September 12, 1954 A New School Year, Ann's First Perm, A Trip to Starved Rock State Park, Rubbing Off the Cloudiness and Bonnie's Hot Brownie Pudding

Bill, David, Ann, Bobby and Lynn at Starved Rock, Sept. 1954

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Everything seems to be tuned to the beginning of a new school year--even to the weather.  It has been real cold for this time of the year.  The leaves are beginning to turn and fall and it really feels like autumn.  Public schools started last week and ours begins Monday.  Bob registers and then doesn't go back for a few days but is excited about it.  He and Ann both have asked over and over about school starting.  Ann registers on Wednesday.  Our Sunday School opens tomorrow too and if we can get up in time we are going.

Toni gave Ann an end curl and it looks so cute.  It is very soft and looks natural so we hope it stays that way after is it washed.

A mid-century Toni, $1.50 in 1954

We are still cleaning and scraping around.  I'll be glad when I can settle down to just keeping house but there always seems to be a long string of extra things to do.   I haven't accomplished much this week but Monday was so viciously hot that I couldn't work.  Wednesday we and the Wattersons took lunch and spent all day in a state park.  We had such a good time and really made a day of it.  By then it was nice and cool and has stayed that way.

Last night we invited the Rines in to see our pictures.  I made a pudding so we could have a dessert.  It was so late when we finally went to bed that we didn't get up very early so I didn't do much today except wax some furniture.  I really like my little tables we had made in Japan and gave them a good coat of wax.  I used a new liquid called Johnson's Pride.  It goes on so easy and really gives a glow.  It takes about 30 min. to dry hard and then you just rub off the cloudiness.  It really is good stuff and so easy to use.

Maybe there will be more news next week but there just isn't any this week.  Bob has lost two more front teeth and really looks funny with a single one in the middle.  New ones are coming in though, so he'll have more soon.

Take good care of yourselves."

                  Love to both of you,

                          Bonnie

Hot Brownie Pudding

Mix together 2 c flour, 4 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp.  salt, 1-1/2 c sugar, 4 T unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 c. milk, 2 tsp. vanilla, 4 T oil and 1 c nuts.  Put in large pyrex or cake pan (about 9x13).  Mix and sprinkle on 1-1/2 c brown sugar and 1/2 c cocoa.  Pour 3-1/2 c hot water over the top.  Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes.  Serve hot with vanilla ice-cream or whipped cream.  Delicious.