1947 Cookbook with a recipe for Mustard Plasters; A Trip To The Sugar Bush in Art

1961 Elementary School Music Book - Study of music from around the world

Wheel Sounds

Small art panel, oil on canvas, signed; a second hand shop gem

HOME TESTED RECIPES - COOK BOOK, 1947, ORILLIA -

PUBLISHED BY THE LADY MARGARET ALEXANDER CHAPTER / THE IMPERIAL ORDER DAUGHTERS OF THE EMPIRE

     "THIS COOKBOOK IS AN EXCHANGE OF COOKERY IDEAS," NOTES THE ADVERTISEMENT ON THE BACK COVER, OF THE RATHER ROUGH, DOG-EARRED, TAPED, KITCHEN-BEATEN COPY, OF THE 1947 ORILLIA BOOKLET, PRINTED BY THE PACKET AND TIMES. IT'S NOT MUCH TO LOOK AT, BUT THEN NEITHER ARE THE HUNDRED OR SO OTHER HALF-DESTROYED VINTAGE COOKBOOKS, SUZANNE HAS IN HER ARCHIVES COLLECTION. BUT WE ARE RICHER FOR HAVING THEM, REGARDLESS OF THEIR CONDITION. AS LONG AS WE CAN READ THEM, THEY HAVE A VALUE TO US AND OUR CUSTOMERS, RESEARCHING ELUSIVE RECIPES. SOME ARE WORSE OFF, SOME A LITTLE BETTER. WE DO WHAT WE CAN TO CONSERVE THEM, AND IN SOME CASES, COPY THEM FOR POSTERITY, IN CASE THEY FINALLY TURN TO DUST. WE FOUND THIS LITTLE GEM IN A BOOK SHOP IN ORILLIA, YESTERDAY, AND WE WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT WITH YOU. IT'S LIKE THIS; HISTORIANS GET EXCITED ABOUT SHARING THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR FOUND ARTICLES. IT'S A HALF TO TWO THIRDS THE FUN OF COLLECTING. POSSIBLY YOU WILL FIND IT BORING. WE DON'T LIKE TO THINK THIS IS THE CASE, BUT IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN COOKERY HERITAGE, YOU WILL PROBABLY THINK OF THIS MATERIAL AS AN EDITORIAL WASTE OF CYBER SPACE. THEN AGAIN, MAYBE NOT. OF COURSE, THIS USUALLY CUTS OUR AUDIENCE IN HALF, BUT WE ARE STALWART BELIEVERS, THAT WE'LL FIND OTHERS TO FILL THE VOID. THE MATERIAL WITHIN THESE OLD COOKBOOKS, WHICH MAY SURPRISE SOME READERS, ISN'T JUST ABOUT COOKERY; ONLY CONTAINING THE PLETHORA OF CITIZEN-CONTRIBUTED RECIPES, WE'VE COME TO EXPECT FROM THESE COMMUNITY EFFORTS, OF WHICH THERE ARE A TRILLION EXAMPLES TO DRAW FROM. THERE'S QUITE A BIT MORE, AS A REFLECTION OF THE TIMES, THE ERA, THAT IS OFTEN PUBLISHED IN EDITORIAL COPY AND BUSINESS ADVERTISEMENTS, IMBEDDED INTO THE TEXTS AS WELL. YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK FOR IT. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STRANGEST INCLUSION WOULD BE, IN ONE OF THESE OLDTIME COOKBOOKS? LET'S JUST SAY IT WAS SOMETHING TO WEAR WHEN YOU WERE FEELING POORLY, THAT YOUR MOTHER WOULD MIX UP, IN THE KITCHEN, AND SLAP ON YOUR CHEST. THIS PARTICULAR RECIPE IS ON PAGE 84 UNDER THE HEADING "SIMPLE REMEDIES." IT WAS TO A LOT OF KIDS, A FEAR AND LOATHING SITUATION, WHEN MOTHER GOT THAT LOOK IN HER EYES, SEEMINGLY WORRIED ABOUT YOUR STATE OF HEALTH. THERE WERE WARNING SIGNS. HOW MANY OF US TRIED TO CONCEAL OUR AILMENTS, TO WARD OFF THE EVIL MUSTARD PLASTER? "NO MOTHER, I'M FINE, REALLY!"
     "MUSTARD PLASTERS - MIX ONE PART MUSTARD WITH FOUR PARTS OF FLOUR. ADD LUKEWARM WATER SLOWLY AND STIR UNTIL A THICK SMOOTH PASTE IS PRODUCED. SPREAD ON PAPER SERVIETTE OR THIN BROWN WRAPPING PAPER AND COVER WTIH SAME, FOLDING SO THAT THE PASTE DOES NOT ESCAPE. WRAP IN PIECE OF OLD COTTON. APPLY TO THE AFFECTED PART (CHEST) TILL AREA BECOMES REDDENED, AS IF SUNBURNED (APPROX. TWENTY TO THIRTY MINUTES). WATCH CLOSELY FOR FIRST TIME. REMOVE, DRY AREA WITH SOFT CLOTH. IF REDNESS PERSISTS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME, VASELINE MAY BE APPLIED TO RELIEVE IT. DO NOT APPLY ANOTHER PLASTER IF SKIN IS STILL REDDENED IN THREE TO FOUR HOURS. FOR CHILDREN, USE ONE PART MUSTARD TO EIGHT TO TEN PARTS FLOUR." (VERY FEW MOTHERS READ THIS ADVISORY, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THERE WAS SMOKE VISIBLE, FROM BURNING FLESH, THAT THE PAD WAS REMOVED)
     MY MOTHER MERLE, USED TO THREATEN ME WITH MUSTARD PLASTERS, LIKE THE ONES HER MOTHER APPLIED WHEN SHE WAS A YOUNGSTER, BUT SHE WOULD OFFER UP THE MODERN ERA REMEDY FOR CHEST CONGESTION INSTEAD. I GOT VICKS VAPO RUB ON THE CHEST AND ON MY NECK, FOR A SORE THROAT; WITH AN OLD WORK SOCK WRAPPED ROUND IT, AND FASTENED WITH A BIG SAFETY PIN. "STOP COMPLAINING TEDDY CURRIE; IT COULD BE WORSE. MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE PUT ON A MUSTARD PLASTER AS THE ONLY WAY TO CURE WHAT WAS AILING US." IT WAS A CRAZY WAY TO SELL ME ON THE VICKS TREATMENT, WHICH BY THE WAY, WAS NOT MUCH OF A TREAT, OR A LESSER EVIL AS FAR AS I WAS CONCERNED. BUT THEN, I DIDN'T HAVE ANY COMPARISON TO MAKE EITHER.
     AS WELL, THERE IS A RECIPE FOR A "LINSEED POULTICE." "PUT TWO CUPS OF WATER IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN. BRING TO BOIL AND GRADUALLY STIR IN LINSEED MEAL (APPROX. TWO CUPS) TILL MIXTURE THICKENS AND DROPS FROM A SPOON. REMOVE FROM FIRE, BEAT VIGOROUSLY TO INCORPORATE AIR AND MAKE PLASTER LESS HEAVY ON PATIENT. A TEASPOON OF BAKING SODA WILL DO THE SAME. SPREAD QUICKLY AS DESCRIBED FOR THE MUSTARD PLASTER AND KEEP WARM. APPLY SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY TO AREA SO AS NOT TO BURN PATIENT. COVER WITH WAX PAPER AND EXTRA PIECE OF FLANNEL TO CONSERVE HEAT AND MOISTURE. MAY BE REPEATED AS SOON AS IT COOLS, OR AS IS ORDERED BY A PHYSICIAN. OATMEAL OR CORNMEAL CAN BE USED SIMILARLY IF LINSEED IS NOT AVAILABLE." THIS RECIPE IS SITUATED ON THE SAME PAGE AS EGGNOG AND CHOCOLATE SYRUP.
     ANOTHER INTERESTING EDITORIAL SECTION IN THE BOOKLET, IS HEADED "TABLE SETTING AND SERVICE." I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE INTERESTING TO REVIEW SOME OF THE DETAILS, OF THIS 1947 ADVISORY, ABOUT THE PROPER WAY, IN THAT ERA, TO HANDLE A DINNER PARTY RESPECTFULLY, AND PROPERLY; SUCH THAT YOU WOULD RECEIVE GLOWING SOCIAL REVIEWS IN COMMUNITY GOSSIP CIRCLES.
     "LUNCHEON SET OR DOILIES ARE PERMISABLE FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCHEON OR SUPPER, BUT THE DINNER TABLE SHOULD HAVE ITS SILENCE CLOTH AND TABLE CLOTH. (SILENCE CLOTH WOULD BE A LINEN PAD LAID BENEATH THE TABLE CLOTH). CENTRE PIECE SHOULD BE LOW ENOUGH TO SEE OVER OR HIGH ENOUGH TO SEE UNDER WHEN SEATED AT THE TABLE. SILVER, NAPKIN AND PLATE, SHOULD BE PLACED ONE INCH FROM EDGE OF TABLE; WITH THE BUTTERPLATE AND GLASS, THIS CONSTITUTES A 'COVER.'
     "SILVER IS PLACED IN ORDER OF SERVING - THE FIRST USED BEING FARTHEST FROM THE PLATE, THE DINNER KNIFE AND FORK COME NEXT TO THE PLATE (ON OPPOSITE SIDES) UNLESS THE SALAD IS PLACED ON TABLE WITH THE MAIN COURSE, WHEN THAT FORK WILL BE NEXT TO THE PLATE. KNIVES AND SPOONS ARE PLACED AT THE RIGHT, CUTTING EDGE TOWARDS THE PLATE. FORKS, AS A RULE, ARE PLACED AT THE LEFT, TINES UP. HOWEVER, OYSTER FORKS ARE PLACED AT RIGHT OF SPOONS, AND SALAD FORKS, WHEN USED WITH A SALAD COURSE ALONE, ARE AT THE RIGHT.
    "SERVICE PLATES ARE NOT GENERALLY USED UNLESS ONE HAS A SERVANT. THESE ARE ALSO CALLED PLACE PLATES AND REMAIN ON THE TABLE THROUGH THE APPETIZER AND SOUP SERVICE, WITH THE FOOD DISH PLACED UPON IT. THE SERVICE PLATE IS NOT REMOVED UNTIL THE MAIN COURSE (FISH OR MEAT ENTREE) IS SERVED, WHEN THE MAID REM OVES IT WITH HER RIGHT HAND, IMMEDIATELY REPLACING IT WITH THE HOT DINNER PLATE AND PASSING THE FOOD FOR THE MAIN COURSE. IF THE SALAD IS SERVED AS A SEPARATE COURSE, THE SERVICE PLATE IS SET UP ON THE PLACE PLATE. ONLY WHEN READY FOR DESSERT IS THE INDIVIDUAL PLACE ALLOWED TO BE UNCOVERED. THE WATER GLASS IS PLACED AT THE RIGHT, JUST ABOVE THE POINT OF THE KNIFE. THE SALAD PLATE MAY BE PLACED BESIDE THE FORKS OR DIRECTLY ABOVE THE PLATE. THE BREAD AND BUTTER PLATE AT THE LEFT, ABOVE THE FORK, THE BUTTER KNIFE ACROSS THIS PLATE AT RIGHT ANGLES TO OTHER SILVER. FOR FORMAL DINNER THE BREAD AND BUTTER PLATE IS OMITTED.
     "THE NAPKIN IS AT THE LEFT OF THE FORKS OR ON THE SERVICE PLATE WITH OPEN EDGES TOWARD YOU. DON'T BE STINGY WITH SALT AND PEPPER; THERE SHOULD BE A SET WITHIN REACH OF EVERY TWO GUESTS. AT LUNCHEON, THE SOUP IS SERVED IN CUPS, CREAM SOUPS, OR RIMLESS DISHES. AT A FORMAL DINNER, A MORE SHALLOW RIMMED SOUP PLATE IS USED. BOULLION, CREAM SOUP OR DESSERT SPOONS ARE USED AT LUNCHEON. TABLE SPOONS FOR DINNER SOUP SERVICE. CELERY, OLIVES, CRACKERS OR ANY OTHER ACCOMPANIMENTS ARE SERVED DURING THIS COURSE.
     "LUNCHEON BEVERAGES ARE SERVED AT THE TABLE. FOR FORMAL DINNERS THE CUSTOM IS TO SERVE COFFEE IN SMALL CUPS AFTER DINNER IN THE LIVING ROOM. COFFEE MAY BE POURED AT THE TABLE FOR INFORMAL DINNERS. A WAITRESS STANDS AT THE LEFT OF EACH PERSON, WHETHER SHE IS PASSING A DISH FROM WHICH ONE HELPS HIMSELF, OR PLACING OR REMOVING A PLATE. IN FILLING THE BEVERAGE GLASS OR CUP, THE WAITRESS REFILLS OR SETS THE GLASS DOWN FROM THE RIGHT HAND SIDE. PLATES SHOULD BE PLACED AND REMOVED ONE AT A TIME. WHEN CLEARING THE TABLE ALL FOOD IS REMOVED FIRST, THEN THE PLATES, NEXT BREAD AND BUTTERS, WITHOUT STACKING. WHEN TWO OR MORE GUESTS HAVE FINISHED EATING THE WAITRESS MAY START TO CLEAR THE TABLE. AT A FAMILY MEAL SHE WAITS UNTIL EVERYONE HAS FINISHED EATING.
     "IN SEATING GUESTS, THE MOST DISTINGUISHED WOMAN GUEST IS PLACED AT THE HOST'S RIGHT, MOST DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN GUESTS, AT THE HOSTESS'S RIGHT. IF FINGER BOWL SERVICE IS INCLUDED IN YOUR MEAL, THE BOWL IS BROUGHT IN, RESTING ON A DOILY DIRECTLY ON THE DESSERT PLATE, WITH THE DESSERT FORK ON THE LEFT AND THE DESSERT SPOON ON THE RIGHT OF THE BOWL. THE GUEST REMOVES THE SILVER AND PLACES IT ON THE TABLE AT EITHER SIDE OF THE PLATE, THEN SLIPS THE DOILY AND FINGER BOWL OFF THE DESSERT PLATE, SETTING IT ON THE TABLE DIRECTLY ABOVE THE PLATE. DESSERT IS THEN PASSED BY THE MAID.
     "IN RECENT YEARS IT HAS BECOME UNPOPULAR TO SERVE THE HOSTESS FIRST. MANY OF US PREFER THIS SERVICE FOR THE HOSTESS WAITS LONGEST BEFORE THE FOOD SERVED IS EATEN, AND IF ANY UNFAMILIAR DISH IS PRESENTED SHE GIVES THE CUE AS TO HOW IT IS TO BE HANDLED. IT IS NOW CONSIDERED MORE GRACIOUS TO SERVE THE GUEST AT THE HOSTESS'S RIGHT FIRST, WITH THE MAID CONTINUING IN ORDER AROUND THE TABLE, SERVING THE HOSTESS LAST."
     BENEATH THIS IS, "RECIPE FOR A GROUP:" "ONE HALF CUP FRIENDSHIP AND ONE CUP THOUGHTFULNESS. TOSS TOGETHER WITH A PINCH OF POWDERED TENDERNESS, VERY LIGHTLY BEATEN IN A BOWL OF LOYALTY, WITH A CUP OF FAITH, AND ONE OF HOPE, AND ONE FULL CUP OF CHARITY. BE SURE TO ADD A SPOONFUL OF GAIETY THAT SINGS, AND THE ABILTY TO LAUGH AT LITTLE THINGS. MOISTEN WITH TEARS OF HEARTFELT SYMPATHY. BAKE IN GOOD NATURE AND SERVE REPEATEDLY."
     ON THE OPPOSITE PAGE, THERE IS A MENU TO SERVE ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE; THE INGREDIENTS INCLUDE, TWO AND A HALF POUNDS OF COFFEE, SIX GALLONS OF MILK, EIGHTEEN POUNDS OF MEAT, FIFTY POUNDS OF POTATOES, FIFTEEN NUMBER TWO CANS OF PEAS, FOUR GALLONS OF SOUP, THREE POUNDS OF BUTTER, SIX LOAVES OF BREAD, (LONG LOAVES), ONE AND A QUARTER POUNDS OF OLIVES, 25 HEADS OF LETTUCE, 100 EARS OF CORN ON THE COB, 100 RIBS OF BEEF, 50 POUNDS OF BEEF TENDERLOIN (FILET MIGNON), FIFTEEN POUNDS OF BOILED BONELESS HAM, TWENTY POUNDS SMOKED HAM, TWO AND A HALF GALLOONS OF ICE CREAM, 100 ROLLS, ONE TO EACH PERSON, EIGHT AVERAGE SIZE CAKES, EIGHTEEN AVERAGE SIZE PIES, FIFTY SPRING CHICKENS, ONE AND A HALF QUARTS OF CREAM FOR TEA, TWO AND A HALF QUARTS OF CREAM FOR COFFEE. (ONE SANDWICH LOAF CUTS INTO TWENTY SLICES."
     "THE CHIEF APPEAL OF THE RECIPES IN THIS BOOK TO MOST WOMEN, IS IN THE FACT THAT THEY ARE HOME TESTED - THAT OTHER WOMEN HAVE TRIED THEM AND FOUND THEM GOOD. THIS HABIT OF EXCHANGING IDEAS IS PROBABLY THE BASIC REASON WHY WOMAN CAN CREATE SO MUCH PLEASING VARIETY WITH THE SAME INGREDIENTS YEAR AFTER YEAR; WHETHER IT BE FOOD, FURNISHINGS OR THE HUMAN CHARACTERISTIC THAT GO TO MAKE UP A FAMILY. A GOOD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER BASES ITS NEWS POLICIES ON THE SAME BROAD PRINCIPLES, NAMELY, THAT A WELL INFORMED COMMUNITY IS A MORE HARMONIOUS AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY." THIS, OF COURSE, WAS A LITTLE PLUG FOR THE ORILLIA PACKET AND TIMES, THAT HAD PRINTED THE COOKBOOK. ALTHOUGH IT IS VERY FAINT NOW, THERE HAS BEEN A RECIPE HASTILY SCRIBBLED ON A CORNER OF THE BACK PAGE, JUST BESIDE THE PACKET AND TIMES ADVERTISEMENT. THE BOOK BEGINS, WITH A LARGE AD FROM WESTINGHOUSE, SHOWING THEIR ARRAY OF ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, FROM THE KITCHEN FRIDGE, STOVE, VACUUM, IRON, WASHING MACHINE, TO THE FLOOR MODEL RADIO TO LISTEN TO, WHILE THE COOK WAS AT WORK.
     DO YOU THINK THE BOOK IS A TAD SEXIST? WELL, IT WAS 1947 AFTER ALL. ALL BUT ONE OF THE APPLIANCES LISTED ABOVE, ATTRIBUTED TO THE WESTINGHOUSE COLLECTION, WAS FOR THE ATTENTION OF HOUSEWIVES. THE RADIO, PRESUMABLY, WAS FOR THE MAN OF THE HOUSE. "IF YOU BUY ME A NEW WASHING MACHINE, YOU CAN BUY YOURSELF THAT RADIO!" OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT!

SERENITY NOW - OUT TO THE SUGAR BUSH

I can place myself in this painting quite easily. (A bald, portly guy, likely coming out of the sugar shack licking his fingers). One of my favorite March feature news assignments, was to visit a number of Muskoka’s sugar bushes, to watch the gathering and the boiling of the sap. This painting, an oil on masonite, by Dan Titman, we believe, holds a special place for me, because I have never found a more serene place anywhere on earth......than a grove of maples bathed in spring sunlight. The sugar bush has always been my writer’s sanctuary. A woodland paradise that is as invigorating as it is relaxing. This is “serenity now,” as far as I’m concerned.

I purchased this little gem of Canadian art, on Friday, at a wonderful antique and collectable shop, which has only recently opened, on Mississauga Street E., in Orillia, known as Carousel Collectables. I’m an impulse buyer and this one was an impulse purchase. I have always been interested in historic themes, which shouldn’t surprise any one, and most recently I have acquired a wonderful watercolor depiction of a steamship (paddle-wheeler) from the early 1800's known as the Royal William. This is still being researched with the assistance of a Maritime Museum on the East Coast. Another attractive watercolor, purchased recently, is a waterscape of “Fairy Point,” and numerous boat houses, but we’re not sure whether this location is on one of Muskoka’s lakes or not. We’re thinking it might be Lake Joseph where there is a Fairy Island. Or a point of land on Huntsville’s Fairy Lake. We think it has too many structures to be Fairy Point in Algoma. Research is ongoing, as with many of my paintings collected for over thirty years. I’ll be running a picture of this in the near future.

But of all the art pieces overflowing the realm of sensible proportion, here at Birch Hollow, I adore this sugar bush painting the most. It profiles a parallel woodland setting, to what I have experienced many times before, here in the hinterland of beautiful Muskoka. My wife’s relative is Bill Veitch, who has been a legend in maple syrup making in the Ufford, Three Mile Lake, Windermere area for decades. I love venturing out to his sugar bush for the annual two day Pancake festival in April. A walk in the woods there, and like a sweeping time warp, you’re back in pioneer times. And it’s great if you’re a history junkie like me.

I greatly enjoyed accompanying my son Robert on a trip to the V.K. Greer Public School, in Port Sydney, a few years back, where they have a small but scenic operation. The tour was given at that time by John Duncan, a former outdoor education co-ordinator, and George Anderson, well known and respected amongst outdoor education students in our region.

My most fascinating sugar bush adventure, with son Andrew, was courtesy Jim Hillman and his son-in-law Brian Milne, who took us back to the maple grove off Golden Beach Road, not far from the former Bangor Lodge on Lake Muskoka. It was just a few miles from Bracebridge. I could have spent the rest of my life in and around that magnificent sugar bush, so hauntingly beautiful in the March sunlight. I sat on a stump and wrote an entire feature article for the Muskoka Sun, and the Muskoka Advance, two publications I penned features for, back in the 1990's. Jim was a grand old chap who adored any opportunity to get outdoors, and this was an absolute haven for anyone needing inspiration....... and who quite enjoys the spirit of co-operation. Operating the sugar bush, as they did, without the plastic lines running from tree to tree, was the way Jim and crew liked it......hard work but rewarding in so many ways. Watching the gathering of the sap, and then the sugaring-off, was right out of the pages of Canadian history.....right before my eyes. I was witnessing a cultural folk-art and it tasted pretty good as well. There’s something powerful about the smell of woodsmoke, the scent of thickening maple syrup, and the spring melt, that brought out the Thoreau in me......and what a Walden Pond it was. I sat there watching the steam billowing out of the shack and looking up into the dark web of overhead boughs, watching the sunlight blotching down onto the old decaying snow, melting away into the forest soil. If heaven could be half as nice!

Jim was happy to show me all the old tools and artifacts he had collected, and conserved over the decades, from when he first began tapping the maple grove. He had numerous wooden spiles and treenware, molds all over the place, for shaping the syrup into sugar candies. He had a marvellous little museum out there in the Muskoka woodlands, and I’m so glad I had this opportunity to visit. Jim passed away shortly after my visit, and I have often wondered whether his buddies still venture out to the property, and fire-up the pit below the large tin trays. I think it has probably ceased operation but I’m very much honored that Jim would have thought to invite me out to his paradise. I had an up-close and personal opportunity to record history, and capture this folk art at its purist, while Jim was still in his heyday. He loved that place. It was a precious sanctuary that’s for sure. His generosity made us Currie lads pretty happy that day. Andrew still talks about it. He got to ride an ATV while I walked to the sugar shack.

This little painting reminds me of my numerous outings to regional sugar bushes. It incorporates a little from each that I’ve visited. I have it illuminated on a stand now, and in the recent blustery evenings here at Birch Hollow, it has been so wonderfully relaxing, just to sit back, with a buffalo robe (we have two) over my legs, and admire the history of maple syrup making in Canada.

We haven’t been able to situate the painting or the artist, as of yet, but we believe it is the work of a regional artist from Quebec. If you know anything more about the painting or know the work of the artist, please let me know.

I wander from antique shop to antique mall, thrift shop to yard sale, auction to estate sale, looking for art pieces that inspire. I got lucky this past week. I visited the right antique shop at the right time. I had a few dollars tucked away, just in case I found something for the permanent collection. What perfect timing for a sugar bush celebration.