OLD KNOWLEDGE.

What a brilliant sunny day here in God's own country! It's the third day of lovely weather; it must be at least 20c out there, not bad for a winters day. (Dare I say it - about time!!!)

I've been browsing through a wonderful old book that belonged to Mark's father's family. It's called the Peoples Home Library, a library of three practical books. It was first copyrighted in 1910 and was published by the Oceanic Publishing Company in 1920!

        The first book is the Home Medical Book which includes not only descriptions and nursing care for just about every disease known to man but also home remedies for each ailment. Some of them are amazing and some are just down right scary! Mexican Mustang Liniment is just one -  2 ounces of petroleum, 1 ounce of ammonia water, 1/2 ounce of naptha, 1/2 ounce crude oleic acid and 1 dram brandy. I'm surmising as a liniment it may have been for arthritis or perhaps sprains; don't know and not likely to make that one. :)

       The second is the Home Recipe Book and I look forward to trying some of these old recipes. Mrs. Kirk, the author, has quite a C.V. having been a teacher and lecturer in Domestic Science in both public and private sectors including the Chicago University! She has a quote at the beginning of her book that stands the test of time well ..............

"Good cooking means the knowledge of all fruits, herbs, balms and spices, and all that is healing and sweet in fields and groves and savoury in meats. It means carefulness, inventiveness, watchfulness, willingness and readiness of appliances. It means the economy of your great-grandmothers and the science of modern chemists. .....John Ruskin..... 1819-1900

This second book not only has housekeeping tips but recipes beginning with bread-making; preserving and jelly making (jam for us Aussies) selecting meats and poultry, candy making (lollies) puddings and sauces, pickling., even how to preserve eggs! Under a heading "What to do and how to do it" there are "various recipes of all kinds." lol. (for cleaning etc) "To polish patent leather - orange juice will be found to be a good polish for patent leather."

The third and final book is the Home Stock Book which covers horses, sheep, pigs, cattle, poultry, even cats and dogs. That should be quite a read as well. :)

I've had a heap of fun browsing through it and will post anything I try; though Mark has just said he wants to read the recipe through before he volunteers to be the guinea pig. Bah - chicken!!!! :)