Vintage Kitchen Tips: 1940's Wisdom

If there were no tribulations, there would be no rest;
if there were no winter, there would be no summer. ~St. John Chrysostom

It's been a crazy month here, not just because of the frigid weather and never ending snow, but also because my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and our youngest daughter turned 14 years old. Our celebrations were small and at home because we have bigger things planned for the spring when the roads are safer to drive on and the weather is above 30 degrees:) It's hard for me to believe my baby is a teenager, and that 25 years have passed since I married my best friend. I've been looking at old photographs during the past couple of weeks and smiling at the wonderful memories.

The article I have to share with you today is full of kitchen and cooking tips from the 1940's. I love tips from this time period because they are always frugal and creative. It was a time in our history that was full of hardships, but people used their creativity to save money and took advantage of resources that were at hand. I always learn so much when reading cookbooks or magazines from the 1940's. I'm sure you'll love these tips too:  http://oldfashionedliving.com/Vintage-Cooking-Tips.html
~Enjoy, Brenda

Vintage Garden Tips: Winter and Beyond

Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ... a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream. ~Barbara Winkler

As usual I'm thumbing through my garden books and magazines while waiting, and waiting and waiting for the new garden season.  I found some nice tips on evergreens, mulching and seedstarting from vintage books I've had for years. I thought you would enjoy these:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Old-Fashioned-Gardening-Advice.html

The only thing better than thumbing through old garden books is dreaming over new seed catalogs!

~Enjoy, Brenda

An Old Fashioned Valentine's Day Breakfast

Love withers under constraints: its very essence is liberty: it is compatible neither with obedience, jealousy, nor fear: it is there most pure, perfect, and unlimited where its votaries live in confidence, equality and unreserve. ~Percy Bysshe Shelley

I couldn't let Valentine's Day week go by without an article, but for some reason I had writer's block until I started thinking about my husband, and the breakfasts he's made me over the years. I heard talk around our house of stuffed French toast this year, but it's a secret so that might be a rumor. As long as breakfast includes his homemade fruit syrup I'm good:)

I came up with a lovely breakfast menu using vintage recipes from my cookbook collection and added a few twists of my own.  Whether it's breakfast, or brunch, or even breakfast for dinner I think you'll enjoy the recipes and tips here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Valentines-Day-Breakfast.html

~Brenda

Easy Enchiladas for a Crowd

The Superbowl is Sunday, and though my husband is the only hardcore football fan, the rest of us love the commercials and half time, so we look forward to it.  Between football and the Olympics coming up, we should have a nice diversion from the snow and ice.

Last week I made a pan of enchiladas and realized my recipe would be perfect for a party or get together because I could make several pans and vary the ingredients. I took pictures of the enchiladas I was making that night, and shared the variations I've made in the past.  While my recipe isn't authentic, it is one I've come up with after years of trying different methods, and it's now a family favorite.  The article is here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Easy-Enchiladas.html

We had three school snow days this week, and are expecting another snow storm. Luckily I stocked up on pantry items, and I'm all set for dinners this weekend, but the cabin fever is setting in for everyone in the family. I was looking through my seed catalogs this week to let my mind drift to flowers and herbs for awhile:)

Stay warm and safe,
Brenda

Making Your Own Soup Stock

Look into the garden,
Where the grass was green;
Covered by the snowflakes,
Not a blade is seen.

Now the bare black bushes
All look soft and white.
Every twig is laden-
What a pretty sight!
~Ezra Pound

Tomorrow is suppose to be bitter cold and windy, but I'm trying to appreciate the beauty of winter while I'm bundled up, which is why I chose the poem with the above picture:)  I hope you all are keeping warm and safe this winter. 

I wrote an article earlier in the week on making homemade soup stock.  I ran across some wonderful tips and recipes while looking through some of my older cookbooks and thought I would share.  I also added some of my own tips.  I love soup in the winter, and make it as often as possible. I do make my own stock when possible, but I also keep purchased broth on hand in the pantry.  You'll find the article here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Homemade-Soup-Stock.html . 

~Enjoy, Brenda

Happy New Year: Appetizers for Company

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things. ~John Burroughs

Due to a technical problem on OFL, and then an internet problem on my end, an article I wrote with some easy appetizers didn't get posted before the holidays.  However, they are by no means just for the holidays and can be made for any party or get together.  I had a blast experimenting with the recipes and eating variations of both recipes for lunch that day.  The article is here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Holiday-Appetizers.html .

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year's.  We survived ice, snow, busy stores and food poisoning, but still had a wonderful holiday with our children and our grandson.  He was very impressed with Christmas, as you can see below in this picture of  Aunt Emily helping him unwrap one of his gifts.

~Enjoy, Brenda

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  

We at OFL hope you have a blessed Christmas:)