May 17, 1943 The Groceries, The Slow Mail, Chinese Food and Teddy Bears

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It's almost nine o'clock and we just finished supper.  We're worse than some farmers, but we don't do that every night.  Grocery stores are open until 9:00 on Fridays and that is when we do most of our shopping.  It's the only time I get to ride in the car, too.  We certainly envy you of your fresh tomatoes and other vegetables.  We payed .21 a pound for tomatoes yesterday, but got 2 lbs. for a quarter tonight.
Pears are about .06 each for just average size and other fruit is just as high.

Did you get my letter?  I can't understand why you didn't get it because I always write the same day and mail it at the same box.  B's mother said they didn't get their letter this week, either.  We are just fine, so don't worry when our letters are late.  New Haven has been divided into zones so when you write next address our letter to 51 Lake Place, New Haven, 11, Conn.

There isn't any news.  We haven't done much of anything except read.  We have been reading a lot of books and spending quite a lot of time in the library.  Last Saturday night Dave (our Jewish friend) came home with B and he took us to a Chinese restaurant for dinner and then we went to a show.  I really like Chinese food.  I can eat and eat.  Dave is on vacation this week and I think B is lonesome.  They really enjoy one another.

I'm sending Charlotte some teddy bears that we used in the studio.  They are not new but are good toys.  If Beulah thinks they aren't clean enough for her to play with she can throw them away.  I won't care because we would throw them out anyway.  We get new toys once in awhile and my boss asked me if I wanted the teddy bears.

Well, I hope this will reach you on time and you won't be disappointed.  Write again real soon."

                                                       Lots & lots of love,
                             
                                                                      B & Bonnie

Bonnie's Egg Roll Filling

2 c. cooked lean pork, minced                                                                 
1 c. bamboo shoots, drained and minced
2 oz. dried mushrooms, soaked and minced
1 c. bean sprouts, minced
1 can water chestnuts, drained and minced
1 walnut sized onion, minced
2 tsp. peanut oil
2 tsp. sesame seed, browned in a hot skillet
salt to taste
Mix everything together well.  Using hands, squeeze liquid from a handful of filling.  Place on lower center of wrapper.  Fold bottom of wrapper over filling.  Moisten sides of wrapper with egg white.  Fold over sides and roll up.  Moisten last edge with egg white to seal.  Lay rolls on lightly floured board until all are prepared.  Then fry in deep hot fat till golden brown.  Drain.

Bonnie's Egg Foo Yung

Beat 6 eggs till thick.  Add bean sprouts, 1/2 c. diced meat or fish and 1/2 c. finely chopped onion.  
Mix & fry in skillet in bit of oil into 6 or 8 cakes till brown and well set.  Serve with sauce made of 1/2 T soy sauce, 1/2 T molasses, 1 T corn starch and 1 c. chicken broth.    Cook till it thickens and clarifies.