Time machines!!!

Proverbs 31:25-28   Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

There is a chill in the air, Autumn is closing in all around us here in Kentucky. Which always give me a cozy feeling inside, a feeling of wanting to snuggle in at home. With detail house cleaning, knitting and lots of baking and comfort foods!! Which gives me a yearning to read my antique cookbooks. Looking for a new recipes to try. I think of my antique cookbooks as time machines, because they take me back in time when I read them. When ever I open one, and begin to read it. I think about the woman who owned it 150 years earlier. About how she cared and nurtured her family with it.  Maybe what her kitchen might have look liked, and exactly how did the food she made from that book taste. It is a time machine in my hand. I love getting a glimpse into the past. Time traveling while sitting in my comfy chair at home. Women from the past encourage me. To be a better wife and Keeper at Home.  They took seriously their roll as a Mother, wife and Keeper of the Home!! Cookbooks usually were more than just recipes. They were full of chapters on nursing your family when sick, tip on cleaning your home, doing your laundry, to making homemade paint. I keep them in a wooden box. I'd like to share them with you all. So we can all travel together. As we go though the books I will have to help you interpret them. You see, cooking and baking back then was different then now. They used different measurements then we do. They used quarts, pints, gills, jills,wine glasses, tea cups, coffee cups, They cooked over the fire, in dutch ovens, and or on a wood burning stove, so temperatures and cooking times will be different. and the ingredients were sometimes different also, like they made their own yeast for bread making.  plus several other things I will explain later if they come up. The recipes were even written differently than today. They wrote them in paragraph form, without the list of ingredients. So all and all it is like another world than ours. Like I said time travel in my own home.

My Wooden box. Where I keep most of my Antique cookbooks

I found this written in one of my cookbooks, I found it very interesting how important the mother-homemaker was to the home!!

To attend to the nursing, and at least, early instruction of children, and rear a healthy progeny in the ways of piety and usefulness: – to preside over the family, and regulate the income allotted to its maintenance: to make home the sweet refuge of a husband fatigued by intercourse with a jarring world: to be his enlightened companion and the chosen friend of his heart; these, these are woman’s duties! (Rundell 7).

Here are just a few of the books I own. My cookbooks range from 1845-1950's.

Here is a few more of my collection. The Improved Housewife is my oldest cookbooks I own 1844.

I love love this picture! It show just what a early to mid 19th century kitchen would look like. This is a look back in time. If you look close you would see a lot of things they use from day to day. There is a chair by the fire, which they would have sat in to maybe turn the chicken that will be inside that reflector oven in front of the fireplace, or maybe use the hand held bellows to start a fire, that are hanging on the wall next to the fireplace. There is a iron crane swung over a fire in the fireplace, with 3 different size S hooks and a large cast iron pot hanging on it, maybe cooking a hearty stew. On the  mantelpiece there is a clock for them to watch the time when cooking something, also on the mantel is a box probably full of loose leaf tea, a candle stick, several assorted bowls, and a measuring cup. I also see different kinds of meat, fish, and animals hanging on the walls waiting for use. The woman on the left is preparing a chicken to be put in the reflector oven. You can see the long iron pole that she will put the chicken on to roast it in the reflector oven. It is  leaning up against the chopping table next to her. The other woman is making pie dough to cover the fruit filled pie pan that is in just front of her. Then under her table are two large footed kettles, and a wooden bucket. And last but not least the large basket over flowing of fruits and vegetables in the middle of the room. I found this very interesting picture inside one of my cookbooks, it's called New England Economical Housekeeper and Family receipt book, by E.A. Howland. It was written in 1847.

This is Miss Eliza Leslie, She is my MOST favorite Cookbook author!! She writes in such a way that it is like she is right there teaching you, very detailed instructions. 

Since Eliza Leslie is my favorite author, her's will be the first book I share with you all. The only book I own of her's is Miss Leslie's New  Receipts For Cooking.

Here is the weights and measures that Miss Leslie uses in her cookbooks.

Just to make sure you all know, I will clarify a few of these measurements.

Liquids
4 quarts=1 gallon 
1 quart=4 cups
1 pint=2 cups
1 large coffee cup= 1 cup
1 jill or gill=half a cup
 1 wine glass=1/4 cup

Dry 
1 pound of sugar=2 cups
1 pound of flour=4 cups

Hope this helps!

Here are a couple receipts for you to look over, I will decipher them for you all so you can make them if you want to. I call them receipts instead of recipes because that is what recipes were call up to the early 20th century.

 This is the first page of  Beef Steak Pot Pie. 

Second page of Beef Steak Pot Pie.

Beef Steak Pot Pie
2 pounds of tender beef steak cut up in small pieces.
Salt and pepper to taste
5 Tablespoons cut up and rolled in flour.
1 dozen small or 8 large potatoes cut up in med size pieces
mushrooms cut up if desired 
I think corn or peas add to this would taste rather good also.

Pie Dough(paste)
3 cups lard little more if needed 
12 cups flour
salt to taste
little water
2 cups of warm water

Season cut up meat with salt and pepper. and put in a pot with the butter rolled in flour, with just enough water to cover the meat. Let them simmer slowly for 1 hour. While the meat simmers, cook the potatoes in another pot until done. Now to make the dough. Rub the suit and the flour in a bowl completely. Then add salt and enough water to form a lump of dough. Divide the dough in half. Roll out on lump thicker than the other. Line the sides of a iron pot 1/2 to 2/3rd up with the thin dough. In the bottom of pot put some gravy that was made in the meat pan while it was cooking. Then some meat, then some of the thicker dough cut up in long squares strips,then some potatoes, then repeat until all is in the pot. Then just before putting last layer of dough on top, all the last of the gravy, and 2 cups of warm water. Then cover the top with one large piece of dough. Making sure that the top is not sealed around the edges. Then put on the stove on med heat and cook for 1  1/2 hours.

Pumpkin Indian Pudding
3 cups of cold baked and mushed pumpkin
3 cups of corn meal
1 1/2 teaspoons of ground ginger
4 cups milk
1 2/3 cups dark molasses

Mix the pumpkin and the corn meal together in a large bowl. Then  Add the ginger to the pumpkin mixture. Now in a large pan bring the milk to a boil. Then take from the heat and add the molasses to it. Then gradually add it to the pumpkin mixture. Then beat it hard and well. Have ready on the stove  a really large kettle of water already hot and boiling. Dip a large square cotton cloth ( pillow case will do fine) in the hot water. Then ring out and lay out on a table and cover it with flour. Not to much not to little. Pour the mixture in to it. Then gather it all up. Leaving a fist full of room between the batter and were you are going to tie it. This will help it when it swells. Then tie it and but it in the boiling water. Making sure you have a plait in the bottom of the kettle to make sure the pudding won't burn if it goes to the bottom of the pot. This is very important!! Let it boil for 3-4 hours turning it every 1/2 hour. Then when done gentle turn it out on to a plate and eat it with molasses sauce.

I hope you decide to give these recipes a try !!!

 This is a list of  Miss Leslie's cookbooks. 

Seventy-Five Receipts for Pastry, Cakes and Sweetmeats (1828) 
Domestic French Cookery (1832)
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches (1837)
The Indian Meal Book (1847)
The Lady's Receipt-Book: A Useful Companion for Large or Small Families (1847) 
Miss Leslie's Lady's New Receipt-Book (1850)
Miss Leslie's Directions for Cookery (1851)
More Receipts (1852)
Miss Leslie's New Receipts for Cooking (1854)
Miss Leslie's New Cookery Book (1857)

Here is a link to all her books so you can read them for yourself for free!! 

http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Leslie%2C%20Eliza%2C%201787-1858

Well Ladies This post has been longer than I was planning, Hope you were blessed by it!! God bless

Kelly

you can find this post linked up at these blogs, come by and join the fun  http://www.maleviksrosentradgard.blogspot.se/2015/10/saturday-show-off.html         http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/friday-features-linky-party-28/
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2015/10/home-sweet-home-241.ht
http://www.themodestmomblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/blog_button2.jpg
http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2015/10/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-123/
http://bornagainfarmgirl.blogspot.com.au/2015/10/simple-saturdays-blog-hop-october-10.html
http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-art-of-home-making-mondays-please_12.html
http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/2015/10/making-your-home-sing-monday-linky-party.html
http://mstoodygooshoes.blogspot.com/2015/10/best-of-weekend-101615.html
http://aspiritofsimplicity.blogspot.com/2015/10/summer-church-in-rye-n.html

Fun For A Rainy Day!

It's a gloomy, rainy day here in Kentucky. So for a little fun I thought I would take part in 

  

National Plaid Day Oct 2, 2015 

So here is my favorite plaid thing I own. It is my Black watch/ Campbell Tartan wool shawl

I would like it if you all would share your favorite Plaid thing with me by linking it to me. I got the idea from Jackie over at Dickybirds Nest I think it would be GREAT FUN to see your favorites also!! God Bless

Kelly

http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2015/10/national-plaid-day.html#comment-form

Here is a close look at my wool shawl!!! 

And here I am wearing it in Galway Ireland 

For My Dear Friend!!!

This Poem is for my dear friend Chandler, Love you sweetie!! And also for all you mothers who have a little one who went home to be with Jesus. May this poem bless your hearts!! May you lean on the good Lord, and he will carry you through.

The Mother's Jewels

I have a little darling

That sleepeth near my heart,

Whose beauty and whose sweetness

Ten thousand joys impart.

Love smileth  on her features,

And warbleth on her tongue,

And guideth all her actions,

So innocent and young.

A joyous little creature,

All full of mirth and glee;

Now dancing on my knee,

More precious far than rubies,

Or diadems of gold,

Is she, my little darling,

Who's scarcely one year old.

I have a little daughter,

Whose face is very fair,

With eyes of heaven's azure,

And soft and silky hair.

Her tiny, dimpled fingers

Are ever at their play,

While her unceasing prattle
Doth mimic all I say.
She saith her little prayers
Low bowing on my breast;
And giveth all a sweet good-night
Ere she repairs to rest.
O grant, my blessed Savior,
That her young heart and mind,
In childhood's tender hours,
Be heavenward inclinded!
I have another jewel,
 The brightest of the three
A precious hidden treasure,
Which now I cannot see.
Far, far away in heaven

This lovely gem doth shine;
And though I cannot see him,
I know he yet is mine.
And when life's woes are ended,
And all my toil is done,
Again I shall embrace him,
My own, my cherub son.
How oft our sore bereftments
Are blessings in disguise!
God has prepared a mansion
For us above the skies."
And thus to bring us to him,
In his unbounded love,
Untwines the spirit's tendrils here,
And fastens them above.



I have linked this post to this site The Enchanting Rose http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/2015/09/roses-of-inspiration-39.html

Took a little trip with my Honey!!!

We went on a wonderful weekend trip, way back in July!!!! We left Early in the morning on July 3. Tracy and I went up to Cincinnati Ohio to check into our hotel room. We took in our luggage and then left to drive on up to Columbus Ohio to do some street preaching at Red, White, and Boom. We got to Columbus around 12:00, it was packed! Tracy preached on and off until 6:30,and I passed out lots of gospel tracks. Then we started walking back toward the parking lot to head home. We stopped half way there so I could preach for a few minutes. I did OK but I will do better next time. I'm very new to street preaching. This was only my 3rd time. I might add a video. Then we went back to hotel room. Then we got up early the next morning so we could get breakfast and make it to the Creation Museum close to when they first opened. We stayed until closing and since we weren't able to see everything in one day, and also because our tickets included a second day, we decided to come back the next day also. It was so so much fun!!! I highly recommend it to everyone!!! If you have children or not!! So here are pictures and a video or two! Hope you enjoy the tour.

 Tracy and I before we walked into the Museum. This is the first day. 

As you first come into the Museum they have a part talking about and showing the different kind of dragons all over the world. Love this Chinese one.  

They had a room called the Stargazers Room. It was wonderful!!! I highly recommend that you pay the extra money to see it!!!

http://creationmuseum.org/whats-here/exhibits/planetarium/

Everywhere we went there was something to look at!! Such fun! This was just above the door going into the bookstore. He was moving and squawking at everyone that walked by.

When you first walk in you see this Mastodon skeleton It was very interesting to see!

This is still the entrance just before you get in line to go though it all.

As you are waiting in line to go though the museum there is so much to see and take in. Like this dinosaur above our heads moving back a forth eating.

This is Isaiah and Moses! Isaiah has the scroll in is hands. 

And this is of course King David.

Cain killing Able!

And this is  Methuselah. The oldest living man in the Bible!

Noah's wife and one of his daughter-in-laws

Noah talked and moved, and was hooked up to a screen so you could ask him questions. It was very cool!

My funny honey!! hahaha

Babylon 

  My husband Tracy taking it all in.

Me of course, haha. There was lots of gardens and floating and swinging bridges to walk across. 

This is a funny video my honey did!! If you listen close you can here me laughing in the back ground. My husband can be so funny sometimes!!

Here is another bridge among the gardens.

This is their marsh garden it was Beautiful!! And very interesting!!

More of the gardens

Gardens

Me on the second day!!

I liked this statue.

Me and my honey enjoying the day.

They also has several acres of  Zip Lines there also. It looked like fun. Maybe next time we go I will give it a try. 

There was some really good restaurants around our hotel. We ended up eating at Famous Dave's it is a BBQ restaurant with ribs, steaks, and chicken. It was so so Good!!! 

I loved the look of the place, all country, and old fashioned!  

The whole place had a very southern country feel.

This was my plate. We had shared a large sample platter that came to use on a unused CLEAN trash can lid!!! hahaha We thought it was fun eating off it. At least they said it was a clean lid haha.

Hope you all enjoyed me taking you along with us. We had a really good time.

May the Good Lord Bless you all!!!

Kelly