1906 Postcard Mentions Lynching

My postcard collection never ceases to supply me with entertainment. I enjoy looking at them and I enjoy reading the messages written so long ago. I am now in the process of selling off some of  my postcards on eBay. As I am scanning these postcards, I am having fun reading them once again.

Today as I was getting ready to list six of these postcards, I rediscovered a 1906 postcard Springfield Missouri. Like most postcards of this time, it has an undivided back used for the address, and the message was written on the front. On this postcard, the writer makes reference to a tower seen in the photo on the card. The tower was the scene of a gruesome lynching just a few days before this postcard was sent.

Of course, this reference led me on a tangent of researching the event. It is hard to believe that this tragedy and mockery of justice occurred just 100 years ago. My mind’s eye can just feel the frustration of the Sheriff and the horror of the men and their families. To read more about these lynchings, go to the News-Leaders.com site.

1-18-10 Menu Plan Monday

Home and getting ready for an exhausting week

Cooking for church 2 days this week, so I will rely on leftovers or frozen pizza on those days.  On Saturday, a few of us are throwing a large baby shower for my SIL, so I will rely on leftover shredded beef for sandwiches that night

As for the rest of the week, I will be roasting a turkey one day and freezing most of it, but we will have one "Thanksgiving" type meal.

Tonight, I plan on making the corn chowder tonight, although I will be using frozen potatoes and cooking the potato and onion in chicken broth.  I also plan on serving a bit of pickled bologna on the side.  I would only recommend this side dish to the brave of heart.  It is something we picked up in Michigan.  I haven't had it in 20 years and hope we will still like it.

The other planned meal will be turkey burgers, cheesy grits, and mixed vegetables.

I am still participating in the Eat From Your Pantry challenge,so we will have to frugal in buying snacks and sodas for the hotel and driving..

To view many, many more meal plans, visit the link below!

Cosmetiques

Moving along in our book, lets look at 19th century beauty...Should we explore how to clear a tanned skin? Or how about Pearl Dentifrice? No, I think we will look at the recipe for removing wrinkles. Looking at my mother at age 77, I may need to try this recipe.

Wrinkles in the skin

• White wax, one ounce
• Strained honey, two ounces
• Juice of lily bulbs, two ounces

The foregoing, melted and stirred together, will remove wrinkles.

Still enjoying the book "The A & P Every Day Cook Book." I'm quite sure that most of the recommendations and recipes are from the 19th century. I will continue to share them for your pleasure, but please know that you must consider safety first before anything! I am not recommending any of the recipes or suggestions! That being said, when I saw in the household section, a paragraph with cleaning oil or grease from Men's clothing, I just had to read it. Here it is.

An excellent way to remove grease spots from boys' and men's clothing particularly, is made of four parts alcohol to one part ammonia and about half as much ether as amonia. Apply the liquid to the grease spot and rub diligently with a sponge and clear water. The chemistry of the operation seems to be that the alcohol and ether dissolve the grease and the ammonia forms a soap with it which is washed away with the water. The result is much more than when something is used which only seems to spread the spot and make it fainter, but does not actually remove it. If oil is spilt on the carpet and you immediately scatter corn meal over it, the oil will be absorbed by it. Oil may also be removed from carpets on which you do not dare put ether and ammonia, by laying thick blotting paper over it and pressing a hot flatiron on it. Repeat the operation several times, using a clean paper each time.

I Can't Part With It!

It's not the prettiest book in the world, but when I went to list it on eBay I found myself reading it rather than writing the description. What's the ugly book about? It's entitled The A & P Every Day Cook Book. I've not found a copyright date, but it is definitely before the use of the modern stove or modern standard cooking measures.

What's so fascinating? It has amazing recipes (and many quite bizarre recipes) of which I've never heard the like. It also has recipes for 'cometiques' and household hints. With my love for all things Victorian & Edwardian, this silly little book will just have to stay with me for a bit longer.

It contains many fascinating recipes, including the recipe for headcheese. Maybe I will take some time to share a few of the recipes and helpful hints in this blog.

Now, what to share first...Something funny or a recipe? Or a funny recipe? I'll start with a recipe that maybe a good cook could easily adapt to modern methods. I've taken the liberty of making it look a little more like a modern recipe.

Indian Chetney

8 oz sharp, sour apples - pared and cored

8 oz Tomatoes

8 oz salt

8 oz browned sugar

8 oz Stoned Raisins

4 oz cayenne pepper

4 oz powdered ginger

2 oz garlic

2 oz shallots

3 quarts vinegar

1 quart lemon juice


1. Chop the apples in small square pieces and add to them the other ingredients.

2. Mix the whole well together, and put in a well-covered jar.

3. Keep jar in a warm place, and stir every day for a month, taking care to put on the lid after this operation.

4. Strain, but do not squeeze it dry. Reserve liquor as it will serve as an excellent sauce for meat or fish.

5. Store the chetney away in clean jars or bottles for use.