“IN the primitive days of our grandfathers’ time, When the fire-place, genial and bright, Its cavernous recesses glowing with flame, Filled the old-fashioned kitchen with light;” Taken from a poem by Lizzie Clark Hardy 1877 Kitchens have changed dramatically since the early days of the 19th century. They were simpleContinue Reading

Winter has brought the nuisance of dried & chapped skin for centuries! Here are 2 historic recipes for balms one might have used over 200 years ago! Continue Reading

I’ve wandered to the village, Tom, I’ve sat beneath the tree, Upon the schoolhouse playground, that sheltered you and me; But none were there to greet me, Tom; and few were left to know, Who played with us upon that green some forty years ago. The grass is just asContinue Reading

Nine dishes and two courses is a lot of food! Here is an example of a bill of fare for January – December. They were to be arranged on the table in the order shown in the picture. Continue Reading

The old loaf sugar came from wooden molds that were conical shaped. Thus they themselves were cone shaped and a cook would have to pound the loaf to get loose sugar for cooking. They had to use special tongs/cutters to break of pieces of the loaf for consumption. The FrugalContinue Reading