housewifery

World War I Cooking–An Overview
World War I Cooking–An Overview

What do you know about World War I cooking? Probably very little. It’s not a highlight of culinary history. Go back to the simple life, be contented with simple food, simple pleasures, simple clothes. Work hard, pray hard, play hard. Work, eat, recreate, and sleep. Do it all courageously. ~Herbert Hoover, US Food Administration in World War I I’m one…

“Our Grand Adventure”–Marriage and a Farm in the Great Depression

“My Boy” and I started out fourteen years ago, he fresh from a bank job, and I, from the schoolroom. We knew almost nothing about farming, but felt as truly “called” as Abraham did in the days of old. “They’ll be back in town within two years,” our friends prophesied. But we’re still here. After seven years of stock-share renting…

Blessings of Home Culture
Blessings of Home Culture

“I have observed that we are now faced with a lesson our ancestors never even dreamed of having to learn–that is the lesson of knowing how to stay at home and enjoy the blessings of home culture.” -1905 The writer goes on to mention the early 1900s trends of “rapid transit, cheap rates, and easy theatricals” that have made people…

Five Reasons to Love the Humble Jar of Jam

For the last couple of years I’ve noticed turned-up noses when it comes to jams, jellies, and all preserves in general. It seems to be on the Not Trendy list at the moment. It’s baffling to me. Maybe people are trying to avoid sweets (doubtful, given the other things they eat copiously) or people don’t see jam as anything but…