One of my favourite things to do besides cook is read. And the older the book, the better. My two loves often combine in antique or vintage cookbooks, which provide a lot of joy, but not a lot of recipes (beef tea, anyone?). I adore the old ads, the sensible advice, the ingenious use of staple ingredients, and just, well, the look of these books. So I decided this year to share some of my collection with you as sometimes they’re not just pretty, but downright hilarious, too. It’s sweet to look back at what mattered most back then – being an able housewife, a competent nursemaid to ill relatives, creating a warm and loving nest for your family, and 100 ways to make jellied salads. Boy did they love their aspic.
Being as I’m 32 weeks pregnant, I decided to begin with The Ladies Handbook,Β an all-round useful tome for women getting married, raising families, feeding the families, going through ‘the change’ and being always on the lookout for economical recipes. It’s adorable and it has surprisingly useful advice on pregnancy and labour (they assumed you’d be doing it at home) and how to care for your bonny bairn.
Ah so that’s where those birds and bees stories started… |
Comfortable, yes? |
um, cute! |
Nightmares? never heard of such nonsense. |
Oh, hilarious! That adominal belt may be useful when walking during later stages!!
To hell with it, I'm hand-stitching one now x
I'm now thinking about how kinky that abdominal belt could be. Is that a bad thing?
I've just discovered your blog and love it. Oh, and I'm vegetarian too. I hope you don't mind if I follow you? xx
Of course I don't mind! The more the merrier π
I'm so glad you like it x
Loved this. I oddly enough just saw an interview with a woman who specialized in vintage cooking, and she made chestnut ice cream from a late 1890s New York Tenement cookbook.
I would love to know more about what's in your collection – this book is fantabulous!
I'm so excited for you, my dear. xx
Thank you m'colleague π I have tons more to share, and will actually be making a recipe from each! How cool would a New York tenement cookbook be though, now I've got cookbook envy!
Thank you m'colleague π I have tons more to share, and will actually be making a recipe from each! How cool would a New York tenement cookbook be though, now I've got cookbook envy!
Loved this. I oddly enough just saw an interview with a woman who specialized in vintage cooking, and she made chestnut ice cream from a late 1890s New York Tenement cookbook.
I would love to know more about what's in your collection – this book is fantabulous!
I'm so excited for you, my dear. xx
Oh, hilarious! That adominal belt may be useful when walking during later stages!!