March 11, 1944 Still Busy, Income Taxes, The Federal Hospital, Tablecloths and Pudding

Dear Mother & Daddy,

Courtesy of Bonnie's HS Yearbook

"This has been a busy day.  I've been trying to catch up on last week's work.  I have cleaned the house, scrubbed and waxed the kitchen floor, washed a lot of my clothes, made a pudding and then took a bath.  That's a pretty good day's work, don't you think?  We are expecting Sully and Bea down next weekend.

We plan to spend tomorrow afternoon making out our income tax reports.  B has figured it several times and we are filing separate returns on the short form.  Our total income was about $3200. and the tax is $388. on that, but since we had payed some, (or had it taken out) it leaves B to pay $178. and I get a $20. refund.  No telling when I'll get it though.

B enjoyed his trip to New York.  He met several of today's greatest educators.  They spent the entire day at Columbia University but we are going to go when we can go sight seeing.

We enjoy having the Springfield paper.  The Federal Hospital is having a time, isn't it?  There was an article about it in our New Haven paper the other day.

I finally got my tablecloth and napkins from Sears.  They're real nice and look a bit like linen.  I ordered a cheap bedspread too.  It is sort of rosy color and striped but doesn't look bad in the bedroom.  My chenille one is so dirty I was ashamed to use it any longer without washing it.  I just gave $1.45 for the spread but it would surprise you how well it looks for that.  The problem now is to wash the chenille one.

Yes, we use our car everyday.  We have to.  B has to be at Hopkins early in the morning and teaches until almost time for a class at Yale.  He would never make it on the bus so the board gave him gas to drive.  He usually takes me to school on the way to Hopkins.

What is wrong with Charlotte?  Is it colds or what?  She seems to be sick a lot.  Is Daddy feeling any better?  I think he should go back to the Doctor in St. Louis.  They seemed to help him the last time.   It isn't very pleasant to feel bad all of the time.

I have to go to the store so I had better stop and start or all the vegetables will be picked over.  I never know what to buy.

Write soon.  Tell Grandma "Happy Birthday".  I meant to send her a card and didn't have a chance to get one."

                                                            Oodles of love,

                                                                        B & Bonnie

Banana Bread Pudding

Soak 2 c. stale bread crumbs packed in 2 c. scalded milk.  Add 1/4 c. oleo and let it melt.  Beat in 1 mashed banana, 1/4 c. sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt and 2 eggs.  Bake 1 hr. @ 325 or till knife comes out clean from center.  Good with ice cream or sauce.

Sauce for Bread Pudding
Mix and cook till thick, 1/2 c. sugar, 1 T cornstarch, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1 c. milk or water, 1/4 c. oleo and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Pour over hot pudding.

Mabel Ann

Mabel Ann's Chocolate Berkshire Pudding

Mix  1 cup sugar with 3/4 c. butter or oleo.  Melt and cool 3 squares unsweetened chocolate.  Add to butter mixture.  Add 4 eggs, one at a time, beating 5 minutes after each egg on no. 4 speed.  Add 1 tsp. vanilla and 1/2 c. chopped nuts.  Crush vanilla wafers and spread on bottom of pan, pour in mixture, sprinkle with more crumbs and chill.

 NOTE from Ann:  The Federal Hospital Bonnie commented on refers to O'Reilly General Hospital which was in operation only from 1941-46 to serve wounded WWII soldiers.  The hospital had 6,000 beds and served 50,000 patients by the end of the war.  It was built only as a temporary facility and the barracks were permanently closed in 1952.  The property was obtained by Evangel University.  None of the original buildings remain.                        

http://www.evangel.edu/PhotoBlog/display.asp?year=other&date=oreilly