Let The Celebrating Commence!...

 

Even though my actual Birthday isn't until December, if you've been visiting for a while, you'll know that I have mastered the Art of the Extended Birthday. I begin my celebrating with the first card or gift, and continue until the last card or gift arrives. 

 

My first gift arrived yesterday, so the celebrating officially commences! This package arrived from my dear, long-time Kiwi friend, Marrianne.

 

 

This book is what inspired the gift. Marrianne had shared a recipe she'd made from this cookbook on one of her Facebook posts. As a person who loves cookbooks, and her dish looked delicious, I commented on it. One of the interesting things about this cookbook in particular is that the recipes are small yield dishes...something you prepare for one or two people.

I searched online for Nici's cookbook only to find that it's only available in New Zealand. I may have mentioned that to Marrianne, and she offered to get a copy for me. Never in a million years did I solicit a gift, but she told me she didn't want compensation for the book.

I've already paged through and earmarked about a half dozen recipes, and I can't wait to try them. There are a few localized ingredients that are unfamiliar to me, but when I get to making the recipes, I'll research those items for comparables. I really can't wait to dig in!

 

Also included in my package was a beautiful, cross stitched acorn bookmark. It's something that was very special to her (I'll keep the details between us), but it now means as much to me, and will be treasured by me. When I use it, it will remind me of Marrianne and the significance of this gift.

 

 

Finally, she knows how much I love these confections. Pineapple lumps are a tasty treat specific to New Zealand, and I hoard them to myself whenever they arrive. Yum!

 

So, in conclusion, I've begun the official celebration, thanks to my dear friend. I'm also going to come up with something special for her to thank her for her generosity. Of course, I won't be able to show you what it is (once I come up with it) until after I know she's received it. 

 

Thank you, Marrianne. I'm so grateful for this gift, but more so for the gift of your enduring friendship. We've been separated by thousands of miles, but always so near in our hearts. We've been friends through many heartbreaking moments, as well as many joyful events. You mean the world to me, and I love you, friend. Perhaps some day, we'll meet in person. A girl can hope, right?

 

Taking The Wayback Machine To 1927...

Two days ago, I was sorting through my still-boxed cookbooks in search of an old favorite that contains a favorite "no bake" recipe for dinners. It's called "No Time To Cook" and I think it was a Better Homes and Gardens publication (or something like that). I did ultimately locate it, and used one of the recipes for dinner that evening. Thanks to a regular breeze here, it was actually quite comfortable after the sun went down, but I still didn't have any plans to light up the oven.

As I was searching for that cookbook, I came across more "antique" cookbooks that belonged to various ancestors. This one belonged to my dear mother-in-law, Evelyn. I decided to bring it upstairs and look through it. She even wrote a recipe of her own on the last page, and I'm definitely going to make that one. 

As you can see from the front page, this is a compilation of recipes from the Royal Baking Powder Company™, and the copyright is 1927! I love old cookbooks, and couldn't wait to dig into it. I'm not quite sure why I hadn't done it before in all these years.

This is the Index of all the recipes in this 100 page book. You may want to pull this image onto your desktop or into your images files so you can read it better or print it out. I'm suggesting that for a reason I'll explain by the end of this post. Don't forget you can also click on the image here to enlarge it.

Just look at all those recipes! I've already chosen the first on my list to make, which is the recipe for Luncheon Rolls that can be made from start to finish in about an hour! Those homemakers didn't have all day to waste in the kitchen. They had to clean house, get the kids to school, prepare a hot meal for the family, and they had to do it dressed up and wearing makeup! (Right?)

So, check out these recipes and I'll tell you why soon.

As I was telling my sister, Di about this discovery, she did an Amazon search for Royal Baking Powder.™ Can you believe they still make it?! Yes. It's made by the same company that makes the Clabber Girl™ brand. I use Clabber Girl™, but placed an order for the Royal brand which will be here tomorrow. I'm curious to see if there's a difference.

I love the photographs with step-by-step technique instructions, and there's even a page on how to cut the shapes into the ends of piping bags to make all the different decorating shapes with icing. Homemakers didn't keep a drawer-full of metal decorating tips in their kitchens. Haven't we become spoiled?

The book is also filled with many other pages of helpful hints, but mostly there are some wonderfully intriguing recipes. That's when the idea hit me. Have you heard of the movie where a young woman decided to make every one of Julie Child's recipes? Why can't this more mature bird attempt the same? Perhaps not every recipe, but I could take a good run at more than a few, and then share those recipes with you!

You'll be able to print out the recipes, and perhaps put them into your own binder to keep and share. So, what do you think? Do you like this idea? My first attempt will be those Luncheon Rolls. It says they're perfect for sandwiches, and who knows? They may become our go-to for sub sandwiches for family gatherings?

I'm already putting sticky notes all over this cookbook and trying to decide which recipes I'll make (maybe once every two weeks), and I'm going to give you a chance to have input on the choices. That's why I want you to enlarge, print out, or save the Index above. Let me know which recipe(s) you'd like to see me make and share. I may even do videos  to go with them, or live episodes from time to time. I'll keep track of all your suggestions, and will keep doing this at least until your suggestions run out. I may even have little prize drawings along the way!

So, that's what I'm going to do. Beginning Monday, August 1st, I'm going to make and post the first of many recipes from this cookbook. I'll share photographs of my creations, tell you how they worked up, how they tasted (I'm sure Handsome will help with that part), and then share the actual recipe with you. Then, you can try the recipes in your kitchen if you like. I'll make a new tab in the menu bar so you'll be able to find all the recipe posts in one place, too!

I'm looking forward to some awesome feedback, so please don't let me down. I'm excited about this project, and hope you will be, too.

We Make A Great Team...

Brynwood Needleworks - Smoky Paprika Tomato Jam

 

My productive weekend never would have happened without the help Handsome gave me. Before my surgery, we went to the Oshkosh area and purchased a bushel of tomatoes at a great price. Nearly fifty pounds of these red beauties yielded half a shelf of crushed tomatoes, many jars of tomato ketchup, and multiple jars of salsa. It was so nice to see all that goodness in our pantry, but only half of the tomato shelf was filled.

Brynwood Needleworks - Crushed Tomatoes In Pantry

 

One week post-op, I asked Handsome if he would help me with another bushel so that shelf would be full as we head into the cold weather. He agreed, so I contacted the same seller and we went back for another bushel on Friday morning. I need his help whenever anything over five pounds needs to be lifted, as that's my biggest restriction for a month after the surgery.

He lifted every single thing I needed all weekend (and beyond). He brought all the canning supplies I needed upstairs from my storage area in the basement, he measured all the tomatoes (20# per batch), and helped me load and unload my pots and the canner all day.

Brynwood Needleworks - Marisa McClellan's Canning Book

By the end of the day on Saturday, we'd processed just over forty pounds of red goodness, and added fifteen quarts of crushed tomatoes, plus two quarts of "mostly juice" (for soups or to add to roasts). Not only did we fill the rest of that shelf, but I had to move into another shelf space for the rest.

Sunday, I took four pounds and made a recipe I've been thinking about for months. I belong to the "Food In Jars" Facebook group, founded by Marisa McClellan, and they've all be raving about this recipe. I had to try it! I made her Smoky Paprika Tomato Jam (included in Marisa's Preserving By The Pint cookbook).

Now I know what all the other canners who've made this recipe know. It's delicious! Four pounds yielded four half-pints (one jar missing in the photograph, because that one was actually our test jar at dinner time last night) of tasty, smoky/sweet jam.

In case you're wondering, this jam can be used on a charcuterie tray as a condiment, on hamburgers or sausages, and after tasting, I can't wait to use it as a sauce on baby back ribs! Ladies in the group say it makes a great pizza sauce, too. So many applications!

So, we went through all those tomatoes, and I admit I'm tired. But, I can say, I'm not hurting, and Handsome was my hero as we did this project together all weekend. I'm feeling pretty chuffed at our shared accomplishments. We make a great team.

Memory Lane Monday - Cookbook Love...

Is there anyone who doesn't treasure their old cookbooks? 

I have quite a few special books, but these are my 

most favorite (old) cookbooks.

 One of the reasons they're so treasured is because all of them

belonged to someone I love before they came to me, with two exceptions.

There's something special about making a dish that you know was made

by one of your ancestors. It joins generations together through food.

My old copy of the Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book was printed in 1950 

and belonged to Mum before she gave it to me a number of years ago.

It's still my #1, Go-To cookbook if I'm looking for a traditional recipe.

Have you ever made your own tartar sauce? It's so much better than store-bought!

 These are probably my oldest books.

Everyday Desserts and Farmhouse Fare were gifts from 

my British Aunt Annette (Uncle Johnny's wife).

Everyday Desserts is copyrighted 1911.

There are pages and pages of tasty desserts.

"Nantucket Pudding: Heat a quart of canned fruit and 

add two tablespoonfuls each of flour and sugar. 

Simmer until smooth and thick, turn into a serving dish,

and cover with whipped cream."

Farmhouse Fare has the subtitle 

"Recipes from country housewives collected by Farmer's Weekly."

It was first published in 1935, but my copy is dated 1973.

Within its covers you'll find recipes for Rhubarb Chutney, 

Macaroni and Onion Fritters, Blackberry and Sloe Jelly,

Afternoon Tea Cakes, and many other interesting dishes.

There is even a chapter titled, "For Your Corner Cupboard"

featuring farmer's remedies for myriad ailments.

I don't think I'll make An Ancient Barley Drink or Nettle Syrup, but 

I might be tempted to try Farmhouse Herb Salve or the Three-in-One Cleaner.

The Boston Cooking School Cook Book used to belong to Handsome's paternal

grandmother and was passed to his aunt before it came to us when she died.

Aunt Eula wrote on the first page:

"Mama's ol' cookbook-

(Look at the ads!)

- Eula

3/24/86"

 The copyright in this cookbook is 1906.

 Two of these cookbooks belonged to my mother-in-law, Evelyn.

Choice Family Recipes was compiled for her good friend, Ellen Stolz

in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. It was printed in 1956.

The Settlement Cook Book was published in 1956, and Evelyn kept

recipe clippings from the newspaper between its covers, too.

I found this cookbook when I traveled to Hayward, Wisconsin for one of my

Wisconsin Conservation Congresss obligations. I managed to find time to slip

into an antique shop while there and came away with the 

Culinary Arts Institute Encyclopedic Cookbook, dated 1948.

The last two cookbooks really make me smile.

One is the Signature Recipes presented by The Elm Grove Woman's Club.

Copyright 1962.

 Evelyn contributed four recipes to this one, including a family favorite...

Chocolate Applesauce Cake. Both our daughters-in-law now make it for

family holidays so I can create other family favorites when we're together.

 And then there is my own Stitches Needleworker's Cookbook

which I copyrighted in 1992.

 The dedication includes a photograph of me with the beautiful women

who worked with me in the shop at the time the cookbook was printed...

l-r back row: Beverly Risser and Marie Hausinger

l-r front: Lori Pain, me and my dear, long-time friend, Laura (Puddy) Ignera.

Some of my fondest memories were created with these beautiful women.

The cookbook includs recipes submitted by customers and

fellow designers (I was designing as Brynwood Needleworks then, too).

There are also cross stitch tips and designs shared by those same talented women.

Although I don't have more copies of this cookbook, I have been

considering reprinting it under my Brynwood label. 

What do you think? Should I do it?

Well, I think this is officially my longest Memory Lane Monday post!

I hope you enjoyed it.

If you have a memory you'd like to share, please write about it

on your blog and then link back here so everyone can read it.
(The link will remain open until Sunday, August 5, 2012.)

Thank you for strolling down Memory Lane with me again.

Memory Lane Monday - Comfort Food...

Welcome to Memory Lane Monday for August. It's always so much fun choosing a favorite story to share. I originally planned a "Back to School" memory for you, but I was unable to locate the specific old photo I wanted to complete the post. I'm going to save that story for next month, and will spend the time between now and then tracking down that missing image!

In it's place, I've chosen a "Homemaking/Cooking" them instead. Mum taught me how to crack eggs and prepare them when I was about eight years old, so I've been a bona fide cook ever since. Nothing makes me happier than making meals for my family and watching them enjoy the fruits of my labor as they enjoy each others company.

Handsome's mother was a consummate hostess, entertaining guests, caring for her family and filling their home with the fragrances of delicious meals. In addition to a few of her favorite cookbooks, I consider myself fortunate to have her copy of the Sunset Hostess Handbook.

By the way, if you're interested in obtaining your own copy of this handbook, I found them available at eBay, etsy and even Amazon.com. Just do a Google search under "Sunset Hostess Handbook". 

It was written in 1936 (there's also a 1937 edition) and is full of tips, black and white images and recipes for being a good homemaker. There are helpful articles about hosting a dinner party, planning a special meal or features like The Kitchen Cabinet with recipes for delicious dishes.

I think my favorite thing about turning the pages in this book is finding a little check mark or notation in the margin where Evelyn showed which recipes she made and liked. On this particular page, she made the Cranberry Salad Mold, and left a check mark as her note.

I do the same thing with the recipes I try. I like to leave a comment in the margin to say what I did or didn't like, what I might change, and the date that I made it the first time. I always make it exactly as the recipe instructs the first time. I improvise from there, unless I'm making it with notes provided by a previous cook. In that case, I follow their recommendations.

I'd like to think that my daughters-in-law (or whoever ends up with any of my cookbooks) will enjoy turning the pages for the same reason. It seems to me to be another way to share an interest across time. I hope Evelyn is smiling down on me as I prepare the same dishes that she did, and as I aspire to create a happy home for our family.

Do you have the same rapport with your family cookbooks and guides? Perhaps some day, our grandchildren will turn the pages of Grandpa's bread cookbook and read his handwritten notes as he perfected his favorite Seven Grain Bread. Or they'll find the full dinner menu in my hardcover annual collection from Gourmet magazine that has become our Christmas meal for the past twenty plus years and want to make it for their families.

So many of us create family memories over meals. I hope that our family can continue the tradition of making those special dishes...as they add their own favorites to hand down. I think that's the true meaning of "comfort food". Don't you?

Thanks for joining me for this month's memory. I hope you'll share a memory on your blog (Don't forget to link back here!) or visit the other contributors (below) to read their stories, too! Bloggers will have until September 4th to add their link to Memory Lane Monday.

Comfort Food...

This is a little vignette I put together on our kitchen counter recently. It incorporates my three newest cookbooks...Pioneer Woman Cooks, Coming Home, and The Williamsburg Cookbook.

I had purchased Coming Home last summer. (Remember the post I did for that fabulous Crustless Pumpkin Pie? It was a real hit for Thanksgiving!)
Pioneer Woman Cooks was a gift from younger son's family for Christmas. It was a request that I was so happy to receive. Ree Drummond is the real deal, and every page has something wonderful to read, cook or see. Her photos are great. I have made some of her dishes, and highly recommend her Chicken Spaghetti. It's as big a hit around here as it is with her family. I have her blog in my blog roll, so check it out some time.The last cookbook has a cute story behind it. For Christmas, I made a pretty, girly, cotton apron for daughter-in-law #2 (The Ar-teest). I also machine embroidered some kitchen towels for her in vintage, Sunbonnet Sue, red-work designs. As her final gift, I included a soft cover version of The Williamsburg Cookbook. I had picked it up for her when I was in Williamsburg last fall.
Can you imagine how tickled I was to open up the beautiful wrapping to see that same daughter-in-law had found a hard-cover copy of the same cookbook to gift to me? I was over the moon excited! I guess it's true that we can't go wrong if we give a gift we'd love to receive. This year I did!

I'm really looking forward to trying the recipes in this new cookbook, as well as delving deeper into the other two books. Won't that be fun?

Make Mine Pumpkin, Please...

I've never been asked to answer one of those blogger interview-type questionnaires. But if I did...and if I were asked what flavor pie is my favorite...I would answer, "Make mine pumpkin, please."

This is the newest cookbook on my shelf. Coming Home from Gooseberry Patch. It's filled with great seasonal ideas, inspiring images and projects, and recipes. Oh, you should see the recipes! I actually started to salivate when I saw the recipe for Crustless Pumpkin Pie!

Now, I don't want anyone to get testy with me if you're already staring Winter in the face, but here in south Florida it's still hot. I mean nearly 90º hot during the day...and humid. So, the thought of firing up the oven to make pumpkin-anything is not on my immediate agenda. But, in about a week, I'm heading to Wisconsin. I'm not telling you why at this point (that's for another post on another day), but Mum is telling me it's bloody cold up there already. Snow in October! Apparently, Wisconsin didn't get the memo about "global warming". I'm afraid I might freeze while I'm there! I'm seriously hoping for Indian Summer.

Don't you think she'd love it if I took my new cookbook with me and whipped up a little Crustless Pumpkin Pie for her? We may have to huddle around the oven if I don't get my "weather wish".

So I'm thinking - Indian Summer, Crustless Pumpkin Pie and perhaps a batch of chili for the Packers game. What do you think?

A little reminder that if you click on my images, you get a larger view. (ie., You'll be able to read the recipe!) Yea!!!