Quote of the Day

What will happen to us when our children have no connection with what is wild in the land, its depth, danger, generosity? ~ Susan Hand Shetterly

The Online Bookshelf - Bill The Minder

An odd and charming little story book. Published in 1912 and available at Project Gutenberg.

Overheard Outside the Public Library This Evening

Woman in car (calling through the window to a pink-haired teenaged girl in shredded clothes): “Behave yourself!”

Pink-haired teen (sullenly): It’s the library. It’s not like I have a choice.

Patterns of the Past - Kits From Aunt Ellen

All sorts of lovely things to send away for, from Workbasket magazine, February 1951.

Crochet - A Teacup from 1951

From Workbasket magazine, February 1951, a crocheted teacup, plus a bonus project! A hotpad made of rubber canning rings wound with yarn (my hat is off to anyone who can figure out to make it).

On my Flickr account. Includes instructions on how to stiffen the teacup with sugar syrup, not recommended unless you live in an insect-free environment, like maybe the space station).

Why Don't We Just Buy Stock In The Delmonte Company?

Got an email at work explaining that someone who shall remain nameless is going to be late for supper because Mildred* has another skunk she needs removed.

Why can't Mildred have a rabid coyote or a poisonous snake for a change?

Vintage Images - Animals

Copyright-free, from Dover.

A Tale of Two Sundays - September

Our Sunday bill of fare for 1927 includes Beefsteak Pie, Italian Spaghetti, Brussels Sprouts, Celery-Lettuce-Cheese Salad, Raisin Cake and Rice Pudding (two desserts are often on the menu for Sunday dinner in this book). The “Italian Spaghetti” is boiled for fifteen minutes and then baked for another forty, so let’s ignore that and take a look at Beefsteak Pie, a way to dress up the humble round steak.

Beefsteak Pie. “The following ingredients will make a pie sufficient to serve 6 or 7 persons. Have 3 pounds round steak cut in 2-inch lengths. Parboil for 30 minutes in water to cover. While the meat is cooking prepare a nice rich crust with 2 cups flour sifted twice with 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt; rub into this 1 cup lard or any preferred shortening. Some cooks think the crust of a beefsteak pie should always be made with clarified beef drippings. Line baking dish with this crust, rolled thin after being wet with a very little ice water or cold milk. Lay in some of the steak which has been allowed to cool, sprinkle with salt and pepper, repeat until all the meat is used. Slightly thicken the water in which the steak was boiled, with butter and flour and turn into dish. Cover with crust, bake 1 hour in moderate oven. This pie is even nicer for being reheated, so can be made on Saturday.”

In 1953 Mrs. Berolzheimer recommends a hearty meal, as well. On the 1953 menu are Vegetable Soup, Roast Tenderloin of Beef with Mushrooms, Stuffed Baked Potatoes, Baked Eggplant, Waldorf Salad and Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.

Waldorf Salad. ”6 tart red apples, 4 celery hearts, 2 ounces English walnut meats, Whipped Cream Dressing, lettuce. Pare apples, cut into long slender strips and dip into lemon water. Cut celery the same way. Shave walnuts into fine pieces. Combine walnuts, apples and celery with enough dressing to moisten. Heap on lettuce on salad plates. Serves 6.

Whipped Cream Dressing. 2/3 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 2 eggs, beaten, 2 tablespoons salad oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 tablespoons orange juice, 1 cup pineapple juice, ½ cup heavy cream, whipped. Combine sugar and flour in top of double boiler; add remaining ingredients except cream and cook until thickened, stirring constantly. When cool fold in whipped cream. Makes 2 cups.

Eliminate the Italian Spaghetti and the Brussels Sprouts, and I would take the 1927 menu. If I indulged in the 1953 meal I think I’d be asleep all afternoon.

Another Conversation I Wish Had Not Happened, or; Why I'm Glad We Have A Shower In The Basement

He: Mildred Gunther* called; she's got a critter in her backyard she wants me to come get (explanatory note: our elderly neighbors frequently call on the spousal unit for this service since he has a state trapping license).

Me: What kind of critter?

He: She doesn't know, it's curled up in a ball.

Thirty-five minutes later, the phone rings.

He: Meet me at the gate with a clean pair of shorts and a t-shirt, wouldja?

Kitty Bliss

Sleeping on printer? Good. Sleeping on knitting? Better.

Sleeping on knitting and printer? Priceless.

Caturday!

Reality Check

Today's sessions were on Port au Prince and Mumbai. There are times I have to sit still and reflect on my good fortune.

I Love My Job

Yesterday the FBI showed us how to build a bomb*. Today the state bomb squad showed us how to detonate it.

(*They also showed us how to manufacture ricin. Nice guys).

Due To Technical Difficulties...

I'm at a conference for the next three days, so figuring out our configuration issues is going to have to wait until Saturday. Pfui.

Vintage Images - Angels

The assistance of which I badly need since I still can't get the printer/scanner configured. There may be no new pattern on Tuesday if this doesn't resolve itself.

(as always, copyright-free. From Dover).

A Word From Management

I am in the process of setting up our new PC so no posts today other than this one. Regular blogging resumes tomorrow (sorry!).

Caturday!

I feel the same way when I find a new bookstore.

Quote of the Day

Riches she possessed, but that which enriches them, the participation of affection, was wanting. All that they could purchase for her became indifferent to her, because that which they could not purchase, and which was more valuable than themselves, she had, for their sake, thrown away. She discovered, when it was too late, that she had mistaken the means for the end—that riches, rightly used, are instruments of happiness, but are not in themselves happiness. ~ Thomas Love Peacock

The Online Bookshelf - My Knitting Book

By Mrs. Lambert, dated 1843, and available on Project Gutenberg.

Patterns of the Past - December 1950

From Workbasket magazine. I really like the armscyes on the grey shirtwaist.