Memory Monday: Things from the Past and My Thoughts on Them

My Daddy with his sister and cousin

THINGS FROM THE PAST AND MY THOUGHT ON THEM

My daddy is in the picture above—he’s the one in the middle with the modified bowl haircut. The book Things My Mother Made (published in 1913) came out a few years before he was born. Maybe his mother followed some of the advice in the book. Some of these things were common knowledge back then. As I read through this book, several things caught my eye and I wanted to share them. Items from the book are in bold and my thoughts are in-between.

AUTHOR'S FOREWORD

Good food depends as largely upon the judgment of the cook, as upon the materials used. These recipes and Household Hints are written very plainly, for those who have had no experience, no practice and possibly have little judgment.

I love that last part--“possibly have little judgment.”

To Save Confusion in the Home

"Plan your work, then work your plan."

Monday—Wash, if you have it done in the house. If sent out, use that day for picking up and putting things in order, after the disorder of Sunday.

Tuesday—Iron.

Wednesday—Finish ironing and bake; wash kitchen floor.

Thursday, Friday—Sweep and dust, thoroughly.

Saturday—Bake, and prepare in every way pos sible, for the following day.

We have a different schedule:

Monday-Tuesday my husband does something, I write

Wednesday—grocery shopping, I write (or search the internet)

Thursday—my husband does laundry, I write

Friday—my husband sweeps, dusts, mops and does the bathroom, I write

Saturday—whatever

Sunday—Church and enchilada for Sunday Dinner (blog post on enchiladas coming)

Yep, I like my schedule better.

To Remove Disagreeable Odors from the House

Sprinkle fresh ground coffee, on a shovel of hot coals, or burn sugar on the shovel. This is an old-fashioned disinfectant, still good.

Today, I’d just spray some Febreeze.

To Soften Boots and Shoes

Rub them with kerosene. Shoes will last longer, if rubbed over with drippings from roast lamb. Old-fashioned people always used mutton tallow on children's shoes.

Wonder what the shoes would smell like in the hot sun?

When you Go Away from Home for a Few Days

Plan your meals before leaving. This simplifies matters for the one left in charge.

But isn’t that what McDonald’s and pizza delivery are for?

When Pies are Ready to Bake

Put little dabs of lard, on the top crust, then hold it under the faucet, letting cold water run over it.

This one I just don’t understand. Why? Wouldn’t the lard drops be washed away? And wouldn’t the pie turn out soggy?

Never Leave a Glass of Water or Medicine, Un covered in a Room

This is very important. Water will absorb all the gases, with which a room is filled from the respiration of those sleeping in the room.

This one I thought was just interesting. But on second thought, wouldn’t it be better to leave out several glasses of water so they will absorb all those nasty gases and in the morning just pour out all that nasty water? Wouldn’t that leave the room cleaner? Just wondering.

I am so-o-o-o glad in live now and not back then.

What would your favorite time period to live in?