home economics « Modern Retro Woman

The Contemporary Conventional Home in 1958

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on March 19th, 2012%

This type of home is best exemplified by the average real estate dealer’s offering in a city or suburban development. House is usually pretty new, though it may need some repairs. Designed for efficient modern life, although rooms are likely to be small and boxlike compared with older houses. Many electrical gadgets to reduce the . . . → Read More: The Contemporary Conventional Home in 1958

You Have Taste-Develop Confidence In It

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on March 5th, 2012%

Whether you believe it or not–and whether you like it or not–you have taste. You may prefer chocolate ice cream to vanilla, a vacation at the seashore to one in the mountains, or fluffy ruffles to severe pleats–and everyone has a favorite color. So you have taste, but do you have confidence in it? Perhaps . . . → Read More: You Have Taste-Develop Confidence In It

Bear Rug, Optional

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on February 13th, 2012%

{The ultimate romantic getaway is right at home…}

Photo credits (all from Flickr.com): Upper left: Better Homes & Gardens, January, 1951; SaltyCotton Upper right: Household Magazine, 1952; SaltyCotton Mid-left: Better Homes and Gardens, 1961; Vintage Goodness Mid-center: Fireplace; t conway Mid-right: Better Homes and Gardens, 1961: Vintage Goodness Lower left: Better Homes . . . → Read More: Bear Rug, Optional

Modern Retro Recipe: Pizza Rustica

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on February 7th, 2012%

Dear Friends,

Like many people from large families, we draw names for Christmas gifts and put a $20-25 limit on how much we can spend on the gift (either for the actual gift or the supplies for said gift). This past Christmas, my youngest sister drew my name.

When I was spending a couple of . . . → Read More: Modern Retro Recipe: Pizza Rustica

When It Comes to Cotton, Use Chlorine Bleach Sparingly

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on January 24th, 2012%

Clorox bleach advertisement, c. 1960s; Image courtesy of bluwmongoose on Flickr.com

This post is inspired by a comment left on Home Ec 101′s Facebook page in response to her post about why we should wash our sheets regularly. The commenter said she washes her sheets every week with bleach..

I fell for the ads. . . . → Read More: When It Comes to Cotton, Use Chlorine Bleach Sparingly

Why I Gave Up Tide Detergent (And All of the Others, Too)

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on January 23rd, 2012%

I’m pretty sure I gasped quite loudly. Certainly, the lady standing near me in the laundry aisle turned and looked at me with a questioning look on her face. The price tag for the Tide Free and Gentle laundry detergent was almost $18.00. Over 40¢ a load. But I knew the other detergents either irritated . . . → Read More: Why I Gave Up Tide Detergent (And All of the Others, Too)

Just Add One Firkin of Lemon Lime Soda to One Runlet of Cranberry Juice

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on January 19th, 2012%

Mystery Salad recipe found in my grandmother's green recipe box. Personal collection.

Dear Friends,

Unearthing old family or magazine recipes can be fun. But they often cause consternation because they use measurement terms that aren’t common anymore. For instance, if you use the recipe in the title, you will end up with 27 gallons . . . → Read More: Just Add One Firkin of Lemon Lime Soda to One Runlet of Cranberry Juice

1961 Built-In Home Office

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on January 16th, 2012%

Better Homes and Gardens, 1961 – Built-in Office; Image courtesy of VintageGoodness on Flickr.com

I’ve been attacking paperwork all weekend. The Mister and I have been wondering if the advent of computers has actually made life more complex rather than simple.

My grandparents had a built-in desk . . . → Read More: 1961 Built-In Home Office

Super Bowl Party Ideas

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on January 10th, 2012%

Hosting a Super Bowl party? No need to buy those cheap plastic football doo-dads at Party City! Go retro with these football party ideas…

Special Cheese Tray Idea, c1964; From 50 Wonderful Ways To Use Cheese, a promotional booklet put out by The American Dairy Association; "Football fans will tear down the grandstand– . . . → Read More: Retro Super Bowl Party Ideas

Let Us Make Bread Together (On Our Knees) Part 2

By Dr. Julie-Ann, on January 5th, 2012%

When we left my bread making adventure the other day, we wondered whether the bread would continue to rise enough for us to have it with dinner that night.

It didn’t.

Around 6:00, the dough had finally risen.

Punched down and shaped before resting for 15 minutes.

Dough cut into four . . . → Read More: Let Us Make Bread Together (On Our Knees) Part 2

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