Diana

Nov 2015 7

Collecting Cook Books: Read ‘Em and Eat!

2015 Articles, Diana Bulls, Food Fun, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

So, you probably didn’t even realize it, but you might already have a cook book collection sitting on one of your kitchen shelves. You might own a cook book by Betty Crocker, Fanny Farmer or Better Homes and Gardens that you got for a shower or wedding gift – a good, basic cookbook with lots of how-to pictures. You might have a couple of cook books put out by your church or a local ladies club, and then there are those advertising cook books from companies like Pillsbury, Campbell’s Soup or Jell-O.

May 2015 2

Kitchen Collectibles: Choppers, Graters, and Slicers, Oh My!

2015 Articles, Diana Bulls, Food Fun, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

Ever since human beings began cooking food as opposed to eating things raw, some enterprising soul has tried to come up with tools that would help make cooking and kitchen chores easier. Rock and wood tools eventually gave way to those made of metal, dull edges became sharpened, woven containers were replaced by clay, etc. etc.

Apr 2015 4

Spring, Easter, Jell-O and Salad Molds: Kitchen Collectibles

2015 Articles, Diana Bulls, Food Fun, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

Spring has sprung, and Easter is just around the corner. My family, along with many others, will be gathering after church to celebrate this first holiday in spring. And those gatherings are sure to include food. For my family, Easter is usually a potluck buffet on the patio. My brother furnishes the ham and the rest of us bring the baked beans, deviled eggs, Jell-O salad and desserts. Yes, I did say Jell-O salad. It’s a tradition.

Mar 2015 7

Kitchen Kitsch: Kitchen Collectibles

2015 Articles, Diana Bulls, Food Fun, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

The end of World War II called for a big party. Soldiers and sailors were coming home; families were being reunited and it seemed that the worries of the 1930s and early 40s were over. All of the home front effort in war production had helped pull the country out of the depression. There were more jobs with better pay. Rationing was over and Americans wanted to spend money. For the first time, in a long time, any American housewife could buy something that wasn’t necessary or needed to run a household.

Feb 2015 7

The Sweet Art of Conversation Hearts

2015 Articles, Diana Bulls, Food Fun, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

February is the month of romance, and February 14 is considered by almost everyone, to be the most romantic day of the year. In modern times (around the end of the 18th century) Victorian lovers exchanged notes or cards, but pretty soon those cards were being accompanied by a gift like candy or flowers. And in 1847, a clever young man invented a lozenge cutter that turned out to be America’s first candy machine, and in so doing started the commercial candy industry in the United States.

Oct 2014 18

Tiny Treats: Kitchen Collectibles For Halloween & More

2014 Articles, Diana Bulls, Food Fun, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

I think I have shared with you before, how fascinated I am by things "Made in Japan" during the 1920s and 1930s. I have, at one time or another, collected pitchers, tea sets, dogs, birds, small celluloid toys, holiday decorations, party favors or anything else that caught my fancy.

Aug 2014 2

Kitchen Collectibles: Ice Cream Freezers

2014 Articles, Diana Bulls, Food Fun, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

One of my fondest childhood memories of summer is homemade ice cream. For no particular reason, other than it was hot, Mom would mix up a batch of ice cream and Daddy would get the old White Mountain, hand-cranked freezer out of the tank house. The filled freezer container would go in the wooden bucket, and Daddy would layer in the ice and salt, and finally the cranking mechanism.

Jul 2014 5

Collecting Canning Jars: Kitchen Collectibles

2014 Articles, Diana Hockley, Food Fun, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

"Summer's here and the livin' is easy. Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high." Well, actually it's not cotton, but fruits and vegetables. That's right, summer's bounty can be found at our local farmer's market on Wednesday night, at fruit stands and in our own backyards. The variety of fruits and vegetables we have available is one of the best things about summer in the San Joaquin Valley.

Jun 2014 7

Going To Pot: Collecting Stoneware

2014 Articles, Diana Bulls, Food Fun, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

Last month, I confessed my obsession with buttons. This month I have to confess that I am equally obsessed with stoneware crockery. It doesn't matter to me if it is a bottle, jug or jar, I love them for their various shapes, colors and decorations. Before refrigeration, crocks were used in American kitchens to hold foodstuffs such as butter, salted meats and pickled vegetables. They were America's major house ware from 1780-1890. I use them to hold kitchen utensils, flowers, magazines or kindling. I don't care if they aren’t in perfect condition.

May 2014 10

A Tisket, A Tasket: Check Out Grandma’s Sewing Basket

2014 Articles, Diana Bulls, Hometown History

by Diana Bulls

Ever since Eve ate the apple in the Garden of Eden, humans have been trying to fashion coverings for their bodies. Fig leaves progressed to animal skins (much softer and less itchy), and eventually to woven cloth. And along the way, a plethora of sewing accessories have come into being, opening another opportunity for collectors: the fascinating history of fashion and the evolution of how garments were created.