A Wife Loved Like The Church

I Was Meant to be a 1950’s Housewife

Posted on: February 10, 2011

Since I can remember, I have been convinced I was born in the wrong decade. The signs were all there: I’d rather listen to Nat King Cole than Nirvana. At fourteen. I’d rather watch An Affair to Remember than Titanic. {I mean, who passes up Cary Grant for Leo?}. I was completely different than most every girl I knew. There was just something about the post-war years that seemed romantic in my young heart.

Not much has changed, other than my age. And despite being an iPad toting, internet dependent, Generation Y’er, I secretly yearn for days of old. So naturally, when my friend let me use her “family” cookbook, I fell in love.

{photo credit}

Just flipping the pages of Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook makes me feel like June Cleaver. I want to promptly put on my apron, turn on the radio {aka, Pandora app on my iPad} and begin baking. Perhaps even invest in nice serving ware and a dinner bell.

It took over a year of not so subtle hints before I out right forced Jonathan bought the book for me. After reading him the recipes {along with their humorous, but actually helpful tips} Jonathan announced “I don’t know why we didn’t buy this sooner. We are 1950’s people”. Indeed we are.

Yesterday I used Betty’s recipe for yeast rolls and loaf bread. Then for dinner I made sausage and asparagus that I smothered in a cheese cream from the cookbook’s sauce section. And per the cookbook’s suggestions, I topped the night off with banana cake and white butter frosting. I was a bona fide housewife and I loved it! Well, except for the constantly-cleaning part. I need to look into maid service if I’m gonna keep this up.

Bon appetite, June Cleaver!

Visit Jill at Diaper Diaries for more Things I Love Thursday.

13 Responses to "I Was Meant to be a 1950’s Housewife"

If you ever find a way to transport your family back in time, let me know–I’m pretty sure I belong there, too! Banana cake and white butter frosting sounds AMAZING!

I have to admit I often long for days of yester year I am quickly reminded that along with the pearls and apron you would also be wearing a girdle…I’m not even sure I can spell it let a lone wear one.

A ‘bona fide’ housewife. Love it.
You would probably like: To Hell with All That: Loving and Loathing Your Inner Housewife by Caitlain Flannagan
Excerpt here> 4th one down. πŸ™‚
http://www.susiedavis.org/words-to-live-by/

There is such joy in homemaking!

Fun! I’m w/you–that cookbook is gorgeous!

I have had that the Betty Crocker cookbook for years. It was grandmother Betty’s. I learned to make lemon pie from that book as well as how many Tablespoons are in 1/4 cup (4) and how to make buttermilk (add lemon juice or white vinegar to milk). You know, those handy things to know…

Mom – I used the vinegar in milk trick yesterday for our cake. That’s my favorite I’m-so-smart tricks. πŸ˜‰

Kelsey – have you seen Pleasantville? I think about that movie when I daydream about going back in time. If I ever figure out how, I’ll let you know.

Dianne – oh man, I so couldn’t do a girdle! I think for every pro there is a con for the 50’s. Like no internet. Hahaha!

Susie – thanks for the link! I will so be checking it out while the kiddos nap.

Laryssa – couldn’t agree more!

Amanda – it is gorgeous. So many fun pictures to look through. Love it!

A few years ago, I bought the Betty Crocker Cooky Book–it’s a reprint from 1963 complete with outdated ingredients. Love it!!!

I have that cookbook! The one you have pictured πŸ™‚ Ok, I had never looked before, but just now I did and it’s a first edition, copyright 1950! The spine is torn off, and it’s full of old newspaper clippings, etc. My great-aunt gave it to me when we got married. I too feel like I should’ve been born at least 50 years ago. Probably 100 would be better πŸ˜›

I love this so much! I have to admit that I appreciate what women’s rights and the feminist movement have done for the way I am perceived by men in our culture today, but I especially love that the idea of feminism gives me the opportunity to CHOOSE the life I want. Whether that be as a woman in the work world or a stay-at-home wife. I’m kind of in between the two right now, but I am so looking forward to being a SAHM someday after we have kiddos. Wearing pearls, make up and high heels as I pull things from the oven… perfect. πŸ˜‰ [Okay, I recognize I won’t likely be dressed that way after having kids, but a girl can dream, right?]

What a fun cookbook, I’m pretty sure my Grammie had it but not sure where it is now. It sounds like you had a great day cooking and using it! The banana cake sounds amazing, may need to google that.

Though, I do not want to live in the 50’s this would be a good cookbook to have.

[…] been perfecting my yeast handling abilities. Last week I decided to make French bread rolls from my Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook, because, well, I have a love of French bread that might board on obsession. Not to mention, it […]

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