Thank you for reminding me of Gourmet magazine. My mother subscribed and I read it every month. What a treat. At that time, I decided I'd become a food writer and travel around the world for Gourmet. That never happened.
The eggnog also stirs up memories. We had it every Christmas but it came out of a Borden's milk carton. It still had the same significance though.
My husband and I love estate sales and one of my greatest treasures is a collection of about 60 Gourmet magazines from the 50s and 60s that were basically given to us on the last day of the sale to just get them out of the house. They came in a lovely old black shipping box with a strap. I love to pull them out and think about what those days must have been like. I was born in 1968. I love the old recipes and even the advertisements are lovely. There is a section where readers wrote in about a dish they remembered from the past or even a restaurant and the magazine would research it and find the recipe and publish it. Ahhhhhhh the good old days.
My sister made an especially boozy eggnog for years. It was so good. Reading these recipes makes me want to give it a go. That village advent calendar is darling ✨
This is such a fun series, Jolene! I remember drinking eggnog from a
carton and sampling it at Christmas parties, but I’ve never made it. The history is fascinating. Eggnog does strike me as a kindred spirit to fruitcake and all the other old holiday goodies that summon thoughts of Dickens, Tiny Tim, et al. I’m still a little worried about using raw eggs, though, as you said in your earlier piece, maybe all that booze and chilling would solve any issues. And of course, if you drink enough of the spirits-laced version, you won’t feel any pain anyway!🥂
There’s something magical about vintage food magazines; the stories and recipes and even ads become a history lesson of sorts. Recently, I stumbled on a 1959 Gourmet in my mom’s attic, with an article written by my grandmother (! which I had been completely unaware she wrote!) and it inspired me to dig deeper into my family food-writing history AND write the introduction to my next project…
Sure, Jolene, I’ll spill it! The article is called “A Kitchen is a Kingdom,” and in a nutshell she writes about nostalgia for her childhood kitchen intertwined with her “grownup” kitchen/studio in the Pennsylvania stone farmhouse where she and my grandfather wrote and drew (and cooked!) together for many years. She was a remarkable woman, writer and artist, who later co-wrote Stillmeadow & Sugarbridge with food-writer Gladys Taber. Between her and my mother, I have a TON of material!
That is amazing, Amy! What was the article about? (unless you want to keep it close to the vest at this time, I get that!) ps this little calendar is so sweet, a daily dose of “ahhh” ☺️
Liquid ice cream?? I’ve been drinking the wrong egg nog! (Though my favorite seasonal beverage is a hot toddy…)
Love a hot toddy!
Thank you for reminding me of Gourmet magazine. My mother subscribed and I read it every month. What a treat. At that time, I decided I'd become a food writer and travel around the world for Gourmet. That never happened.
The eggnog also stirs up memories. We had it every Christmas but it came out of a Borden's milk carton. It still had the same significance though.
Yes, the significance of a holiday ritual specific to one’s family is the sweetest, Andrea!
You [and egg nog] make the holidays fantastic.
Love you, Ed! xx
I have never made egg nog, but I certainly enjoy the store-bought product! I still miss GOURMET MAGAZINE! 🎄
I miss it too, Pam!
Yum! Hope everyone enjoys some eggnog this festive season! 🎄
Thank you for being part of this, Amelia! xx
Nothing like the imagery from old Gourmet mags!
Agreed!
My husband and I love estate sales and one of my greatest treasures is a collection of about 60 Gourmet magazines from the 50s and 60s that were basically given to us on the last day of the sale to just get them out of the house. They came in a lovely old black shipping box with a strap. I love to pull them out and think about what those days must have been like. I was born in 1968. I love the old recipes and even the advertisements are lovely. There is a section where readers wrote in about a dish they remembered from the past or even a restaurant and the magazine would research it and find the recipe and publish it. Ahhhhhhh the good old days.
What a find, Callen! ✨
My sister made an especially boozy eggnog for years. It was so good. Reading these recipes makes me want to give it a go. That village advent calendar is darling ✨
I’m with you, Domenica ! While I was writing this I was wishing I had a Revere Bowl full of boozy eggnog next to me. 😂 The calendar really is ☺️
How fabulous are those punch/egg nog sets. We should all have one!
Completely agree, Julia! ✨ (your fruitcake is up tomorrow 😊)
Woohoo! Loving the whole advent thing, it makes everything very Christmassy!
I’m so glad, Julia! It’s really fun and festive doing this! 🎄
This is such a fun series, Jolene! I remember drinking eggnog from a
carton and sampling it at Christmas parties, but I’ve never made it. The history is fascinating. Eggnog does strike me as a kindred spirit to fruitcake and all the other old holiday goodies that summon thoughts of Dickens, Tiny Tim, et al. I’m still a little worried about using raw eggs, though, as you said in your earlier piece, maybe all that booze and chilling would solve any issues. And of course, if you drink enough of the spirits-laced version, you won’t feel any pain anyway!🥂
Ha! Your last line, Ruth! 😆 PS - keep an eye out for fruitcake tomorrow 😉
Will do!💕
HMM. If my memories are correct, I think that we had the Hazel Atlas punchbowl set, or at least a version of it. I haven't seen that in many decades.
They are so nostalgic!
There’s something magical about vintage food magazines; the stories and recipes and even ads become a history lesson of sorts. Recently, I stumbled on a 1959 Gourmet in my mom’s attic, with an article written by my grandmother (! which I had been completely unaware she wrote!) and it inspired me to dig deeper into my family food-writing history AND write the introduction to my next project…
PS: that is a gorgeous little calendar!
Sure, Jolene, I’ll spill it! The article is called “A Kitchen is a Kingdom,” and in a nutshell she writes about nostalgia for her childhood kitchen intertwined with her “grownup” kitchen/studio in the Pennsylvania stone farmhouse where she and my grandfather wrote and drew (and cooked!) together for many years. She was a remarkable woman, writer and artist, who later co-wrote Stillmeadow & Sugarbridge with food-writer Gladys Taber. Between her and my mother, I have a TON of material!
This sounds fantastic, Amie! ✨
That is amazing, Amy! What was the article about? (unless you want to keep it close to the vest at this time, I get that!) ps this little calendar is so sweet, a daily dose of “ahhh” ☺️
Gourmet….memories!
I know 🥺 still miss the magazine so much!
LOVE this, Jolene!
Thank you, Alison, can’t believe that was 3 years ago! xx
How can it be...??
I love egg nog!
Me too, especially the REALLY luxurious ones!
What a wonderful, nostalgic calendar!
It’s so sweet, thank you, Julia!