Clemie's Recipes from Under the Sink

This cookbook is in the box that Clemie kept under her sink.  Clemie was my mother-in-law and she gave me quite a few things that she saved over the years including some of Ray's baby clothes.  I do so love the old things.  I tried to find a date on this old book, but it is hiding from me if it is there at all. 

Here is a "modern" range and it looks so much like the old coal stove that my mother cooked on.  This is electric and

so is this one.  My grandmother had a gas stove that looked very much like the  one above.  In the same book, there is a washing machine shown and some small appliances that I will scan and post one day.  Great strides have been made in appliances since these were offered for sale.   I was thinking today of the progress that  has been made during my lifetime and how technology continues to advance faster and faster.   It's really an entirely different world than it was when I was born.    (Click to enlarge)

Clemies Recipes from Under the Sink

It's always shocking to see the prices from way back - this was most likely sometime in the early to mid thirties.  They are astronomical now in comparison to back then.  What we do know is that wages also were vastly different than they are today so the shock shouldn't be that great.  It would be interesting to know, however, if wages have risen percentagewise as much as prices have.  I suppose that could be found someplace but I don't think I will search for it.   There is also so much more to "want" in this day and age than there was back then.  It's still fun to look at the old ads and see what you used to be able to get for under 25cents.  Now there's hardly anything under $1.00 at the grocery store.  (Click to enlarge)

Clemie's Recipes from Under the Sink

A couple of weeks ago I did a post featuring some recipes from cookbooks that my mother-in-law, Clemie, gave me.  I will carry on with more of the items in that old Ranger Ice Skates box.  This time I have pictures of a cookbook from the J. R. Watkins Company.

 One or maybe two of these recipes must have been a favorite of Clemie's.  Almost all well loved recipes are food stained by the cook as she mixes together the ingredients of one of her families favorite dishes.  I wonder if it was the strawberry shortcake or the cocoa cookies.  The boiled frosting would be one that I love - I think that is the same as seven minute frosting.  It's obvious that this little recipe book was opened to pages 40 and 41 many, many times.   (Click to enlarge)

From an Old Ranger Ice Skates Box

My husband's mother kept lots of old things and I am so happy she did.  I have some of Ray's baby clothes, an old quilt, various pieces of embroidery, etc., and probably the very best of all is the old sampler that was made by his great (or great-great) grandmother, Mary Anne Wiley, when she was ten.   Click   if you wish to read a post I did on her sampler.

Down in the basement on a shelf I have an old box that once held ice skates and it is full of old recipe pamphlets, some magazines, lots and lots of old memorabilia that Clemie collected over the years.  I remember her telling me her recipes had been under the sink and got wet from a leak.  I think they must have been in something else since this box is not waterstained.  A few of the items inside are but not all.  Probably she had to throw some out.

Here is one of the booklets in the box.  It is dated 1933.

 One of the celebreties who is a fan of McNess products.  You know I kind of remember him.

Edith loves their products, too, and credits McNess in part for her success in winning ribbons for her cakes!

Here are some of her prize winning recipes.  Have you ever tasted burnt sugar cake?  I had forgotten all about it but it is super delicious.  Can't remember having made one, though.  I think there is also a burnt sugar icing that is rather like seven minute icing.  Good grief, I am getting hungry!!!!!   More things from the skate box later!  (Click to enlarge)