January 29, 1947 Eight Ate, Don't Listen, The Best Laid Plans, Full Drawers, Chocolate Cake and Candied Sweet Potatoes

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I'm being sort of lazy this week since I got the pantry painted and got our entertaining done.  We had our party Sunday evening and everything turned out fine.  Mr. Rollins could not come so there were eight of us which made it a little easier.  Our guests sent us a beautiful azalea plant so we used that for a centerpiece with white candles.  It had oodles of pink blossoms and is such a nice one.  We ate cafeteria style.  The men ate on a card table and the rest of us used our little tables so everything was fine.  They all seemed to think we were awfully brave to have all of them here at the same time but it wasn't so hard.  B showed the pictures after we ate and we visited the rest of the time.  Aggie has lots of nice things and I went down there and got all the things I didn't have.  I told B it was certainly nice to have a reserve supply like that.  I baked the ham Friday and we had that sliced cold.  Then I had candied sweet potatoes, whole green beans, pineapple-cheese salad, hot rolls, olives, chocolate cake and almond ice cream and coffee.  Everything tasted real good.

I'm so glad you have found a lot and am extra glad you didn't buy a farm.  The thoughts of you two on a farm worried me but I had decided you were old enough to know what you could do.  It is better for you to decide what you want to do anyway instead of listening to other people.  Have you made any plans about the house?  I'll be anxious to hear.  There isn't much chance that you'll have it finished by next summer but we can talk about and maybe plan some of the decorating when I'm home.  Why don't you send for every free or .10 booklet on decorating that you see advertised.  You might get some good ideas there.

I'm so sorry about Hortense's baby but I can't see why she didn't go to a navy hospital.

Have you got the package yet?  I hope it gets there without breaking.  You had better check the address you put on our letters.  The last one you sent to New Berlin.  It is East Berlin.

There is still a little ice here and there but it's like spring and there is lots of mud now.

I was thinking again last night how good it was to have been home Christmas even if things didn't go as we planned.  The Christmas tree with lights and being with all of you meant so much.

We are really enjoying our desk.  The one we bought was fine so we kept it and saved $10.  It has 7 drawers and we already have most of them full.

I hope to hear from you soon.  Hope you are both fine.  How are your feet, Mother?"

                 Lots of love,

                      B & Bonnie

Half-Hour Chocolate Cake aka Economy Chocolate Cake (The Joy of Cooking, 1946)

It is claimed that the following cake can be prepared, baked and iced in one-half hour and the claim is justified.

Melt then cool, 2 oz. chocolate.  Sift 1 c. sugar.  Beat well 2 T soft butter and 1 egg.  Add the sifted sugar gradually.  Beat these ingredients well with a wire whisk.  Sift before measuring 1 c. cake flour.  Resift with 1 tsp. any baking powder and 1/4 tsp. salt.  Combine 3/4 c. milk and 1 tsp. vanilla.  Add the sifted ingredients to the egg mixture in 3 parts alternately with thirds of the combined liquids.  Beat the batter until it is smooth with a wire whisk.  Add the cooled chocolate.  Bake the cake in a greased 7 inch ring mold in a moderate oven 350 for about 25 minutes.  Spread it while it is hot with chocolate icing or serve plain with ice cream.

Maple Sweet Potatoes

Peel & slice 1/4" thick 4 lbs. sweet potatoes.  Overlap slices in a baking dish.  Mix & pour over slices 1/3 c. maple syrup, 1/4 c. melted oleo, 1/4 c. orange juice, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon and 1/2 tsp. salt.  (Sprinkle on 2 T dried tarragon if desired).  Cover with foil.  Bake 45-60 min. at 350 or till they can be easily pierced with a fork.  Uncover and bake 20-25 min. more to glaze & get golden on edges.  Baste during baking as needed. 


Glazed Sweet Potatoes

In large skillet, mix 1 c. boiling water, 1/4 c. brown sugar (packed), dash salt and a 3 oz. pkg. of orange or peach jello.  Bring to a boil and add 4 T butter.  Add 2 lbs. cooked, sliced sweet potatoes or use canned.  Bring to boil, turn heat to simmer.  Baste often & cook till syrup is thick and potatoes are well glazed. 


Honey & Cinnamon Candied Yams for 12

Put 6 cooked yams or sweet potatoes cut in halves in buttered casserole.  Dissolve 1-1/2 T cornstarch in 2 T cold water.  Combine & bring to boil 1-1/2 c. honey, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/8 tsp. nutmeg, 1-1/2 tsp. grated lemon rind, 1/4 c. orange juice and 1 tsp. salt.  Add cornstarch and cook till thick and clear.  Remove from heat.  Add 6 T butter, stir to melt.  Pour over potatoes.  Bake 15 min. @ 375.