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:)

Holiday Entertaining: Festive Spreads

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

Every year I'm determined to write more in December, but between baking, shopping and decorating, I'm busy and distracted so writing takes a back seat. However, I might be on a roll with the article I wrote on Friday. I always bake quick breads for the holidays, and my husband has been asking me to make spreads to use with them. I did some experimenting, looked through my recipes and came up with some delicious and easy spreads to use with bread, muffins, waffles and pancakes. You'll find the recipes here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Festive-Spreads.html

I hope your Christmas shopping, baking and decorating is going well:)  Remember, if you need more recipes, decorating ideas, crafts or entertaining tips visit the holiday section on OFL where all of our Christmas articles are indexed: http://oldfashionedliving.com/holidays/main.html

I'll be back later in the week:)  Brenda

Thanksgiving Week: Turkey Dinner Leftovers

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time. ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

I hope your Thanksgiving was lovely.  We had a fun day with our grandson on his first Thanksgiving.  He especially enjoyed the mashed potatoes and the sweet potatoes.  A bit more ended up on the floor than in his mouth, but he cleaned up and so did the floor:)

My last article for November has recipes that use leftover turkey, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes. I sometimes make extra just so I'll have leftovers for baking!  You'll find the article here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Thanksgiving-Leftovers.html

~Enjoy, Brenda

Thanksgiving Week: Traditions and Our Gratitude

All of us at Old Fashioned Living wish you a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving. We are always thankful for our readers, especially those who have been with us since we were a tiny website with visions of like minded people sharing recipes, family traditions, holiday fun and our love of afternoon tea.  Thank you for visiting and sharing with us for all of these years. I've always said that OFL visitors and readers are the best:)

While I have been concentrating mostly on cooking articles lately, I did want to share ideas on creating a Thanksgiving family tradition of expressing gratitude.  Each family is made up of people with unique personalities. Finding a way to express thankfulness is sometimes a challenge, but it can also be an adventure when we use a little creativity.  The article is here:  http://oldfashionedliving.com/Thanksgiving-Family-Traditions.html  I hope you will enjoy it:)

Happy Thanksgiving!
~Brenda

Thanksgiving Week: Dressing, Giblets and Gravy

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

Yesterday I posted about my article with tips on roasting turkey. Today I'm sharing tidbits and recipes for dressing and gravy plus tips on using that little packet of giblets that usually comes inside the turkey. Interestingly, I read that those packets don't necessarily contain the organs that came out of that particular turkey.  They are removed, cleaned and packaged, then put back in the cavity of random turkeys before they are sent off to the store. In the scheme of things this really doesn't matter, but I found it interesting:)  There are a few ways the giblets and neck can be made use of while cooking a holiday dinner. 

You'll find the tips and recipes here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Stuffing-Giblets-and-Gravy.html  

Do you need more Thanksgiving help? I've written many articles over the years with recipes for stuffing, bread, fresh cranberry sauce and more.  The OFL holiday index lists them all here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/holidays/main.html  I often refer to it myself when I have misplaced a favorite recipe:)

~Enjoy, Brenda

Thanksgiving Week: Holiday Turkey Tips

To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude. ~Albert Schweitzer

To start the week off I have an article with the ins and outs of roasting turkey. While I know grilling and frying the turkey is all the rage now, I still love a good old fashioned roasted turkey.  It's a simple process that even the newest cook can handle with ease.  However, I do remember cooking my first turkey upside down which is a classic mistake, though the white meat was very moist!  

I share some turkey do and don'ts plus tips on seasoning with two methods to chose from, and suggestions for herbs that work well with turkey. You can read the article here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Turkey-Dos-And-Donts.html

~Enjoy, Brenda

Holiday Entertaining: How to Involve Teenagers

Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. ~John Boswell

It's November and Thanksgiving is creeping up on those of us in the U.S., with Christmas just around the corner.  As I mulled over topics I haven't covered on OFL during previous holiday seasons I started thinking of teenagers, and their tendency to gravitate towards each other and their electronic devices instead of interacting with family members.  I now have three teenagers who are 13, 19 and 20, so I have had a lot of experience with forcing, or rather, encouraging their involvement over the years:)  I wrote an article with tips that I think will help involve them during family gatherings from now until the new year.  You'll find it here:

http://oldfashionedliving.com/Holiday-Entertaining-With-Teenagers.html

~Enjoy, Brenda

Quick and Easy Fall Treats

Fall brings the holiday season, full of celebrations, potlucks and family gatherings.  Some times we have time for planning, and fixing our best dishes, but other times life interferes or dates get confused and time runs out. I have several fun treats that can be used for just about any fall occasion when you need something quick and easy.  The recipes are here:  http://oldfashionedliving.com/Fall-Treats.html

I also wanted to share this picture of my grandson admiring his first pumpkin:)

~Enjoy, Brenda

Freezing Herbs for Winter Meals

I've been growing herbs for about twenty years now, and I've experimented with most of the preservation methods along the way.   By far, freezing culinary herbs to using during the winter has been the most successful.  Friday, I wrote an article going over the different freezing methods, which herbs freeze best, and I share recipes for herb blends.  The article is here:  http://oldfashionedliving.com/Freezing-Herbs.html

~Enjoy, Brenda

Late Fall Garden Tidbits

The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools. ~Henry Beston

Now is the time for those late fall garden and yard chores before the snow flies in Northern Climates.  Whether it's preparing the vegetable garden for spring, pulling bulbs, planting, mulching or watering, this is the time to do it all while the days are crisp, cool and sunny.   I never get done quite what I want to, but I make a priority list and go from there.  I wrote an article with tips here http://oldfashionedliving.com/Fall-Garden-Chores.html  that should give you ideas for your own priority list.

~Enjoy, Brenda

A Taste of Fall: Sweet Potatoes

Let's try this post again...it disappeared into cyberspace last night:(  Our next featured fall vegetable is the sweet potato.  I did a little research on the yam vs. the sweet potato plus I share tips on how to use this sweet vegetable in place of other fall vegetables.  The sweet potato is available year round, but without a doubt it's a favorite during the fall.  Each family seems to have a sweet potato dish they serve at Thanksgiving. Some cooks serve it with a savory twist; others like enhancing the sweet flavor.  I share a recipe that has four variations of baked stuffed sweet potatoes.  You can serve one variation or all four!
The article is here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Taste-of-Fall-Sweet-Potatoes.html

~Enjoy, Brenda

A Taste of Fall: Fruit Muffins

This weekend was rainy at times, but otherwise is was perfect fall weather. It was a bit windy, but mostly sunny and the temperatures were in the 60's, which is perfect for yard work.  I love fall, and Michigan is beautiful this time of year with the crisp scents of fall, and the trees turning color. It actually makes fall chores enjoyable because to be outside is to enjoy the colors and the smells of autumn. 

I did take time out last week to have a muffin baking day.  Everyone in our family loves muffins, so I can't just make one dozen.  I figured out a way to make three types of muffins using the same topping, and they bake in about 15 minutes for each batch, so it's not an all day affair.  I jotted down the recipes for the muffins and the topping to share here: http://oldfashionedliving.com/Taste-of-Fall--h--Muffins.html .

These are perfect for breakfast, or to send to work and school.   

~Enjoy,  Brenda

A Taste of Fall: Baking With Pumpkin

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.
~Emily Dickinson

Though we are entering October the days are still warm, and the weather is beautiful.  We have several festivals going on near us-- one an art festival, and the other a celebration of the rural town we live in complete with a parade, crafts, a tractor pull and much more. I love both events, though they couldn't be more different.  One is considered "sophisticated" and visited by people from around the country.  The other is the local folk dressed in red, cheering on the marching band, the Red Hat ladies, our firemen, our veterans and the police department.  I love both for different reasons, but this year I can't wait to see my daughter in her first parade with the marching band. 

Even with the hustle and bustle of festivals this fall, I wrote a new article with tips and recipes on using fresh pumpkin in your baking.  There is plenty of time to grab a few pie pumpkins to make your own puree, which is really easy.  You'll find the article here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Baking-with-Pumpkins.html

I hope you all are enjoying the fall days and have your own festivals to attend:)

~Brenda

A Taste of Fall: Baking With Apples

Picking apples in the fall is a family activity that even teenagers can get behind. Who can resist a fresh, crisp apple just picked off the tree?  Every fall I bring out my favorite baking recipes and heat up the oven. This year I needed a recipe for a potluck and came up with a new one by piecing together several recipes. It turned out to be a keeper, and a huge hit. I've included this recipe (Caramel Apple Oatmeal Bars) and several more plus tips on which apples work best for baking in a new article here:
http://oldfashionedliving.com/Baking-with-Apples.html

I hope you and your family are enjoying the cool fall days!

~Brenda