May 6, 1947 The Spring Weather Report, The Slow Seamstress, Getting The Deeds Done and The Roast Pork Menu

Bonnie and the dogwood

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"B's package and your letter came on Tuesday.  Then I had your other letter later in the week.  Needless to say, we both enjoyed the candy very much.

We haven't done much lately.  It has done nothing but rain for days and seems so cold out.  It isn't so very cold but the rain doesn't stop long enough for the ground to start to dry out.  It stopped raining late yesterday afternoon for a little while so we went for a short walk.  The wild flowers are just beginning to bloom.  We saw dogwood in bloom when we went to New York.

Last Wednesday night we ate supper with the Swanns and then took some pictures of their cat.  It was fun and she had a wonderful roast pork and all that goes with it.

I have been sewing on Charlotte's dresses that I brought home with me.  Beulah sent the pinafore patterns but then there wasn't enough material so I couldn't use it.  I guess she thinks I'm awfully slow about making them but I'll try to get them mailed this week. Then I must do a bit of house cleaning and I want to make myself a good dress.  There is to be an all faculty dinner the last of the month and I'd like something new for that.

I'm glad you liked the pictures.  We were in a hurry to go to the play and I didn't even think of taking B's picture in his tux.  I was sorry afterwards because it will probably be a long time before he's dressed up like that again.

I wish you would hurry up and get the deeds signed before somebody changes his mind.  That probably won't happen but I'll feel better when it is all done.  I didn't think $6000. was a bad bid for building the house but $5500. is certainly better.

We'll be thinking of you Sunday, Mother.  I hope it will be a nice day for both of you.  We're sending a little package and I hope it gets there in time.

Hope to hear from you in a day or so.  Take care of yourselves and get rested."

                 Lots of love,

                       B & Bonnie 

NOTES from Ann:  Pictured above is the basic house plan Bonnie's parents were seeking and the one would ultimately be built. From my earliest memories, I recall that the porch was covered and a swing hung from the overhang, which was painted on the under side with a lovely sky blue.  The house was white and on each side of the front steps sat a white, porcelain swan.  They were overflowing with nasturtiums and as a kid I loved to take a leaf or two to eat.  They had a pungent, bitter taste similar to some field greens that we use in salads today.  What this house plan doesn't show is the mysterious, large closet which was behind a heavy curtain in the back bedroom.  It is the place where Bonnie found her saved letters.  The bedrooms were simply furnished with white Martha Washington spreads on Jenny Lind beds and mahogany chests of drawers.  Grandmother actually ironed the sheets and we joked that we had to sleep in envelopes when we stayed at her house.  The dining room and kitchen were my favorite spots--particularly the pantry in the kitchen that held row upon row of colorful home-canned fruits and vegetables.  There were always sheer curtains on all the windows in the house, and with windows open, the scent of spring seemed always present.  There were peach trees in the front yard, and a deep back yard that just seemed to fade into the thick woods behind my granddaddy's shop where he did woodworking.  He was always accompanied there with a favored cat--which by the way,  was treated by my grandmother to a fried egg every day.  Grandmother used to give us rice with cream and sugar for breakfast.  It was creamy, buttery, piping hot, sweet and sprinkled with cinnamon. 

News of interest:  One of the great pleasures of researching for the blog is the discovery of information about B & Bonnie's friends.  Yesterday I came across the obituary for Edith Swann.  Edith passed away just last year, April 24, at the age of 106.  To read about her interesting life, use the link:  http://www.ancestry.com/search/obit/view.aspx?db=web-obituary&kw=&pid=24468517&url=http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll%3Fdb%3dweb-obituary%26o_vc%3dRecord%253aOtherRecord%26rhSource%3d1732%26gss%3dangs-i

German Pork Roast 

Put a 3 to 3-1/2 lb. pork loin roast in a deep dish.  Combine and cover meat completely with:  1-1/2 c. beer (more if needed to cover meat), 1 c. chopped onion, 2 tsp. grated lemon peel, 2 tsp. sugar, 1 tsp. tarragon, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. each pepper, cloves, ginger and nutmeg and 3 bay leaves.  Marinate in refrigerator 1-2 days, turning a few times.  Strain marinade and reserve everything.  In the bottom of roasting pan put the solids from the marinade, 1 diced carrot and 1 stalk of celery, diced.  Place meat on top.  Add a little liquid.  Roast 1 hr. at 350.  Pour 1/4 of the marinade over the meat and bake 1 to 1-1/2 hrs. more, basting with drippings and more marinade, reserving some for the sauce.  When done, mix 1/4 c. flour with 1/3 c. marinade and add juice from the pan to make sauce.  Add a little water or beer if needed.  

For Bonnie's Peachy Pork Roast, see the March 18, 1944 letter in the archives.

Bonnie's Applesauce Salad (always served with pork roast)

Mix 2 pkg. lemon jello, 2 c. boiling water and 1/2 c. red hots.  Add 2 cups apple sauce.  Mix well and swirl into partly set jello, 6 oz. cream cheese, 2 T. mayo and 1/4 c. evaporated milk.  Serve on butter lettuce.

Bonnie's Twice Baked Potatoes (always served with pork roast and always made extra to freeze)

Wash and rub butter or oleo on 12 medium sized potatoes.   Bake @ 400 about an hour.  Cut off tops and scoop out each potato.   Set shells aside.  Mix potatoes with 2 c. sour cream, 1 stick oleo, thinly sliced green onions and salt to taste.  Add 1/4 - 1/2 c. milk and mix till fluffy.  Fill shells and sprinkle with grated cheese.  To serve, heat about 30 min. @ 350.  To freeze, put on cookie sheet in freezer than wrap.