November 12, 1942 The Missed Tolstoy Discussion, Being a Photographer and Having Bacon and Lard

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The Dames had their group meeting last night and tonight but they are too far from here to walk.  It was raining too hard last night for me to go anyway.

I know how to take pictures now and how to load and unload film.  The other day a girl called that she was coming in for some pictures in an evening dress.  When she came I was by myself and awfully busy.  She was in a hurry so I had to take the pictures.  The proofs came in day-before-yesterday and she liked them so well that she ordered $25.00 worth.  I was really thrilled.

I don't know about the lard, but we still get bacon once in awhile.  We go to the A&P and I guess they recognize B now because they got him a pound of bacon out of the back the other day and coffee too.  We gave .31 for the bacon which is awfully cheap and .13 for half a pound of coffee.  I still have some of the lard you gave me when we started up here.  You see, we don't have french fries anymore.

We are planning a big trip for Thanksgiving Day.  We haven't been out in the car for quite awhile, so we're saving up gas to go to Boston."

                      Loads of love,

                              B & Bonnie

Pie Crust for 1 pie with lattice top

Mix 1-1/2 cup flour with 1/2 tsp. salt.
Cut in 1/2 cup lard and add 1/4 cup hot water.
Form into ball.  Refrigerate until firm.  Roll.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup bacon fat and 1 cup shortening
1-1/4 c. white sugar
1-1/4 c. brown sugar packed
3 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
1-3/4 c. white flour
1-3/4 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. wheat germ
1/2 c. powdered milk
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt 
2 cups chocolate bits and 2 cups nuts
Combine fats and sugars.  Cream & add eggs & vanilla.  Beat smooth.  Add bits and nuts.
Drop by tsp. on greased sheet.
Bake 10 min at 375.