Wednesday 26 February 2014

A 1937 Kitchen


I was browsing through several cook books I had inherited from my mother, who passed away a year ago this month.
The oldest one I inherited is from 1937. What’s so interesting about this particular book is that it doesn’t just contain recipes, it has all sorts of information that relates to the lifestyle of a early 1930’s housewife.
 
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I don’t know about you, but I love reading  and learning about how women lived, cooked and decorated their homes in another era.
 
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My mother, who’s name was Cledia Althea, was married in 1938.
But at the age of only nine years old her mother had passed away and she was in charge of the household.
She had a little brother who was four years younger she was also responsible for too.
They went to school everyday, then my mother would come home and prepared their meals.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I admire my mother.
 
Maybe someday I will write a book about her for my grandchildren.
I think it’s good for the younger generation to know the background of there ancestors.
 
I’m sorry I got side-tracked, now on to the book. I will let each page speak for itself.
 
A 1937 KitchenA 1937 Kitchen
 
A 1937 KitchenA 1937 Kitchen
A 1937 Kitchen
 
A 1937 KitchenA 1937 Kitchen

A 1937 Kitchen
A 1937 Kitchen
A 1937 Kitchen
A 1937 Kitchen
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Now, there you have it!
You were either bored out of your gourd or, hopefully like me, enjoyed a small look back into the life of a 1930’s housewife.
 
I am thinking of doing a weekly segment on days gone by….
 
What do you think?
 
Is this anything that would interest you?
 
I don’t want someone saying, “Oh no, today’s the day Kim’s going to blab on about all that old stuff”.
 
So be honest, I have thick enough skin.

31 comments:

  1. I think it is a good idea ! My mum was in England during the 2nd world war and had to look after her brother and father cause her mum left , my mum at the age of 13 in a war had to grow up fast . Both my parents are gone but they both were very efficient and raised myself and my two older siblings on a farm living off of the land and live stock My mum has been gone for 4 1/2 years now and I miss her every day but her experience, love and teachings of nature and life and all things home made was what made her my hero . Thais is an amazing book you are bless to have it ! Thanks for sharing

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  2. This is super fun to have an read. I love looking back to times that were simpler and the home was so important. This was fun to read this along with you on this post. Thanks for sharing. Too cute.
    Kris

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  3. That's so cool and amazing how we feel the same way about our kitchens today!

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  4. I can't get enough of books, stories and pictures of the good old days!
    What a treasure for sure! Your mother knew just who to leave this priceless treasure to enjoy YOU!

    So when is that book coming out?
    I'd like to read it, too!

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  5. I really couldn't stop myself from reading these excerpts Kimberly! You had me at "There is no good reason for the millions of ugly kitchens in the world" lol. It really looks like a description of my favorite kitchen images that I pin. The description of lovely old containers and bright colors are still what so many of us would love our kitchens to look like. How interesting and true these old ideas are. Thank you for sharing this, I found it so interesting!

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  6. It sounds like your mother carried a lot of weight on her shoulders at a very young age. Neat information in the book you found. It's interesting to see what things were like back then.

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  7. I actually read most of it and came away feeling, I could do better. I do love my kitchen but maybe I need to see what changed I can make to make it even 'jollier'! I know my HARD tile floors are very friendly but I can't change those. I can decorate it a little more though. How refreshing to read this! Hugs!

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  8. Hi there, I think it is a great idea to share from this book. Your mother had a similar background as mine-her mother died when she was young,her father traveled and she had to raise her two siblings-it was so hard.
    I also wanted to say the "firsts" of any passing are always hard-be it a birthday, anniversary or a year gone by. Praying that your day has been filled with sweet memories.
    Hugs,
    Noreen

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  9. I enjoyed this. I think it is a great idea. I have a small kitchen, so we have been very creative on using all the space.
    I always laugh, because it the smallest room in our house...everyone seems to want to be in the kitchen. :-)

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  10. Afternoon, I loved this, always enjoy nostalgia, Blessings Francine.

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  11. Hello there...when I was reading your post and esp. the part about your mother...i thought you sound like my Mom....
    Yes very important and you have a gift for story telling. So yes from me!!I like that era in particular even though I am sure it was far from idyllic in reality...

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  12. Oh I thoroughly enjoyed this, though my kitchen in not nearly jolly enough I am thinking now, lol. I for one would LOVE it if you did a weekly segment on those days. Thanks for sharing your book!

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  13. Very much enjoyed reading this and had to laugh about kitchens not looking like white tiled lunchrooms since that is the hot thing just now. I was amazed that a wall was painted a deep pumpkin...that seems quite modern. I like the old farm sink, but am not fond of no window above the kitchen sink. Go for it, Kim! I'll be right here. Oh, and your mom was an amazing gal who accomplished much. Your grands would love to read her biography.

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  14. This was a really interesting post, Kimberly. I enjoyed reading of the way a 1930's kitchen should look. I have a book from the late 1800's that describes in great detail how a household of that era should be run. With all the farmhouse style being so popular this book is perfect and like Vee, I smiled at the comment in the book about the 'white tiled lunchrooms' and that kitchens need to be more colourful. Your mother sounds like a great lady. Please share more of these types of posts. I'm interested. :)

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  15. Kimberly,

    Continue my friend, this is just awesome reading......

    I love old cookbooks, there just full of wonderful information.

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  16. Does not bore me one tiny bit Kimberly. I would love the series! Old is gold in my book. Your mother was amazing! Can not even imagine having to cook for your family at the age of 9. The old sink and stove are fab! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  17. Your mother sounds like she was an amazing woman Kimberly! That was such an interesting read and I laughed more than once or twice :).

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  18. I loved reading the tips on how to make the kitchen homey. My mother was not into decorating or cooking. I learned the decorating on my own and married a cook so I wouldn't have to prepare meals. I do enjoy eating them.

    Thanks for the fun read.

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  19. I enjoyed reading this very much! I had to chuckle at the "modern oil cloth"...I remember those when I was very young. I'd love to read more!
    You had a remarkable mother, Kim, not many could take on the responsibilities she did at such a young age!

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  20. first I would love to have that stove! what a great post and you should write about your mom your grand kids it is such a nice idea.
    I love to look at old cookbooks like this
    Cathy

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  21. Very interesting post. Old cookbooks are such treasures. Love the tips too!

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  22. This is wonderful! I love reading about bygone eras and how daily life was. It makes you appreciate all our modern luxuries and how easy it is to cook nowadays. Brilliant stuff! Thanks for sharing!!

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  23. Kim, this is a wonderful idea! I mean, look at that farmhouse sink - it's been the latest craze for years now, still trendy, still terrifically stylish!

    Your mother must have been a magnificent multi-tasker! Wow, so many responsibilities and so little time!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Poppy

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  24. Well since I love that kind of thing I think it would be fun. I love looking at the kitchen and what kinds of tools they used and all of the special labor saving devices.
    I love reading that so I think it would be nice.

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  25. Such fun to find old cookbooks or housewife helper books from the past! I have my Mom's old Watkin's Cookbook and it has great recipes, plus some handwritten notes in my mom's handwriting, which make it extra precious! Thanks for this post, Kimberly - it was fun!

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  26. Hi there, just loved the reading. It really painted a wonderful picture in my mind of the olden kitchen. Imagine a copper sink that would be grand! Oil cloth to cover the shelves and blue and Amber drinking glasses, you know how we all have the good stuff, and the everyday stuff? I don't think they did that back then it seems as though everything was beautiful for everyday. The idea of a step ladder under the sink, well that's great I'm only 4'11' and am always getting out some kind of ladder lol Thanks for sharing and A weekly on this type of thing would be wonderful, I'll be there!Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air

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  27. I love old books
    And I love reading about the olden days!
    "Olden days!" Could that be any more obvious?
    Keep the feature rolling!
    Pat

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  28. First...you need to fix your link over at Jann's party..it shows up as not found but I figured it out...you just had it spelled cammp / typo.

    Second I love this old stuff :) My other blog, Homespun, has alot of "Olden Days" posts that I did over the last year or so if you want to check it out.

    Third I have an afghan that my grandmother crocheted, yes : ) They are in those squares...she made several of them one year and gave them as Christmas gifts. That afghan was used when my boys were growing up. It was in the washer and dryer on a weekly basis and is still going strong! :) Those things are indestructible ! :)

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  29. I thought this was fun! More, more!

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  30. I think it was a good idea - while our power was out, I was thinking of how housewives had to do a whole lot decades ago - it's fascinating to learn about these things - loved that sink! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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All of your comments are read and much appreciated.
You are dear and lovely friends!