Taters

Wed., January 13, 1937 - Howard had a terrible time getting the car out this morning.  He got corn & coal today.  We were going to town tonite to see Mom, but when we got started the wind was drifting so badly, we turned around & came home.
Thurs., January 14, 1937 - Holtgrew brought our groceries over today.  He drove over in a buggy.  We had fried potatoes for supper -- been so long since I've fried potatoes that I've about forgot how.
Fri., January 15, 1937 - I washed out some underwear and stockings today.  Afterwards when I was mopping the floor I spilled about a pint of kerosene -- Brrr!!!

I remember Grandma's fried potatoes very much, so I am personally very pleased that she did not forget how to make them.



Photo from:  stormofflavors.wordpress.com

Snow, snow. snow

Sun., January 10, 1937 - Howard walked over home today. Met Carlos Martin who said Foxie [?] was coming down this road with the snow plow & the farmers should help.
Mon., January 11, 1937 - Howard helped scoop all morning.  This afternoon he went to town with Carl.  He came home with Holtgrew -- left the groceries there & walked home.
Tues., January 12, 1937 - Howard took the tractor over home today to get our car.  I rode along with him.  We got stuck in the pasture coming home and left the car there.

It must have been really bad, she said, searching for the Winside history book.  I had to clear part of my office once for the install of my new desk, only to be told the vendor forgot to order my desk.  I put everything back, only to have to clear again recently once the desk finally came in.  Anyway, I found it.  This is what it said for part of January 1937:

"January 1, Winside was completely isolated when the worst blizzard in years struck suddenly today.  School will be closed for several days owing to the high drifts.
January 14th, snow has again blocked the roads and railroad. Three trucks were used to take the snow off of Main street."

The January 1st snow mentioned was the one when Grandma commented she could barely see Grandpa when he was outside.

Getting more settled in

Thurs., January 7, 1937 - Cold today -- hard to get the house warm.  I made myself a pair of pajamas this p.m.  Howard started to make a shelf for the kitchen this evening.
Fri., January 8, 1937 - Clear & much warmer -- blew some all day. We played cards tonite.
Sat., January 9 1937 - Finally tacked up the pockets on the bedroom door.  Sorted out old hose & silk underwear & mended some, too.

New p.j.'s, a shelf, organized hose and undies . . . things are coming right along for the still-newlywed couple.

It's not timely for either the here and now nor Grandma's journal entry, but I had to share this silly pic an internet friend made of me.  Cute, huh?

First that, now this

Mon., January 4, 1937 - Warm & clear -- thawed a little.  Howard helped a bunch open the road to town.  They got within a mile of town & walked in from there.  We read the papers since Friday's tonite.
Tues., January 5, 1937 - Raw east wind & cold.  Had quite a time keeping the house warm.  Baked the rest of the peppernuts tonite.  The touch of sciatica that's been bothering me the last week or so seems to be leaving.  Howard has massaged my feet for me the last several evenings.
Wed., January 6, 1937 - Snowed a little -- wind from northwest making drifts bigger than ever.  Mike over this p.m. to pay lodge dues.  Mom enclosed a letter from Ray & Uncle Jim in the letter I got from her yesterday.  Ray is in Greenwood, Cal.  Uncle Jim is working near Chicago.  He went back to Pueblo for Xmas holidays.  We played cards this evening.  Mailman didn't go.

First Grandma is checking for Grandpa out in the snow, and now he's massaging her feet.  How sweet is all of that?

I believe Greenwood, California is correct.  Grandma's handwriting was pretty tiny, but there is (at least currently) no Greenwood, Colorado, so Cali it is, rightly or wrongly.

I think 1937 is it

Thurs., December 31, 1936 - Clear today.  Howard went to sign for gov't money this a.m.  We were planning to go to the midnight show at Norfolk with Rews.  The snow yesterday put an end to that.  We played cards until about 10:30 before going to bed.
.
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Sat., January 2, 1937 - Cold, windy - a regular blizzard.  Half the time I couldn't see Howard when he was going to the bar or hen house -- the air was so full of snow.  Terrible drifts -- pump just about covered.
Sun., January 3, 1937 - We had planned on going to Annie's for her birthday but the storm yesterday ended those plans.  Clear & not very windy.  Howard walked over home to get his glasses.  I embroidered this p.m.

I wonder how many times Grandma checked out the window to try to spy Grandpa in the snow.

I will certainly double-check, but it looks that there is enough in 1937 for about 20 posts and then I will have to back-track and see where I was in the 2000's with Grandma's journals.

I got nothin'

Mon., December 28, 1936 - Howard cutting wood. Misty & cold.  Helen & Mom stopped for the girls.  I went along to Clara's.  Went to Dane Xmas tree with kids.  Ate our lunch at Alma's.  Good crowd considering weather.
Tues., December 29, 1936 - Howard cut wood this p.m.  He brought a load home with the tractor.  We went to bed quite early.
Wed., December 30, 1936 - Snowed all a.m.  Cleared up this evening.  Howard & I played Pinochle tonite.

Not a lot to work with here.  So, I'll just add a photo and get this posted.

Photo from brooklynpaper.com

A Sunday recipe, finally

Fri., December 25, 1936 - I finished the holders while Howard baked peppernuts.  Were over home for dinner.  All the kids there.  Got some lovely presents.  Spent the evening at home eating nuts & candy.
Sat., December 26, 1936 - Cleaned up the house.  Invited to Jo's for supper.  Those there:  Rews, Iversen kids, Clara's, Margaret's, Alma & John.  Ate too much as usual.  Jean & Marjorie came home with us.
Sun., December 27, 1936 - We got up late.  Between spells we played 500 Rummy.  We all played tonite.  Irene went back to Sunol today.

How fun to imagine Grandpa baking peppernuts so Grandma could finish her handiwork.

I do not recall Grandma or anyone else making this recipe, but it's in her book and in her handwriting.  I'll gladly be corrected if she did make it often and I'm just not remembering.  It certainly is a possibility.  Also possible it was made for Christmas once or twice.

Fudgie Scotch Ring

1 cup (6 oz. pkg) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup (6 oz. pkg) butterscotch chips
1 can Borden Eagle Brand Condensed milk
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. walnut halves
Maraschino cherries, if desired

Melt chips and condensed milk in top of double boiler over hot (not boiling) water.  Stir occasionally til morsels melt and mixture begins to thicken.  Remove from heat -- add chopped walnuts and vanilla.  Blend well.  Chill 1 hour til mixture thickens.  Line bottom of 9" pie pan with a 12" square of foil.  Place 3/4 cup walnut halves in bottom of pan, forming a 2" wide flat ring.  Spoon chocolate mixture in small mounds on top of nuts to form a ring.  Decorate with remaining nuts.  Add maraschino cherries if desired.  Chill in refrigerator until firm enough to slice. Cut into 1/2 inch slices.

I am guessing once the mounds are in place, you spread the mixture out a bit to also make a 2" wide flat ring.

The lovely 1936 Christmas card is from:  https://the-light-keeper.blogspot.com

Look at me, posting on a Saturday

Tues., December 22, 1936 - Baked cookies & stirred up peppernuts.  Tonite Howard & I made out our lodge reports.
Wed., December 23, 1936 - Sent my lodge report this p.m.  Howard took me to town while he went to McClary sale.  Went with kids to Elmer & Myrtle's.  The rest of the bunch came later & surprised Howard & Elmer for their birthdays which were a week ago.  I believe they here surprised.
Thurs., December 24, 1936 - Worked on Xmas presents.  Tried to make some candy but it wasn't so good.  We went into town tonite.  Mom was pleased & surprised with her quilt.  Home at 12:00.

So, it all was a surprise -- how nice.  And Grandma Anna got a surprise, too.  I wonder what the quilt pattern was.  Photo borrowed from ahhhquilting.blogspot.com.  Look at the neat quilting there -- I think I may need to check out that blog.