Monthly Archives: June 2010

Adoption News!

Emily June 28, 2010
[44] comments

Day #21 – June 28, 2010

This post has nothing to do with 1950’s, baking, or aprons. Pardon the interruption, but Clay and I have some great news and I can’t help but share it with the world!

To make a long story short, on September 6th, a precious Haitian woman named Rose is giving birth to a son, and she has chosen us as the adopted parents. If September seems soon to you, it seems VERY SOON to us! We found out last week that she had chosen us, and we drove down to Florida this week to meet her.

The amazing part of the story is how God has orchestrated each tiny detail in a way that we could never have imagined. For example, I spoke with the social worker in Florida about the possibility of adopting with her. She told me, “You never know what will happen. Maybe we will have a baby for you in a year or so.”

The next night, as my small group was praying, I received a text that read, “Sitting here with a birthmom. Call me ASAP.” My heart started beating at one hundred miles per hour.

I flew home so Clay and I could call her. I will never forget what she told us. The social worker said that she had just met with a woman who said she was looking for four things in the husband and wife who would adopt her baby:
1.     She wanted them to be Christians.

2.     She wanted them to be married for a while and have a strong marriage.

3.     She wanted education to be a big part of their lives.

4.     She did not want them to have children. She wanted to give some couple their first child.

Wow!

I’ll say it again. Wow!

Clay and I had a few days to make a decision, so we prayed and sought godly counsel, and we came to the conclusion that it’s time to let go of our “three year plan” and allow God’s agenda to be ours. Every step we’ve taken since then (making the profile book, talking to Rose on the phone, meeting with the attorney) has been a wonderful adventure of faith and fun.

This weekend was the culmination of a lot of prayer. We headed down to Florida to do three things:
1. Meet Rose.
2. Hang out with Chad and Carey.
3. Go on a cruise.

Somehow, we were not nervous about number 2 and number 3, but we put a lot of prayer into number 1. To all our friends who were praying for us, we felt it! The meeting with Rose was incredible! It could not have gone better. She is a beautiful woman with a heart of gold. We were instantly at peace with everything after spending just a few minutes with her. She described her grandmother’s cooking in Haiti, told us how Jesus is the most important thing in her life, and told us about her job as a nurse’s assistant. Her smile was contagious, and Clay and I are blessed to be a part of her life.

So, the good news is… Clay and I will have a baby in three months!

Posted in 1950's Wife Project, Our Adoption | Tagged | 44 Comments

Sunday Best

Emily June 28, 2010
[36] comments

Day #20 – June 27, 2010

After wearing dress clothes all week, Clay and I look forward to jeans and flip flops on Sunday. Sure, Clay wears linen pants on occasion; I might iron a dress every once in a while, but for the most part, we allow everything to rest on Sunday, including our nice clothes.

But I can’t watch an old movie without seeing women in heels, hats, and suits along with men in three-piece suits on their way to church. My grandmother recalls the day when she stopped wearing a hat to church. My Mom wouldn’t dream of showing up to church in anything less than her best.

I don’t really think there is a right or wrong answer to this question, but I am interested in your thoughts… “In what type of clothes do you feel comfortable when going to church?” I like to wear comfy clothes because it feels like I am able to meet God right where I am. I feel like I am not putting on pretenses with the people in my community, like I am not pretending to be someone I’m not. For me, it’s about honesty before God and others.

However, I can see the other side of the argument, and I felt it today. By saving my BEST for Sunday, it feels like I’m giving God my finest. This type of attitude emphasizes reverence and respect, and it’s refreshing to remind myself that God is worth my best. Even during the sermon today, I felt more awake, more in tune because I was dressed in my favorite skirt and high heels.

Any thoughts?

On another note, Chad, Carey, Clay, and I ate the healthiest salad on the face of the earth today. It has been developed with love by my Mom, Kristi McClanahan. She is always trying to create dishes with tons of vitamins plus tons of deliciousness. If you want the BEST for Sunday lunch, try this salad with multigrain toast and peach tea.

Healthy Summer Salad

Grocery List
Spring Mix or Arugula Spinach Greens (one box)
Rotisserie Chicken
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
Almond Slivers
Kashi TLC Pumpkin Spice Flax Crunchy Granola Bars
Makoto Orange Ginger Dressing (you can find it near the produce in the refrigerated section of Publix)

Directions:
To make salads for 4-6 people, use the entire box of greens and tear small pieces of chicken to add to the bowl of greens. Break up pieces of two granola bars along with 1/4 cup of almonds and the entire can of mandarin oranges. Toss with the desired amount of orange ginger dressing.

What is so healthy about this salad? I think a better question is, “What is NOT healthy about this salad?” It seems to have every delicious healthy thing in one meal:

- Spinach – Phytonutrients
- Chicken – Protein
- Oranges – Vitamin C
- Almonds – Vitamin E and Magnesium
- Pumpkin – Carotenoids
- Granola – Fiber
- Flaxseed – Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Ginger – Vitamin B6

Posted in 1950's Clothing, 1950's Wife Project, Recipes | Tagged , , | 36 Comments

1950′s…ish

Emily June 27, 2010
[82] comments

Day #19 – June 26, 2010

“These and the following recipes are good for the maidless hostess who has no toaster.”

The Joy of Cooking, 1943

The beauty of this project, for me, is that I get to learn about all the wonderful parts of the 1950’s while enjoying the ease of 2010. Today was that kind of day for me. I would call it, “1950’s…ish.” It had all the charm and beauty of an earlier time along with the effortlessness of today.

Clay and I are enjoying the company of longtime friends, Chad and Carey, and they are living in one of the coziest towns I have ever seen. Winter Park, Florida is full of local flavor and they were kind enough to share it all with us today.

This is how we combined the fiftys with our generation…

 

-       First, Carey prepared a beautiful breakfast (1950’s behavior)…with Pillsbury dough (2010 convenience). Scroll down to find her recipe for a Blueberry Braided Loaf.

 

-       Then, I read her girls a retro Golden Book Collection Storybook (first published in 1948); then the girls watched Max and Ruby on DVR (2010 entertainment).

 

-       As always, I dressed in a skirt and pearls (1950’s clothing), but I could not find a matching cardigan, so I went sleeveless (2010 comfort).

 

-       Clay and I walked 30 minutes to the center of town with Chad and Carey and their two girls (1950’s activity); Chad pushed the Mighty Bob Stroller the entire way (2010 products).

 

-       We enjoyed the charm of locally owned eateries and shops in downtown Winter Park (1950’s appeal). But we also checked out Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn while we were there (2010 megastores).

 

-       Clay and I bought fresh dried fruit at the farmers market (1950’s flavor); We also sent a few text messages as we walked past the locally grown honey booth and the fresh flower vendors (2010 technology).

 

Carey’s Blueberry Cream-Cheese Braided Loaf

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 large egg, separated
1 1/4 cups confectioner sugar, divided
1 (11 oz) can refrigerated breadstick dough
3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries  (use almost a cup)
2 tsp. water
2.5 tbsp orange juice

Preheat oven to 375*. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

Beat cream cheese in a mixing bowl at med. speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Add egg yolk and 1/4 cup confectioner sugar.  Beat until well mixed.  Set aside.

Remove breadstick dough from can. Unroll and separate dough into rectangle.  Place dough horizontally on baking sheet.  Press seams together to seal.

Spoon cream cheese mixture onto center third of dough.

Wash, drain, and dry blueberries.  Sprinkle blueberries over cream cheese mixture.

Separate dough at perforations up to cream-cheese mixture slightly stretching dough strips.  Beginning at top edge of dough, braid strips to cover filling (this makes more sense as you are doing it).  Tuck last 2 ends under at bottom of loaf.

In a small bowl, beat egg white and water with fork until blended to form an egg wash.  Brush egg wash over braided loaf.

Bake until golden brown, approx. 20 minutes.  Cool for at least 45 min. or as long as you can stand it.

In another small bowl, combine remaining 1 cup confectioners sugar and orange juice, whisking until smooth.  Drizzle glaze over braided loaf before serving.  Slice with bread knife.


 

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project, Recipes | Tagged , , | 82 Comments

The Modern Day 1950′s Wife

Emily June 26, 2010
[46] comments

Day #18

“Plan to have an ordered, well-cooked meal. For this, immaculate linens and sparkling glass and silver are imperative.”

The Joy of Cooking, 1943

I can no longer call myself the modern day 1950’s wife. I will now refer to myself as a 1950’s Wife Wannabe.

Yesterday, I met the REAL modern day 1950’s Wife.

Her name is Paige Dorsey, and from the moment she walked in the door, I knew I had been outdone. She was wearing a gorgeous yellow dress, cinched at the waist, and shoes with higher heels than any I’ve ever owned. When I asked her where she was going that day, she said, “I’m not going anywhere special. I always dress like this!”

My sister-in-law, Gina, has been itching to introduce me to Paige since the beginning of this project, and I was so glad she did. Paige gave me a new vision and a higher standard for what I should be doing this summer. I have been trying to figure out how to mesh the attitude and style of the 1950’s with the fast-paced life of this decade, and Paige showed me how it can be done.

Here are seven quotes from Paige along with seven lessons she taught me. I am actually nervous about even posting this because it means I need to step up my game a little bit!

1. “I have a huge skirt problem. I own over seventy fitted skirts.”
Inspired by the beautiful clothes in her grandmother’s closet, Paige has been collecting retro clothing since she was sixteen years old. She gave me a few pointers about looking for authentic clothes from that time period. “You will have to dig, but usually the most authentic clothes will be the cheapest. I bought this skirt for fifty cents,” she said holding up a precious black pleated skirt. “Also, look in ‘Unsized’ Area of the thrift store. A lot of the clothing from the 50’s was handmade so it doesn’t have a tag or a size.”


2. “I always vacuum in high heels. It just makes you feel better about yourself.”
I have been trying to avoid this one since this project began. I asked my grandmothers if they ALWAYS cleaned in their heels. Paige gave me a new perspective about this standard. She said that when you see yourself in the mirror, you’ll look great and you will never feel like a maid. Plus, you will want to finish faster!

3. “I wear a broach almost everyday.”
While I have been wearing skirts and more feminine clothing since the 50 days started, I had given very little thought to the accessories women used to wear. Paige does not just wear a broach on her sweater, she might use it on a hat or a lamp.

4. “My grandmother was given a new pair of white gloves every year at Easter.”
I think I wore white gloves one year at Easter, and that was because my Mother wanted to snap a quick picture of me in white gloves, but women in the ‘50’s wore gloves on a regular basis. Paige recently purchased three pair of beautifully crafted gloves for $3.50 on Ebay. This is a trend she and I will be reviving! It’s cheap; it’s cute; and it changes the overall appearance of any outfit.

5. “I hosted a Hat and Heels Party for my bridesmaids luncheon.”
Oh yes, girls. We have GOT to do this! I will check my calendar for a date to host a Hat and Heels Party! That is just plain fun.

6. “I use our china on a regular basis.”
Isn’t it crazy that our friends and family spend hundreds of dollars to buy us gorgeous china and silver and it sits in a china cabinet or special box for the majority of the year? Paige is a proponent of using her finest tableware often. Handwashing is a small price to pay for the memories and beauty of a gorgeous table.

7. “I think about food all day.”
This has been my complaint since the project began. I used to think about food only when my stomach growled. Paige is teaching me to enjoy thinking about food! A self-proclaimed “foodie,” she goes above and beyond in the preparation of each homemade meal. Even the meal she created for Scott and Gina as new parents was complete with roasted chicken pot pie and a delicious kale salad (yes, she roasted the chicken herself).

While I have prepared more meals for new Mommies than I can count, I usually make a simple lasagna and throw in a bag of salad. But not Paige. Paige really put her entire heart and mind into the event. Cooking for her friend was not an afterthought, not one thing on a long To Do List. Preparing this meal for them was about a memorable experience for everyone involved. She spent all day in the kitchen, and she loved it!

Thank you, Paige, for inspiring me to step up my game. I might be calling you for additional pointers. Do any of you have ideas for ways to kick this project up a notch?

 

Tagged , , | 46 Comments

Travel Food

Emily June 24, 2010
[33] comments

Day #17 – June 23, 2010

“Successful canning calls for fresh, young, tender vegetables.”

The Joy of Cooking, 1943

Before this experiment, my travel food consisted of…

- Chick Fil-A Nuggets

- Milo’s Hamburgers

- Starbucks Chai Lattes

- Triscuits and Velveeta

- Pringles

But more than one Fifty’s Wife has reminisced with me about the days before fast food and pre-packaged food. They describe road trips and bus lines with their lunch in a bag. So, since we were coming to Tuscaloosa, I prepared for our trip. Lindsey and I got together for cucumber pickin’ and pickle makin’.

I was so proud.

I was proud…

Until I got to my brother’s house and saw what my Mom had packed for her travel food. Mother is the Queen of Travel Food. I can hardly remember a road trip in our big brown van without Mom feeding Dad homemade chicken salad on Saltines. Even now, when Mom walks through the door, Clay’s first words are,

“Hey Kristi!”

His next words are, “Where’s the chicken salad?”

Tonight, mom unpacked a cooler full of chicken salad, pasta salad, and pimento cheese. We are still eating it now as I type this. She has perfected chicken salad as the perfect travel food. Here is her recipe:

Ingredients:
5 Chicken Breasts (cooked)
1/2 cup chopped celerry
1/2 cup chopped dill pickles
1/2 cup chopped green grapes
1 package oven roasted sliced almonds (no salt)
1 1/2 cups Kraft mayonaise
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

The  real secret of great chicken salad is the chicken. Buy chicken breasts with the ribs (boneless chicken has no flavor) and clean them well. Simmer the chcken breast for 2 hours in a large pot of water with an onion (cut in half), the celery tops and leafy center, fresh parsley, carrots, salt and pepper . Then take the chicken out ot the pot and as it cools chops the celery, pickles, and grapes. Chop the chicken into large chunks and salt & pepper the chicken before  adding  all of the chopped ingredients and the sliced almonds.  Finally, gently fold in the mayonaise.  Taste the chicken salad to see if you need more salt, pepper or mayonaisel. (Hint–do not refrigerate the chicken before preparing the chicken salad. The chicken salad will not absorb the mayonaise and it will be dry).

Mom’s Pimento Cheese

8 oz Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
8 oz Mild Cheddar Cheese
1 small jar of pimentos, partially drained
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup – 1 cup of mayonaise (according to desrired creaminess, Mom uses less mayo so it’s more cheesy)
2-3 dashes Tabasco
2 dashes garlic powder

Directions:
The most important part of Mom’s pimento cheese is that she grates the cheese. If you buy shredded, it’s too dry. Mix all ingredients and serve.

 

What kind of travel food does your family make or buy?

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project, Recipes | Tagged , , , , | 33 Comments

Banana Pudding – Hot or Cold?

Emily June 23, 2010
[60] comments

Day #16 – June 22, 2010

“Custard sauces and puddings are prepared over boiling water or over a very low flame. They must be stirred constantly while they are cooking and must not be permitted to boil at any time.”

The Joy of Cooking, 1955

It’s an age old debate.

At least it is in our family… Should banana pudding be served piping hot (made with a double boiler, filled with egg yolks, and topped with meringue) or cold (made with Jell-O Pudding and topped with Cool Whip)?

During our first year of marriage, Clay and I disagreed on a lot of things:

- Who should do the dishes if I cook?
Clay thought, “If I cook, Emily cleans. If Emily cooks, Emily cleans.” It was a tough year.

- Is it necessary to set the table completely, even if you only need a fork?
I say, “Always set the table with knives, forks, and spoons.” Clay rolled his eyes at this comment.

- What is the ideal temperature in the house?
Clay still stands firm, “It should be 62 degrees in the winter and 72 degrees in the summer.” Yes, I wear mittens in the house during January and February.

- ”If there is an Auburn football game on the same day as a family reunion, where do you go?”
I think we all know the answer to this one.

Even after Clay and I have managed to come up with solutions to all the above problems (Clay helps with the dishes as long as he can watch TV at the same time; whoever sets the table can do it however they like, I am not allowed to touch the thermostat, and Auburn football has priority over everything in life), we have not been able to come to a consensus about the banana pudding.

Clay says banana pudding should be hot. I have always contended that it should be cold…

Until today.

Lindsey Ramsey walked me through the steps of making her delicious banana pudding and when we took our first bite, I converted (sorry Mom). The truth is, bananas and pudding are always delicious, but I think the 1950′s Wife would make it hot. I checked both versions of the 1950′s Bible (The Joy of Cooking and The Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Homemaking) and both have recipes for hot banana pudding. However, when I check the 2010 Bible (Google), the FIRST link is for cold banana pudding made with the instant mix.

So, I guess we will never know who is right and who is wrong. But this recipe is delicious:

1 c. sugar
4 tbsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. salt
4 c. milk
4 egg yolks, well beaten
4 tbsp. butter
2 tsp. vanilla extract
12 oz. box vanilla wafers
4 lg. firm ripe bananas
In 2-quart batter bowl, blend together sauce, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in milk, mixing well. Microwave on high 11 to 14 minutes. Stir every 4 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes, with wire whisk, until mixture is smooth, thickened and clear.In 4-cup glass measure, stir a small amount of hot pudding quickly into egg yolks. Pour this mixture into hot pudding, mixing well. Microwave at medium high 3 to 5 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes, until smooth and thickened. Add butter and vanilla. Stir until butter is melted.Layer approximately 1/3 box of vanilla wafers in the bottom of 3-quart double roaster. Top with sliced bananas. Cover with pudding mixture. Repeat layers ending with vanilla wafers over top. (You may prefer to crush the top vanilla wafers.) 

So, let’s hear your response! Do you like your banana pudding cold or hot?

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project, Recipes | Tagged , , , | 60 Comments

Okay, I’m Full

Emily June 22, 2010
[62] comments

Day #15 – June 21, 2010

“A meringue is beaten constantly until spread. Its success depends upon the proper beating of the egg whites and the slow addition of the sugar, and the slow oven in which it is baked.”

The Joy of Cooking, 1939

It has been two weeks since the 1950′s Wife Project began, and so far, I have eaten the following desserts:

- Blueberry Pie
- Blackberry Cobbler
- Fruit Pie
- Peach Ice Cream
- Neopolitan Ice Cream with Strawberries
- Homemade Cookies
- Strawberry and Peach Jelly (on biscuits… it’s like dessert for breakfast)

Here are a few of comments from Clay over the past two weeks:

“Woman, why are you trying to make me fat?”

“I will never get down to my cruise weight now.”

“I am thinking about never eating again.”

“What are we going to do with all this leftover pie?”

I can see now why my grandmothers were always shoving food in my face. After a while, you just can’t eat anymore. I wish ten people would randomly show up at my door right now with a plate. I would fill it with goodies.

But don’t worry, all this bellyaching did not stop Clay’s Mom, his sister, and me from making TWO more desserts today. I just couldn’t resist. I had the privilege of cooking with two of the greatest BAKERS I have ever known. Clay’s Mom, Bobbie, is famous for her sugar cookies, pound cake, and apple pie. His sister, Kenya, is not intimidated by even the most difficult recipes (cinamon rolls, pepperoni stuffed bread, yeast rolls, etc…)

While they were visiting, I had to learn from the best. Hey, if Tiger Woods showed up at your doorstep and offered to give you a golf lesson, would you turn it down just because your legs were a little tired? I told my stomach to make room because Kenya and Bobbie were in town!

Below is the lemon pie recipe. I wish I could share the pound cake recipe, but it is under scrutiny right now. Each of the Osburne sisters claim that Bobbie has taught them a different way to make it. Tonight, after hours of questioning, Bobbie finally admitted that she changes the recipe each time she makes it. She is truly a genius :)

Lemon Pie:

Crust – Mix 1 1/4 cup of graham cracker crumbs with 1/4 cup sugar (break up clumps). Add 4 tablespoons melted butter and pat into pie dish.

Pie – Wisk small can of Eagles Brand Condensed Milk with 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup of sugar and 3 egg yolks. Pour on top of the crust.

Maringue - Use the remaining 3 egg whites along with 1/2 cup of sugar and beat on high speed until fluffy (I think it looks like a cloud). Pour on top of pie.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until the tops begin to brown.

Is there any dessert that you would eat no matter HOW STUFFED you were feeling?

On another note, I drew for the FREE PEACHES at Gardener Farms. Congratulations to Emily Yancey!

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project, Recipes | Tagged , , , , | 62 Comments

Grandmother’s House

Emily June 21, 2010
[28] comments

Day #13 – June 20, 2010

“This good-looking eighteenth-century mahogany knee-hole desk with handsome brass bail pull holds personal correspondence file, household bills, and has plenty of room for your husband’s things, too.”

Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Successful Homemaking, 1956

Do you remember entering your grandmother’s house as a kid? My routine was the same from the time I was three years old until high school. First, my brother and I would ring the doorbell about twenty times. Mima laughed and yelled her special word, “Heeeooooh!”

To this day, I have no idea what that means.

Anyway, my brother and I paused long enough to give Mima a kiss and then we’d race to the living room to be the first to bang on Grandaddy’s Oliver typewriter. We’d strike the keys until my mom caught us and hollered, “Kids, get away from that typewriter.” Next, we darted into the kitchen, where we’d open the special drawer on her antique hutch where she hid gum just for us. And finally, we’d peek into the dining room to see what kind of meal was waiting for us on her beautiful dining room table.

My memories are sprinkled with the sound of Mima’s laughter, the smell of fried okra, and the sight of each special piece of furniture that made her house unique. The hutch was passed down from her Mother and still has flour in the sifter from great grandma’s kitchen. The dining room chairs are hand stitched with love. And the typewriter has been passed from one generation to another.

As I compare my house with hers, I wonder, “In twenty years, will I feel so connected to the furniture in my house?” I doubt it. Here are a few reasons why I am not as connected to the things we own today:

- First, we have moved four times in the ten years we have been married. Each time we move, we get rid of old stuff and make room for new.

- Second, mass production has made the cost of furniture so much cheaper that people are able to redecorate faster and easier than my grandmother could.

- Third, television shows like Trading Spaces inspire us to paint, refinish, and refurbish old furniture to look more modern, thus wiping away the original time stamp on each piece of furniture.

- Finally, technology makes our products obsolete as soon as we purchase them. While my grandfather used his typewriter for fifty years, I can hardly stand my computer because it is almost three years old. I am counting the days until I can purchase a new one.

Thankfully, these beautiful pieces of family history have survived and my grandmothers have even given them to me. Even in the middle of 2010, when our lives have become a swirl of mass produced, upgraded, renovated, throw it out if it doesn’t look like the magazine lives, the legacy of our grandparent’s lives on in the beauty of the products they used and the furniture they bought.

Maybe my grandchildren will run into my house and search for gum in the same drawer.

What do you remember about your grandmother’s house? What antiques have been passed from one generation to the next in your family? Do they carry particular memories with them?

Tagged , , | 28 Comments

1950′s Wife with 2010 Convenience

Emily June 20, 2010
[13] comments

Day #13 – June 19, 2010

“The majority of waffle recipes call for cake flour. If that is not available, substitute bread flour, deducting two tablespoons from every cupful given in the recipe.”

The Joy of Cooking, 1951

Last night, Clay’s brother and two of his four sons spent the night with us. I was so excited to play the part of hostess and cook a big breakfast .  In the past, I would have driven the boys to Waffle House or Chick Fil-A, but this morning, I made banana pancakes and sausage balls. I consider that major progress!

But as I looked around the kitchen, I realized that I could never call myself a 1950′s wife. My life is way too convenient.

To start, I don’t just own a regular a coffee pot, I use the single cup coffee maker that takes two seconds to brew. I think my dog, Shelby, could make coffee in that thing.

Second, I use shortcuts like Bisquick and ready-made syrup and mixes.

Third, even though I have rarely cooked until now, my kitchen is stocked with a KitchenAid Mixer, Pampered Chef Products, idiot-proof appliances, and no-burn pizza stones.

And lastly, I NEVER wash a single dish. Even if I have to SQUEEZE the dishwasher door shut because pots, pans, and forks are hanging out, I still don’t wash anything by hand. Sometimes, when I’m really lazy, I even put china and crystal in the dishwasher (Mom, control your rage, and don’t tell Mima).

So, even though this morning was a success – the meal was yummy and kids were smiling… it’s not exactly like the 1950′s. I have so many modern conveniences that it doesn’t really count.

But I was still proud!

As an example of modern-day technology meeting 1950′s standards, here is a recipe from Cooks.com: My laptop was sitting on the counter all morning :)

BANANA PANCAKES

2 c. Bisquick
2 1/4 c. milk
2 eggs
1 c. mashed bananas
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 c. wheat germ
Beat ingredients with hand beater until well blended; for thinner pancakes add milk as needed.Pour by scant 1/4 cupfuls onto hot griddle (grease if necessary). Cook until edges are dry. Turn and cook until golden. Yields 12-13 pancakes.

What modern conveniences would you hate to live without?

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project, Recipes | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Freebie Friday – Peach Pickin’

Emily June 18, 2010
[32] comments

Day #12

“If strangers move into a neighborhood, it is not only unfriendly, but uncivil
for their neighbors not to call on them.”
Emily Post, Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage, 1937

It seems like this blog has become my housewife confessional. Well, I have another one today. Recently, a sweet, young couple moved into the house beside us… And I never took them a plate of cookies.

No homemade banana bread.

No pineapple upside down cake.

And if that is not enough, she was pregnant when they moved in, and now she has had the baby for about six weeks. I still have not brought them a meal.

No fresh picked flowers.

No balloons.

So, today, I will be a good neighbor and a good 1950′s wife, and bring her some nourishment, whether she wants it or not. My grandmother assures me that she would walk over to her friend’s house without a phone call in advance, but I think I should call first.

The beauty of bringing her a treat today is that I have already made tons of strawberry jelly and peach jelly with the leftover fruit from my other projects. Yesterday, I went to Gardener Farms to pick peaches, and this morning, I made the jelly. So, my project today is to deliver her biscuits and homemade jelly. That way, she can have a good breakfast whenever she wants it.

For those of you who live in the Atlanta Area, we have another freebie! By leaving a comment on today’s blog (about neighbors, homemade goodies, jams, jellies, picking fruit, or anything that makes your heart go pitter pat) your name will be entered to win a free Peach Pickin’ at Gardner Farms. If you post the following status on Facebook or Twitter, your name will be entered again. Please let me know if you post the update:

Win free peaches from Gardener Farms through the 1950′s Wife Blog at: http://everydayexperts.com/2010/06/18/freebie-friday-peach-pickin/

Feel free to comment and post until Monday, June 21st at 4:00 PM. I will draw for the winner then!

Happy Pickin!

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 32 Comments