LIFE, a new children’s book from Cynthia Rylant, gave me a feeling of tranquility and hopefulness like I have not found in any recent books. I am including books written for adults and for children during the last few years. Often, we overlook children’s books as being simplistic and not laden with strong content. Life is a different type book… indeed, it is a book that can be the catalyst to acquiring a wider viewpoint of our world. I am thinking that we surely need a stronger outlook in every aspect of our lives.

 

 

 

To find strength and resilience through the adverse times we all sometimes face.

To find freedom through appreciation of the wonders of nature that surround us.

 

 

In the harsh rhetoric of discord that we hear in our own lives or through the media, our nerves easily become jangled and discordant.  LIFE by Cynthia Rylant offers us the opportunity to find a sense of beauty in the world around us and to also recognize that we are not alone in our concerns.

 

 

 

 

We all struggle. Sadly, we do not all look for the glass half full. Why settle for the glass half empty?

 

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Simon & Schuster published LIFE and wrote the following review…

 

LIFE

Written by: Cynthia Rylant

Illustrated by: Brendan Wenzel

 

“Cynthia Rylant and Brendan Wenzel explore the beauty and tenacity of life. There are so many wonderful things about life, both in good times and in times of struggle. Through the eyes of the world’s animals–including elephants, monkeys, whales and more–Cynthia Rylant offers a moving meditation on finding beauty around us every day and finding strength in adversity. Brendan Wenzel’s stunning landscapes and engaging creatures make this an inspiring and intriguing gift for readers of all ages.”

 

 

 

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 Before the turn of the century, it is said the typical American house had three important books…the Bible, an almanac and a cookbook! Buckeye Cookery and Practical Housekeeping was in it’s second printing in 1877 with 25,000 copies printed. The book that I have is an exact reprint of the original cookbook/advice book and was published in 1970. I remembering buying it as birthday present to myself…I was already buying gifts for myself in 1970! Some people simply never change! Nevertheless, I am on the scamper for an original 1877 copy of Buckeye Cookery and Practical Housekeeping!

 

 

I guarantee that this cookbook is interesting by any measure! Take for instance, the quote on the title page…

 

“Bad dinners go hand in hand with total depravity, while a properly fed man is already half saved.

 

I suppose that this quote means that my husband was corrupted by my lack of cooking skills when we first married. Now…lot of years later…I do apologize! I do believe that he did eventually get a decent meal ever so often! Besides…nowadays…isn’t that what Cracker Barrel Restaurants (or rather Old Country Stores) are made for?!!

 

 

Turn the page for another quote on the dedication page. It reads…

“To the PLUCKY HOUSEWIVES” of 1877, who master their work instead of allowing it to master them.”

 

 

I could take this as my mantra today…I certainly have never wanted my work to take over my life! I always wanted and eventually found a job that “meant more than just going to work” and this is how I personally interpret this quote. Pluck means having or showing courage and bravery. Nothing at all wrong with being courageous or brave…then or now!

In putting together this cookbook, the publishers decided on one distinct aim…“to pack between it’s covers the greatest possible amount of practical information of real value to all, and especially the inexperienced”. Besides advice to the new housewife, the recipes are presented just as “clearly and concisely as possible” to make cooking simple and practical work.

 

 

My favorite advice from Buckeye Cookery and Practical Housekeeping is the…

 

“HOUSEKEEPER’S ALPHABET!”

***Apples–Keep in dry place, as cool as possible     without freezing.

***Brooms–In the cellar-a way to keep soft and pliant.

***Cranberries–Keep under water in cellar; change water monthly.

***Dish–Set dish of hot water in the oven to prevent cakes from scorching.

***Economize–You will never beg if you economize time, health, and means.

***Flour–Keep cool, dry, and securely covered.

***Glass–Clean with a quart of water mixed with tablespoonful of ammonia.

***Herbs–Gather when beginning to blossom; keep in paper sacks.

***Ink Stains–Wet with spirits turpentine; after three hours, rub well.

***Jars–To prevent breaking, coax “husband” to buy Buckeye Cookery.

***Keep–An account of all supplies, with cost and date purchased should be kept.

***Love–Remember that love lightens labor.

***Money–Count carefully when you receive change.

***Nutmegs–Prick with a pin, and if good, oil will run out.

***Orange and Lemon Peel–Dry, pound, and keep in corked bottles.

***Parsnips–Keep in ground until spring.

***Quicksilver–The white of an egg and quicksilver destroys bedbugs.

***Rice–Select large, with a clear, fresh look; old rice may have insects.

***Sugar–For general family use, the granulated is best.

***Tea–Equal parts of Japanese and Green Teas are as good as English Breakfast Tea.

***Use–Cement made of ashes, salt, and water can be used for cracks in stove.

***Variety–The best culinary spice is variety.

***Watch–You need to watch your backyard for dirt and bones.

***Xantippe–She was a scold. Don’t imitate her. (Xantippe was the wife of Socrates…she was thought to be harsh.)

***Youth–A cheerful temper preserves youth.

***Zinc-Lined–A sink that is zinc-lined is better than wooden ones.

***EXTRA HINT–REGULATE THE CLOCK BY YOUR HUSBAND’S WATCH, AND IN ALL APPORTIONMENTS OF TIME REMEMBER THE “GIVER”!

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And now…one recipe from Buckeye Cookery and Practical Housekeeping…

 

***CRULLERS***

Ingredients:

Two coffee-cups sugar

One coffee-cup sweet milk

Three eggs

 A heaping tablespoon butter

Three teaspoons baking powder mixed with six cups flour

Half a nutmeg

A level teaspoon cinnamon.

Directions:

Beat eggs, sugar and butter together, add milk, spices and flour, mix well; put another cup flour on molding-board, turn the dough out on it, and knead until stiff enough to roll out to a quarter inch thick; cut into squares, make three or four long incisions in each square, lift by taking alternate strips and twisting between the finger and thumb, drop into hot lard, and cook like doughnuts.

 

Remember…this is a recipe from 1877! The directions are definitely different!

Have fun and enjoy!!!

 

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