abby try again

simple times

 

When my Mom visited a while ago, we enjoyed our favorite activity together; thrift shopping.

I found a number of interesting things, it's easier to find them when you have a willing partner who will dig through the mess with you. One nice thing I found was a giant book of Currier & Ives color plates (for $2.50!). 

I enjoy the America that these prints show.It was a time when boat races were elegant, neighbors harvesting together, and early bicycles were making their debut. It seems to be a time when simple luxuries weren't taken for granted. A time when seasons were paid attention to and activities and small pleasures followed suit. 

It's also interesting to think about a time before photography existed for the masses, a time when many of the images people saw were like these. Kind of the total opposite of my world today...

hmm

I think I will post some of my favorite images from the book over at my other blog.

Happy Monday!

old cooking

 

 

I found this old silver (pewter?) spoon at at thrift store for $.25 the other day.

I thought it was gorgeous so I brought it home. I've been thinking of all of the people who may or may not have used it. It's really heavy and to me-it looks pretty old.

I was reminded of the terribly old hand written recipe book my Mother gave to me years ago. (The spoon is shown resting on the book.) The book is funny and amazing and I love how some of the things listed in it aren't even really recipes-just ideas and assumptions that the person reading will know what you are writing about.

You can see the book open here, and notice the "recipe" for rice griddle cakes...The news clippings above are from the book, too. I am fond of the rarebit one and I love that it states its "especially suited to golf players on a chilly evening". I must make it for James some night.

I found this website, which seems like it can lead to hours of searching and fun. 

I've begun thinking of the heritage recipes from my own family...what will we remember? Chocolate sheet cake of course and potato supreme and tomato bread...?

Do you have any great family recipes?

Happy Weekend! I'll be posting this weekend over at my other blog.