Thursday, February 5, 2009

the 1950's 'Modern' Woman

I just pulled out The American Woman's Cook Book that belonged to Sunny's Grandmother. It was published in 1955.

In a time when gay meant happy, 'swell' meant something other than my body after too much salt and thongs were worn on the feet, here are a few interesting and humorous tidbits that aided the 'modern' woman of the 50's.

"Strike up a warm acquaintance
with your oven and its special temperament".
Wow! Get this woman some friends, will ya!?

"Time and your oven await
the occasion and the man."
Which ever comes first.
"The machine beats time as well as batter
while you supply
the brain that makes the cake."
If I only had a brain dudu-dudu-dududu

Some other fun words of culinary wisdom:

"The Season's best-dressed fowl wears stuffing under the skin of the breast as well as in the body."
Thus the implant is born.
"Many women can manage almost any form of entertainment without the help of a maid."
Insult...
"For most, however there are distinct limits to what should be attempted for pleasant and dignified results."
...to injury!
Concerning hosting a dinner:
"As the guests leave the table for the living room, the hostess enters with the coffee. By the time all have lighted a fresh cigarette, the coffee is being poured and the dining table has been forgotten."
As the smoke alarm goes off after ALL have lighted a fresh cigarette. *cough* *cough* *hack* *cough*
And my favorite:
"The Broiler or Fryer [chicken] is more delectable when you break all the joints, clip off the neck and backbone and snap out the breastbone."
But if you don't want to get your hands dirty just give Luigi or Guiedo a call. I'm sure they'd be happy to take care of it for you. They live in Chicago by the way.
It's All A Modern Woman? Good!

18 comments:

  1. Cute post! Hey, I got up that interview tonight sorry took so long. Blessings

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  2. This is so funny--I love it!! Your comments made my day! lol
    As far as I'm concerned, I long to have those days back!!!

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  3. You make me laugh!!!! Hey, quite making fun of me :o) Remember I am of that generation.
    Susan

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  4. This is so funny, and I loved your little asides!

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  5. I'm not sure exactly what kind of woman I am, but apparently I'm not modern. ;o)

    So far my internet hasn't been off today. Hooray! I might even attempt a post later on, assuming the power and the 'net stays on.

    Happy weekend!

    Love and hugs,

    Diane

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  6. That was fun. It made me laugh.

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  7. That cookbook is a hoot! O, the images those sayings conjured up in my mind! Too funny.
    BTW, I also haven't been able to post a comment on LauraBo's blog. I wrote her thru "Twitter" last night and told her. She said she checked it out and didn't know why we couldn't comment. I think it might have something to do with her new layout, since that's when the problem started. If you go to my blog, and click on the "Follow me on Twitter" on my sidebar, it should give you a link to Laura's Twitter, and you should be able to contact her there. I will write her again, and tell her I'm not the only one who's having trouble posting comments to her.
    Have a great weekend. :=)

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  8. Hi, Brenda
    Just a little note to tell you Laura fixed the problem with the comments on her blog, so you can go there now.
    Blessings,
    Brneda

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  9. Fun post, Brenda. I hope you have a good weekend.

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  10. Oh my, this blog is so ME. Was my mom, was and still is ME. I still hang my clothes on the line (when not absolutely insane) and you know all the sewing, knitting and crocheting I do. I still bake my own bread frequently and nevernevernever buy any mixes for baked goods. Thanks for the reminder of the good ol' days which are still the good days. It's all good, I remember someone saying ;-)

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  11. You gotta love old cookbooks for their "modern wisdom!" Me and my oven... just like *this.* (Crossing fingers.)

    Ha ha!

    Blessings!

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  12. Hi Brenda(:)
    Oh that is a darling vintage ''cooking lady'' post
    I LOVE it..
    an yes go see her pretty shared art..have fun...My computer is so filled with images it is heavy and fat~~
    LOL
    hugs, Patty

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  13. YOU ARE A NUT! This post was so awesome. You have a dry sense of humor and I bet you keep your family rolling whether you form a relationship with your oven or not.

    Ovens are so tempramental you know - sheesh.

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  14. Oh, this was way too fun!!! I love all things nostalgia, but sometimes looking back is like looking at life on another planet!

    I could just visualize all the guests filling up my living room with smoke while I had my imaginary maid, Elsie, cleaning up the dinner dishes.
    :)

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  15. I love the coffee and cigarette comment. That was hilharious. It's amazing-almost sadly so-how far we've come. Some of the changes I love, and then sometimes I think I miss it the way it was even before I was born. Blessings Brenda. Fun to get caught back up on your blog!

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  16. Oh, how funny! These sure were different times... And by the way, thanks for your comment on my chicken pot pies. I'm so glad you've been enjoying those. :)

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  17. I can relate to this post. Ah yes, the 50s. I remember them well. The Dory award I just posted was not for remembering stuff that happened 50 or 60 years ago, it for what was happening yesterday. lol
    Charlotte

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  18. Funny, sister. You are a hoot and I love you for it. Sometime I'll print an article I have on how a '50's woman should behave and what she should do to please her man (the bread winner) of the family.
    laugh..laugh..laugh

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Thanks for taking the time to visit with me. I enjoy your comments very much. :)