March 22, 1943 The Dames Get Good Press, The Bahai Boss, Goblets, Biscuits and Chocolate Pie

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I guess you think we're pretty bad not to have written sooner but it seems that every day goes by so fast I can't get everything done.  Our dinner is Tuesday night and it is going to be informal so I didn't have to buy a dress.  I'm going to wear that pale blue wool jersey dress and my blue hat.  One of the girls at the studio is going with me.

Last night we went to another play, "Claudia".  It was a comedy and we almost laughed our heads off.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035742/plotsummary

This afternoon we went to a lecture that my boss gave to his religious group.  The clipping will tell you a little about it.  It was fairly interesting and we did find out a little about their belief.   The other day Mr. King bought all of us girls in the studio a gardenia.

For our dinner party we had the usual thing with the ham--mashed potatoes, gravy and peas.  I made biscuits and we had grated carrots salad, chocolate pie and coffee.  It was all good.  The ham was awfully good.  I boiled it first and then baked it, so it was good and tender.  I made a pie with the mincemeat you gave me, today.  It looks awfully good but I haven't cut it yet.

I finally bought my goblets.  They are really fancy but awfully pretty.  I got six and after shopping all over town I finally bought Rock Sharpe.  You just can't find much Fostoria here and the clerks said Rock Sharpe was better than Tiffin so I bought that.  I'm going to buy the sherberts in about a month.  I got them at Malley's so I got a discount and they cost me $6.07.

Hope everyone is fine."

Oodles of love,

           B & Bonnie

                                 

                                        

Biscuits

Sift together 2 c flour, 4 tsp. baking powder and 1 tsp salt.
Melt heaping T shortening in baking pan, tilt pan to grease it and pour off the rest into flour mix.  Add enough milk to make soft dough.
Turn out onto well floured board.  Pat 1/2" thick & cut.
Bake at 400 about 15 min.

Chocolate Pie (The New Hood Cookbook, 1939)

1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 cups milk, 3 eggs, separated, 3 squares unsweetened chocolate, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 baked pastry shell.
Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt.  Scald milk with chocolate, stirring until blended.  Pour slowly over cornstarch mixture and cook over hot water 10 minutes or until thick and smooth, stirring constantly.  Pour slowly over beaten egg yolks, add butter and continue cooking for 3 or 4 minutes.  
Add vanilla and cool.  Turn into baked pastry shell and top with Meringue made using the leftover egg whites.  Bake in a moderate oven, not more than 10 or 15 minutes. 
 

March 14, 1943 The Ham and Eggs, Victory Gardens, The Chickenpox and The Shortages

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It was so nice to get two letters this week.  I'm sorry I disappointed you by writing just one but I thought we had decided to write just once a week.

It doesn't seem possible that we were really home, but I'm awfully thankful for the few days we had with all of you.

How are the baby chickens by now?  No, we didn't have a single broken egg when we got here.  We have about a dozen left.  It really is nice to use all the eggs you want to, for once.  I am cooking the shank of our ham today.  I'm going to cook onions, potatoes & carrots with it.  That ham is really good and not salty either.  Slice it thin and fry it slowly and it's like Swift's Premium.

We didn't celebrate much, my birthday.  The stores were all closed and B couldn't buy anything so he gave me some money.  I think I'll buy my goblets with it and the money you gave me.  I've been looking for them but haven't found but one pattern I like and it was $22.00 a dozen.  That's a bit high, I think.

It's awfully hard to find what groceries you want now and food is so high.  Cabbage is .10 or .12 a pound.

Chickenpox and measles are going around town.  One of the girls from the studio has been out about a week with the chickenpox.   I was boss yesterday because Mr. King's mother died and he took a plane for St. Louis yesterday morning.

Did you get the potatoes planted, Daddy?  Everyone here is planning his victory garden.  I guess I'll have to get a cheese box and plant mine.  That's all I'll have time for.

I'll probably not write again until next Sunday so don't be looking for an extra one this time."

                                                    Lots & lots of love,

                                                               B & Bonnie

March 8, 1943 The Work and The Weather and Back to Routine

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"There hasn't been much happening since we got back and it seems so long since I wrote that I don't remember what I've told you.  Mr. Hill told B he could have the scholarship for next year if he wanted it and of course he does.  Yale gave him a full month's pay and didn't take a bit out for the time we were gone.  The YMCA College job had been taken by a divinity student.  He offered to give it up but he had resigned his church to take it and it wouldn't have been fair for B to take it.  I went back to work Friday.  I didn't want to go back so soon but they talked me into it.  Our boss had been out with the chicken pox and he looked so funny.  They were all awfully glad to see me.  The fuel situation has eased up so stores are going to be open on Mondays from now on.

We have had snow three times since we got back.  Yesterday it snowed and rained both and one street had to be completely closed because water was three feet deep there.  It was an awful day.  The sun shone today and almost all of the snow is gone now.

We had Caughlans up for supper last Wed. night and then we went to the Dames.  Guess what we had to eat?  Ham!  I got my ticket to the dinner.  They are almost all sold now--300 of them.

It's about time we had a letter from you.  We'll probably get one tomorrow.  I'll write again in about a week."


                                                   Lots of love,
                                                    
                                                         B & Bonnie

February 27, 1943 Back in New Haven, NYC and The Pen

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Here we are back in the same place.  We drove into New Haven early yesterday morning and spent all morning looking for an apartment.  We found one vacancy and it was unfurnished, so we came over here again.  Mrs. Hunt wasn't here so we drove around town and spent most of the afternoon at school.  She didn't come home till about 6:00, so we were late getting moved in.  She said a couple was here night before last to look at the place and were going to call yesterday.  They called last night about an hour after we came and were going to take it.  Mrs. Hunt was certainly glad to see us.  I haven't been to the studio yet and I don't think I'll go till next week some time.

Mr. Hill told B he could have his job for next year if he wanted it.  He hasn't been to the YMCA College yet.

We made the trip back without any trouble at all.  We ran through a little bit of snow in Penn., but not very much.  It's cold here and snowed some this morning.

We stayed in New York City about three hours and drove from one end to the other.  That's really a big place.  We drove right through the center of it--past Lord & Taylor,  Bonwit Teller and all of those big stores on Fifth Ave.   Central Park is real long and there are some fancy apartment buildings facing it.

We had stopped in Waynesville to get our license and the place was closed so we drove on to Rolla.

Just out of Rolla we saw something glittering on the pavement and stopped and it was a Shaeffer's lifetime fountain pen.  It's just like yours only black.  It really is nice.  It's a wonder it hadn't been smashed because it was right in the middle of the road.

I cut the ham at noon and it sure was good.

I'll write again in about a week.  Maybe I'll know some news to write by then.  Answer soon."

                                        Lots of love,

                                                B & Bonnie

NOTE from Ann:  B's poor vision caused him to fail the draft physical and prevented him from serving in the military. To my knowledge,  there is no further reference to the exam or the trip.

February 11, 1943 Not Much News, Volumes from Home and The Army

B's brother, Horace

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"There just isn't any news but I guess any kind of letter is better than none.  We got your letter Monday--got one from Bessie, too.  Horace and Mabel's volume came Monday, too.  I say volume because they write about every 3 or 4 weeks but it's just like a book when they do write.  In every letter they write they ask me to live with them if B has to go to the army.  Some of the officers at the hospital told Horace that all of the civilians working at the hospital might as well be in the army so Mabel thinks he will have to go and wants me to live with her and Stevie.  That would be all right if I went to school or even worked in Springfield.  My boss told me that if B had to go to the army and got settled in a certain place for any length of time I could probably go right into one of the Wheelan studios, because they are all over the United States.

The tablecloth is growing steadily.  I now have 29 blocks and I just have 216 to make.  Ha!  I really enjoy doing it even if it is slow.

How's your shoe supply?  I'm really glad I  bought my gold sandals sometime ago.  I'm well "shoed" right now and I guess my 17 coupon will buy my spring shoes.

B's sister-in-law, Mabel

Write real soon."

              Lots & lots of love,

                     B & Bonnie



NOTE from Ann:  During the next week, B & Bonnie learned that they must go to Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, for B's physical.  As per the recommendation of his advisors at Yale, B kept his registration in Missouri, and therefore had to go there for the draft physical.  Not knowing what the result would be, they packed all of their belongings, loaded the car, turned in their apartment keys and headed for Missouri on about February 15.  No letter was written that week.

February 7, 1943 The Soldiers, The New Boss and "Arsenic and Old Lace"

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We can hear the officers shouting commands to the soldiers in the gymnasium.  They are marching, I suppose.  There are hundreds of them here, now.  Lots of them come to the studio and some of them are awfully nice.  Saturday I talked to an Illinois boy, but I haven't heard of any from Missouri, yet.

Our new boss is just fine.  He is English and has quite an accent.  He isn't married, but is about 35.  He's 4F for some reason or other.  Friday night he took all of us girls to the Taft Hotel for dinner.  We had a private dining room and the whole thing was quite elaborate.

The Dames meeting was nice this week.  The speaker, LeGrand Cannon, is a new author.  He is a New Haven person, about 35 years old, and from a well-to-do family.  He was very funny and kept everyone laughing.  His book, "Look To The Mountain" was book of the month for December.  It ran in the paper and I couldn't see much point to it, but maybe someday it will be nice to say that I heard LeGrand Cannon talk.


B doesn't have to teach a class at Yale this term so he's going to take a course in German.  That will help him a lot.

Last night we saw "Arsenic & Old Lace".  It was really funny.  I would certainly hate to have to sit across the breakfast table from Boris Karloff for the rest of my days.  I feel sorry for his wife, if he has one, because he's the most wicked looking thing I ever saw.

Write again soon."

            Lots & lots of love,

                                   B & Bonnie                        

Note: The stage play, Arsenic and Old Lace premiered at the Fulton Theater in New York in January of 1941, then moved to the Hudson Theater in June of 1944. The film version was released in 1944.

January 30, 1943 Cup Cakes, Driving Restrictions and The Army

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We got your letter yesterday and I meant to write last night but I made some cup cakes after supper and by the time I got them iced it was time to go to bed.  It had been so long since we had had any home-made cake it's almost all gone now.

B is at the library tonight.  He had to teach his YMCA class tonight and then went to the library to study for a big test tomorrow.

Our new boss hasn't come yet.  He is supposed to come Tuesday and we're all anxious to see what he is like.  I bought me a new hat yesterday.  It is a little, light blue thing and goes well with my tweed coat.

We haven't been any place except to school and work.  We've had the car out of the garage just once since the ban on driving and that was one Saturday B went to the grocery store.  I guess I'll forget how to drive or how to ride in a car.  I like my working hours--from 10:00 to 6:00, because I can get so much done in the morning.  Having Mondays off is pretty swell too.

You asked if we were coming back if B doesn't go to the army.  We think that he will have to go to the army sometime.  We feel that our only chance is that he will be deferred long enough to finish this one year.  That would give him a Master's degree.  He would probably have to go in the army in the early part of next summer.  If he has to come home for his physical at Jefferson Barracks before the year is up, and is rejected, we will come right back to New Haven.  He has to make application for the scholarship if he wants to stay here next year and he's going to do this if he isn't called before the time these have to be in--March 1.  What has to be will be and we can take it.  We are hoping and praying we can finish this one year.

I'll write again the first of next week."

                                            Lots and lots of love,
                                               
                                                         B & Bonnie

Peanut Butter Cup Cakes from the New Hood Cookbook

2 cups sifted cake flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
Dash of salt
1/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix and sift flour, baking powder and salt together twice.  Cream shortening and peanut butter until soft; blend in brown sugar.  Add eggs and beat until light.  Add flour alternately with milk, eating until smooth after each addition.  Flavor with vanilla.  Turn into greased cup cake pans and bake in moderate oven (350) 25 to 30 minutes.  Approximate yield:  2 dozen cup cakes.


Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sauce and Frosting

Combine 1 c. light brown sugar, 1/4 c. light corn syrup, 6 T milk and 4 teas. butter.
Cook over med. heat till sugar is dissolved (about 5 min.).
Stir in 1/4 c peanut butter and cool to room temp.
Store in frig.

January 22, 1943 Heraldry, The Chinese Restaurant and Shortages

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"B has gone to class but it's about time for him to be back.  I have been typing a test for him to give to his class tomorrow.  He has been so busy he hardly has time to turn around.

Last night I went to the Dames and we had a lovely time.  Our speaker was a minister from Branford, Conn.  His talk was on heraldry which is his hobby.  Maybe you don't know what that is because I didn't, but it's the study of different coat-of-arms and how they are formed.  It was certainly interesting.  We are still planning our dinner for Eleanor.  I haven't done anything to the dress yet, but the Dames are having another dance Feb. 20 so I tried it on the other day and it looks real nice, so I'm going to fix it up to wear.

My boss promised to take the girl that sold the most, last week, to lunch and I was the lucky one.  She took me yesterday and we had such a good time.  We went to a Chinese restaurant called the "Chung King".  I had Chow Mein and she had Chop Suey.  The service was really fancy and we first had soup, then the Chow Mein, bread & butter, and then dessert and coffee.  The cafe was really Oriental.  The wall paper was black with Chinese women and umbrellas in bright colors, all over it.  The tables were covered in red and the waiters were all Chinese.

Things are becoming more difficult to get every day.  Hair pins are a thing of the past.  Our coffee ration is plenty for us.  We get most anything we want in cans, but meat is hard to get.  B got a pound of bacon last week and we felt like kings.  He couldn't get any fresh meat today so we had lunch meat tonight.

Bonnie's hair pin box, 1940.

We got a letter from Grandma, Monday, but I haven't had time to answer it yet.  I had better stop because it's bedtime and I have to read my Bible.  I didn't read it last night so I have to do double tonight.  I'll write again Sunday or Monday."

                                                 Lots and lots of love,
                                                               
                                                              B & Bonnie

January 13 and 18, 1943 The Short Letter, The Roast and Lily Pons

 Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We are just fine and hope you are.  This afternoon Fawcetts came over for a while.  They are the ones that had us over for spaghetti soon after we came here.  He is working on his thesis for the finish on his degree and wanted B to do a little proof reading for him.  B has been studying and grading papers.  He studies  all of the time.  Last night we went to see another play but it wasn't very good.  The star was Roland Young and he's supposed to be good but we didn't like it very much.  We have tickets for two more that are coming.  One is "Harriet" with Helen Hayes as the star.  Lily Pons sings here next Tuesday but I guess we won't go hear her.  Friday night we went to the Hamden High School band concert.  it was just wonderful.  Those kids could really play.

B hasn't heard from the draft board but one of the YMCA College professors wrote a letter to the board.  Mr. Hill sent one too, so maybe he'll be deferred.

Yes, our apartment is good and warm even if there is a fuel oil shortage.

We had a nice letter from Bessie last week.  You have probably heard from them by now but if you haven't she said Marjorie broke a bowl on the refrigerator shelf and a piece of it fell against her leg just close to the ankle.  They had to take 11 or 12 stitches in it but she can use it now.  She didn't say whether she had to stay out of school or not.

I hope you get to see Mrs. Miniver because it is a wonderful picture."

                                        Lots & lots of love,
                                                    B & Bonnie

  
January 13, 1943

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We're just fine.  B has gone to a seminar and I have washed my hair.  We got your letter Monday and were awfully glad to get it--only it was so short.  It's good to get them anyway.

We really envy you with all your sausage and fresh meat.  Meat isn't rationed here but we would probably get more if it were.  Some stores just can't get it and others have only a little bit.  A roast is practically a thing of the past and Tuesday is meatless day.  We get along, though, with chops, ground meat, shrimp and few other kinds of meat.  We can buy 1/4 lb. of butter at a time, but haven't had any trouble getting oleo.  Canned milk is awfully hard to get, too.  We give .50 a dozen for eggs.

I hope Grandma is feeling better.  We haven't heard from her in so long I don't know whether she got my Christmas card or not.  We would certainly like to see all of you.  Why don't you send us some snapshots of all of you.  I guess Charlotte is growing clear out of my imagination.

Mr. Hill is sick with a cold so he gave us his tickets to a band concert Friday night.  Wasn't that nice of him?  Saturday night we're going to another stage play, "Ask My Friend Sandy".  We're trying to get everything we can out of this year in the East.  Lily Pons is to be here next Tuesday and I want to go but I probably won't get to, because B has a class and tickets will be awfully high.

Yale is gradually being invaded by the Army and there are cars from every state. 

Answer real soon with a great big letter."

               

                   Lots & lots of love, 
                          
                              B & Bonnie     

 NOTE:  You can listen to Lily Pons here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzQ5z3dkR3I                                                                                   

January 6 and 10, 1943 Peabody Museum, Soldiers, The Preliminary Physical and Mrs. Roosevelt's Promise

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It seems so long since I heard from you, but will probably get a letter tomorrow.  Last Saturday we went over to the Peabody Museum of Natural History and stayed all afternoon.  There is everything imaginable there.  They have a lot of prehistoric animal skeletons that have been dug up.  I wish you could see the dinosaur skeleton.  It is as long as from your house to the barn and was found in Wyoming.  There were lots of stuffed animals too.  Some had been donated by Ringling Bros.
There were birds, fish, insects and minerals.  We stayed there all afternoon and just skimmed over part of it.  It's all part of Yale.

Sunday we went to chapel again on the old campus.  The chapel is now fenced off from the rest of the campus since the army took over the undergraduate school.  Soldiers are getting quite thick around here now.  When we first came there were more sailors and marines.  B is to have his preliminary physical examination Thursday night.  After that--only God knows.

B is teaching the YMCA classes (2) again--for this month anyway.  He can probably have another class when the next term begins next month, because the man that had this class has been sent to a conscientious objector's camp.  That will mean around $65. for two classes.

The Dames met Wednesday night and Sunday night we are going to Dr. Hill's home for dinner.  I guess the same crowd will be there that goes everywhere we go--the assistants.

I bought a pair of lovely nylons today for $1.98.  They're all Nylon, too, no cotton feet.  The store got a new shipment and sold to the girls in the store.  They didn't sell any to customers.

It's about bedtime so write real soon."

             Lots and lots of love,                                                
                       
                     B & Bonnie




January 10, 1943
                                     
Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This is a bright, sunny day even it if is cold.  It is so quiet in the house I'm about half asleep.  There aren't many cars passing by, since the ban was put on pleasure driving.  Hill's had to call off the dinner party because of the gas situation.  They live quite a ways away.

B is teaching the YMCA classes again and Friday night he came home with a lovely dictionary that was a free gift from the book company.  They gave each teacher one.  It is a dark blue book and has his name in gold on the front.  It has real fine paper in it and has 1300 pages.  We really are proud of it.

I went to the Dames Wednesday and our speaker was Mr. Ball, one of the lecturers from Peabody Museum.  His subject was "Winter Birds"-- mainly of New England and he had a lot of stuffed birds to show us.  It was quite interesting.  Mrs. Roosevelt has promised to come and speak to us at a dinner party March 23.  We are going to have about 300 guests and all women.  I'm sorry B can't go, but he doesn't care much about Eleanor anyway.  We hope she will keep the appointment.  We planned to have her in November and she went to England.

I bought a new grey skirt last week.  It's only 50% wool, but the best I could find.  There just aren't any all wool ones anymore.  You ought to see me strut in my new pajamas.  They fit just fine and are real comfortable.

Our Catholic friend ate supper with us last night.  We had waffles and sausage, pumpkin pie and coffee.  He's awfully nice, but he doesn't like to live in the dormitory so he always stays as long as he can.

B had his physical examination Thursday night.  He's going to call tomorrow to find out the results.  It will be 1A probably, for all they did was run a blood test.  If it is, Mr. Hill is going to write a letter to the board.

How are you both feeling?  Fine I hope.  Write soon and often."

                Lots & lots of love,

                         B & Bonnie
(We heat with oil)
                                                                                                                  

Delicious Belgian Waffles

Beat 4 egg whites stiff.  Set aside.  Then beat 4 egg yolks and add 1/2 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 tsp. salt, 3 T soft oleo, 1 c. milk, 2 T cooking oil and 1 c. flour.  Beat until smooth.  Fold in egg whites.  Cook until steaming stops. 
                                                                                                            

January 1, 1943 The New Year, The City People, The Eggs, The Cheese and The Rogue's Gallery

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Here it is the first day of a new year and I have really celebrated.  I did a two weeks washing this morning and had just hung out the sheets when it started snowing.  I hung everything out anyway and most of it is still there.  This afternoon I cleaned the apartment and waxed the kitchen floor, so I won't have much to do the rest of the weekend.

New Year's day here seems almost as important as Christmas.  Everything is closed today and tomorrow.  We went to a show last night and there was an awful mob down town.  As we came out of the show people were just jammed into the front of the theater waiting to get into the next show. Everybody had horns and whistles just like you read about. Now we've seen how city people celebrate New Year's Eve.

We're glad you liked the presents.  We had a hard time buying things that wouldn't weigh too much or break.  The lace on the hankie was fancier than the pattern looked but I knew you would appreciate my work.  I forgot I had it until I had all the packages wrapped so I had to put it in an envelope and stick it on top.  The pictures were only proofs and I colored them up a bit.  They were taken so the main office could have my picture in what they call the Rogue's Gallery.  They have the pictures of all the girls that work for them, in the personnel director's office.  B's mom liked her picture too.

She was certainly pleased about you sending her the eggs.  She said they were the nicest white eggs she had ever seen.  We buy eggs all of the time but don't use a lot of them.  The last we got were .47.  Most of them are cold storage eggs and I don't like to eat them so we use most of them to cook with.  I wish we could trade some of our sugar for some of your sugar cured meat.

Who wanted to buy the place?  I don't think $4000. was enough, either and unless you get a big big price for it don't sell it till I can see it once more and be at home again.

I knew Daddy and Nobel would like the cheese and I hope Daddy didn't get the stomach ache.  It is Baby Gouda cheese (pronounced goo da) and was .29 for the piece.  It's about .41 a pound.  The larger ones are called Edam, but it's the same cheese and they weigh about 1-1/2 lbs.  You can probably get one or the other.

I forgot to tell you I had a new dress to wear Christmas.  It's blue wool jersey.  Rather plain, but pretty.  I'm going to get a blue hat to go with it, I think.

Write soon.  We're always looking for a letter."

                                        Lots & Lots of love,
                                        
                                                   B & Bonnie

December 28, 1942 Christmas and Cake

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We had a wonderful Christmas.  Thanks so much for your nice package.  It was more than we expected.  B is real proud of his pajamas.  They are such nice ones.  I like my pajamas real well too.  I think it's the first extra nice pair I ever had.  The hankies were lovely and it was such a nice surprise to find the hose.  It's hard to get nice hose.  I bought a pair of nylons not so long ago, but they have cotton feet and tops.  We got so many nice things it's hard to remember everything.  The girls sent a nice picture of the three of them together.  It was such a lovely picture.  We exchanged names down at the studio and the girl gave me a set of salt and pepper shakers with sterling tops.  I'm awfully proud of them.  The company sent me $5. in war stamps.  B gave me a book on etiquette, a Dazey nut cracker that fastens to the wall and a Harris tweed coat.  I've always wanted one.  It's certainly warm.  He completely surprised me with it and it fits perfectly.  I gave him a 17 jewel Elgin and he's like a little boy, he's so proud. 

We saved all our packages and opened them Christmas morning.  About 2:00 we went to Caughlan's to a lovely turkey dinner.  Griffins were there too and we all ate and ate.  It was after 11:00 when we got home.  We ate so much dinner that we just had ice-cream and cake and tea for supper.  I didn't work yesterday so last night we had the Griffins over for supper and then went to the play, "Angel Street".

The stores here are going to be closed again New Year's day and the next day so I'll have another little vacation.  We went to church this morning at Dwight Chapel.  It's another church on the old campus of Yale.

I hope you had a Christmas tree and a nice big Christmas.  Write soon.  Thanks again for all the nice things."

                                              Lots & Lots of love,

                                                            B & Bonnie

Dream Cake

Separate 8 eggs.  Beat yolks with 1/2 tsp. salt till very thick and lemon color.  Beat in 1 T. lemon juice.  Add 1 c. sugar gradually and beat until thick enough to hold a soft peak.  Beat egg whites till frothy.  Add 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar.  Beat until stiff but not dry peaks.  Fold in egg whites & 3/4 c. sifted flour.  Pour into ungreased angel pan.  Bake @ 350 40 min.  Invert pan:  Let hang till cold. 

December 20, 1942 The Army, "Angel Street", Santa and The Christmas Tree

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This  is Sunday, but we got your letter this morning, anyway.  There are 1000 extra postal employees on for the Xmas season here in New Haven, so they delivered this morning.

It seems that everything happens at once.  I thought maybe B's mother would call you about B's call and who did tell you?  Needless to say, we are heart-broken, but there's always hope.  He went to the board here and they told him to write and have his physical examination transferred up here and it would be sometime after Christmas when he would have it.  He sent an airmail letter to the board at home and we got a letter from them yesterday, asking for the number of this board, so the letters crossed on the way.  When he was examined at Yale he was perfect except for his eyes and a few teeth.  Mr. Hill called him over the other day, and told him to keep his registration at home because this board handles so many Yale students they don't care who they take and he also said he would write a letter for deferment until after this school year if B passed his physical.  Don't worry about it--there isn't anything we can do if it comes and things will turn out all right some way or other.  We have our plans made if he does have to go.  I had resigned my job and had an appointment to see the registrar at New Haven Teacher's College about my work at home.  I was starting to school Jan. 4 and of course now I'll keep my job until we find out definitely about the army.  If I stay here in New Haven I'll move into another room here in the house and eat out.  I wouldn't want to cook for myself and $45. is too much for me to use as a sleeping room.  There is a lovely room on this same floor for $4. a week.  I'll keep the car.  I'm glad you didn't call.  It would have scared me good and proper and I won't be calling unless something turns up suddenly.

I believe we're going to have a white Christmas.  You ought to see our Christmas tree.  It's a little artificial one that one of the girls at the studio let me use.  She's getting a big real one this year and suggested I use hers.  It's real pretty.

Bonnie and the tree

This afternoon we're going out to Griffin's to see Santa Claus.  They have two children and the neighborhood sponsors a Santa Claus that goes to each house with a gift for each child.  Christmas day we're all going to Caughlan's to a big turkey dinner.

I don't have to work the Sat. after Christmas so we're all getting together and then go to another new play, "Angel Street".

We're going to have to hurry or be late for Santa Claus so bye bye.  Have a big happy Christmas and we'll be thinking of you all."

                            Lots and lots of love,

                                         B & Bonnie

P.S.  Our apartment is good and warm.

NOTE from Ann:  If interested in this play, see below:  http://www.andreaking.com/AngelStreetPage.htm

December 14, 1942 The Snow, The Wrapping, Flare Path, The Blackout and The Divinity

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"You should see the snow that's on now.  It snowed so fast that the snow plows cleaned the sidewalks three or four times this afternoon.  Last night I worked till 9:00 and we are really busy.  I'm going to make some Xmas candy and I made fondant today.

We wrapped Christmas presents this afternoon and we'll be sending you your box right away, but no peeking till Christmas.  This little picture made me think so much of you, Daddy, that I had to clip it.

We have bought tickets to a new stage play, "Flare Path" and are going with Mr. and Mrs. Griffin next Thursday night.  It has been showing in London and this will be the first showing in America.  It will go to New York from here.  The story is about an English pilot and the life he leads.

I forgot to tell you we had a blackout last Monday.  The whole state was blacked out--just a practice of course.  It lasted an hour.  It gives you such a funny feeling when the sirens start shrieking.  The business district really looks gloomy blacked out.  It is so dark even when the stores are open, that you can hardly see where you're going.  Of course, it's light in the stores but they have black blinds and no light gets to the sidewalk."

        Lots of love to everyone,

                B & Bonnie

                      

NOTE from Ann:
The play, Flare Path, had a revival in 2011.   If interested, see www.sienna-miller.org  where the play is described as follows:

"Set in the Falcon Hotel, on the edge of an RAF airfield in Lincolnshire, Flare Path centres the love triangle between pilot Teddy, his wife Patricia and her former lover, a film actor. Inspired by Rattigan’s own wartime experiences at Bomber Command, it premiered at the Apollo Theatre in 1942 and was subsequently adapted into the film The Way to the Stars."

December 11, 1942 The Parties, Passing Exams and Gingerbread

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"There isn't any news, but I know how it is to look for a letter and not get one.  We got four nice letters Monday and none since.

It started snowing yesterday afternoon and there is a light snow on now.  I was really thrilled.  The streets were really slick last night.  The Dames had a Christmas party and we sang carols and played games.  We had a Christmas tree and we got Xmas packages for prizes.  Mine was a box of three powder puffs.  Then the Dean's wife brought over a box of presents for all of us.  They were just small things like little socks with candy, and snowmen filled with candy.  I got a little red wax boot about 3 or 4 inches tall filled with mints and I'm saving it for a table Xmas day.  For refreshments we had gingerbread with a spicy syrup poured over it and coffee.  One of B's seminars meets Wednesday nights, so two of the men came home with him and their wives came home with me.  We had some popcorn and bottle cakes and so we had a little party of our own.

B passed his French Exam and has started studying for his German test.  We still haven't had a chance to go to Teachers College to see about me entering.  We'll have to soon so I can resign my job.

Maybe there'll be more to write next time.  We're awfully busy now."

                             Lots and lots of love,

                                          B & Bonnie

 Bonnie's Gingerbread

Cream 1 c. sugar, 1 stick oleo and 1 c. molasses.
Combine 2-1/2 c. flour, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 2 tsp. soda, 2 tsp. ginger, 1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. cloves, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. nutmeg.  Add alternately dry ingredients and 1 c. boiling water.  Begin and end with dry ingredients.  Beat in 2 eggs (well beaten).  Mix till smooth.  Pour in greased and floured pan (large cake).  Bake 25-30 @ 350 or till toothpick tests done.

Warm Brandy Sauce

Mix 3 T cornstarch, 1/2 c. sugar, 1/4 tsp. salt and 2 c. water.
Cook till clear and thick.  Add 6 T brandy and 2 T butter.  Beat with a little of the hot sauce 2 egg yolks and add to sauce.  Cook 2 min. more.  Serve warm on gingerbread.

December 7, 1942 Miss Hallowell's Tea, Jennie and Maude and The Fruitcake

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We went to a four o'clock tea this afternoon at Miss Hallowell's (secretary of the Education department).  Besides us there was a couple from Washington, one from New York and a girl from New Brunswick, Canada.  Besides tea she had tiny open faced sandwiches, fruit cake and cookies.  It was really nice.  We talked till about 6:00 and came home.  Miss Gambrel (one of the teachers in Yale) invited us to dinner last night, but I had to work till 9:00 so we couldn't go.  I really did hate it.

I bought me a pair of nylons the other day.  I gave $1.65 for them but they have cotton feet and tops.  I also got me a new black sweater to work in.

Jennie and Maude

We got a Xmas package from Grandma last week.  It's awfully sweet and we're really proud of it.  We could tell by feeling that it was pictures so we had to open it.  One was of her and Maude and the other was of B's mother when she was a girl. 

Did you ever find out who else had to go to the army in the 40 that left?

There isn't any news so I'll say good-night and write soon."

                                                                      Lots of love,
                                                                            
                                                                              B & Bonnie

Chocolate Almond Fruitcake

Beat 3 eggs till foamy.  Add gradually 1 c. sugar and 1/2 tsp. vanilla.
Sift together and add:  1-1/2 cup flour, 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder and 1/4 t salt.
Mix in 2 c. blanched almonds, chopped, 1 c. chopped dates, 1 c. candied cherries, quartered, and 3/4 c. semisweet choc. bits. 
Spoon into 9x5x3 pan--oiled, lined with waxed paper, oiled again.
Bake 1-1/2 hrs. at 325.  Cool in pan on rack till almost cold.  Remove and peel off paper.  
Cool completely.  Wrap in foil.  Store in refrigerator a month or more.

December 3, 1942 Thinking Christmas, Blackout Regulations, Mince Pie and Fudge

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It really is cold tonight and the wind is blowing furiously.  It snowed a tiny bit last Saturday.  Monday was a beautiful sunshiny day so I got my washing all done.  I had Monday morning off to do Xmas shopping.  Each of the girls got a half day off.  Thanks for sending the lights.  We're going to get a real small tree and I have bought a few ornaments.

Sunday we went to church and meant to go to the museum in the afternoon but it rained so we couldn't go.  I made a mince pie and B made some fudge.

I got my transcript from Teachers College in Springfield and am going to have to go see if this college will accept my credits.  The new term begins Jan. 4.

B is going to give a test tomorrow night to some of the YMCA boys and will get $4 or $6 for the work depending upon how long it takes to give it.

We have new blackout regulations.  All blinds have to be 3/4 of the way down when any light is on and no light can be directly in the window.  Headlights have to be covered 3/4 with tape or black paint.

There isn't any news so I'll write again soon."

Lots of love,

       B & Bonnie

Mince Meat (from The New Hood Cook Book, 1939)

2 lbs. seedless raisins, 3 lbs. currants,  washed, 3 lbs. beef suet, chopped, 2 lbs. brown sugar, 1/2 lb. candied peel, mixed, 1 cup brandy, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 lbs. cooking apples, 1-1/2 lbs. lean chopped beef, juice and grated rind of 2 lemons and 1-1/2 cups water.


Mix ingredients well, except brandy, and simmer 1 hour.  Cool, add brandy and keep in tightly covered stone crock.  Should be allowed to ripen 2 weeks.  Approximate yield:  1-1/2 gallons mincemeat.

And Mince Meat from the Fannie Farmer Boston Cooking School Cookbook, 1924

November 28, 1942 The Thanksgiving Road Trip, The Submarines, Plymouth Rock and The Cranberries

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Yesterday we got up and left town about 6:20.  We drove to New London and that's where the Electric Boat Co. is, where submarines are made.  The harbor there is supposed to be one of the best and that is where most of the sailors and marines are stationed.  The bridge goes right over the harbor so we saw some of the submarines going out to sea.  They are real narrow and long and remind you of an eel or snake in the water.  The harbor is protected by mines and we could see the string of mines across the water.  There is a place in the center just wide enough for ships to go through.  This open place is guarded every night by a big ship.  Two German subs tried to get into the harbor last year but were captured and these are anchored in the harbor but are hidden between some docks so you can't see them.  There were a lot of other boats anchored there--small gray camouflaged boats and mother boats (the ones which carry food and supplies out to the submarines.)

From New London we went to Plymouth Mass. and to get there we had to cross the whole state of Rhode Island.  Rhode Island is awfully rocky but it's pretty.  Laurel is the Conn. state flower and this is quite thick in Conn. and Rhode Island.  It's a low evergreen bush and has big pink blossoms in the spring, they say.  The leaves are long and waxy and deep green.  It's against the law in Conn. to cut one because they have been on the decline in recent years.

Plymouth was certainly an interesting place.  Of course it's right on the ocean because that's where the first settlers landed in 1620.  Plymouth Rock is still in the same place it was at that time.  It has been moved but in 1920 (I think it was) they moved it back to the original place.  It was cracked in the moving, but has been mended with cement.  It is just a big smooth boulder with 1620 carved into the top.  A lot of the houses had signs on them saying that on that spot was built the first or second house in the colony and was assigned to certain people.  High on a hill, overlooking the city and Cape Cod bay is a big statue dedicated to the first colonists and the names of the people who came over on the Mayflower are inscribed on it.  It seems so amazing that we walked in the same places and ate our Thanksgiving dinner in the same place that the Pilgrims did so long ago.

You've always heard of Cape Cod cranberries.  All along the bay were cranberry plantations.  They were marshy fields blocked off in squares about the size of your house or smaller with trenches of water running between.  The plants are real tiny and a deep wine color.  Cranberries here are about .19 a quart.  What are they there?

On our way back we stopped in a small town and asked a cop the way to a certain highway.  He laughed and said, "You're from Missouri; got to be shown, huh?"

I must stop because I have about 6 or 8 more letters to answer.  I'll write again next week, probably not Sunday though.  Write soon."

                   Lots of love,

                            B & Bonnie

Enjoy the Great Gildersleeve's Thanksgiving message... Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!