May 26, 1956 The Soaking Rain, The Garage Concern, The Dental Work, The Midnight Girls, The Rug Coupons and The Picnic Salad

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We are getting a wonderful, soaking rain and hope you are getting some too.  We are glad to get the rain but B hopes his paint job won't be ruined.  He painted the trim on the south end of the house yesterday afternoon and planned to paint today.  The rain is blowing from the south but maybe the paint is set enough by now.  The 2x4s are still on the roof of the garage and B wanted to paint while he could stand on them.

We are beginning to get concerned about the garage.  The boys will have only two days to work next week and that will be all.  There are enough little odd jobs left about the garage to fill those days without the walk and drive.  The garage is really nice, though and we are lucky to get it done even if we have to do the rest ourselves.  We're just going to wait and see how much the boys get done.

I have been having dental work done and am having that front tooth pulled next week.  The x-ray showed an infection on the root and there is no way to save the tooth.  My dentist said I was lucky to have kept it so long for once a tooth has gone bad it is a risk to keep it.  He will put a temporary bridge in until he can kill the infection and then put in a permanent bridge.  It isn't sore and it doesn't hurt but is beginning to affect the bone and he wanted to get it out as soon as he could.

Bob is in a big recital tomorrow so we have a rehearsal this afternoon.  Ann is going to a birthday party.  Tomorrow we are all going to the recital and then to a picnic for Larsens.  Dr. Larsen is Dean and has been acting president for a year.  He has done such a good job the faculty is having this picnic in their honor.  Over 500 people will be there.  That's a good sized picnic.  I'm going to take a chiffon cake and a salad.

Edna and I entertained some girls here Wednesday night.  They stayed till midnight and it was after 1:00 before we got dishes done.  I was worn out.

I'm sending you all the rug coupons I have.  There is plenty of weight here to order any size rug you want.  Order a small throw rug first, though, so you know what you're getting.  Write on the order that you want the throw rugs for samples but you'll have to pay for them.  You won't have to send any poundage and will have your money refunded when you send them back or you can deduct it from the order for your big rugs.  I asked Toni for rags a long time ago but she hasn't given me any yet.  If she does I'll save them for you.

Your letter hasn't come this week so I'm wondering what you've been up to.  We are all fine and hope you are."

                     Lots of love,

                            Bonnie

NOTE:  Having found the rug coupons in with this letter confirms the suspicion that my grandmother would never purchase rugs with rags--hers or anyone else's.  I could be wrong, but I doubt it!

Bonnie's Favorite Picnic Salad 

Prepare the dressing of 1 T poppy seeds, 1 t salt, 1 T dry mustard, 1 T onion juice, 2/3 c salad oil, 1/3 c vinegar and 1/4 c sugar.  Shake well.  Tear butter lettuce and curly endive (escarole) to make about 8 or more cups of greens.  Add 1 c large curd cottage cheese and 3-5 slices of crisp fried bacon, crumbled.  Toss gently.  Recipe can be doubled.


Cocoa Chiffon Cake:   http://www.annbkennedy.blogspot.com/search?q=Cocoa+Chiffon+Cake