Farmers Market Meal

Emily July 23, 2010
[4] comments

Day #43

“Fresh berry time is April. The order of appearance is strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and then, loganberries.”

Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Homemaking, 1956

I enjoyed some fresh berry time today… not only fresh berries but freshly picked tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, and more. I did not have to work in the garden – I just went to the McDonough Farmers Market near Heritage Park, and found some home-grown goodness at extremely low prices.

My goal today was to make an all veggie meal. As I was reading my home economics book from the 1950′s, I noticed a lot of references to “steak on Saturday” or “fish on Friday,” and I realized that families ate a lot of meatless meals. So, I told Clay we were going to have a few veggie meals. Of course, his supportive response was, “What? Noooo.”

But I think he may have changed his mind today. We at a meal of:

- Buttered Corn
- Locally grown Tomatoes
- Brown Rice
- Kidney Beans
- Italian Salad
- Juicy Blackberries
- Sweet Potato Bread

It is amazing how much better local fruits and vegetables taste, too. The blackberries alone made me want to sell my house and move to a farm. And as an added bonus, the meal costs less than $20 and we probably have enough left over to eat it for three additional meals. It’s cheap, easy, delicious, and healthy. Perfect!

I am sold on the McDonough Farmers Market. It’s open every Thursday in the summer from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Heritage Park. Is anyone else a fan of their local farmers market?

 

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Sew Much Fun

Emily July 22, 2010
[5] comments

Day #42

“Sewing can be a source of considerable pleasure.”

Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Homemaking, 1956

If I would have read this quote before today, I would have laughed. Now, I just nod my head in agreement. Sewing TRULY is a source of pleasure.

However, I should clarify that I never did put my “pedal to the metal,” as Claudia said. I did not sew any of the bedding today. Claudia, Kellye, and I worked all day yesterday and half the day today, and I stayed focused on my tasks of cutting, ironing, and running errands. I left the actual sewing to the pros. But still, I was on the team. I was more like the waterboy who still gets a state championship ring. He did not step out onto the court, but he helped in his own special way, and he still enjoys the victory just as much.

It is impossible to overestimate the pride I feel in the bedding we made today. I took it home and placed it in the nursery, and I keep walking into the room to look at it. I asked Clay if we could just sleep in the nursery tonight to be close to the masterpiece.

There is just something about watching each step of this process, and even though I didn’t always understand what Kellye and Claudia were saying, I was still there to witness the transformation of the fabric into bedding. After today, I will not take for granted little things like…

- A straight hem
- Evenly-stuffed pillows
- Hidden hemming

Also, I can appreciate the amount of math, skill, patience, and planning goes into each sewn item. Before Claudia answered the phone today by saying, “Claudia’s sweat shop,” she and Kellye were deep into major algebraic equations. I think I heard them use the Pythagorean theorem as they were trying to determine how many ties could be cut from one yard of fabric. I am sure these girls could work for NASA after hearing their calculations. If the space shuttle needs some new window treatments, Kellye and Claudia could totally do it.

I wish I could show you the final product, but we still need to finish two of the four bumpers before we place everything on the crib. But for now, here is a picture of everything that is done.

Posted in 1950's Attitutude, 1950's Wife Project | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Sewing Lesson

Emily July 21, 2010
[25] comments

Day #41

“I am assuming all women know the value of a good sewing machine.”

Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Homemaking, 1956

When I tell people that I am living as a 1950′s wife, some common questions I get include:

- “Are you going to learn how to sew?”
- “Will you be making a skirt and wearing it?”
- “Do you want to borrow my sewing machine?”

Those questions make me cringe.

It’s not that I don’t love beautiful handmade pillows and luxurious window treatments, I am just scared of the work… and really scared of ruining expensive fabric. I have flashbacks of elementary school when I was forced to do arts and crafts. I can just see the class bulletin board now – the real artists would have their manicured snowman hanging proudly in the middle of the board, while my pitiful snowman had cotton balls and glue falling onto the floor throughout the month of December.

 So, I decided in 3rd grade that I was an athlete, not an artist.

I was okay with my decision until Clay and I moved into our first house and I learned how expensive custom upholstery, window treatments, and pillows were. Suddenly, I wished I had developed a knack for completing projects. I wondered why I never payed attention when Mom decorated the house. And I wished I had realized the value of learning to sew.

 I have had that thought again lately as I browse the Internet for custom bedding for the little boy we are adopting.

Luckily, I have talented friends. Kellye and Claudia have spent the day introducing me to the fine art of sewing. We began at 1:00 PM today and even now (at 11:00 PM), I can hear the sewing machine as Claudia works on the bows for Easton’s bed (Yes, we have determined that his name will be Easton!)

If I had a time machine, after I go back and visit Jesus, Benjamin Franklin, and my Papa, I would go back to high school and sign up for a home economics class. I would convince myself that sewing is a life skill (like typing, riding a bike, or cooking) and it is worth taking time to learn.

Maybe it’s not too late.

 

 

Posted in 1950's Attitutude, 1950's Wife Project | Tagged , | 25 Comments

Plate Size equals Waist Size

Emily July 20, 2010
[47] comments

Day #40

“Women who plan meals should know about calories.”

Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Homemaking, 1956

 The one question Clay and I keep asking ourselves lately is, “How did the people in the 1950′s stay so thin?” They ate meat, potatoes, pies, and sugar. They seemed to consume all the things we are told today to avoid. And yet, statistics say that the average dress size in 1959 was six and in 2008, it was twelve.

How have we become a nation that is well-versed in health education (we not only know about calories, we know about fat grams, trans fats, good carbs, bad carbs, Omega-3′s, vitamins, minerals, and more) yet we are not even as healthy as our grandparents?

There are some obvious answers. We…

- Walk less.
- Work less.
- Watch TV more.
- Sit more.

But Robin Dent pointed out another not-so-obvious trend. We eat on ENORMOUS PLATES! In fact, one couple explained that they moved into a house built in the 1950′s that had its original cabinetry, and their plates would not even fit in the kitchen cabinets.

 Robin sent me a picture of her plate tonight from a restaurant in Disney World. The plate is huge! As I examined the picture, I sat with Clay at an Italian restaurant and saw my plate with new eyes. It looked more like a platter than a plate. Sixty years ago, housewives would have served a roast and potatoes for the entire family on a plate we now serve to one individual. The standard plate size used to be 9 inches, and now it’s 12 inches. Nutrimirror says the average plate size now is 14 inches!

Could it be that simple?

Could we improve our health just by visiting William Sonoma (or Target) to purchase smaller dinnerware?

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project | Tagged , , | 47 Comments

Spring Cleaning in June

Emily June 17, 2010
[48] comments

Day #10 – June 16, 2010

“After rugs and  carpets have been well cleaned,
spray with liquid insecticide at least once per month.”
page 227 of Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Successful Homemaking

For the past few weeks, I have been reading through this home economics book published in 1956 (thank you, Kim, for letting me borrow it). The most hilarious feature of the book is how politically incorrect it is, by today’s standards. Check out a few quotes from the book:

“Call a handyman, if needed, or ask your husband to pitch in.” (Assuming the book will be read by women only)

“Nothing’s gayer in closets than plastic shelving.” (Gay = happy and cheerful)

“How to fold your husband’s suit…” (Assuming all homemakers are married and will be packing their husband’s bags for business trips)

However, even as I am shaking my head in disbelief, I am also finding it to be a useful resource. Today, I started Spring Cleaning in the Osburne Household. Yes, I am aware that it’s June, so I’m a bit late, but teachers have an excuse. We put off all major cleaning and repairs until summer (back me up, teachers).

Anyway, this home economics book includes over FIFTY pages about deep cleaning and organizing. It is a fabulous resource. It contains headings like:

- How to Polish Silver
- Storing China
- How to Make a Bed
- Cleaning the Hearth (Brick, Tile, or Stone)
- Clean Screens and Blinds
- Polishing Wood Furniture
- Cleaning the Walls
- Cleansing Bathroom Floors

The book recommends that each “housewife” have a plan before beginning Spring Cleaning. Housewives should divide the house into sections and conquer one section as a time so we are not overwhelmed. So, I have made a plan, but I must admit, I’ve already had to revise it.

I was going to clean the Master Bathroom today, so I started with the nasty shower. Although it’s embarrassing to admit this, I have never REALLY been able to keep our shower clean. I DREAD scrubbing the shower. I put it off and put it off until mold has not only growing in the shower, it is a permanent decoration. And I can’t blame an old house or the former residents because this shower was perfect when we moved in. Plus, our last house had the same problem and we BUILT the house.

It’s not the shower.

It’s me.

 If there is one thing I have learned from these 1950′s wives, they do not STAND for mold! There are six pages in this book about removing mold from various rooms in the house. So this morning, I set out to banish mold from our beloved shower. I decided that I would work on it ALL DAY, if I had to. I was determined.

I envisioned my before and after pictures on the blog. I thought this could be a glorious testament to the fortitude of a woman with a plan. But no. After three seperate scrubbing parties and three strong products, my shower looks a lot whiter, but it still has mold in the corners.

I know that someone out there has an answer to this problem. Good Housekeeping’s Guide simply tells women to use chlorine bleach once per week on all tubs, but I need something other than bleach. Below is a picture of the products I’ve used along with the moldy shower. Please send any tips my way!

In the meantime, this is my Revised Spring Cleaning Plan:

Day 1: Thursday – Master Bathroom
Day 2: Friday – Master Bedroom + Clean Carpet in House
Day 3: Saturday – Polish Silver
Day 4: Sunday – Rest
Day 5: Monday – Wash Windows
Day 6: Tuesday – Dining Room and Living Room
Day 7: Wednesday – Guest Bathroom

After seven days, I will reassess!

 

 

Posted in 1950's Attitutude, 1950's Wife Project | Tagged , , , | 48 Comments

The Husband

Emily June 11, 2010
[45] comments

 Day #4 – June 10, 2010

“Household gloves offer comfort and protection in cleaning, scrubbing, and laundry jobs. Wash used gloves in warm soapsuds, rinse well in clear water, and hang to dry.”

Page 67 of Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Successful Homemaking

Real life kicked in today.

During the first three days of this experiment, I sheltered myself from almost everything that did not pertain to homemaking. I focused solely on cooking and cleaning. But today, I could not hold back the tidal wave of outside responsibilities like work, family,travel plans, meetings, and deadlines, I was a nutcase. It was typical 2010 Emily.

On top of the madness, dinner was not coming along as planned. That always seems to happen on Thursday. I am somehow able to hold my life together for about three days at a time. After that, the house usually falls apart, we settle for Chick Fil-A (aka, Christian Fast Food), and I fall asleep on the couch, ignoring the mess around me.

But tonight, I vowed to plow through. Women in the 1950′s were no strangers to hard work and a little fatigue. They would not plop on the couch at the first sign of exhaustion. They inspired me! I made dinner, and even though it was not as I envisioned, it was pretty tasty. And more importantly. Clay and I were able to reconnect even in the middle of a crazy night. That was extremely rewarding! I thought, “This is what it’s all about. This is why I am doing this project.”

My little heart was content.

But our oasis ended, and I rushed off to a meeting, fully expecting to return home to a sinkful of dishes and chaotic living room. But I miscalculated one variable in this formula. I planned every detail of the 1950′s wife, but I forgot that I am not married to a 1950′s husband.

I walked in the door and… you guessed it… the dishes were clean. The table was clear. Even the counters had magically been cleared and Shelby’s toys were back in her basket.

My first reaction was, “Sweet Clay. He is the best husband in the world.” (he really is)

My next reaction was, “I have trained that boy well.” (as he has trained me)

But now, I am worried. “Will fifty days retrain him to be a lazy knot on a log?” (uh – oh)

They say it only takes twenty-one days to develop a habit. And Clay will have fifty days of man snacks, homemade meals, backrubs, and falling asleep on the recliner. I am the dumbest woman alive! I am going to take the sweetest, most thoughtful man - the one I have worked TEN YEARS to perfect - and turn him rotten.

What have I done?

Posted in 1950's Relationships, 1950's Wife Project | Tagged , , , , | 45 Comments

Proud Moment

Emily June 10, 2010
[15] comments

Day #3 – June 9, 2010

“Correct measuring of ingredients is a must. All measurements are level!”

Useful Facts and Figures Section of
Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Successful Homemaking

Before today, I wondered why ad men in the 1950’s continuously displayed pictures of women proudly holding a cake or a pie.

“Don’t they know that women are proud of diamonds and pearls? No one smiles that big over a silly pastry.”

I couldn’t relate to their elation because, until this afternoon at 4:00 PM, I had never made a cake or pie from scratch. I once considered using Katie Brown’s recipe for Clay’s birhtday cake. She specializes in “almost homemade.” Most of her techniques involve a mix plus some extra ingredients for added flavor, but even that amount of work seemed silly when Brusters makes ice cream cakes for less than $20.00, and Publix can bake a cake that tastes like heaven in my mouth, and Lisa Thomas whips up a cookie cake that she will deliver to my room at school for no extra charge.  

I can think of ONE time I baked a cake using a Duncan Hines package, and even then, I did not decorate it or take pride in it.

But thanks to Valerie McClendon and her grandmother’s delicious blueberry pie recipe, I now know the feeling of making something from scratch. I am looking at my half-eaten blueberry pie right now thinking, “Just a few hours ago, that pie was nothing but ingredients.”

 I have such a sense of accomplishment, and yet, Valerie practically held my hand the entire time. I am like the three year old whose Mom says, “Look what little Emmie made,” when everyone knows Emmie was just in the kitchen while Mama did the real work. Still, I feel great! I can’t quit staring at my pie.

I rushed through dinner tonight just to get to dessert. I took my pie to Bible Study so all the girls in my group could “Oooh” and “Aaaah!” And now, I am posting pictures of the pie on the Internet. A 1950’s wife couldn’t do that, but she would understand why I must!

Here are a few things I learned about baking today. Feel free to add any other thoughts that might help me in the future.

  1. It is best to learn how to bake while watching an expert at work. An online recipe is not the same!
  2. Pies are not that expensive. They are basically made out of flour, sugar, Crisco, and milk. These ingredients are even in my pantry. All you have to buy is the fruit.
  3.  The only way to know if your dough is right is to touch it, and feel if it feels right at each point in the process.
  4. If ever the dough gets sticky, add a little flour.
  5. Use an old pillowcase for rolling the dough (instead of wax paper).
  6. Dump lots of cinnamon on the top layer of crust for some extra yummy.
  7. Pie makes a great midnight snack :)

Thank you, Valerie, for taking such good care of me today. It was a pleasure to join you in the kitchen.

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Homemaking is Hard to Do

Emily June 9, 2010
[19] comments

Day #2 - June 8, 2010

“Isn’t it easy to assure your family of all the essentials of a sound diet
and at the same time serve them mouthwatering meals?”
page 159 of Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Successful Homemaking

“I could run a marathon…if I wanted to.” I said that after seeing that Oprah ran her marathon.

“I could save more of my paycheck… if I wanted to.” We all say that.

“I could be a 1950′s Wife…if I wanted to.” I have always thought that.

Deep down, I really believed that I could do this, if I wanted to. I just never wanted to. I never wanted to cook a the perfect meal or set the perfect table, but I assumed I could. I was like that kid in my class who wouldn’t do the assignment because he thinks it’s too easy… but as the teacher, I KNOW he can’t do it. I was THAT KID…until now.

Now I know… it’s not easy!

I have a newfound respect for any person who is able to make a meal gorgeous and delicious. I follow blogs of women who seem to prepare meals with ease. Carey, in Florida, is one. Dining at her house is always a pleasure, and she makes it look so easy. Erica, here in Georgia, is another. When I get to eat with her, every detail is well-planned so dinner guests feel special and at relaxed.

After two days, and four less-than-average meals, I now know that their meal preparation is like gymnastics. When I watch gymnastics on television, those little girls bounce around the mat and make a round-off, backhandspring, double-back look like strolling down the street. But everyone knows that they make it look easy after spending hours upon hours in the gym. They train, practice, and listen to coaches. They visualize their routines and take their events seriously. Even though dinner time is not a tumbling routine, it still takes just as much hard work and practice.

Today, I didn’t really prepare enough, and it showed. If I would have actually lived in the 1950′s, we would have starved.

Mistake tally so far today: 6
1. I did not know that steel cut oats take THIRTY minutes to cook. So, I had to use instant.
2. I did not realize our potatoes had started growing little baby potatoes, so I had to throw those out.
3. I should have marinated the chicken last night, not two hours before dinner.
4. Collard greens need to cook in something other than water and Italian seasoning, but at least they were healthy.
5. When a recipe calls for a specific size pan, I should follow it. My strawberry salad was tasty, but not beautiful.

 

Our relaxing dinner outside tonight. It wasn’t perfect, but we enjoyed ourselves!

This plate doesn’t look like Southern Living, but Clay thought it was nice!

After five minutes, we moved the meal inside because it was freakin’ hot outside. But isn’t it a lovely picture? I guess that moves my mistake tally to seven. But who’s counting?

Tomorrow should be interesting. I am learning to make blueberry pie with homemade crust! I’m so excited to have HELP. I need it! If any of you make special homemade treats, let me know and I will buy all the ingredients and come over to your house for a lesson. I will even wear my heels and pearls and apron :)

This picture is for Mom in High Heels!

Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Menu on Monday

Emily June 7, 2010
[26] comments

Day #1 – June 7, 2010

“The philosophy of Good Housekeeping magazine always has centered upon the
happiness of the home, not only from the spirit, but the mechanics.”
page 9 of the Guide to Successful Homemaking

Although I had plenty of spirit today in my endeavors, I am definitely missing some key mechanics. One of the main missing components is what I call “TOUCH.” A woman’s touch, sometimes called “LOVE” or “INTUITION”  can make any meal delicious. From eggs at breakfast to meatloaf at dinner, nothing tasted as delicious as I hoped it would.

I knew I would need help with the advanced tasks, like making pie crust from scratch, but now I know that I need to be in a “special” cooking class. I need remediation (teachers, you know what I’m talking about). If I were in a cooking class, it would be a small one where teachers gave me modified tests. If I rode a bus to cooking school, it would be a short one.

I need to go back to Cooking Kindergarten, where you learn the how to fry an egg, cook some bacon, or use a food processor.

These are my disasters so far:

- I grossly underestimated the number of oranged needed for “fresh-squeezed orange juice.” I made enough for a mouse. We both took a single sip and then just drank water.

- We fed the runny eggs and burnt bacon to our golden retriever after no more than two or three bites.

- This afternoon, I threw out 3 batches of salsa for Clay’s Man Snack – I made guacamole instead.

- And worst of all, I forgot my apron all day!

Apparently, dressing  in a skirt and high heels does not make a person a good cook. With all that said, at least I have learned a few things today:

1. Cooking green beans in chicken broth gives them a nice flavor.
2. If you don’t have chicken broth for the beans, throw some bacon and onions in the pan for flavor.
3. Raspberries make fruit pizza look gorgeous.
4. If you have to mess up, it’s good to have a husband who will say, “I have always liked crispy bacon.”

Shelby, eating our nasty eggs this morning

3rd batch of salsa going down the drain

Clay’s Man Snack – Guacamole

Dinner in the formal dining room

At least the fruit pizza tasted yummy!

Maybe the rest of the week will be better. Here is the menu plan for week one (I’ll try to post the menu every Monday, if you need recipe ideas):

Monday

Breakfast   - Eggs, bacon, fruit salad, juice, chai latte, vitamins

Lunch- Turkey and cheese pita, peach slices, pretzels

Man Snack – chips and homemade salsa, Homemade Guacamole with chips

Dinner – Meatloaf Muffins, Squash Casserole, green beans, Side Salad

Dessert – Dessert Pizza with fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and kiwi

Tuesday

Breakfast – Steel Cut Oats with Brown Sugar, Fruit Salad, Coffee, Juice, and Vitamins

Lunch – Meatloaf Sandwich, Leftover Casserole, apple slices

Man Snack – chocolate covered pretzels, Red Rock Ginger Ale

Dinner- Marinated Chicken Breasts, Baked Potatoes, Strawberry Salad

Dessert – Ice Cream with Strawberries, garnished with parsley

 Wednesday

Breakfast – Egg and cheese sandwich, Coffee, Juice, and Vitamins

Lunch – chicken salad with strawberries, potatoes, dessert pizza

Man Snack – chips and homemade salsa, real lemonade

Dinner – Peppered Roast Beef, rolls, Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, Baked Citrus Asparagus

Dessert – Blueberry Pie with homemade crust

 Thursday

Breakfast – Egg Sandwich, fruit salad, tea, juice, and vitamins

Lunch – Peppered Beef Sandwich, macaroni and cheese, asparagus

Man Snack – Homemade Guacamole and Chips with Root Beer

Dinner – French onion soup, Caesar Salad, brown rice, and brussel sprouts

Dessert – Blueberry pie with ice cream

 Friday

Breakfast – omelet with bell peppers and mushrooms, chai latte, juice, water

Lunch – Out to eat

Dinner – Date Night – Out to eat

 Saturday

Breakfast – Wheat Pancakes with blueberries, Coffee, Juice, Vitamins

Lunch – Turkey and cheese Panini, homemade salsa with chips, and fruit salad

Dinner – Grilled chicken, potatoes, and asparagus

 Sunday – Rest, no cooking,

Breakfast – Eat at church

Lunch – Out to eat

Dinner – Leftovers

Posted in 1950's Food Preparation, 1950's Wife Project | Tagged , , , , , | 26 Comments

Goodbye Tennis Shoes

Emily June 7, 2010
[28] comments

I don’t know why I am so nervous. Tomorrow is the beginning of the fifty days, and I have already set the table for breakfast. I keep worrying.

What if I oversleep?

What if Clay doesn’t like his lunch?

What if I’m too exhausted to clean everything?

I need to chill. This is homemaking, not rocket science. No matter what, it will be a drastic improvement from anything Clay has experienced since we got married.

I am also worried that today is my last day of freedom, last day of tennis shoes, last day of Starbucks. Tomorrow, I trade in my jogging shorts for a ruffled skirt. I trade in fast food for homemade jam. And of course, I trade in my fake jewelry for pearls.

From now until July 26, 2010, I will strictly follow Good Housekeeping’s Guide to Successful Homemaking. It was published in 1956, and contains sentences like, “With all the poll-taking and statistics that we in engage in at present, probably nobody has ever measure the vaule to the entire family of a well-run house.”

I will try to measure it. Maybe Clay can weigh it. We will get back to you in fifty days.

Posted in 1950's Attitutude, 1950's Wife Project | Tagged , , | 28 Comments