from The Happy Home twitch and want to scream… SORRY, Emily!
“TOMATO CROP MAKES BUSY DAYS FOR HOUSEWIVES.” … “Thrifty housewives”??? OK, I’m with you on that, Emily… “Thrifty housewives” is well, insulting. We’ve come a long way. You don’t have to be a “Thrifty housewife” to want to do canning… Canning is a great way to control your own food supply. You don’t have to be a “housewife” to want to can!! I wish I had time to can. Katie from Newcomb Home inspired me last year.
I’m sure glad we live in an era where people understand the value of canning and that you don’t have to be a “housewife” to can!
Sorry, for my rant!
Now, onto more finds… check out this one…
“Watermelon Rind Preserves”??? “Peel off all free portions using only the white part of the rind.” YUCK! I don’t think I am going to be trying that one… but you never know! 😉
The next insert is “Popular Mixed Drinks”…
It claims to
“contains upward of 75 recipes for Mixed Drinks that are considered popular. It is compiled for those who wish to serve mixed drinks in the home and is not intended to be a complete guide for ALL mixed concoctions.”
I think I need to look at this in more detail and see how Mixed Drinks have changed in the past 78 years. 😉
I love the third paragraph…
“The publishers furnish it with each copy of MODERN KITCHEN GUIDE. However, in order to obviate giving offense to any who do not desire to have it, it is included only in brochure form so it may be used, discarded or destroyed to the wishes of the recipient”.
Clearly, since this was published the year after US Prohibition (1920-1933) they were trying not to offend.
One thing I found nice is the “explanation of terms”…
One Dash – Equals 3 to 5 drops; One Pony – Equals 1 ounce; One Jigger – Equals 2 ounces… “Pony”???? Never heard of that term. Anyone know why it’s called a “Pony”?
What’s the oldest cookbook (guide) you have in our collection?
I have heard of a “Pony” but dunno why.
And the whole California thing… haven’t you seen commercials on TV that talk about Real California Cheese and it’s the cows leaving the freezing climates of Wisconsin and moving to California? And they say Happy Cows come from California… wonder if that has something to do with it….
I have seen the commercials, but I didn’t think in 1934 that California was a big “dairy” state. Guess so. 😉
Oh my gosh what a find! The “thrifty housewives” article is sad and hilarious. And I think you should taste test those cocktails to see if anything’s changed 😉 I have never heard of pony but I may try to use it in conversation and see what kind of reactions I get!
Yeah, I was thinking I might just have to give some of the drink recipes a try. I’ll keep you posted. Have fun canning this weekend. I need to go to the Farmer’s Market to get some fruit!
My mom made watermelon preserves.
We need to talk about her preserves. The ones in the book sound GROSS!