Dear Mother & Daddy,
"I can't remember whether I thanked you for the Springfield paper or not. We did enjoy it but we just don't know anyone there anymore.
Bobby's snowsuit still hasn't come so I guess I'll have to see if I can find one in Bloomington for his old one is just too little to feel right or look right.
I have done most of my Xmas shopping from the catalog but all of it hasn't come so I don't know whether I'll get it all or not. We don't plan much for the kids. Ann is too little and Bobby's birthday is so soon after Xmas. We may get him a big wagon then but have some blue jeans, a toy filling station and a gumball bank for his Xmas. We are getting Ann a teddy bear and some rubber toys. That will probably be all. You asked for suggestions. An airplane or big ball would suit Bobby. Ann needs a bank or just money would be fine.
You can always get B and me underwear or B needs ties. A little pocket knife would suit B too. I'd like a flour sifter, too. You know I'm still using that tiny one Beulah gave me when I got married. I expect they cost too much now, though, to even think about. Everything gets higher and higher.
Our furniture may not get here before Xmas. It comes from the factory and I don't know how long it will take for it will have to be made up.Do you remember what office Buddy had in Masons? B was approached the other day but hasn't done anything about it. I'd like him to join and have been after him to, so he may after the first of the year. He has also been invited into the Torch society. It is a national organization of professional men (Drs., Lawyers, Professors, etc.) and they are just organizing one in Bloomington.
Your lavender dress sounds pretty. A shirtwaist is hard to beat.
We plan to stay with you Xmas so we'll probably be at B's Xmas day. You plan our Xmas for any other day you want if that is all right with everyone else. I do hope we don't have slick roads. It won't be long before we'll see you.
Love,
Bonnie
I have the makings of a fruitcake to bring home if I ever get it put together."
December 16, 1950
Dear Mother & Daddy,
"I'm afraid I won't get far with this but we went over to school last night and I didn't get this done. B is judging debates at school this morning and Bobby is wanting my pencil.
I had to stop for lunch and then make formula. It sure is a nuisance to have to mix and boil that dry skimmed milk but every other milk (even evaporated skimmed milk) upsets Ann.
My Xmas shopping is all done. Bobby and I finished it yesterday. I got the fruitcake made too. If the weather isn't too bad we plan to come home on Friday before Christmas. I hope we don't have more snow. We have had a big one and it has been bitter cold. The streets are still too slippery for me to drive. Bobby and I went to town on the bus. He loves to ride on the bus.
B has gone to take pictures of the Wheeler kids now and Bobby is supposed to be asleep but keeps asking for drinks, etc. He was up before 6:00 too. He asked B how Santa got down the chimney and he also wanted B to show him how a fly walks around the door facing.
Tony gave me a new permanent this week but she sure got is short. It will be better after it's washed, I know.
You and B's mom can settle the Xmas dinner business before we come because Rosalynn and Mabel will want to plan theirs too.
Jim and Eve finally moved into a decent house. It is a University house and the only drawback is 15 boys upstairs. They don't have to do anything about the boys rooms though--the University has a man to do that. Eve is so happy. I think she is warm for the first time since she came here. They almost froze in that other house. The wind just came through the walls.
You ought to try the recipe for Panettone in the Dec. McCalls. It is real good and makes 3 nice loaves.
There just isn't any more news so see you soon."
Lots of love,
B, Bonnie & Babies
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| From the "If You Ask Me" feature by E.R., Dec. McCalls, 1950 |
And for further comments about Franco, Dec. 14, 1950 My Day column:
http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1950&_f=md001778
I second her comment wholeheartedly, a shirtwaist dress is hard to beat. They're a cornerstone of my (vintage) wardrobe, too, and a piece that I think will always work wonders for us gals during the daytime hours.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, dear Ann, for your wonderfully lovely comment on my vintage car show post today. The cars were amazing indeed, and by far the largest number of vintage vehicles I've ever been around at one time. I really am counting down the days until next year's Beach Cruise event.
♥ Jessica