September 24, 1949 The Football Game, The Tea, The Club, and Apple and Bread Pie

Image from The Index, 1949

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Bobby is asleep and B's getting ready to go to the football game.  Bobby has a cold and has been upset most of the week but is on the mend now.  Yesterday he didn't nap at all and the Wattersons ate supper with us last night so he didn't get in bed until about 8:00.  B is on the Athletic committee at school so we got passes for all the games of the year.  I probably won't use mine much but B can take Jim or Watty on it when I don't go. 

We are going to a tea tomorrow at the home of the department head.  I have a new bright green dress and a grey hat.  That's all I'm buying for fall.  The hat is small with a great big feather--real pretty.

We finally ordered a double utility cabinet for the kitchen.  It hasn't come yet.  We just couldn't find a base cabinet the right width to go by the sink so I bought an oilcloth for the table and can use that for work space.

I wish I could be at your club.  What are you having to eat?  How about apple pie, a wedge of cheese and coffee?  Toni is going to serve that at the Mother's club Tues. night.

B got the steps painted and they sure look better.  We have got a lot of little jobs done and he's been polishing the car this morning.  We hope to start on the woodwork soon.  I canned four quarts of pears one night and they sure are good.  They were so ripe that I just let them boil and then canned them.  I guess they will keep.  We put the radio on the wall next to the dining room and the chair where it was.  It is a real improvement.

I must get busy and iron as much as I can.  I washed Monday but haven't ironed a bit because of Bobby's cold.

Hope you both are fine." 

               Lots & lots of love,

                       B, Bonnie & Bobby

NOTE from Ann:  In the national news on Sept. 24, 1949, Truman announced that an atomic explosion had occurred in the USSR.  Use the link for details.  http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nukevault/ebb286/index.htm

And from the L.A. Times:

For four years after the U.S. dropped atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II, America held a monopoly on the production of atomic weapons. On September 24, 1949, however, news of a Soviet Union nuclear weapons test shocked the nation. The following April, a National Security Council report to President Harry S. Truman advised development of a hydrogen bomb—some 1,000 times more destructive than an atom bomb—and a massive buildup of non-nuclear defenses. The subsequent outbreak of war in Korea in June 1950 justified to many increased defense spending. When fighting reached a stalemate, some in politics and the military—including General Douglas MacArthur, head of the Far East command—advocated the use of atomic weapons against targets in China. Although the Korean War was fought solely with conventional weapons, peace came only after the Eisenhower administration threatened to use nuclear weapons. 

Apple and Bread Pie   

Cut the crusts from 10 slices of white bread.  Butter 5 slices on both sides.  Line a 10" pie pan with the 5 buttered slices by pressing into the pan firmly.  Fill this with 3 layers of a total of 5 large very thinly sliced apples, 1/2 c. orange marmalade and 1/2 c. sugar.  Tear 5 more slices of bread into bits and scatter on top.  Totally cover apples and marmalade.  Pour on 2 T dark rum.  Dot with butter and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake @ 375 for 40 min. and test apples for doneness.  Top will be very crisp.  Very good with sharp cheddar.