Charlie and his friend Cammie had a great afternoon with the Mr.Potato Head set Laura got on Buy, Sell, Trade.
She washed all of the pieces.
The kids put them together and named them. Lots of characters with big personalities. Charlie (10) took the pics and added the text
And speaking of pieces, when I was a kid in the 50s that’s what you got withMr Potato Head–(click for history). little plastic pieces to stick into a real potato.
Charlie’s photos reminded me of this blog post
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Ten years ago I went to an exhibit of toys from the ‘50s ‘60s and ‘70s at the Heinz History Center- downtown Pittsburgh
A sampling of the exhibit.
I went with the Retired Teachers after a luncheon at Lidia’s. Memories of childhood in America. Here are a few-Erector sets and Tinker Toys. Lincoln Logs. Slinky and Etch-a-Sketch, Pac Man and Star Wars. Barbie dolls and GI Joe. Mr. Potato Head and trolls. Spirograph and Cootie. Howdy Doody, Hopalong Cassidy and Roy Rogers. Maybe you’ll recognize one of your toys from your childhood.
This is a volume of my mother’s childhood along with her brothers John and Robert. This is a copy of the book they were read to, not the actual one that belonged to them. I was able to find a copy online and gave it to my mom years ago.
My mother Marian was born in 1912 , John in 1910 and Robert in 1914 so that will give you a reference to the time period.
I guess the objective of the book was to keep kids in line!
When I was little I enjoyed hearing tales of the naughty children. 😂 my mother recounted a few of the tales but I only had my imagination to envision them at the time. The book is still available online with different illustrations.
The book opens in two directions. Half are stories of Sunny children who exhibit desirable virtues, do good deeds and show excellent deportment.
The other half are stories of Sulky children who get into their mischief, show poor manners or are naughty.
I remember the story of Fairy -Eat -it -All.
A mountain of desserts and goodies he never finished eating
Turn the book over and the Sunny stories begin
And here is a good girl feeding the birds on Christmas
Grandson Charlie (9) created a short stop animation with these office supplies on which he added Googly Eyes.
I bought the tin of Googly Eyes at a toy store with the Motto “No Batteries. No Screens. Pure Fun!” Dragonfly Castle in Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Most recent photo of Anna taken last week driving my car & the sweet grandbaby photo 10/10/2003Birthday Greetings from Baby DollWhen you hear that your team won!
IF YOU’VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE BLOG SINCE THE BEGINNING, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE PHOTOS AND RECIPES.ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, I’VE POSTED OUR “GO TO” BIRTHDAY CAKE RECIPES.
MY SISTER GOT ME THE ONE SWAN’S DOWN VINTAGE CAKE PAN IN OMAK, WASHINGTON WHEN WERE VISITING OUR BROTHER ONE SUMMER.
I DID MAIL A BIRTHDAY CARD TO MY SISTER. (UNUSUAL FOR ME THAT IT WASN’T BELATED)
IN MY FAMILY, WE’D TRY TO GET IT IN THE OCTAVE,AS MY MOM WOULD CALL IT. ENJOY YOUR DAY!
HAPPY DAY CAKE RECIPE-
For Birthdays it was the 1-2-3-4 Cake recipe or the Happy Day Cake recipe on the back of the Swan’s Down Cake Flour box, frosted with Penuche icing. My mother would put the saucepan into a sink of cold water and then beat it by hand once it cooled. I can hear the ring of the metal loop at the end of the pan’s handle. And as I remember it she added a dash of vanilla extract. My dad would pour milk over a slice and eat it with a spoon. Cake and frosting recipes below photo.
Happy Day Cake
2½ cups sifted cake flour
1½ cups sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup shortening, at room temperature
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
Sift flour with sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir shortening to soften. Add flour mixture, ¾ cup of the milk and vanilla. Mix until all flour is dampened, then beat two minutes at medium speed. Add eggs and remaining ¼ cup milk. Beat one minute longer. Pour into two 9-inch layer pans that have been lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pans; remove from pans and cool thoroughly on racks.
This cake also may be baked in three 8-inch layer pans for 25 to 35 minutes, or in a 13- by 9-inch pan for 30 to 35 minutes. Batter may be spooned into 36 medium paper baking cups in muffin pans, filling half full. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
Penuche Frosting Butter is Key
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup milk
2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar, more or less
hot water, optional
PREPARATION:
In a saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Add the brown sugar. Bring to a boil and lower heat to medium low and continue to boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cool to lukewarm. Gradually add sifted confectioners’ sugar. Beat until thick enough to spread. If too thick, add a little hot water. Frosts top and sides of a 2-layer cake or a 13×9-inch cake.
Last time I visited theChildren’s Museumwas August 2019. Today I returned with grandsons Charlie and Roy. (And their Mom, Laura) stopping to see “the pipes” is a family tradition. Ned Kahn is the artist who created this living and breathing sculpture.
Charlie running to catch the cloudy mist Wind and weather affect the cloud So much fun to feel the cool mist on a hot day in June
