July 9, 1943 Back to Work, The Gas Situation Improves, The Picnic Cakes and Another Letter

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This is some stationary, isn't it?  I always write on Friday night so you can expect my letters on the same day, but Sully came last night and I couldn't write so I thought I could do it before work and I won't take time to get out some better paper.

I went back to work on Tuesday and was glad to go.  B had to work on Monday (the 4th) and I stayed at home all day.  Before the day was over I was so bored with myself I didn't know what to do.  I crocheted or read most of the time and didn't do any sewing at all.

We had a nice letter from Beulah yesterday.  It had been so long since she had written.  B's mother writes every week, faithfully, whether she says anything or not.  I'm so glad Nobel got the car.  It sure is an improvement over what they had, but Beulah said riders had already started hounding them.  They will have to charge a quarter for a round trip.  Ha! I'll bet that would stop it.

B still likes his job fine.  The work isn't hard at all and he's never tired.  All he does is get parts for the assembly line out of the stock room when they need them.  They have big tubs on wheels to haul them in and have cranes to lift heavy parts so he doesn't have to do much lifting.  He works overtime quite often and that means time and a half pay.  His check last week was a little over $40.  The 20% deduction is going to make a difference but will be better in the long run.

It is rumored that the gas situation is easing up and if it does we want to go to Sully's in Norwich, Conn. and go see Kenneth if he's still at Groton.  That would be right on the way.

We have tickets to a play tonight and I guess we'll go.  Sully was going to take us to a movie last night but by the time we had supper it was too late.

It's getting late and I have to be at work at 9:30 this morning so I had better stop.  Hope you both are feeling good.  Take good care of yourselves."

                                        Lots & lots of love,

                                                      B & Bonnie

July 14, 1943

Dear Beulah & Nobel,

"We are just fine and working hard.  It really hurts sometimes to have to get up when the alarm goes off at 6:00 but I get so many things done before I go to work.  B usually gets home about 4:30 but sometimes he works overtime (until about 5:00).  He gets time and a half for overtime and mother probably told you he got a raise.  He likes the fellows he works with and his best friend out there is a Jewish boy.  He is very nice.

You think you're smart, don't you, with that new car?  I'm so glad you got it.  I told Mother you ought to charge a quarter for riders.

Beulah

How is Charlotte?  Does she have all of her teeth?  Does her hair get any darker and how long is it?  I wouldn't want you to cut it, but send me a snapshot the next time you take some.

How is the sewing coming along?  I don't have much time to sew.  I thought I might sew a little during my vacation but didn't.  Before my vacation was over I was so bored with myself I could hardly stand it.

What did you serve to your club?  The Dames are having a picnic tomorrow night.  I'm hostess and there wasn't much else we could do.  If it rains we'll be stuck.  I'm going to take some cakes and I'm wondering how I'll get them on the streetcar.  B wants me to take that little suitcase of yours.  Wouldn't I look funny?  Ha! I would be a sight to see, if the thing came open and those bottles started rolling out.

The next time you write to me, make a list of things you want to tell me, so you won't forget any thing.

Make Mother & Daddy take care of themselves.  I wish I could see them more often.  Answer real soon."

                                                          Worlds of love,

                                                                      B & Bonnie
Orange Slice Cake

Cream together 1 c. oleo, 2 c. sugar, and 4 eggs.  Add alternately 1 c. buttermilk with 3-1/2 c. flour and 1 tsp. soda.  Add 2 tsp. grated orange rind, 2 cu. chopped pecans,  2 c. flaked coconut, 1# chopped dates and 1# chopped orange slice candy.  Bake in greased tube pan 2 hrs. @ 300 or till it pulls away from sides and is brown.  May take longer.  Loosen sides with spatula setting pan in hot water a few minutes to help loosen cake.  Turn out.  Make topping by mixing together 2 c. sugar, 1 c. orange juice and 1 T grated orange rind.  

Eggless White Texas Cake

Boil 1 c. water and 2 sticks oleo.  Add 1/2 c. buttermilk and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Mix 2 c. sugar, 2c. + 2T flour, 1 tsp. soda and a dash of salt.  Mix into other ingredients until smooth.  Pour in greased/floured jelly roll pan.  Bake 25 min. @ 350.  Make frosting:  Boil 1 stick oleo with 4 T milk.  Add 3-3/4 c. confectioners sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Beat until smooth and pour over cake.  Optional: 1 c. chopped nuts.