I am slowly sifting through the piles of "treasure" that I rescued from my father in laws house recently. Hubby really just wanted to throw everything into a skip.
I have been reading through volumes 1 and 2 of Newnes Home Management books which I think are from the very late 1950's/very early 1960's.
The hostess in the early 1960's was praised for being able to throw together a "simple" supper in a hurry. Garnish, garnish and even more garnish seems to have been the key to this success.
This spookily looks very much like my mum's kitchen in our family home. She still has the stool!
The books cover absolutely every subject possible for every scenario that you might find yourself in. The section of love and marriage is very interesting to say the least!
I have to admit that I never considered the danger of immaturity and its perils when considering marrying Mr Heartshaped.
I have taken advise from the book as times have been stressful of late, and what with my rapidly advancing years! I am now learning how to relax and vanquish worry the Usain Bolt way - but perching on the edge of my seat.
And if a woman is only as old as her feet, then I must be about 103! The are giving me some right grief lately - I think I'm ready for
Van Dal shoes! (although just checked the website and they don't look too bad these days! or am I just slipping a little easier into this older age malarkey!)
I am also ready for a new pair of glasses,
And I need a new ironing board. I remember several pals had mums who's husbands had knocked up a home made ironing board. My dad was never very handy that way! (infact he was only 19 years old when he married my mum - I think he was suffering from immaturity thinking about it!)
Ice been giving some though (again!) to re decorating the living room. Should I go for the "adventurous" look?
And I can see now why my figure is not as I would wish it to be. Just be careful not to knock over your vases etc whilst dusting and polishing.
I have also found the Newnes Automaps and Touring Guide from 1966 which is also fascinating. There are no motorways in the UK at this time - it looks strange to see Sheffield on a map without the thick blue line of the M1 by the side of it.
19 comments:
I am so glad that you have not skipped all the treasures, this sort of thing is fantastic. What a treasure trove, bet there is masses of interesting items there. Take care t'other Diane
What fun! I have to say I still have a stool like that! I love these not-so-very-old (to me!) books of advice on everything. I have a priceless one from the 1930's with wonderful advice about courting, marriage and everything else.
Its the timetables for running a house that get me! "If you have any spare time, you can do the mending and darning" sort of thing....
Eileen Fowler needs her head seeing to - is she really dusting the back of a chair in that picture? If she spent more time sitting in it and less time cavorting about in her pumps it wouldn't need dusting. Also, she wants to watch what she's doing - it can only be a matter of time before she puts her foot through that glass door, and that'll put a stop to all that energetic housework.
You've found a real collection of social history treasures in those books.
I bet they are fascinating, can just see you in a pair of those specs too!
Lisa x
That looks like a great book! I like older books anyway, they teach history without ever meaning to!
I echo Lisa, they would suit you perfectly!
xxxx
Oh my! I remember watching Eileen Folwer on TV with my Mum when I was a child. I also remember that style of glasses, I remember my first more 'grown-up' pair having pointy cornered frames - I'd have been twelve or so having worn glasses since I was seven. The kitchen looks familiar and I remember when the M1 opened (our village was so close to Junction 29) for a treat my uncle came and took my sister and I out for a meal two junctions up at the nearest services. It was something so new then!! You have found some absolute gems of social history
What absolute gems you have found there. I do remember reading cookery books with all those garnishes in, when I was first married (at 19).
Eileen Fowler does have a lot to answer for!
Those books are wonderful and I'm glad they have escaped the skip. I love the social history that they portray.
Sarah x
Such wonderful books, Diane, I am so pleased you prevented them from ending up in a skip! I love reading all the advice about what I should be doing... And ignoring it, of course! xxx
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A brilliant post! I have a small - but developing - collection of vintage cookbooks. Jx
Wow! What an excellent find! I love it -especially the housework exercises! So funny! xxx
Glad you are keeping some things and its not all going to the skip.
These sound really great books - I have quite a big collection of household management books but mine are mostly 1930s to 1950s. Must have a look on Abebooks for these two volumes:)
oh how utterly brilliant....may even start doing some housewoerk now......I have my mum's Good Housekeeping cookbook given to her when she got married all in glorious technicolour with some amazing recipes......so good you didn't skip it!!x
oh what great treasure! giving hours of reading for you.
xxx
Good grief! When I first quickly scanned down the page my bleary eyes thought they were seeing exercises for you to do on your Stannah Stairlift! (On that double page spread of chair exercises). Wonderful finds Diane and thank you soooooo much for sharing.
what fun these are... home made ironing board ? my mother used the kitchen table with a blanket & sheet over it.
She was a fifties wife & did everything by the book - Mrs Beeton & Dr Spock ! I think the books went out of the window after four children !
am loving the "glasses" lady
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