October 8, 1949 Taking Advantage, Bound and Down, French Apple Pie, Blackberry Jelly and Chicken Salad

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The sun is out at last and we have all the windows open it's so warm.  This has been a dark, miserable week so when it got warm we decided to take advantage of it and paint the woodwork.  The dining room is done and we had hoped to do the living room but are just too tired.  We probably won't do more than those two rooms.

We just about have all our furniture--no utility cabinet or chair for Bobby yet.  We bought a cocktail chair to put by the radio--mahogany frame with green leaf on grey upholstery.  It is real pretty and adds lots to the room.  The rugs are bound and down now.  I took Bobby's bookcase and put it in the hall in front of the dining room door.  It is nice there and we'll get a smaller one for him--an unpainted one.  We bought the used couch and I'll slipcover it in red Indianhead.  The construction is good but it is pretty dirty--people lived by the tracks and it is coal dust.  It is like Beulah's except it makes a bed but I took the pillows to the attic and won't use them.  I finally got the footstool covered like the green striped chair in the living room.

Toni is going to give me a permanent tomorrow so the boys can watch the kids.  Then we'll eat supper with them.  I'm to take the salad and dessert--think I'll make apple pie.

My sitter has a cold and hasn't been here all week.  I hope she comes next week.

Did Beulah like the dress I sent her?  I did and wished after I was home that I had bought me one like it.  I wish I could have made it for her.

I made a batch of jelly out of the blackberry juice B's mom gave me.  It turned out real nice.

I'm glad the roach spray worked so well.  Did I tell you that your subscription to Consumers would begin with the book just about Christmas time?

Your club refreshments sound so good.  I haven't had a chicken sandwich in ages.  I know you had a nice time.

I'm going to put the utility cabinet on that wall by the stove--the only place left for it in the kitchen--if it ever comes.  I ordered from the store over the phone from an ad and they hadn't arrived.  We asked about it again and they said they had been in transit for 3 weeks and were probably lost.  No telling when it will come.

Hope you are both fine."

                 Lots of love,

                         B, Bonnie & Bobby

NOTE from Ann:  Consumers Union and the publication of Consumer Reports magazine began in 1936.  For a timeline and a look at some of the earliest product reviews, use the link.  B & Bonnie subscribed for over 60 years.   http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/aboutus/history/printable/1940/index.htm

Favorite French Apple Pie

Prepare a 10" crust.  Mix together well, 6 c. thinly sliced apples, 3/4 c. sugar, 1/4 c. flour, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1 tsp. cinnamon and a pinch of salt.  Pack into crust.  Mix together 1 c. flour, 1/2 c. cold butter and 1/2 c. packed brown sugar.  Put on top of apples and pat down firmly.  Bake for 10 min. at 450, then reduce heat to 350 and bake 30-40 min. more till crust is brown and apples test done with a toothpick.

Blackberry Jelly

Strain blackberry juice through several layers of cheesecloth.  Mix in about 3 c. sugar to every quart of juice.  Stir until sugar dissolves then boil rapidly to jelly stage.  Pour into hot jelly glasses.  When set, seal with hot paraffin and cover with lids.  Note:  Juice can be extracted from berries more than once, but it will not be as clear the second time.  For berry juices that need more flavor, juice extracted from apples can be added.  

Chicken Salad for Sandwiches

Stew a whole chicken and chop meat into very fine pieces.  Mix dark and white meat well.  Add just enough mayonnaise to bind the meat lightly.  Add finely chopped celery and a small amount of finely chopped onion.  Stir in toasted, slivered almonds, golden raisins, chopped apple, chopped parsley and salt and pepper to taste.  Remove crust from firm white bread, butter bread and spread with chicken mixture.  Cut into quarters and serve.