50s times

I remember the latter half of the fifties with gre...

2009-11-05T14:14:25.011-08:00

I remember the latter half of the fifties with great fondness. While it could be that my young age could not grasp the "real" times, I think it is the memories of those years that prompt a longing for a time of societal stability. The standards of those years fit in with my husband's and my religious convictions. As you have expressed, it IS a version. We live with the *essence* of those years. We have filtered out the those things that prevent, or even taint, a simpler, more fifties type of lifestyle. A life that is comfortable with, and appreciative of, some of the modern conveniences, but still retains most of the values before the upheavals of the "roaring twenties" and the World Wars.

I am glad you will continue with the dress style and standards of the 50's. I understand about the comments. I, too, have had comments. My outfits are not the latest fashion. They would be considered conservative "classic." I also do not wear slacks. Although I never give it a thought, other take notice and I get comments. They are just curious. I would like to take note, however, that men are usually very courteous and helpful to me when I am out and about. I contribute this to my dress.

You are correct. History shows that a strong nuclear family is the backbone of a strong nation. The homemaker has no small role in this history, either.

No Idle Hands

This - I prefer my VERSION of a 1950’s housewife. ...

2009-11-05T07:20:47.552-08:00

This - I prefer my VERSION of a 1950’s housewife.

Oh yeah - I hear you. But what you say is fascinating. Its always preferable if you can do what you want and toss the rest! Loved this post to pieces!

Brava! GREAT post, 50s gal! It makes me want to t...

2009-11-04T18:25:12.534-08:00

Brava! GREAT post, 50s gal!

It makes me want to try living in the 50s for a while!! Or I might try a combo of what I love from the past and modern comforts my spoiled self enjoys! :)

It is so difficult to live as a minority nowadays, especially like you mentioned, since homemaking is viewed in such disdain. Perhaps I am overly sensitive, but I am always hurt by people asking when when I'm "going to get a job" or telling me I'd be happier working...A homemaker keeps the unit of the family alive and running with less stress for everyone! Both my mother and grandmothers were homemakers, as is my MIL, so I guess it has become very normal to me. My Polish family on my mom side were very strong minded and ran the home, literally! Not your typical "oppressed homemaker". Is there really such a thing? Many working girls let their men oppress them too, it's all a matter of respect, nothing to do with homemaking in my opinion!!

I really enjoyed all your answers and it's really making me want to do this better. Thanks! :)

Wow 50gal you do 'spoil' us with all this great re...

2009-11-04T13:48:02.784-08:00

Wow 50gal you do 'spoil' us with all this great reading! The summarizing of the wonderful ideals, thoughts, changes and discoveries we've shared during your blogging is so inspiring to see condensed in answers to specific questions. Thank you.

We should all be made aware of the OPTION to be able to CHOOSE as a credible vocation the simple pure joy of being a homemaker.

Every aspect of your old self has changed,(that's monumental!), thinking of your old self as if in a dream... How apt that your two selves would converge. That's the best of both persons.:)

It has taken me a long time to 'grow-up' in some areas and it's still a progression. Our culture is vying for ways to stay young and immature and often not emulating the wise ways of responsible-living 'adults'.

Our clothing and manner of dress does have an affect on our emotional state. Don't we feel relaxed, confident and 'good/nice' when we're fresh, clean, pressed, feminine...

I too don't need to escape from my daily life. There is much creativity, productivity, relaxation, enjoyment, learning to be had in our sphere, so much to enjoy and learn. This elastic profession of homemaker is truly a good life.

Your last paragraph sums up everything beautifully!

Thanks for sharing your journey with us therefore inspiring us to improve ourselves and enjoy our role even more. Linda

I agree with so much of this post I wouldn't even ...

2009-11-04T11:04:34.806-08:00

I agree with so much of this post I wouldn't even know where to begin.

I would like to say that you struck a cord, however about the choice in clothing. I love the late 30's look of the longer skirts with the A line to the. Maybe it is more 40s...whatever. I want to start working towards getting an entire wardrobe together or retro looks and dump "modern" all together.

Thanks again, 50sgal for the inspiration!

OF course, aunt ameilia, as I said, today we have ...

2009-11-04T10:31:52.872-08:00

OF course, aunt ameilia, as I said, today we have the CHOICE to dress as we want, but sometimes I do think that always being 'casual' with jeans does affect the way we sit, react to one another etc. Rather or good or bad, was my point.
Also, my friend, who is very well endowed, now wears the vintage cone bras and we can't believe how wonderful they make her look. They lift and separate and actually make her very large bosoums seem smaller but in a good flattering way. Honest to goodness it takes 5 years off her figure!
When you did dress that way, though, you enjoyed it, did you not?
SO really, we have no disagreement, as I never intend for anyone to HAVE to wear 1950's clothes, only my own findings when I DO. And for those who do want to feel different or 'special' choose a decade or style you have loved or admired and try it out, you might be surprised how different you feel. Sometimes taking the time to 'check how you look' before you head to the store makes the trip more enjoyable for yourself. I know sometimes I swear I see people who literally look like they just woke up and walked out the door in their pajamas!

A wee bit of disagreement. :-) I lived the 50's....

2009-11-04T10:03:12.207-08:00

A wee bit of disagreement. :-)

I lived the 50's. I have no desire to dress that way, again. [bras which gave a pointy look, girdles, all those crinolines and starching them, stockings, hats, heels, etc.]

Not sorry I did it, back then. Just that, once was plenty for me.

But looking neat, on leaving the house... That never goes out of style, and never stops being a nice thing to do.

^_^

Thank you, my dear friend made these curtains for ...

2009-11-04T09:23:33.457-08:00

Thank you, my dear friend made these curtains for this house when we had my mother and father living here, so they are special to me now. They are red gingham and have a valance/pelmet and tie-backs in cherry fabric. We have a half curtain on the door with a matcing valance/pelmet.
Thank you again, everyone, for all the lovely birthday wishes. If only I could have had ALL of you here with me, imagine just the sound of all of our petticoats! What a joyful noise!

Happy Belated Birthday! Thank you for sharing all...

2009-11-04T09:20:38.443-08:00

Happy Belated Birthday!

Thank you for sharing all of the lovely photos and you are right, the black and white ones look like they are from 1955!

I also have to say that I *love* your kitchen curtains! (o:

I have really enjoyed following along in your 1955 year.--I can't believe there are only 2 months left!

Many Blessings,
~Michele

LPM-ooh, I would be excited by the weekends as wel...

2009-11-04T08:39:02.401-08:00

LPM-ooh, I would be excited by the weekends as well. It is always fun to cook and prepare for friends. Maybe I will do a post about vintage cocktails sometime and we can compare notes.
Isn't it funny how, unless it is something very high-end that I don't know YET how to make, eating out often is never as good as I once remembered it. I like knowing what is in my food and how it is put together and with friends, getting to used treasured dishes and things is alwasy fun. I have a set of vintage highball glasses that we always use in our bar setup and at my birthday tea, as we became a cocktail party, they always illicit conversation. They are clear with black and gold trim and they have 'telephones through the ages' depicting them from 1890's and at the very top there is one entitled, "future' which quite honetsly, looks like a 1950's version of a computer.
My next step is to try and reduce the items I buy containing corn syrup. EVERYTHING has corn syrup as opposed to sugar here, whcih is insane as sugar cane is a much larger crop than corn and actually better for you.

Lovely! I noticed a few things as I read that I ha...

2009-11-04T08:17:41.190-08:00

Lovely!
I noticed a few things as I read that I have been changing that are similar. We also no longer buy any prepackaged lunch meats, even if they are “natural.” We no longer find they taste good. We do still go to the deli for fresh sliced though. I have been trying to slowly change that as well.
We used to love to go out to eat. Now, though, it seems nothing ever tastes good at restaurants, and we would rather just stay home and have something home cooked. My hubby has even asked if it would be too much to have friends come for dinner and cocktails on the weekends instead of going out. I, surprisingly, am excited about this! Though I am moving slowly, I hope to make them nice and a more frequent occurrence. We are also doing more to change our house with treasures found from the past.
My husband even helps with the dishes in the evenings now; we have never really had a dishwasher.
I am learning much from your blogs. Thank you!!
LPM

oh, nothing to do with this post, but thanks for c...

2009-11-04T04:48:11.451-08:00

oh, nothing to do with this post, but thanks for commenting on my blog...and, I think I am going to take advantage of already getting Saturday off to 'tie up loose ends' so that I'm not scrambling to get stuff done last minute...like last year. But I do hope you are able to get a few things for Sunday?

I'm 25, but already I see a substantial difference...

2009-11-03T19:41:17.710-08:00

I'm 25, but already I see a substantial difference between the (seemingly) carefree Halloween of my youth (which was almost always full of homemade costumes, parties with handmade decorations and party foods, and fun spent at home with friends and family, instead of huge, expensive parties) and what Halloween has become today.

Thank you dearly for your wonderful comment on my Halloween outfit post, I really appreciate your visit and lovely words.

Big hugs,
♥ Jessica

Happy Birthday, 50s Gal! ... you're happy at home ...

2009-11-03T17:47:35.152-08:00

Happy Birthday, 50s Gal! ... you're happy at home in 1955 with a lovely table set for like-minded friends ... and you wouldn't have been rushed out of a restaurant before you were ready ... no wonder you look so happy in the pictures ... am pleased to say I have finished reading the whole year, all posts, comments, clips, have now caught up with you.

Yes, Happy Birthday from me, as well. LOVE the pi...

2009-11-03T17:30:58.517-08:00

Yes, Happy Birthday from me, as well.

LOVE the pictures of you. I'm glad you have finally posted some.

Now we want more!

Thanks, Lorie! That's a shame that locals are forc...

2009-11-03T14:12:02.344-08:00

Thanks, Lorie! That's a shame that locals are forced to move, ugh. I've been living on Long Island, NY, for over 3 years and DH has always lived here. He saw a change a few years ago when the market went up, and now owning a small home in need of repair is starting at $350K, plus $8k in property taxes and about $600 a month in oil, it is insane. A lot of middle class people are forced to leave, in fact, many high school graduates of DH's class are gone.

I've always lived in suburbia, like I said also close to city and country, so only living in suburbia is boring to me. I wished I could live in the country, but I can't drive with my condition and would need public transportation when DH is gone at work...

Thanks for your good wishes! I am hoping to start trying for a child sooner than later even though it SCARES me for so many reasons, including my health issues!!

50s gal: I really love New England, I find people more down to earth there. We went to the White Mountains for our honeymoon and Boston! :) I probably generalized a bit as not everybody we meet here is rude of course, but the general feeling is of stress and selfishness, not something I've felt this intense elsewhere!

You look absolutely stunning and it seems that eve...

2009-11-03T14:01:21.433-08:00

You look absolutely stunning and it seems that everybody had a lovely time! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday! And what a totally wonderful one,...

2009-11-03T11:44:08.316-08:00

Happy Birthday!

And what a totally wonderful one, you had. All round wonderful.

The photos are so cute. Your tea spread is fantastic. And your husband is so, so, so wonderfully thoughtful.

And thank you for taking us along, for the celebrations.

Hugs,
^_^

Kelly-good point, voting and getting involved in l...

2009-11-03T11:25:13.986-08:00

Kelly-good point, voting and getting involved in local politics is a great way to spread the revolution!
Thank you again everyone for your lovely birthday wishes, I feel truly loved!

off topic~but did everyone (who can) remember to V...

2009-11-03T09:39:20.957-08:00

off topic~but did everyone (who can) remember to VOTE?? the apron revolutionaries can change things by voting too :)

Happy belated birthday!! Looks like you girls had...

2009-11-03T09:35:24.609-08:00

Happy belated birthday!!
Looks like you girls had a blast!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear! :) :) :) Or tillykke med fod...

2009-11-03T07:38:40.078-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear! :) :) :)
Or
tillykke med fodselsdagen - as we say in Denmark.

Wishing you everything nice.

You have had a company??? :) My husband says that...

2009-11-03T07:36:28.380-08:00

You have had a company??? :)

My husband says that if he could earn more he would love me to stay at home, but alas he cannot. We cannot live from only one salary in Denmark, and it is not that we are big spenders and live a life in unlimited luxury.

Xoxoxo Sanne

PS: Still behind with your blog, but trying to catch up.

Happy Birthday and many happy returns of the day! ...

2009-11-03T06:27:02.199-08:00

Happy Birthday and many happy returns of the day! My daughter's birthday was the November 2nd as well(she's 14). My daughter is very clever with her hands. Lucky girl! We purchased a quality pair of dressmaker's shears for her to use in her many sewing projects. With proper care, she shouldn't need to replace them ever.

Michele in MN
I should also say that I love the B&W photo of all you girls standing outside laughing at the funny story. If it could be printed out in a square shape,instead of rectangular,and with a white border, one really could be fooled into thinking it was old.

I feel like we just got to be guests at your birth...

2009-11-03T05:29:55.385-08:00

I feel like we just got to be guests at your birthday party, too! What fun!!! And your hubby outdid himself - he's such a gem. Happy belated birthday to you!