Links of the Week

A wonderful post from Go Retro! why Rankin/Bass Specials are amazing.  I adore them, and clearly others do too.  I just wish they wouldn't have had Rudolph on TV before Thanksgiving.  There is a rule in my house to have nothing to do with Christmas music, specials, etc. before Thanksgiving is over.  The pessimist part of me thinks they hoped people wouldn't watch so they have an excuse to take it off the air.  It's one of the few times I find myself watching network TV is during December when the specials are on.

Go Retro!  also has some amazing advice from lifestyle superstar Jack LaLanne.  I adore him, and his advice on happiness still has a place in these modern times.  Part of me thinks it much more relevant today then it was when first given.

1940s Living and Dining Room Necessities

1940s Living Room Necessities

1 divan, sofa, or love seat
2 upholstered chairs - at least one of them should be "man-of-the-house" style
3 tables - 1 coffee, the others lamp or end tables
1 rug or rugs
1 radio
1 mirror
1 desk
1 desk chair
lamps
curtains
draperies
pictures
plants




*Aside from the radio, lamps, and chairs I think I'm set.  Minus the plants, of course.  Plants and I just just don't get along.

1940s Wherever You Eat Necessities

1 table - drop-leaf, pie-crust, bridge, or other
4 chairs






Table Linen
2 bridge sets with napkins
4 place mat sets with napkins - have at least 1 cork or plastic set
2 breakfast cloths with napkins
1 lace runner or doily set with napkins to harmonize
1 dinner cloth with 8 napkins
1 table pad






China
5 or 9 butter plates
5 or 9 dinner plates
5 or 9 salad plates
5 or 9 cereal dishes - use also for fruit
5 or 9 cups and saucers - more if you like bit parties
1 platter - round or medium oval
1 salad bowl
1 teapot and/or coffeepot
1 creamer and sugar
2 pair salt and peppers - unless you have a silver one




* I've virtually nothing in these categories - except for everyday stuff.  When it's just the two of us, it's hard to think about serving dishes and proper China.

Glassware Section of Hardware Store - 1943

Glassware
5 or 9 tumblers
5 or 9 highball glasses - use for iced beverages too
5 or 9 cocktail glasses - use for juices too
5 or 9 sherbet glasses






Silver
4 or 8 cream soup spoons
4 or 8 teaspoons - more are always handy
4 or 8 luncheon or dinner forks
4 or 8 luncheon or dinner knives
4 or 8 salad forks
4 or 8 butter spreaders
6 serving pieces
1 steak set
1 carving set
2 candle sticks - unless you have glass or china ones




*Just everyday stuff in these categories, too.  My glassware is good.  It's funny, but that was what we received most as a wedding gift.  The only trouble is that we never entertain and have maybe 1 drink per month. I'm not sure why everyone thought we were booze-hounds. 

[Source:  Making Housekeeping Easy; Dorothy Lois Abel;  Funk and Wagnalls Company; New York; 1948]

Vintage Household Hints #1 - Ventilation

Air Ducts, Ventilators, Flues, Chimneys, Etc.

Should be cleaned once a year. In all cities and many towns, there are firms which have special motorized vacuum equipment which does the work efficiently.

Man Cleaning Commercial Furnace Aug 25, 1949 (Source:MNHS)

Clean burners in gas-fired boiler and flush fuel oil storage tanks to remove sediment. Remove rust.*

(Source: Watkins Household Hints, 1941)

*Note - We have different furnaces now so much of this tip is not valid. It is however still advisable to have a professional tune up and clean your furnace, chimneys, etc. I do it once a year - furnace in the fall and air conditioner in the spring. Chimney every 1 to 2 years depending on how often I use the fireplace.

1933 Necessary Cooking Utensils - Part 3

Kitchen Utensil Essentials from Good Housekeeping 1933
Part 3
Keep At or Near Your Kitchen Cabinet

21. 2 Sets of Muffin Pans (6 - 8 in set)

22. 1 Square Cake Pan (8" x 8")

23. 1 Oblong Cake Pan (5" x 10")




24. 2 Layer Cake Pans (8" or 9")




25. 1 Cooky Sheet (14" x 10")

26. 1 Roasting Pan (10" x 15")

27. 2 Wire Cake Coolers

28. 2 - 3 Casseroles

29. 1 Egg Beater

30. 1 Pair Kitchen Shears

1933 Necessary Kitchen Utensils - Part 2

Kitchen Utensil Essentials from Good Housekeeping 1933

Part 2

Keep At or Near Your Kitchen Cabinet

11. 3 Stirring Spoons (at least 1 Wooden)

12. 1 Bottle Opener

13. 1 Can Opener


14. 1 Jar Opener




15. Flour Sifter




16. 1 Cake Turner (If you don't have a Bread Spatula)

17. 1 Chopping Bowl and Chopping Knife

18. 1 Bread Board

19. 1 Utility Tray

20. 1 Rolling Pin

1933 Necessary Kitchen Essentials - Part 1

Kitchen Utensil Essentials from Good Housekeeping 1933

Part 1

Keep At or Near Your Kitchen Cabinet

1. 2 Standard Measuring Cups

2. 2 Sets of Measuring Spoons


3. 1 Set Storage Jars

4. 1 Nest of 5 Mixing Bowls

5. 6 Custard Cups or Ramekins

6. 1 Set of Graters

7. 1 Pastry Blender

8. Fruit Juice Extractor

9. 1 Coffee Making Device

10. 2 Teaspoons for Tasting