8 March 1957 “Being Green 1950’s Style: or Common Sense”

I wanted to share this article again. It is from one of my 1940’s magazines discussing the importance of using the sun to aid in heating. It was written during the war years when we were more conscious of money and spending and saving.

I thought I’d just share a few things that were fairly normal in the past that would be considered green today. Really, just common sense and with the thought of thrift and the future. This idea of ‘saving’ or thinking ahead or even planning for the future often seems an alien idea in modern society.

Many people of old saved their glass jars. When one purchased something, it was often washed out and used again. If you were poor or furgal enough, there were many jam jars used as water glasses. In the 1950’s they even packaged things in a specifically reusable package.

Though many things were kept and repurposed rather than thrown out. And almost nothing came in plastic, so a good reusable sturdy glass jar with a good lid was valued.

Here is a vintage spice jar I use to hold my cinnamon sugar. I was surprised to see one can buy throwaway plastic containers of pre-mixed cinnamon sugar. Now, that’s pretty lazy to not be able to scoop your cinnamon and sugar together and give a little shake.  Here are some modern uses of glass jars.   This lovely craft rooms takes advantage of old rulers as decoration and it is still a usable measure, if one holds things such as fabric up to it.

You can also unify jars by painting the lids a single color, making varying sizes and shapes ‘go together’. Also it is easy enough to make up vintage labels for these using vintage clip art or old cards and magazines. Such as this clever crafter did here using old vintage button cards as labels.

 

 Something as simple as using cloth/linen napkins saves so much waste and saves on the pocket book as well. I use a napkin more than once and they all get laundered on Monday with my other things. I save money and make less garbage AND feel like my dinner is special. Here you can see mother has her cloth napkin on her lap.

Vintage napkins are so beautiful and really come in so many forms are are SO inexpensive, why not try it out.  Even vintage tea towels/kitchen towels are far prettier and can still be used to wipe hands in the kitchen in lieu of napkins. I use old tattered bath towels cut down and hemmed as my ‘hard duty’ wipe up kitchen towels. It is even better if they are white because they bleach easily enough or come clean if put in boiling water with some soda and left to soak overnight.

Did you know that boiling water converts baking soda to sodium carbonate? Why do you care? Well, it’s a great old-fashioned way to clean out the drain: Put One cup of baking soda down the drain and then pour Three cups of boiling water after. This is a great drain cleaner. Though many pre-made products were available in the 1950’s many a frugal homemaker knew these ‘old’ tricks from Mother or Grandmother, or gleaned their skills at the now vanished Home Economics classes.

Washing your hair in the sink was a very standard procedure in the 1950’s. In fact, the old joke was to get out of a date one would say, “Oh, I can’t go out tonight, I am staying in and washing my hair”.  A 10 minute shower uses between 25-50 gallons of water (depending on shower head which ranges from 2.5-5 gallons per minute). Consider how a once a week bath was replaced by daily showering and hair washing.

It actually is better for you hair not to be washed daily. If your hair is more oil, 2-3 times a week is better. I have ‘normal’ hair, in that I wash my hair usually Friday night and set it for the week. When I shower during the week (some days I simply do a ‘sink wash’) I wear a shower cap. This would have been the more usual water consumption in the 1950’s household.

There are so many easy things we can do to live a more vintage life and in so doing have the happy by-product of ‘being green’ or, as they called it, Common sense and purse sense. After all a penny saved IS a penny earned.

Check your pantry/cupboards now and see if you have product that is ready to be emptied and see if the jar/container could be used for another purpose than the garbage.

Happy Homemaking.

5 March 1957 “50 Years of Women’s Silhouette”

I thought it would be fun to see the change in women’s fashion silhouette over the past 50 years (1907-57). I have done this before in JULY 1955 HERE.

As a light and fun weekend pictorial I thought we could take that journey again:

First up 1907: The “S” curve shape and the corset has reached its pinnacle of contortion before disappearing somewhat during the first world War years. Corsets were worn in the teens, but they were more of a chemise and in fact much less constrictive than the 1950’s girdle. The waist line also received a combination of natural waist in the back scooping to a lower waist in front, all very held in a lower hip hugging corset. 

 

1917: Here we can see that the corset is almost not needed. This was probably one of the most relaxed silhouettes for women. You can see that an almost ‘large middle’ was encouraged. A heavier girl could easily hid her flaws during this period.

This is the more high fashion look at it While these 1917 shirtwaists and skirts would require a corset (though not as strict as 10 years earlier) The waist was raised from the 1907 lowered front and raised back look of the “S” curve.

1927: many people think 1920’s = short skirt. But it wasn’t until 1925 that the skirt actually reached above the knee. It then immediately began its descent down again. So, here by 1927 we see it just below the knee.

1937: And now 10 years later the hemline has migrated back down mid-calf, almost to the NEW LOOK length. Of course Dior has another 10 years and a war to get through before the look is found. Now the waist is gone and the dropped waist is des rigueur. The straighter boyish silhouette was murder for the fuller figure woman (who would have been the epitome of fashion in 1907) and she often wore a corset type garment that flattened her breasts and padded her middle to match her hips to give a straighter line.

  Here you can see the shoulder pad beginning to be introduced and it became very military in look during the war years. You do notice in the 1930’s that the waist has traveled up a bit almost to the 1917 position.

1947: Now the war has ended (and during the war years the skirt climbed back up to knee length due to shortages more than fashion). So the New Look celebrated the new abundance with a sloped shoulder and tighter natural waist and full skirt.

Though many women did not like the longer skirt length and on average a 1947 woman would still be dressed very ‘1940s’ Joan Crawford look. But the new look of longer skirt was definitely being embraced as well as can be seen in this 47 Butterick pattern book.

1957: Now as we are approaching the end of the 1950’s we still have the full skirt, dolman sleeve look of the mid 50’s as can be seen in these Speigal dresses. 

And Dior’s look had moved up the hemline and created the look of the 3/4 sleeve. An almost abridged version of his 1947 New Look 10 years earlier.

  But, here Lauren Bacall in 1957 is demonstrating the new dropped waist and straighter look that the early 1960’s will run parallel to the full skirted look.

When you consider the change in the past 50 years there have been changes but not to the level and distortion the first 5 decades of the 20th century showed.

What is your favorite period out of these presented? What is your favorite fashion period of any time?

3 March 1957 “The Queen, Thinking of War Times, and Preparing for the Worse?”

On 13 October 1940 young Princess Elizabeth ( the Future Queen) and her young sister Princess Margaret Rose gave a speech on the wireless during Children’s Hour.
It is a very sweet little speech. And it is amazing that by then, in 1940, many of Briton’s children were being sent out of the danger zone of London and its environs to the safety of the English countryside, Europe and overseas.

Here they are three years later in their Girl Guides uniforms.

This year, 1957, the young princess is Queen. And this year is the very first of her now yearly Christmas Television Broadcasts. That media now becoming more commonplace in homes ‘across the pond’ while in America, it has been quite a part of our lives this passing decade.
It was filmed at Sandringham House in Norfolk. A bit early but still nice, none the less.  It demonstrates the vast change in her life and all of those of the time in under 20 years.

In her talk she mentions the import of ‘modern inventions’ but also warns of people ‘carelessly throwing away old and ageless ideals as if outdated machinery’.
This really has hit home with me and my thinking of this past month. I have been ever haunted by the modern times. They keep poking their head through the vale of my 1957 seclusion. Perhaps the very great changes happening in the past few months are greater than when I started two years ago. Or merely it is my own ever increasing asking and questioning and therefore daily study of how things were and how they are that has lead me to feel this way.
The latest issue of the increasing oil per barrel prices have leaked into my little 1957 Eden. I cannot ignore them and find myself wanting to find out where it might lead us.
I have also come to realize it matters little why we are there. War, Middle East unrest, failing or peaking oil, the ability to drill or not drill for MORE oil, it all really matters very little. Because those decisions are really out of our hands, you and I. And the endless debate as to ‘why’ it is happening or whom to blame seems less important than how do we, the little people, prepare.
I have begun to think more and more about the future. I may very easily,now, slip into a false past but will the increasing costs of food and all that is connected with oil allow me such lax pleasure? I don’t know. I do know that the more I consider what I might want or like to do to prepare FOR such a future as left me with a dichotomy of feeling: Both fear and Hope.
The fear of increasing oil leads to any endless horrid scenarios: Extreme food costs and shortages, the economy failing, Increased unemployment mingled with recession (or Stagflation as it is referred) and the list goes on.
The Hope, then, comes in what I begin to think of when I consider ‘solutions’. I begin to see the things one had to do once during the Depression and the war years. And to even go back further, to before the industrial revolution existed. And in its scary scenario I also see some wonderful outcomes: an increased need for community, the very NEED to grow and manufacture at home in a very small mile radius community. The joy and return to we as individuals within a group and a community, not merely numbers to be advertised to, to become Citizens and NOT Consumers.
Now, surely there could be no worry at all. Oil could drop back down to 40 dollars a barrel and we could go on and on as we are. But, there is a part of me that wonders, why does it MATTER if any of it is true or if we ARE headed for bad times. Because if the preparedness and the outcome of planning for such a future would  be, in many ways, an enjoyable life, why not just go for it anyway! Prepare for the worse but enjoy the good if you have it.
Much of what I have learned from the 1950’s over the past two years has already put me on that path. But lately I have been looking in my 1957 magazines with all the plastic glow and bright promise of things and it begins to feel rather weak or almost false.  I am striving for more war time ideas of gardening and food on a shortage and a budget. I am curious and hungry for Victorian farming (though industrial still very animal or steam powered). I don’t know. It has left me wondering if 1957 is going to make it to the end of this year, or if I need to go back further?
I think, over all, that if bleak and bad times are coming then preparing for them may only make me a better person and in some ways improve my life. If there are no real bad times, then will I really miss being more disconnected to what the modern world really is? I don’t know. I know having got rid of modern TV/mags/advertising has done so much good for me. Perhaps I should continue back with my eyes fixed on the ‘news’ of the day leaving the ‘entertainment’ of it behind as I have done.
What do any of you think? Not rather or not Bad times ARE coming, but rather or night it might be a good idea to prepare for them even if they don’t? Is that too odd of a concept in the modern, instantaneous, now me me world?

 

Can we change? Do we want to? Should we regardless of the futures outcome?

1 March 1957 “Cleaning the Bathroom and Tomato Seedlings”

With a continuation of the Daily Lists, I have included today the Bathroom as well as the bit on Halls and Stairs. I hope these help. And, as with any list, they are merely suggestions. One may not need to do all listed or possibly some may even do more. Whatever works for your schedule and time is the ‘perfect list’. I have found, though, that a list of any sort and a routine far outweighs not having one. You will find more time in your day by making a list and getting through it. It will also make the rest of your day almost feel more special somehow. An elation, of sorts, of your ‘free time’.

I have started some tomato seeds early this year. Two weeks ago I started these tomatoes. It is a bit early for some things, but tomatoes can take a good 8 weeks before they are transplanted.

I always like to try some new “old” varieties. This year Black Krim is what I have started. I am excited to try this variety as it says it has a “hint of smokiness”. I also like that it is said to be “Reliable and very productive” which is always a good trait in any plant.

Here are the little darlings as of today. I loved that these two were “holding hands”, as it were. There is something wonderful about those first few sprouts as they peak their little verdant leaves forth. Spring can be dreamed of, despite cold weather. Though, today, we have mid 40’s and sun. I shall be out this afternoon working on the yard a bit.

The chicks are now a month old and doing well with mother. I cannot believe I forgot to get a picture of their little downy heads peeking out from mum’s wings. But, I shall get some shots of them now with her. She is still happily caring for them, and if I make a loud unexpected noise, she clucks frantically and they race to her hiding under her.

I have never had a hen raise chicks yet, so this is all new to me. I haven’t any idea how long she will care for them before she merely sees them as her flock mates, at which point she will peck her way through them, so they know their place. I am hoping the rest of the flock will be more accepting of them, as they see them all the time, though protected by chicken wire from their inquisitive beaks.

It has been so lovely out today that I let the chickens out and they were so happy to be raking through the leaves and following me about. They are such a  joy to have around. I am lucky in their friendliness and my rooster is the friendliest I have ever had, such a darling and so proud of his ‘ladies’.

Well, I had hoped to reveal my finished kids book today, but I don’t want to share it until it is done exactly as I like it to be. So I am giving myself the rest of this week to really work on it. I shall, though, of course share it all with you.

Speaking of children’s books, this month (on the 12th) in 1957, Dr. Suess first book, “The Cat in the Hat” is published.

“Theodor Geisel, writing as Dr. Seuss, created The Cat in the Hat in response to the May 25, 1954 Life magazine article by John Hersey, titled "Why Do Students Bog Down on First R? A Local Committee Sheds Light on a National Problem: Reading."

The first “R” is of course, Reading in the big Three “R’s” (Reading, Righting, and ‘Rithmatic) obviously with that old saying, spelling was a consideration.

Since then, more than 11 million copies of The Cat in the Hat have been printed. It has been translated into more than 12 different languages.

I hope all have a lovely day and that you are getting excited about Spring (unless you are my Southern Hemisphere readers of course, then I suppose Autumn is on your mind).

Happy Homemaking.

26 February 1957 “Cleaning the Living Room, Biscuits and Scones”

In my last post I shared the basic list of daily/weekly cleaning from my 1947 America’s Housekeeping Book. It has a breakdown of the separate rooms in more detail so I shall share these with you over the next few posts, as many of you mentioned you would like to see them.

Today is the detailed Living Room lists, enjoy.

Today I wanted to make an easy ‘breakfast in bed’ for hubby and I. I am an early riser so on Hubby’s day off, I am always up with the dogs early and about my day. This morning, as I have much work to do still plugging away on my book, I thought I’d throw together an easy to eat in bed breakfast.

I made my simple biscuit recipe to make bacon egg breakfast sandwiches and fresh chocolate chip scones. Both easy to eat in bed as really no utensils are needed. I simply put some butter on top of the scones, poured out a thermos of coffee and brought it up on a tray. We really enjoyed it.

Hubby is always appreciative of such morning breakfast surprises. It works wonders for me, because then he is feed and can lounge about in bed with his coffee and books and I can get back to work in my little office. He says I spoil him, but I always remind him that my getting to be home while he has to deal with traffic and work certainly a fair trade. At least, I think so.

Here is my recipe:

50’s Gal Easy Biscuit/Scone recipe

2 cups flour

2tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

7 TBS butter or lard

[3 TBS sugar for scones, none for biscuit]

1/2 cup buttermilk (If you haven’t butter milk add 1 TBS vinegar to 1/2 cup milk let sit one minute)

1 egg

1 TBS cream

(To this add choc chips, fruit, candied ginger, whatever you like about 1/2 cup for ‘flavored’ scone. Leave plain for Biscuit)

Preheat oven to 425 F

Mix dry ingredients and then cut in butter/lard. A pasty cutter is helpful, if you haven’t one two knives work wonders. For the final mix I use my hands to quickly crumble. But do not play with pastry dough as the heat of your hands stops it from rising (This is oppositely true for breads). Those chunks of butter you see through the dough is what gives it a lovely rise. Add fruit/add ins now.

Make a well in the center and pour in your milk/egg mixture which you can mix together with a whisk. I prefer to mix the wet ingredients in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup, as it is easy to whip it then.

Roll out on a floured surface. I mostly push it into a circular shape and give a quick one or two rolls with the rolling pin, don’t overwork it. If you haven’t a biscuit cutter, an upturned glass works as does measuring cups. Then you can cut the the size you like. You can also roll out a circle and cut into pie shapes.

For Scones, brush top with cream and sprinkle with sugar, for biscuits, leave as is. Bake for 10 –12 minutes. You want them to look a little undone but just the hint of brown on top. Things continue to cook when removed from the oven.

Enjoy!

 

As I was making this batch to be both a savory biscuit as well as a sweet scone, I mixed it up without the sugar, rolled it out and cut two biscuits. Then returned to the bowl and added chocolate chips and sugar.

   Here is the lovely biscuit up close. You can see how nicely this recipes rises.Though this may not look that lovely, it tasted  like heaven. I like to crisp up the edges of the eggs for a sandwich like this. I cooked the bacon first and then cooked the mushrooms and egg in the bacon fat. It is wonderful this way and needs no condiments in my opinion. I did add cheese to the add as it was cooking to melt.  Here is the Chocolate Chip Scone result from the same batch. They are so good warm with clotted cream and jam. They also are lovely just as is and cold in hubby’s lunchbox.

The continued interest I find in these terms “Biscuit” “Scone” “Cookie” that differ for American’s and English always fascinate me. Obviously Biscuits in England are our cookies, so the idea of a bacon egg sandwich on a ‘biscuit’ must sound upsurd. Yet, our Biscuits are in every way simply a savory scone, or sans sugar.

I had begun to wonder if these were simply an American invention, but recently found out that during the Victorian times there was a from of unsweetened scone made and rolled out and cut (rather like store bought biscuits that you tear apart and break). I cannot find the article now, so I don’t recall what they are called. They were mainly used among the working classes as an easy bread to take along or serve with stews and such. This obviously are our biscuits and probably came over with the onslaught of Irish and English Immigrants during the Victorian time. And, for whatever reason, died out in England. At least I don’t think they are still used there, but any English reader can correct me.

Now, why do American’s call them Cookies? (Which I believe they use the term in Canada as well). Interestingly enough  the name derives from the Dutch word koekje or (informal) koekie which means little cake. The Dutch settled much of the New York and various New England areas here in America so there you go.

I believe a Scottish Cookie is somewhat more similar to our biscuit, but not quite exactly. Any Scottish followers want to chime in on this one?

I am always fascinated by the differences in terminology of the English languages in different nations. Theodore Roosevelt in his time as president around 1906 also had his hand in changing our American spelling by dropping “U” from words like Colour: Color. Prior to that American and English spelling was the same. He even had dictionaries change the spelling and there was a debate in congress over it. It was ruled against this change, but it was too late and here we are, with no HUMOUR only HUMOR.

I have noticed, however, that here in New England I often see English spellings used such as Theatre instead of the American Theater. Another interesting thing I see often is the ‘quaint’ spelling of Shop as “SHOPPEE” . This is often used on antique or old soda fountains. This is actually middle English, which could have been part of the vocabulary of the early British Settlers to Massachusetts in the 1600’s. It is all so very interesting, at least to me. But, I digress…

I am bound and determined to keep plugging away with my little book. I certainly knew it would be a lot of work, but I am so amazed at how much these past two years of my Homemakers career has influenced not only my style, but my ability to work. I can say without any doubt that prior to my sojourn to 1955 two years ago, I was colossally lazy, at least comparative to my present abilities. And certainly, if I can change, anyone can.

I could spend house watching TV or wasting time online. I could sit in cafe’s for hours and linger uselessly in my studio. Now I find a real joy and excitement in working. Though many days I face my little deadlines with dread, I always tell myself, “Well, just get started, achieve this much and then have your tea break”. This usually gives me the motivation to go forward. Then, of course, I have my home duties to attend, so that always lights a fire under me to ‘get to work’ as I will still have dinner to prepare and the various chores for that day depending on what that day is (Laundry day and so on).

I feel, even if my first attempt is rather amateurish or even seen as silly, I will feel I have made a step in the right direction. And then my next book in that vein can only improve, at least I hope so.

I hope all are having a great day and Happy Homemaking.