One day several years ago, my father said to two of our daughters who were visiting-
“You girls want to go through that closet in the garage at my house?”
That closet in the garage held a treasure trove of my mother’s collecting.
One replied, as nonchalantly as a racing heart rate will allow, “How about right now?”
My father smiled because he knew exactly what they were thinking.
They are their mother’s and grandmother’s daughters/granddaughters.
(Note: I have 3 daughters. One was not here. She is part of all of this in absentia.
Afterall, we have rules of engagement for closet sifting too. Even steven.)
In the depths of that closet were these cookbooks published in 1910.
Let’s look first at the Desserts Volume.
Can you read the first sentence of the last paragraph?
“The chief reason why more women do not give their pastries due personal attention lies in the fact that
discouragement so often follows failure…”
No kidding!
I have tried to make a pie crust in a food processor, by hand, and at one point in the 80’s by using a large
Tupperware bowl, filled with pastry ingredients, which I rotated wildly, in a clockwise direction, simulating
hula hooping.
Thank you Miss Olive (the author) for taking that monkey off my back.
And then there is this recipe.
I don’t even know what to say.
However, as irreverent as I can be, I am completely impressed. This one could happen…it could really
happen.
One last one.
%5B3%5D.jpg "Ivy (9)")
Read the last paragraph.
I’m going to let you write the last sentence of this post.
**********
We are packing my husband’s truck to head to El Paso today.
It is a long journey, but when time permits I will be working on my menu and shopping list for Thanksgiving day.
It is time dear friends to- as my father would say-
“get after it.”.
I get Miss Olive. I really do.
**********
This is a re-worked post from the past I thought you would enjoy.
14 comments:
Good Morning Laura,
Such truths in Miss Olive's dissertation on culinary delights and womanhood!
Don't you just adore these old recipe books. I have the Presidential cookbook that was my Grandmother's...priceless.
Safe travels Laura, and I know that your Thanksgiving meal will be absolutely heavenly.
Jemma
So was Miss Olive saying to serve cream cheese balls colored green on lettuce? I can do that!! My husband would say, "Where's the meat?"
Happy Thanksgiving friend.
Love this post as well as Miss Olive. Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving, Laura.
Laura, I always read your posts to Paul. We think you should write a book!
Love the history in those books. It is sad however how many young woman today can't manage to boil water much less cook a decent meal. Safe travels.
THAT is hysterical! Love the Bird Nest Salad! What a salad that is! lol Icould write the last sentence but probably shouldn't....lol
Hope you have a wonderful weekend- xo Diana
Miss Olive's culinary advice is delightful!!!! I get such a kick reading vintage magazines and cook books! Thank you for sharing! ;)
Rebeca
I find these antique cookbooks and advice books fascinating. Look at those fabulous Art Nouveau covers! The cheese eggs in the bird nests are great. Though I can't imagine setting that in front of a husband at that time. Or now, come to think of it. But, it is very clever.
Ginene
I've heard of Birds Nest Salad before...bet they are so cute...
I have pies in the freezer...a cake...most of my T'giving Dinner ingredients bought...will make a quick run to the store on Wed morning...fresh rolls and etc.. There will be about 22 with us...and I am so looking forward to it.
What fun to read the old cookbooks! Life was very different then.
I love how your Daddy tells it plainly if I remember correctly, "Just get on with it" or something similar.
What a hoot! Times sure have changed. Fun post! Thanks for sharing. Safe travels and a very happy Thanksgiving to you!
First of all, I need to make Miss Olive's salad. Second, I can't make pie crust to save my soul and you know what -- I can live with that. Maybe it's just because I'm coming off a British Baking Show marathon but I realize there are cooking things I must do because they are hard and seemingly impossible and challenging and others I can leave to Pillsbury!
Those cookbooks are fabulous -- and lucky girls in your family! Yes, I think your daughters inherited that genetic disposition from you -- and good for them! Oh, Laura! This post will leave a smile on my face all day long!
Enjoying your blog, and getting to know you. Adore Miss Olive. She makes good sense.
I confess, I too am not skilled at pie crust. My grandmother who taught me to cook, during my failed pie crust attempts, would stare at me with a combination of sympathy, and bewilderment. Thank goodness for Pop N' Fresh.
what a precious post....makes me feel so nostalgic. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving my friend.
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