Remember This? March 1959 Family Circle

The March 1959 issue of  Everywoman's Family Circle is full of nostalgic photos and ads.

We are in the time period when turquoise was popular. RIT Dye's ad showed how last year's Mamie Pink coat could be dyed a great deep royal blue with the dress going from light to lovely seascape turquoise and greens.

Remember going to Grandmother's house for Easter dressed new fashions? Dark blue suit for Dad. Hat and heels for Mom. Suits for the kids. Pink and blue paint for Grandma's house?

Will ya' look at that diamond! Someone is getting married! 

All the girls in the office are wearing checks. Reminds me of someone. Peggy? That you?

Home sewers could make this orange three piece suit.

I wanted to be a cowgirl in '59. But I was years away from being a teen like these gals.

 Instead I was wearing roller skates like the ones below...and had  perpetually scabbed knees .

Everyone smoked. It was considered glamorous. Cough cough.

Kent Cigarettes sponsored one of my favorite TV shows. I figured its the brand I'd smoke when I grew up.

Hair styles from 1959:

What a hat!

 No bad breath with Ipana. You'll wonder where the yellow went. too.

Housewives LOVED their soft towels. So indicative of their contribution to society.

 A state-of-the-art laundry room was required to produce those soft towels.

Cleaning products

















Recipes dominate the magazine.

 Do I see....turquoise?

 Fast and easy was in. Thanks to JELL-O.

 Mustard on a pizza. No way.

 Remember Mr. Peanut? Before he did break-dancing and hip-hop?

International cooking was discovered. 

And if you ate too much there was 'diet food'.

Needlecraft and sewing was enjoyed.

Crayolas...my favorite childhood activity was coloring.

 During coffee break a gal could read a short story.

Parakeets were found in many homes. My grandmother had one.

 You could order a pink flamingo for your yard.

Here are some Lenten recipes from the magazine:

Tuna Tamale Pie

bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

1 1/2 c water

1/2 c yellow corn meal

1/2 cup cold water

1 can flaked tuna drained

1 can whole kernel corn drained

1 can tomato soup

1 cup diced celery

1 cup graded Cheddar cheese

1 small onion chopped

2-3 teaspoons chili powder

1. Heat 1 1/2 cups water to boiling; mix corn meal, salt and 1/2 cup cold water in cup; stir into boiling water; cook, stirring constantly, until thickened; cover; continue to cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
2. Mix tuna, corn, tomato soup, celery, 3/4 cup of the grated cheese, onion, and chili powder in medium-sized bowl.
3. Spread half of  the cooked corn meal in an 8-cup baking dish; pour in mixture; top with remaining corn meal; sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese on top.
4. Bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for 1 hour, or until heated through and bubbly on top.

Tuna Burgers
Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. Serves 4.
1 can tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup cubed Swiss cheese
1/2 cup cooked potatoes
1/3 cup chopped celery
2 radishes thinly sliced
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon grated onion
1/8 teaspoon curry powder
1/3 cup mayonnaise
4 round rolls, split and buttered
1. Combine tuna, Swiss cheese, potatoes, celery, radishes, parsley, onion, curry powder, and mayonnaise in bowl. Stir lightly until well mixed; divide evenly among buttered rolls; wrap each in aluminium foil.
2. Bake in 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until heated through.

October 1962 Home Decorating: When Turquoise Was King Continues

The October 1962 Family Circle magazine's feature story was on furniture arranging. The photos show a nice overview of decorating styles in '62.

I love this cover arrangement with the wonderful MCM settees, the console, and the octagonal coffee table. The blue, green and gold fabric on the settees is way cool. That antique gold/green carpet is an unusual color.

The next photo is their "conversation sparking" arrangement, an area adjacent to the dining area. Very traditional, but with an aqua/turquoise color in the upholstery, drapery, and even the table runner.

The "interest wall" was the focal point in the room below. If you don't have a fireplace or window as a focal point, they suggested creating one. Here walnut boards are supported by metal keyhole strips and brackets.

The colors of blue and green are more primary in tone, but the rug and chair appear a deeper turquoise in the original photo. Can you find the television? It's almost a Where's Waldo moment, the television is so tiny compared to today's monstrous ones. Who needs a "focal point" when the television has taken that role?

In the next photos the windows are the focal point of the rooms. The upper photo has "no wall-hugging sofas or chairs," a definite turquoise color scheme, and is quite informal with floor pillows and a window seat.

The lower photo shows a room with two focal points, the fireplace and the window. They suggest alternating the placement of the sofas: at right angles to the window in summer, and in front of the fireplace in winter. The couches, wall, and drapes are turquoise in the original photo.

Dual purpose study/guest room includes a day bed. The bed covering is a turquoise and brown floral print, and the drapes a deep brown in the original photo.

The photo below shows more great MCM furniture in turquoise with a matching rug. Notice the great wall unit with shelves, drawers, and flip down desk. Is that is asphalt tile flooring, or perhaps linoleum? In 1963 Dad redid our bedroom floors with linoleum tiles.

A traditional Colonial look with a brown couch in the foreground and chairs across from it. The paneling on the walls was quite the rage. Our 1966 house has wood paneling in the family room and Dad had installed it in the basement in 1972.

And last of all, a sleeper sofa in a turquoise print has matching chair and lamp, a turquoise and golden colored rug, and  a painting with deeper blues. The table has a magazine are, and is to the side for easy opening of the sofa bed. On my monitor the turquoise is showing up green. :(

A nice article on fall flower arranging has some great photos.