45 Comments

Magical Foodie and wonderful culinary historian! You are a busy elf! So much delight. Merci, Jolene Joon. ♥️💫🌲🧝‍♀️

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“Busy elf” 😂 🎄❤️

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😂🌲💫♥️

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Why do those images ring such bells in me? I wasn't even a twinkle in my parents' eyes in the 1950s but there is something so potent about these holiday food visuals -- almost like they're digging at a bone buried deep in the general American backyard!

Thanks for another wonderful post, Jolene

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Thank you, Amy, your comment is so rich!

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The accompanying engraved card from Victor Borge would seal the deal for me!

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That was somethin’! ✨

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Me too!

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✨❤️

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Love this post. It reminds me of looking through the piles of cut out recipes my mom has that go back decades.

I did a post last year about vintage recipes, however, not exactly anything we may want to replicate!

https://open.substack.com/pub/thedastimemachine/p/a-jell-o-mold-christmas-historical-ficiton?r=e338n&utm_medium=ios

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I just read the post, I love it! I used to go to Luchow’s in NYC before it closed! Thank you for this, Alison! 🎄✨

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NYC legend!

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Whoa! Hard pass on those Jell-O molds

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Haha right?

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Hi, Amie! Would it be ok if I put a photo of “Gramma’s Marinade” recipe card with the opening of the micro-story in the “Secret Recipes” post? (Working on it now 😌)

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Yes, totally fine!

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I miss the era of the grand department stores, especially at the holidays. A few are still around, but not the same. And Eloise...such a time honored little girl. Love her!🎄

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The decorations were so spectacular! 🎄 Eloise, so timeless, Pam! ❤️

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What a charming illustration! It looks like she is holding a little fur muffler like the one I had as a child.

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Yes! I had one, too, Vicki! ✨

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Hmm..... CRAN sounds interesting, I kind of remember it into the 60s, but no gift set is really 100 % complete without SOMETHING resembling wine..... I seem to recall some ginger ales & such that were packaged to resemble wine, champagne, etc. but they weren't fooling anybody.

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I want to learn more about CRAN! 😂

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It appears to be exactly what it sounds like, a sparkling cranberry juice. I VAGUELY remember it from my childhood / youth days. Some thing stand out, some things are tad BLURRY after 50 - 55 + years.

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Thanks, Daniel!

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My PLEASURE ! Not to pat myself on the back but Obscure Pop References 101 is a course that I could teach or write the outline for !

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That would be a good newsletter!

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SURELY there are classes in this type of thing. They teach classes in Victorian mores, symbology, etc. They owe it to posterity to teach about 1940s - 1960s - 70s pop culture as well.....

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These advertisements are succulent and sweet and sadly very far away from the times we live in today.

But enough moaning. If you want to sample an Hysterically Funny take on Holiday Food, and how it has deteriorated in the past few decades, go to:

https://davidgottfried.substack.com/p/christians-have-christmas-carols

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Woweeeee! Cornish Hen gift pack?! Each gift preceded by an engraved card from Victor Borge?!! Bring me my time machine! And whaddya know, I have two recipes provided by Victor in my collection, one for Broiled Rock Cornish Hen and one for Rock Cornish Pullet Dutch Oven. I feel a special post coming on...

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I see it coming, too, Jenny! 😀

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What a delicious array of Christmas goodies from the past to enjoy vicariously! The petits fours and the rock cornish hens from Victor Borge sound particularly enticing. And your recreation of that 1956 Gourmet cover is sheer genius. Now I'm itching to try something like that myself--though maybe less ambitious! Thanks Jolene! You're a wonder.

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Right back at ya, Ruth! 🤗

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The Petite Fours making their grand debut in America! How swell.

While this era was most certainly far from perfect, I still love all the charm, glitz and wholesomeness it conveys. It makes me nostalgic for a time I’ve never known. 💖

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Love the word “swell”! Well said about the era!

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I told you… I’ve got a thing for old timey sayings! 🍸

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Madmen at theit festive finest!

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For sure! ✨🎄

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Love this, Jolene!

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Hi, Joan! ❤️ Thank you!

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Also the 1950s by way of Gilded Age reference is so 🎯🎯🎯🎯

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I’m so glad you think so, Christene! Xx

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The toy store illustration nearly made me cry, just BEAUTIFUL❤️❤️❤️

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🥲 happy tear ❤️🧸

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I adore these photos. They are a walk down memory lane. My mother collected Gourmet from the 50s through the 60s. She tossed them in a fit and I deeply regret that now.

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They really are a history of their time, there’s lots available on eBay, sorry your mom’s are gone!

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