Comments on: Let’s Pretend http://modernretrowoman.com/2010/03/08/lets-pretend/ Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:05:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: molly b http://modernretrowoman.com/2010/03/08/lets-pretend/comment-page-1/#comment-3418 molly b Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:42:40 +0000 http://modernretrowoman.com/?p=949#comment-3418 Menu I was my mother's default "people are stopping in on the way through town" menu. That typically happened on a Sunday evening, as we were about three or four hours from most of the relatives, so they'd go see somebody else and then stop in for sandwiches and cookies before heading home. She also had a lasagna recipe that was a standby, because it was easy to put together on Saturday and then stick in the oven on Sunday evening. I suspect that travelers dreaded the lasagna meal, because I noticed the last time I made it that it causes terrible heartburn in people over 35. :-) Menu I was my mother’s default “people are stopping in on the way through town” menu. That typically happened on a Sunday evening, as we were about three or four hours from most of the relatives, so they’d go see somebody else and then stop in for sandwiches and cookies before heading home.

She also had a lasagna recipe that was a standby, because it was easy to put together on Saturday and then stick in the oven on Sunday evening. I suspect that travelers dreaded the lasagna meal, because I noticed the last time I made it that it causes terrible heartburn in people over 35. :-)

]]> By: Dr. Julie-Ann http://modernretrowoman.com/2010/03/08/lets-pretend/comment-page-1/#comment-3329 Dr. Julie-Ann Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:25:14 +0000 http://modernretrowoman.com/?p=949#comment-3329 Hey guys, I didn't mean to abandon you all! Kathy is right--I was hoping I'd be all caught up with myself today but it looks like it will be another day or two and then I can get back to writing again. Hey guys, I didn’t mean to abandon you all! Kathy is right–I was hoping I’d be all caught up with myself today but it looks like it will be another day or two and then I can get back to writing again.

]]> By: Kathy Warnock http://modernretrowoman.com/2010/03/08/lets-pretend/comment-page-1/#comment-3328 Kathy Warnock Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:26 +0000 http://modernretrowoman.com/?p=949#comment-3328 Hi Ann! I'm so glad you ordered the Omnibus. I was afraid I might be the only participant. I think Dr. J. is really busy right now so I'm reading "on my own." I like your observation -- "no wow factor." How true! With the exception of the meatloaf, the menus seemed more like one might serve at a ladies' luncheon. I'm not sure if we established whether or not we were inviting the guys to this party. Hi Ann! I’m so glad you ordered the Omnibus. I was afraid I might be the only participant. I think Dr. J. is really busy right now so I’m reading “on my own.”

I like your observation — “no wow factor.” How true! With the exception of the meatloaf, the menus seemed more like one might serve at a ladies’ luncheon. I’m not sure if we established whether or not we were inviting the guys to this party.

]]> By: Ann http://modernretrowoman.com/2010/03/08/lets-pretend/comment-page-1/#comment-3311 Ann Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:52:29 +0000 http://modernretrowoman.com/?p=949#comment-3311 Ok Kathy - I love your reply. What always strikes me when I visit someones home is a calm hostess. For some reason, I think this is the missing link for American hostesses. My copy of the Ommibus came yesterday! I got a hard copy from amazon, and it smells nice and old. My vote for the winter menu is III - with the meal loaf, potato salad and beans. My vote for the summer menu is II - with all the finger sandwiches. These menu's do seem really simple and "doable". I don't think the modern american would consider these menu's for winter because it doesn't seem "enough", no "wow factor", but maybe we don't do causual entertaining like these girls. Or, maybe the menus are designed for students so the wouldn't be intimidated. Ann Ok Kathy – I love your reply. What always strikes me when I visit someones home is a calm hostess. For some reason, I think this is the missing link for American hostesses.

My copy of the Ommibus came yesterday! I got a hard copy from amazon, and it smells nice and old.

My vote for the winter menu is III – with the meal loaf, potato salad and beans.

My vote for the summer menu is II – with all the finger sandwiches.

These menu’s do seem really simple and “doable”. I don’t think the modern american would consider these menu’s for winter because it doesn’t seem “enough”, no “wow factor”, but maybe we don’t do causual entertaining like these girls. Or, maybe the menus are designed for students so the wouldn’t be intimidated.

Ann

]]> By: Kathy Warnock http://modernretrowoman.com/2010/03/08/lets-pretend/comment-page-1/#comment-3218 Kathy Warnock Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:43:37 +0000 http://modernretrowoman.com/?p=949#comment-3218 A friend told me that after World War II the American menu changed, apparently influenced by travel. Before that our food was rather plain. It was interesting to see the five menus posted, and I wouldn't expect young people today to find them inspiring. My standards for entertaining? I try to see my house and the event through the eyes of my guests and "put my best foot forward." Readiness is key. I want my house to be clean and orderly, and of course, that applies especially to the kitchen. I want to appear calm, collected, appropriately dressed, and in control. I want the food to please. I will have planned how to serve the meal and prepared as much in advance as possible. Hopefully, I will have done as much as possible without a "meltdown," but I have had plenty of meltdowns trying to put on the perfect event. A friend told me that after World War II the American menu changed, apparently influenced by travel. Before that our food was rather plain. It was interesting to see the five menus posted, and I wouldn’t expect young people today to find them inspiring.

My standards for entertaining? I try to see my house and the event through the eyes of my guests and “put my best foot forward.” Readiness is key. I want my house to be clean and orderly, and of course, that applies especially to the kitchen. I want to appear calm, collected, appropriately dressed, and in control. I want the food to please. I will have planned how to serve the meal and prepared as much in advance as possible. Hopefully, I will have done as much as possible without a “meltdown,” but I have had plenty of meltdowns trying to put on the perfect event.

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