30 May 1957 “Geodesic Dome : Part Two and Memorial Day”

  Today is Memorial Day here in the U.S. We celebrate and honor those who have fought in the military.

Interestingly enough, it was first celebrated by formerly enslaved Black Americans  to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War who had died in the cause of their freedom.  After  World War I  it came to represent and honor those Americans who had died in all wars. After WWII it began to include visiting graves and reflecting on all those in the military, rather they had fallen or not. It also marks the official beginning of the Summer Season. This is particularly felt here where I live on Cape Cod, a summer destination.
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28 May 1957 “Buckminster Fuller and the Geodesic Dome”

Richard Buckminster (Bucky) Fuller was an American engineer, designer, inventor, author, and futurist. He hails from my home state of Massachusetts and had a very colorful youth. He was kicked out of Harvard twice, once for “spending all his money partying with a vaudeville troupe”.
His most famous work is with the geodesic dome, which even garnered names for Carbon molecules known as ”fullerenes”, named by scientists for their resemblance to geodesic spheres.

Though many associate the dome with the earth/natural movement of the 1970’s, Fuller had created these unique forms in the 1950’s. Today I am sharing this article with you on his work from a 1954 Better Homes and Gardens.

I just want to go off topic here for a moment and point out that I loved that a woman’s magazine in the 1950’s thought to include up to the minute news in design and science. How odd to consider a homemaker, a woman to boot, would be interested in science and design. Again, another example of our perceived idea of how women were treated or represented in the 1950s and the actual fact. Compare this with a woman’s magazine of today.
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12 February 1956 “Lucy’s Connecticut Kitchen, More Kitchen Ideas, and Some Bread Recipes and Results.

After my last post I didn’t want anyone to think I don’t enjoy and appreciate the value that entertainment, such as TV and movies, can have. I do enjoy that form of entertainment, but before 1955 I found myself using it as a means to ‘forget about not doing anything’ rather than as a means of pleasure and learning.
On my kitchen post the other day, someone reminded me of one of my favorite I Love Lucy episodes, where she raises chickens. Those episodes, when Lucy  and Ricky move to Connecticut, are my favorite. It also made me realize how I DO want to use mid-century Early American in my own Kitchen Redo. Here, let’s look at part of the show.

Obviously this IS a 1950’s kitchen, as this is the 1950’s and they are in a designed kitchen space. I love the toile work cannisters on the window sill. The fabric is very Early American. The shelf paper in the open cabinets and clear glass jars. The old cookstove for heat and ambience. The lovely big round farmers table with a built in lazy susan. Even the wrought metal “L” brackets and handles on the cabinets. I would LOVE to know what color those cabinets were painted. I bet either a ‘colonial Blue’ or a ‘Buttercup Yellow”.
In one of my American Home magazines from mid 1950’s there was a lovely article about just such an “Early American” style kitchen. The owner was a happy grandmother, who collects Colonial antiques adn so wanted her kitchen to be authentic looking but modern and functional. It is an interesting look on their take on mixing old and new in mid 1950s.
Here you can see her with the item I have been contemplating, wall ovens. It is true you would need to stoop for the bottom oven, but for the most part you would use the top. It would be nice to have a cake, roast and bread all cooking at once and this does happen to me at times, though I have to have things wait ‘their turn’ to bake. I love that she has a working fireplace in the kitchen.
This same kitchen also has a main working area for dishes and ice box, table and where the cook top resides is a darling bar where she served her grandchildren lunch. This sort of separation between the cooking and prep areas with a view of the fire at the kitchen table is rather a nice set up. I love the wall and trim color she used and you can see it is matched in the Formica counter tops. I know they are Formica, because as I was thumbing through another magazine, I saw what looked very familiar to this kitchen. So, I compared the two and it was. They used the kitchen in this ad. You can click to see it enlarged. It gives a better view of the counters. It even shows a slip of the other aspect this kitchen has that I love, a Greenhouse. Here is the picture from the original ad with the lovely lady in a darling blue flowered dress as one of her grandsons comes down the back stairs into the kitchen. I particularly like this kitchen, as it has the ‘Early American’ hardward on the cabinets. Even the doors to the powder room and the built in pantry (located next the wall ovens) have the actual old Colonial type hardware. You can see the latch style door handles on the powder room, this is the type of doors and handles in our 1718 cape we now live it. The doors are very thin but made from wide old hand planed planks and no knobs but these latches. So, this form of a 1950’s kitchen is beginning to be the ‘model’ of ideas I will most likely use in my own remodel. I have more photos and info on this kitchen that I will be sharing in the future as we discuss kitchens and my eventual remodel.
Even if you do not love the mid-century version of a Colonial kitchen a very ‘Country’ air can be had while still making a Vintage Mid-Century look and still have it feel rather modern. For example:This kitchen has a definite country feel, though not necessarily Early American. It is rather ‘country modern’ Country in its paneled doors and use of blue and things like the potato bin. But, the sharp red contrast interiors the the bold wallpaper give it a very modern feel. I have to say, I am really beginning to love the idea of wall ovens, but not sure one tucked in the corner like this is such a great idea.
Perhaps it is because I am a New Englander, but there is something about the Cape Cod style house or it’s bigger cousin, the colonial, that has a ‘homey’ feel. In America’s early days as an English Colony these were the styles of choice, as they were easier, inexpensive to build and had the advantage of being easy to add onto. The Saltbox was often the result of a Colonial with an added room off the back giving it the steep roof in back.   These house styles were  also familiar to the transplanted Englishman from the hamlets and shires of his homeland.
After WWII, the baby boom also meant a building boom. Many returning soldiers were becoming families and there was a housing shortage. So, in steps  the Cape Cod style. It’s efficiency in building and its ability to have an unfinished attic or 1/2 story that can easily be ‘done over’ when money permits and the family size increases, made it again the perfect American House style.
If you were not lucky enough to have the ‘real deal’ and live in a colonial original cape style, then the coveted architect of the period Royal Berry Willis was the man for the job. His firm still exists today and the esthetic of the ‘Early American’ house still lives on. This bit about him on Wikipedia does a good job of describing  him:
Royal Barry Wills (1895 – 1962) was a preeminent Boston architect and author. He was the master of the Cape Cod style house, in its Colonial Revival incarnation (1930s to 1950s).
The "cape" house is ubiquitous in New England and elsewhere, due in part to its simplicity which sometimes simply means "inexpensive" but also allows for versions that are pure elegance due to their distilled, crystalline nature as a perfectly refined product. Will's unmatched talent was that of bringing a level of refinement to every level of planning and detail for the cape model.
In 1938 Life magazine selected four modern architects and four traditional architects and had them prepare home designs for families in four income categories. In the category for people with $5,000 to $6,000 incomes, the modern design was by Frank Lloyd Wright and the traditional one by Royal Barry Wills. The family chose the Wills house over the Wright design, and the home was built in Edina, Minnesota.
Houses built to his designs still fetch a premium in the Northeast.
So, rather you have a hooked rug, or some copper pots, that old coffee grinder or even a lovely 19th cook stove in your kitchen, there is much to be said, modern or vintage, for infusing ‘Early American’ elements into your kitchen design. I am going to continue to discuss and show images of this Early American movement in the 1950’s in future posts and to highlight in on the website in the future.
Now, again, what happens in kitchens? Exactly, recipe time…
I tried two new bread recipes the other day. The first is a lovely oatmeal and honey bread that is so divine, you must try it. This was the first time I had done this bread and in the future I belive I will let it rise a little more the second time before I bake it, but it is very moist and dense and is a great sweeter bread.
This is after it’s first rise, before you punch it down and shape the loaves for the second rise. Here is a slice, you can see I wish I had let it rise a tad more, but it still was a good size and an AMAZING taste. Here is the recipe:
2 1/3 cups water
1 cup rolled oats
2 pkgs dry yeast
1 T salt
1/2 cup honey
2 T melted butter
4 to 5 cups flour
Pour 2 cups boiling water over rolled oats; let stand for 1/2 hour. Then, soak yeast in 1/3 cup warm water. Add salt, honey, and melted butter to oats, then add yeast. Gradually add enough flour so the dough is knead able. Knead 5 to 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary. Rise until doubled; punch down and divide into 2 loaves. Let rise again. Bake at 325 degrees for 50 minutes.
It would be lovely rolled out with cinnamon and sugar and raisons put it and made into a swirl bread and would make a wonderful French toast.
Now, the other bread I tried is a good all around EASY white bread recipe. I think it would make a good Wheat bread as well, just use 1/2 wheat 1/2 white flour. Even if you have NEVER made bread, this is an easy and inexpensive one to try:

3/4 cup warm water

1 package active dry yeast

1 tsp salt

1-1/2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp butter softened

1/2 cup milk

3 cups all-purpose flour, approximately

1. In large bowl, add the warm water. Slowly stir in dry yeast. Continue to stir until yeast is dissolved.
2. Add salt, sugar, butter, and milk to bowl. Stir.
3. Mix in the first 2 cups of flour.
4. If needed, begin adding more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough chases the spoon around the bowl.
5. You do not need to use up all the flour called for in this recipe, or you may need more flour than called for. The amounts vary depending on many factors, including weather, which is why most bread recipes only give an approximate amount of flour needed.
6. Turn dough out onto floured board and knead, adding small spoonfuls of flour as needed, until the dough is soft and smooth, not sticky to the touch.
7. Put dough in buttered bowl, turn dough over so that the top of dough is greased. Cover and let rise in warm spot for 1 hour.
8. Punch down dough. Turn out onto floured board and knead.
9. Preheat oven at 375 degrees F.
10. Form dough into loaf and set in buttered bread pan. Cover and let rise for about 30 minutes.
11. Score dough by cutting three slashes across the top with a sharp knife. Put in oven and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown.
12. Turn out bread and let cool on a rack or clean dishtowel.

Here is is after its second rise, slashed and ready for the oven. and fresh from the oven. It rises a treat! And slices wonderfully And, of course, I do like my close up shots. This really shows the texture of this easy bread. So, even if you have NEVER made a bread before they this one first. You will feel a success and then this recipe can be easily made different ways. As wheat breads with grains and nuts. As a cinnamon swirl bread etc. Really, homemade bread is so good for you and rather inexpensive. Once you get the ‘hang’ of it, you can simply set aside a bread making time, much as you have a laundry day etc. You can even, if you chose, bake your bread for the month and either freeze the dough or bake it all up and freeze it already made. I prefer to do it weekly, as it is part of my overall schedule now. So, give it a try.

17 February 1955 "Tv, Sewing Machines, Patterns, Etiquette, and Chocolate Chippers"

I thought the news for today could be an example of my 1955 tv viewing. Luckily these things are available in their entireity sometimes. It makes the viewing much more realistic and genuine.

This show from 1955 is in its entirety and you can see how commercials were more about sponsering the whole show. The total price of that singer sewing machine they advertise is equivalent to about $1100.00 today and the down payment of $15.00 makes it about a $100.00 payment. But when you consider all you will do with it for your family and home ,this machine is as important as your icebox or Kirby (or Hoover)! I think the story is really sweet and not to give away the end, what a darling conclusion, I think this story today would end very differenlty. Let me know what you think of it.

If anyone is interested in this particular sewing machine, here is one for sale today on ebay. It is much cheaper now then, then. http://cgi.ebay.com/SINGER-221-FEATHERWEIGHT-SEWING-MACHINE-CASE-1955_W0QQitemZ380103947609QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item380103947609&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1307%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

This lady looks like she was surprised while busy as a bee in her little sewing room. I have a similar version

of that lamp that I just bought at our local tag sale except mine also has a telescoping magnafying glass. I have not begun the project of kitting out my new sewing room. I cannot wait to be rid of this cold, as I am chomping at the bit to get to my projects and to get on top of my household chores again.

As I said, $1,100.00 is a lot for a sewing machine, but when it is such an integral part of the homemakers life, you can see why. Not only yourself and your families wardrobe would recieve the diligence of your creativity and your Singer, but your decor as well. This is a great layout of how best to make a slip cover for a chair. I am glad they use a wing chair in the example, as I have quite a few of these I would like to recover. I think it ingenious the use of the zipper at the back to hold in taut.

If anyone is interested in trying this pattern let me know and I can post the details that go with the chart I pictured.

Don't you love the pride on her face in the last photo. My experienced eye can also make out how well her girdle is helping her to achieve her lovely figure.

Actually, that chair and the striped fabric, if it were in pink and white, would look a treat in my fantasy sewing room. It is the one room I am going to be frilly and pink.

While we are on the subject of sewing and patterns I need to say that I love
my 1955 version of the mail order catalog: ebay. I was looking at Sewretro's blog today and she had this pattern and had made the dress, only her pattern number was torn off and didn't know what year/number it was. One of her commentors knew the pattern number and posted it. I saw it, went to ebay, typed in the number and there it was just waiting for me! It was only 4.99 plus shipping. This is gonna be perfect as I really need a good easy servicable pattern for a day dress. This will be nice for cleaning in and can go over my pajamas in the morning instead of my robe for breakfast with hubby. It is from 1953 so it fits in there as well. Thanks sewretro and thanks ebay, This little devil is on its way! By the end of this year, I may have to just go into 1956 as my closets will be full of nothing but vintage. Ahhh, what a loverly thought, eh ladies?

As I have been ill, which I am sure you are all sick of hearing (pun intended!) I thought I would muster up enough energy to make a good all-around yummy cookie. I was really craving a comfort food today and this fit the bill. Also,

tonight is a Gussie night, as my cleaning has been falling behind, so I thought a plate of these and some coffee would be a welcome treat for her after she sees the present state of the kitchen. Perhaps after cleaning up the mess it took to make these little lovelies, the dishpan hands won't seem as bad with these melting in her mouth.

I used to make my chocolate chip cookies with butter, but this vintage recipe from my much used cookbook, uses shortening, so I figured I should too. Here is my secret to making these extra wonderful. Follow the above recipe but add to it 1/4 tsp. of Almond extract and instead of the nuts had 1/2 cup of coconut. Then, after spooning them onto the cookie sheet with a teaspoon, press coconut into the top of each. This will get toasted to perfection as the cookie bakes. Put them in a 375 degree oven for ONLY 10 minutes. I know they will look doughy, but when you take them out they continue to cook, but will remain soft for days. These are sure to please anyone's sweet tooth. I may make a batch of these as my 'bring along treat' when our new neighbors eventually move into their new house. A nice casserole to be heated and a batch of these cookies, if they aren't my friends or at least good neighbors after that, then maybe I won't want to know them!

I think I will finish today with some etiquette from my 1955 "Home Makers Guide". This section starts off with a good little quote from Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe known as Lady Mendl was an American interior decorator, nominal author of the influential 1913 book "The House in Good Taste,"and a prominent figure in New York, Paris, and London society. During her married life, the press usually referred to her as Lady Mendl. She would have been known of in 1955 still.

"Be pretty if you can, witty if you must, but be agreeable, if it kills you!"

Here are some tips. These are only a few and I will list more in later blogs when the mood hits or if anyone requests more.

A man always walks on the outside whether he is with one or two women.

Keep your hands to yourseld. Do not poke or hudge, or fondle publicly.

Don't "put on" just because you are at a party. Be "yourself" at all times. This eliminates the crooked little finger when drinking tea or coffee.

Well, these are todays sage words of advice, now go out there and homemake!

4 & 5 February 1955 "Literature,Leftovers, Bacon fat, Cake and Fabric"

First off, I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful comments. I love how we are creating a place to chat and discuss these things which we all really have a passion for, thank you so much.

Now, for news today, I think I will talk a bit about some books of the time.

I was pleased to recall that one of my favorite writers, Flannery O'Conner, published in the 1950's and 60s. I have read all of her work, but am re-reading the two I would have had available. The first is Wise Blood, a novel that came out in 1953. It is part of, (or perhaps the beginning of?) The Southern Gothic style. This novel, much like other O'Conner works, can either be read as straight out entertainment, or as a sort of philosophical text leaving the reader to resolve the opposing views of reality portrayed in its characters. I really recommend her reading to anyone who has not tried it. All of her characters and incidents are set in her native south, and I am as much a 'Northerner' as you can get!, but her stories and characters really are a pleasure to read. She addresses racism, religion, and the human condition in such a brutaly honest way, you can't help but be moved by them.


This book of O'Connors came out this year (1955) and is a great collection of short stories. I think she is probably one of the best short story writers I have ever encountered (man or woman). She manages to evoke a novels worth of feeling, passion, disgust, anger, sadness, and joy in a few paragraphs. If you have never read her, here is a link to one of the stories in this collection. It is called, "Good Country People" http://www.geocities.com/cyber_explorer99/oconnorgoodcountry.html

Now, another book published this year (1955) of note, is Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov. It, however, was published in Paris only. It would not make it to america until 1958 and obviously it's controversial main characters obsession with pre-pubescent girls is the reason for this. A film adaptation to this will be made in 1962 by Stanley Kubrick and was greatly sensored. Lolita was played in the film by a then 14 year old actress, Sue Lyon. An interesting fact I found out, is that the main character Humbert Humberts first love Annabel Leigh, is named after Poe's poem Annabel Lee as well as Hubert Huberts name alluding to the other Poe poem, William Wilson which is about the Wilson's being haunted by his doppelganger.

Here is a snippet of the Poe poem Annabel Lee:

''I was a child and she was a child,
''In this kingdom by the sea;
''But we loved with a love that was more than love-
''I and my Annabel Lee-

One can see little bits here and there of the changing times. I am constantly amazed by the growing and changing things occuring here in 1955. Amongst the happy plastic people we always picture for this decade, we see the ruffling of the feathers of the great bird of change getting ready to take wing. I think, as many of you must feel, that with that flight was lost many honest and simple things which we, as humans, find ourselves longing for. Courtesy, trust, love of the fellow man, love of home and family even fashion and formality. I see that we, none of us, want to return to a time of segregation and distrust, but there is a certain element of dress which leads to courtesy and kindness that seems to be lacking from our modern world. Maybe I am just, as so many before me have, romanticising the past, but I KNOW that when I make sure I look 'done' before leaving the house I get a different response from people (mostly positive) and that I, in turn, am more positive. With my increasing interest in my home as a place of comfort and style and my skills in the kitchen, I find myself wanting to know my neighbors and get involved in my community. To share these things. This is really something new to me. It somehow seems to be magically linked with these other things which can seem superficial: your wardrobe, your homes decor, your cooking skills.

This, of course, could be only an instance specific to myself, but I wonder, if others were to follow suit, how long before they would find themselves changing into the patterns of the past? I know that with my family and friends when we are gathered together at a table with linen napkins nicely set with homemade multicourse meal, we act differntly. And I don't mean formal or uncomfortable, but we converse more. We aren't plopped down with pizza boxes in front of the tv, but are having great conversations and even, without their knowing it for I watch them, my friends and family are just adapting to the setting. Napkins find themselves on laps, mouths are wiped before glasses touched to them, without any comment, just naturally occuring. And it is not as if we are play acting some great fluffy tea party, but just enjoying ourselves in a way that feels very 'grown up'. It's funny because I have always thought my generation was the generation that would never grow up, but now that I sort of feel I am doing so, I really like it. Of course, I say this while I am 'pretending to live in the past'. But, maybe my generation, and the other generations of today, have that childlike quality to play at somthing until they see it is, in fact, good to be a grown up. To care about others as well as yourself. To want to help out those less fortunate. To welcome a neighbor to the area not caring if they think you are 'cool' or not. I want to be responsible for others and kind.( I put the grocery carriage back at the front of the store to save the young boys trips to the parking lots.) But, I find myself doing it naturally and then noting to myself that I am more courteous and conscientious. It is not forced!

If you click on this image you can read a bit out of my vintage cookbook on mealtime manners.

Well, that is enough philosophizing for today, on to the good stuff!

I found this bit on Leftovers rather interesting in my General Foods Cookbook. I like that it discusses the 'accidental' as well as the 'planned' leftovers. I have to say, in my house they are definitely planned. I am already planning on pancakes this sunday breakfast (though they appear at least one morning a week for my hubby from me) so that sunday dinner can be "Pancake Ham Roll-Ups". Now that we have our Saturday 1950s dinners I am thinking of doing a more casual Sunday dinner for hubby and I and Gussie, of course, as she is often here on Sunday. That way Sunday will truly be a day of 'rest' for all of us.

I noticed the other morning when I had made pancakes that home-made pankcakes made with bacon fat are delicious WITHOUT butter and syrup. I had just made a great heaping batch (I guess I do have 'accidental' leftovers sometimes) of pancakes. And I thought, "this morning no dry toast with my black coffee for me, but dry pancakes!"

I ate two of them dry and they were so good. I could really taste the bacon fat. I know, I know, it sounds like a commercial, "Now, with 30% more Bacon fat...MMMMM, thanks mum, bacon fat.

I can picture it now, the commercial: Two housewives are in a kitchen over a cup of coffee, the husband comes in dressed for work, briefcase in hand, "Thanks darling," he says kissing her cheek, "I could really taste the bacon fat this morning" and off he pops while the friend turns to her and says,

"My husband NEVER notices my bacon fat" and then of course the product with a voice over:, "Franklin Bacon Fat, Let your husband notice your Fat" or something along those lines. But, seriously, they were so good that I didn't need to add the sugar and fatty bacon to it, so I probably had less calories with the bacon fat in the pancakes.

While on my favorite subject, bacon fat, I have to show you my new book I just recieved. I was soo excited. I have this EXACT Osterizer blender. I was happy to find that it is indeed from 1955, if it coincides with this book. This may have even come with it originally, I don't know. But when I saw this recipe I had to laugh and thought, "the blogger friends are gonna love this one!"

Pineapple BACON muffins, how perfect! I mean what COULDN'T they do with the stuff?

I did use a recipe from this book yesterday as it had just come in the mail and I was soo excited I couldn't wait. It was providence as well, as I had just slipped the last piece of pie into hubbys lunch that morning and I knew I needed another dessert before the usual 'sunday cake bake'. So I made this one. I wanted to slice a fresh banana along the outter edges for its decor, but hadn't one ( I was using up old ripe bananas I had previously frozen, see leftovers!)
Here it is sliced to reaveal the guts, which I thought was important. And here is that slice waiting to be eat up, yum! I allow myself one piece of my cakes/pies. I cannot be a good baker/chef without trying my concotions, right? It was rather yummy and the cake itself was a nice mix between a cake texture and a banana bread. I can feel my skills growing as I learn basics of baking. For example, this cake was to have this frosting, also from my new book, but it turned out to be too sweet. I don't like confectioners sugar as a base for icings, I am finding, as it is far too sweet. So, I simply made some 'melted chocolate' which is powdered unsweetened baking chocolate mixed with oil (no, not bacon fat...however, hmmm but that might be another post) which, of course, is not sweet at all. So, when added to this icing it became a rich almost dark chocolate flavor. I also find that leaving these types of frostings to 'set' for an hour or so makes them a dream to ice with . I made the mistake of using this type right away at first only to have a slippery gooey mess. But, again, I probably would have learned this long ago at mothers knee.

It is funny how normal it now seems to have a dessert around. I now approach a cook book like a child who has finally learned to read. All those looming figures and shapes that had once daunted me, now have wavered into focus and I have a voracious appetite (pun inteded, by the bye!) to make up everything and anything I can get my hands on in cookbooks. They have become the fairy stories of my kitchen where I can dive into the pages and bring out my handsome prince. I have kissed the frog and he is, in fact, a brownsugar glazed ham and a fruite compote!

Oh, speaking of ham. I made the best bone in ham the other day! It was not spiral cut, so carving was left to my imagination. A skill I am quickly learning, though I have told my hubby time and again, that carving is a sign of a gentleman, but he just laughs and waits for seconds.

Now, I am sure to any vegetarians out there, this must look a horror, but I am rather proud of it. I liked that when I purchased this you could see the actual skin of the pig. I mean, there is no sense is sugar coating meat (well, except in actually putting sugar on it, it's yummy!) this is a dead animal. Rather it is all trussed up in cellophane in the store or not it was an animal and I like to know that. Somehow it feels more real or almost as if I am being more honest to the animal that died for me to eat it. Anyhoo, I had to score the skin after cooking the joint for 45 minutes, as my book instructed me, and then put in whole cloves, which I did and it was quite fun. I then basted it with brown sugar (and syrup I told you I am an New Englander, I will put syrup on anything given the chance!) It was soo tender and juicy and wonderful.

I have saved the bone with most of the unusable fat and meat and skin and that will make a wonderful pot of peasoup, which I am excited about. Yes, I admit it, I am EXCITED about an old bone in my icebox covered in fat and skin, it's a sickness with me, these leftovers. It is like the challange of the kitchen. Really the very core of homemaking seems to be challange: The personal and physical challange to shape and make a world in which to dwell. It's a wonder more housewives don't have a God-complex, as we stir and cut and sew our world around us making our own little realities of food and clothes and decor. It is like being a magician, a scientist, an artist, hostess, decorator, and a conjurer. Ta-dah! I lift my satin cape and behold a table set for a king!

Now, onto some design. I just got this wonderful vintage fabric. I love alot of the modern ATOMIC styles of the 1950s, but my house, for the most part, does not really call out for an overall modern design, nor would it fit my personality. I love antiques and old things, always have and would have done so if this actually were 1955. However, there are 'modern 1950s' fabrics that go along with decorating styles then called "Early American" and "Early New England". This fabric fits that category. I like that it depicts 'early american' images, but in a very pop art sort of way.

There were even furniture lines by Ethan Allen and such who came out with Early American lines that expressed a desire for the simplisity and natural wood structures of the past but often with a modern turn and sensibility. I have, myself, actual antiques and I like to mix new pieces, so my new infatuation is to mix in these 1950's "early american" pieces.

This is one such piece I picked up at a sale the other day. It has the lines and it expresses a 'queen anne' style chair, but in a very modern way. It is lower. The wings on the side are in wood rather than upholstered and there is a low skirt to emphasize its porportions to the floor. I think this will mix rather nicely in my living room which is being turned into my library. Although I love the vintage fabric which is now on it, in blues and browns, I may reupholster it in a vintage nautical print or perhpas a solid color.

This photo sort of illustrates the direction I mean to take in this room: The sailing model, the blue and white sofa, the quilted pillow.( I think the blue ticking fabric on the sofa goes rather nicely with the vintage fabric, don't you?) The fabric is most likely going to become curtains and some throw pillows. There are also pillows quitled in the soft blue I love and I will use this color throughout the house.

I live near the ocean. Sailing is and has been a part of our lives. We live in New England and I feel the decor should reflect that. I am hoping to draw together the things I love and have with 'new 1950's things' and remake the house. This is an antique hooked rug (which is quite large and fills most of the floor) and has the color scheme I want in this room. The blue white red with browns and just hints of green. I belive using a harmonizing color scheme through your entire home makes it more cohesive. I will be using blue, red, yellow in various shades through the house. While in the kitchen it will be soft robins egg blue, butter yellow and true red, in this room it will be the cranberry red of New England, the deeper blues of the sea and the yellow will become the golden brown of wood and accents. Etc.

I would also like to show that though we often think of 1950's decor as all sharp modern angles and curvilinear forms in primary colors, that was only a portion of what was happening. Many people still decorated with antiques and other styles. I am going to, for the fun of it, create a swanky lounge/rumpus room/bar in our finished basement that will hi-light more of the modern furniture and fun shapes of the 1950s. I think this is appropriate to my home and way of life. I will enjoy tea and cakes in a room decorated with antiques and early americans and just as well an old fashioned or a martini in the swank lounge dancing to records and such. What do you think of my color scheme idea for the living room/library?

Sometimes I feel a bit of a fraud using my camera and computer, but honestly I could never really share all of this with any of you if I did not. If this were actually 1955 I would be sharing it with the neighbors and bridgeclub and the coffee klatch. But, all of you have become my cyber-coffee klatch. We sit around the virtual kitchen table swapping ideas, recipes, woes, and happiness. It is quite nice and shows that we still long for such a spot. A little corner to sip our coffee, nibble our home-made goodies and just gab! Thank you for joining my coffee klatch.

2 February 1955 "TV, Coke, Nutrition, and Interiors"

2 February 1955: First Presidential news conference on network TV - Dwight Eisenhower on ABC.

Until 1955, Coca-Cola was available only as a soda fountain drink and in 6 1/2-ounce glass contour bottles.
1955 saw the debut of the King Size (10- and 12-ounce) and Family Size (26-ounce) glass contour bottles in the U.S., marking an important step in giving people more options to meet their needs.

I just bought the 8 oz. glass bottle 6 packs they have at our local grocery store. Unfortunately there is not diet soda until TAB in 1962, but with only 8 oz. of soda (1 cup) not too many calories. I love the feel and weight of the small bottle. It seems appropriate to my year, however the 8 oz. is even bigger than the original bottle.

Here is a real swell video showing the evolution of the coke can from 1955 to present: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1062118640244&oid=8605796091

I had decided to include some of the dietary information in one of the main cookbooks I use, then someone had commented on my last blog that they would like to see this, so here it is. This is only a small portion of the info, but I will include more in the future.

I really find it interesting that the daily amount of calories seems quite high and yet I don't think we had the obesity problem we have today in this country. Of course, after rationing in WWII I guess we were heading towards the eventual outcome as we began to stuff ourselves on the overabundance of food.

In post-WWII USA, the diet industry took off like a rocket. Diet books muliplied and monopolized the bestseller list. Metracal and other good substitute products were introduced very successfully as were national weight-reducing chains. Women were the primary targets of these marketing strategies.
Here we even see advertising giving various options for the low-calorie lifestyle.

With this new concern over calories and eating properly comes exercise. And, if you are a housewife in middle america that can only mean one thing. Jack Lalanne. Here he is talking about a diet plan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuW3RfWJ1H0

Here is a great site that has most of his shows. This is the site I am using to start my 1950's exercise program: http://jacklalanne.com/tv.html

"Between 1951 and 1985, LaLanne presented fitness and exercise advice on television. "The Jack LaLanne Show" was the longest running television exercise program. It began as a local program on San Francisco's ABC television station, KGO-TV, and was eventually carried on the ABC network nationwide. Critics said the show would last less than six weeks, but it ended up lasting 34 years. In 1959, LaLanne recorded Glamour Stretcher Time, a workout album which provided phonograph-based instruction for exercising with an elastic cord called the Glamour Stretcher."

Here he is in 1954. In 1955 (age 41): Jack swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco while handcuffed. He is still alive today at 94.
I have been a good girl this week, and here is this mornings breakfast: black coffee and dry toast. It is hard to cook bacon, eggs, and pancakes, as I did this morning for hubby, and not want to snack. I am determined, however, as the fashions of 1955 have really inspired me to finally drop those pounds I have been chasing around for the past few years.

Now, speaking of food, I am still cooking using recipes in my book, no modern meals of bulger wheat etc. Last night I made a really good Vegetable au gratin dish. My cookbook tells you how to make vegetables au gratin and then it is up to you WHAT vegetables. I did green beans, potatos, and peas. They were SO yummy.
Here is what it looked like before I dished it up. The bread crumbs were quite tasty mixed into it.

Today was a Gussie day. As it is washday, I did (am still doing) the laundry. In the America's Housekeeping Book under the Household Employees chapter it suggests: "Experienced homemakers will tell you that if the employee does the washing and ironing, the homemaker must assume a major share of the other housekeeping jobs on laundry days." I, in fact, did the reverse. I did the laundry while 'Gussie' cleaned, shopped for the meal, prepared it and cleaned up afterwards. I have to say I am getting used to having the help. I am hoping that the interest 'Gussie' has in the project will last the year out.

With no dishes to do and a wonderful warm meal to be served up, I even had time to 'dress for dinner'.

Having had the freedom to go out shopping, I did.

I found this wonderful vintage metal step stool at one of my antique haunts. It is so perfect for the kitchen redo. Obviously I have to repaint the seat, but I am hoping I can find a matching red to this color as I believe it is the original paint. I want splashes of red to go along with my robins egg blue and touches of yellow. I can't wait until this and the 'new ice box' get to dwell in the kitchen. Do any of you have vintage kitchens?



I also stopped at our local Sherwin Williams paint store. I love it as it seems very 1950's to go to a store dedicated to paint and wallpaper instead of HomeDepot. They have a nice line of vintage paint colors. So, I nabbed these two great brouchures fot the 1950's. I think the cover artwork is so nice.

This scan is not completely true to one of the palletes in the brouchere, but you can get the general idea. I am thinking of this pink as the main color of my new sewing/laundry room. I think a very girly pink confectionary room would be fun in a smaller space and one in which I will only use sometimes. What do any of you think?
I also bought five of these boxes. I know they are not vitage, but I think they definitely have a vintage feel. I can see them on a shelf to hold patterns and ribbon and zippors etc. They have great little metal tag holders on the front. Don't you love the image on the top of the box? I hope it isn't too modern. I have some wonderful vintage wallpaper I found today that is too delicate to actually cover walls, but I think I will use it for hat boxes for my closet as well as some for my sewing room and some in the kitchen redo maybe on some tins or maybe to line the back of a cabinet. The color in the scan is not very true to the real color, but you get the idea.

I also found a wonderfrul vintage repro new plaid wallpaper in taupe and soft blues and greens that I might use in the living room which is going to become the library. There will be pics when I get to that. I really want to do wallpaper. It is making a comeback today and would be quite normal to use in the 1950s.

Well, I need to post this as I have to get back to my laundry. I think I have done far too much galavanting about today. I won't take the time to edit, so you will excuse me I hope. Have a great day.