Showing posts with label Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin. Show all posts

Saturday, May 31, 2014

April 1965 Women's Day

When I was growing up Mom bought  magazines at the grocery store checkout lane, especially Women's Day and Family Circle. I love to look at old magazines, and last Christmas was given a big box of them.

This issue had an article on "Quilts of Pioneer America" by Roxa Wright. She concentrated on he geometric designs of patchwork. Several quilts pictured are from the Henry Ford Museum collection in Dearborn, Michigan.
Storm at Sea from the General Lewis Inn, Lewisburg, WV

Variable Star from Historical Society of York PA; Old Maid's Ramble from Wadsworth Atheneum, Harford CT; Mrs. Bushnell's Bed Cover from Wadsworth Atheneum

Pennsylvania Hex from Historical Society of York Pa; Orange owned by Lillian Howell; Greenfield Village from Henry Ford Museum; Le Moyne Star from Henry Ford Museum

Star of Bethlehem from Wadsworth Atheneum "sometimes called Heroic Star"
 
Speaking of Michigan, this ad promoted the wonderful beaches. Between the hundreds of inland lakes and the largest shoreline in the country there is a lot of sun and swimming going on still.

 Crafts using sun motifs were quite popular.


The current trend of painting old furniture started a long time ago and is rediscovered every few decades. Mom painted several pieces of furniture.
 
 
What was a good income in 1965? Apparently $8,500 meant you could afford this carpeting. Would Don and Betty have bought it? Or Meghan?
Moms were so busy they had to have convenience meals like Sloppy Joes. Just need a can opener and buns, perhaps some chips and the kid is happy.
For those Moms who still cooked from scratch the "Collector's Cook Book" insert offered Ham recipes. Like this one:
Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin
1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
3 cups diced cooked potatoes
4 TB margarine
1 small onion minced
3 TB flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 TB fine dry bread crumbs
Place ham and potatoes in shallow 1 1/2 qt casserole baking dish. Melt 2 TB margarine, add onion and cook until golden. Blend in flour. Add milk gradually and cook, stirring, until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over ham and potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese and crumbs. Dot with remaining 1 TB of margarine. Bake in hot over (400%) about 20 mins. Makes 4 servings.
 
At the end of a busy day it was time for recreation, and of course a cigarette. Everyone smoked. I mean everyone. By 1968 everyone was quitting. They all had heart disease or cancer. But maybe that's just my family.