It behooves a good wife...

I love old cookbooks! Not only can you find long forgotten recipes like "Clever Judy Frosting" and "Lemon Chiffon Pie" but you can discover so much about the standards for home and family in cookbooks. I'm no historian but it seems that most cookbooks were written for women. I get a kick out of looking at the tips and hints on what women could do to make home a better place for everyone else. Here are some of my favorites gleaned from my small collection and one I just purchased from an antique store for a friend.

" Most women claim to dislike market shopping but we know that in their heart of hearts they love it!" General Foods Cookbook 1959.

Write up for California Onion Dip in Betty Crocker Cookbook 1969 " An easy, lower calorie version of the all time favorite. Whip up a batch for the ladies with skim milk and let the men indulge the
                                                                sour cream version."

"It's a wise woman who knows her baking rules." All About Baking 1937.

"The man you marry will know the way he likes his eggs. And chances are he'll be fussy about them. So it behooves a good wife to know how to make and egg behave." Betty Crocker Cookbook 1969.

" The tea service must be complete, dainty and immaculate. Remember that confusion and disorder are enemies to good conversation and repose for which the tea hours stands for, first of all." All About Baking 1937.

 PS. I had an elderly friend several years ago who was a wife and mother during the 1950's. She told me she changed into a clean dress, pearls and heels every night before her husband got home. The children were also bathed and changed into fresh clean clothes and were expected to engage in quiet activities for the rest of the evening so Dad could enjoy a quiet happy home. HAHAHAHAHAHAH