A "Sample" of the book!

Sewing tip 1887 ~ When mending in the evening, place a large sheet of white paper on the table. The light of the candle shining on the white paper gives extra light and is a great help for threading needles.

Removing Mud 1902 ~ Slices of raw potatoes are wonderful helps in removing mud stains. Potato takes these stains out of wood materials and will remove them from tan shoes. Just rub on the moist side, changing to a clean slice when soiled.

Cake Tester 1908 ~ I find a toothpick a very handy cake-tester. I keep a box on hand in the kitchen and when baking have several on the baking-table so that they can be picked up quickly. When one stopsIn the Windy Springtime. Keep the mouth closed and breathe through the nose, otherwise dust germs of all sorts find free access to the lungs and start irritations of the mucous membrane of the nose, throat, and bronchial tubes. This is what usually causes head colds, sore throats, and coughs in the spring – this bad breathing habit. Whirling dust inflames the eyelids. Bathe the eyes carefully in hot and then cold water at night. Do not let the children go to bed with eyes (or finger nails) uncleansed. to think, a broom straw is not a bit sanitary, besides pulling them out of the broom soon mutilates it.

Cold at Night? (1900) If your honey is not available – lie flat on your back with your arms by your side and stretched full length. Blood should circulate better and you’ll be warm. If it doesn’t work you might be dead. (Submitted by Joette Knapp – from my great aunt Elsie Knapp in New York). Joette said “this works”.


Butter ~ While the milking of your cows is going on, let your pans be placed in a kettle of boiling water. Strain the milk into one of the pans taken hot from the kettle, and cover the same with another of the hot pans, and proceed in like manner with the whole mess of milk, and you will find that you will have double the quantity of good rich cream, and get double the quantity of sweet delicious butter. (From a clipping dated 1845)

Beef or Mutton Drippings ~ If beef or mutton drippings are used in making a pie-crust, beat them to a cream with a teaspoonful of baking powder and the juice of half a lemon. This effectually removes all taste.

Cutting Bread ~ Heat the blade of the bread-knife before cutting a loaf of fresh bread. This prevents the usual breaking and crumbling of the slices. For cutting hot fudge, first dip the blade of the knife in boiling water.


How to make Whipped Cream (1900) ~ whip ½ pint of double cream (sometimes called “whipping cream by dealers) to a stiff froth and set on ice. Beat the whites of 2 eggs stiff; add 3 table-spoonful of powdered sugar. Stir the beaten eggs into the whipped cream just before serving and color with fruit juice, preferable cherry.

Strawberry Sauce (1900) ~ Rub ½ cup of butter and 1 cup of sugar to a cream; add the beaten white of an egg, and lastly, 1 cup of crushed strawberries. Serve in a sauce pitcher, to be poured over a pudding on the table.