April 22, 1943 War Bonds, Malley's, Butter and More Oatmeal Cookies

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Well, I was certainly surprised to find a letter from you tonight.  There really isn't any news.  B has gone to school and I'm alone.  I'm making oatmeal cookies so that will probably take most of my evening.  I was supposed to go to the Dames tonight but it's raining and the meeting was to be held in a private home and I didn't exactly know where to go so I decided not to go.  It has rained every day this week so I haven't washed yet.

You're going to have a sweet time putting your garden out the second time, aren't you?

I'll bet Charlotte's coat is cute.  I sent her a dress and I guess she has it by now.  It isn't made very well but I have such a little time to make any thing that it took me about a month to make it.  I hope it fits.  The pattern was a 2 but looked awfully big.  B said she would have to grow into it.

Oh!  How I wish we had some of that butter you churned.  It would really hit the spot.

I'll probably write again about Monday so answer soon."

                                                 Lots and lots of love,

                                                                  B & Bonnie

The clipping reads:

"He was a working man--a little ill at ease--holding a child by the hand.  Hesitatingly he spoke, in English a little broken, to a worker at the War Savings Booth.  "You got bonds, lady?  I like to buy a bond."  "Yes, indeed," she said.  "Did you want a $25.00 Bond?"  He straightened up a little.  "No, ma'am.  A $500.00 bond, I buy, please.  See, here is the money--three hundred and seventy-five dollars."   And he dumped it on the counter.  A paper bag--just an ordinary sugar sack from the grocery store--filled with 3,750 dimes.  Some of them rolled out, and he picked them up in his hand.  "See, every 10 cents I save.  Two years I save all the 10 centses.  Now I buy a bond to help the soldiers.   I read the paper.  The soldiers, they need more guns."  By and by, the Government pay back.  Me, I want my baby here to have money.  You make the bond for my baby, lady, please.  Two and a half she is, my little girl."  

P.S.  It really happened--last week at the War Savings Booth in Malley's.  We counted the 3, 750 dimes.  All we can say is, "He's a REAL AMERICAN."  How about you?"   


Bonnie's Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Beat till smooth, 1/2 c. oleo, 1/2 c. peanut butter, 1 c. white sugar, 1 c. brown sugar, 1/4 c. milk, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla.  Add, 1-3/4 c. flour, 1 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. salt.  Stir in 2-1/2 c. oatmeal, 1/2 c. choc.bits and 1/2 c. raisins, if desired.  Drop by rounded tsps. 3" apart on ungreased sheet.  Bake 15 min. at 350.  Remove to rack to cool.  Let cool on pan a tiny bit & then loosen carefully with spatula.  Large, flat, rather chewy cookie.