“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Friday, September 25, 2015

Toast Anyone?

Autumn has arrived and everyone is posting their incredible photos of their trees, flowers, front porches etc.... all decorated with the seasons best.

Not me, today you get toast.


Yes, it may seem an odd thing to talk about, but I can't get it out of my mind these days....

I dropped by a moving sale last week and an elderly couple was selling off a vast majority of their things. I picked up a few teacups and other little items, but the most interesting item I came home with is this fun cookbook.

"A Book of Recipes and Suggestions for the Use of Toast", by Mills Bakery, Detroit Michigan - Halls Baking Co - 1937.


While I'm making light of what seems today like a funny book, remember this was written during the Great Depression (1929-39), the deepest and longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the Western industrialized world. Another horrible event at that time was the Dust Bowl, also known as the Dirty Thirties, a period of severe dust storms that greatly damaged the ecology and agriculture of the US and Canadian prairies during the 1930s; severe drought and a failure to apply dryland farming methods to prevent wind erosion caused the phenomenon. 
Times were extremely tough for people throughout the country and food was hard to come by. What little they had was extended by using a relatively inexpensive item at the time, which in this case was sliced bread. My parents families were both farmers and lived through both of these horrid events.


So I guess at the time, it was appropriate for Toast to have 
a special place at the table for all to enjoy. Let's take a look 
at a book about Toast!

























This was declared the First and perhaps Last book about Toast!





The Glory of Toast!

Toast, a happy glorification of the world's oldest and most important food, now takes on a new significance in the preparation of the daily meals......... golden brown toast adds to the attractiveness of whatever it is served with, and eye-appeal always makes good food taste even better. .... and of course it is easy on the food budget.  Particularly so, because it is the smart way to serve leftovers. - from A Book of Recipes and Suggestions for the Use of Toast



A Toast To Toast 
by 
Grace McKinstry




I will never think of Toast in the same way again!








Just a peek at some fun Toast Recipes!





Hope you enjoyed my book about toast! If you'd like to purchase the book it's available in my shop, CraveCute on Etsy.




Who knew toast was so much fun.....

I found these on Flickr!

Fun Toast People!

Toast Talk (13), c1965





Glamorous Cocktail Party Toast!
1937 ... toast juggling!



I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! 
And don't forget to Toast your Toast!

~~Diane~~





15 comments:

  1. What a fun post! That is a beautiful book, and very creative!

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  2. Diane, what an interesting toast post! For many, many years my breakfast consisted of toast with peanut butter. I love it. I also love a hard boiled egg on homemade white toast with a glass of spicy tomato juice. My parents lived through The Great Depression and when I was a kid, they'd invite friends over even if all they had to give them was pancakes or toast. They'd learned to be frugal and still hospitable. Loved this post.

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  3. Diane, this was an interesting post to me, and I didn't know that toast was a main food that was served during the Great Depression. It makes sense though, as it's cheap, tasty, and filling. This book is delightful showing several different ways to make toast. I think about the days of the Great Depression sometimes and what our ancestors had to go through back then. It was a hard life for them, but they lived with hope and perseverance. I admire these people so much.

    Have a very nice weekend.

    love, ~Sheri

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  4. That reminds me, I need to buy a toaster. I bought some lovely toast tongs this summer in Nova Scotia so now I need a toaster to make the whole thing feasible.

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  5. What a great post! And what a unique find that cookbook is. I imagine it provided great ideas during tough times.

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  6. A delightful post that has me smiling! My Nana made us toast with cinnamon sugar which melted into the butter. I still love it today. Sweet book. :)

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  7. That cookbook is fabulous and too funny! I love the smell of toast but don't eat it too much because of the calories....you know, the peanut butter and jam, or butter and cinnamon all over it! Can't eat it plain....that's for when you are sick!

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  8. I love toast - have you seen the toast racks in England? Specifically for toast! The toast people are adorable, and this cookbook is neat, too.

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  9. Hi Diane..what a fabulous post and tribute to toast and all toast lovers out there! Love that cookbook, thanks for sharing that..very cool! The cartoon was very cute too! I know alot of toastlovers that will enjoy this post!
    Beautiful and fun my friend...fantastic!
    Wishing you a magical Autumn!
    Thanks always for your kind visits..deep appreciation!

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  10. Dear Diane, I’ve just got up and my next job is to make toast for breakfast – so how lovely to see a post all about toast on your blog! I had no idea such a book existed, but it makes sense when you realise how tough times were back then. Thank you for sharing all the background information. Hugs Barbara

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  11. I love toast. Something about it that makes one happy and eager to start the day. My sisters even bought me a book on it when they were visiting Taiwan few years back.

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  12. Great images and I'm currently having breakfast - toast - as I read this! Have a lovely day. x

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  13. Dear Diane what a fun post on toast! I am a great lover of this food. Sometimes just s slice for a snack is nice. Looks to me you really found a prize in this cookbook. Thanks for sharing. Hugs

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  14. Hey Diane ;o) This is so interesting! I have to tell you, I know my mom and I are finding all the food prices have really went high! You have to cherish everything you have!
    My friend, I am sorry I haven't been around! Trying to come by everyone and say hi to my long lost friends! I miss you!! Big Hugs ;o)

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