Synopses & Reviews
The Farmer’s Wife was a monthly magazine published in Minnesota between the years 1893 and 1939. In an era long before the Internet and high-speed travel connected us all, the magazine aimed to offer community among hard-working rural women, to provide a forum for their questions and concerns, and to assist them with both the day-to-day chores and the special occasions on the farm. Christmas was the be-all, end-all celebration on the farm—more than Easter, New Year’s, or even Thanksgiving. Pages and pages on the topic appeared in every December issue of The Farmer’s Wife, and these pages weren’t just about food—although recipes for all the various components of dinners and parties and holiday gift baskets certainly abounded. The magazine’s experts expounded on the best and latest ways to decorate home, tree, and parcels. Its monthly columnists devoted themselves to the matters of homemade gifts for family and friends, as well as games to be played to festively capture the spirit of the season. In short, The Farmer’s Wife presented its own opinion—both grand and humble, broad and minute, and always, always bearing in mind the idea of community among its readers—about the ways in which Christmas should be celebrated. You’ll find in this book a smattering of that opinion. Here are recipes to see you through the entire Christmas season; gift ideas guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing; tips for decking your halls and ringing in the day; and even a few stories to inspire and delight both the young and the young at heart. Below you’ll find a sampling of what’s inside: Recipes to help you make:Roast GooseSausage StuffingSpiced CranberriesSweet Potato CroquettesBaked Indian PuddingSour Cream GingerbreadEnglish Fruit CakeTaffy ApplesSwedish Spritz Cookies. . . and more Patterns and directions for creating:embroidered table runnersdollhousesknitted baby sweatersyarn dollswooden trainsbayberry candlesChristmas centerpieces, wrapping paper, and garlands As well as games, stories, and more to share with loved ones and friends
Synopsis
Christmas was the be-all, end-all celebration on the farm. Pages and pages on the topic appeared in The Farmer’s Wife, and these pages weren’t just about food—although recipes for all the various components of parties and holiday gift baskets certainly abounded. The magazine’s experts expounded on the best and latest ways to decorate home, tree, and parcels and to create homemade gifts for family and friends, as well as games to be played to capture the spirit of the season. In short, The Farmer’s Wife presented its own opinion—both grand and humble, broad and minute, and always, always bearing in mind the idea of community among its readers—about the ways in which Christmas should be celebrated. You’ll find in this book a smattering of that opinion. Here are recipes to see you through the entire Christmas season; gift ideas guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing; tips for decking your halls; and even a few stories to delight both the young and the young at heart.
About the Author
Editor Lela Nargi is the author of Around the Table: Women on Food, Cooking, Nourishment, Love . . . and the Mothers Who Dished It Up for Them and several other Farmer’s Wife cookbooks.
www.lelanargi.com or lelanarginews.blogspot.com