September 9, 1947 The Vermont House, The Entertainment, It's In the Mail and Tomato Preserves

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Today is cool and breezy but yesterday was quite hot.  We probably won't have many more warm days because one can already feel fall in the air.  Rain comes regularly and gardens are still nice.  The Richards sent so many nice tomatoes that I'm making a few preserves.  I tried a tiny batch first and they tasted so good I thought I'd make some more.  These are from yellow tomatoes.

School has started across the street so there is lots of entertainment.  B has a faculty meeting today and there will be some little something almost every day this week.  Then classes begin on Monday.  He will have classes at 8:30, 9:30, 11:30 and one class will meet from 4 to 6 twice a week.  He likes his schedule fine but we'll have to get up a little earlier.  That will be good for us, I guess.

B finally got his dissertation mailed but there hasn't been time to hear anything about it.

Our trip to Vermont was just wonderful.  We left here about 8:30 Monday morning and got there about 3:00.  We just poked along and enjoyed the mountains.  I thought Conn. was beautiful but it can't come up to Vermont.  The Swann's house sits on the side of a mountain completely hidden from the road.  There are lots of trees, ferns and rocks all around it so it is cold at night without a fire.  We had one in the fireplace.  There is no other heating system for it's just a summer home.  It is big--5 bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and 3 baths.

We had such a good time that we stayed till Wednesday afternoon and then drove back through New Hampshire.  That is nice country too.  The farm houses were very interesting since house, barn, garage, chicken house and all other out buildings were built in long strings--all attached.  I guess that's because of the bad winters.

Did Buddy & Bessie come up?  Did you ever tell them about the baby?  I never did and am ashamed that I haven't written to them.

Hope you are all fine as we are."

               Lots of love,

                      B & Bonnie

Tomato Preserves I

Combine 4 c. sugar, 1 c. water, 1 lemon, quartered and sliced wafer thin and 1 - 4 to 6 inch cinnamon stick.  Simmer 20 min. and remove cinnamon.  Add 2 qts. skinned tomatoes & boil gently till bright & clear.  Cover and let stand overnight in cool place.  Pack cold tomatoes into jars.  Boil the syrup till thick as honey and pour over tomatoes.  Cover tightly and freeze until ready to use.  

Tomato Preserves II

Mix 6 c. sugar and 2 qts. peeled, chopped tomatoes and let set overnight on counter.  Drain juice and cook fast until thick threads are formed.  Then add I lemon sliced paper thin, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. ginger and tomatoes and cook until thick.   Put into hot glasses and seal with 1/4 inch of paraffin.  After set & cold, put lids on.