Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 466

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 11, 1942: British carrier HMS Eagle sunk by U-73 in Pedestal convoy en route to Malta. US War Production Board orders entire crop of wine grapes be made into raisins for military.

Giveaway Winner - Canning Book

Thanks for all your fun comments on Monday's post on canning. Today I'm giving away a copy of the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving . My random number generator selected...Gabrielle! Gabrielle, I'll send you an email and get this in the mail to you soon.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 10, 1942: Germans begin deportation of 40,000 Jews from Lvov ghetto over 12 days. Los Angeles police arrest 600 Mexican-Americans on false charges in 8/2 Sleepy Lagoon murder case.

A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado by Keli Gwyn

Have you ever had a dream and people constantly told you that you couldn't do it? And when you tried, circumstances got in your way?

In A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California by Keli Gwyn, that's what happens to Elenora Watkins. All her life she wanted to take over her father's mercantile, but he passes her over in favor of a man. Now widowed, with nine-year-old Tildy to care for, Elenora accepts an offer of partnership at Rutledge Mercantile in El Dorado, California. One small problem. Miles Rutledge does not know his new partner is a woman, since his charmingly manipulative mother was in charge of the correspondence.

When Miles refuses to offer a partnership, Elenora proceeds to open her own mercantile - directly across the street. She carries wares a bit different than Miles carries, more suited for women, but the battle is on. As Elenora and Miles compete in business, they fight romantic feelings for each other, and wage a deeper struggle against the pride in their own hearts.

Keli Gwyn and IA Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California deftly balances romance, humor, and a thoughtful message. Keli Gwyn has a marvelous knack for dialogue, banter, and humor. But I was even more struck by the message of not letting pride destroy relationships. Both Elenora and Miles long to best the other and prove themselves, but they each learn that being respectful and kind is far better.

In one of my favorite scenes, the women are planning competitions for the men at El Dorado Day. The temptation is to make the men "slice onions in frilly aprons." One of the women says, "Why should we go out of our way to make the men look good?" But another woman replies, "It would pain me to see any man shamed in front of the townspeople. I think Sammy would be more likely to show me respect if I did the same for him." Bravo!

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to more from Keli Gwyn.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 9, 1942: German Army Group A takes Maikop oil fields in Caucasus, but finds them mostly destroyed by the Soviets. In the Battle of Savo Island—Japanese sink 1 Australian (Canberra) and 3 US (Astoria, Quincy, Vincennes) cruisers off Guadalcanal. British jail Gandhi and Nehru in India, riots break out which disrupt transportation.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 8, 1942: US Marines take airfield on Guadalcanal, to be renamed Henderson Field. Mohatma Gandhi makes anti-British “Quit India” speech in Bombay. New song in the Top Ten: “I Left My Heart at the Stage Door Canteen.”

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 7, 1942: US Marines land on Guadalcanal in the Solomons; first US offensive of war. British Lt. Gen. Gott, new CO of Eighth Army, is killed in Egypt. US Western Defense Command announces completion of detention of 119,000 Japanese-Americans.

Lessons from the 1940s - Yes, I Can!

I'm giving away a copy of the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving! Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. Please include your email address in the following format: sarah[at]sarahsundin[dot]com. US only please. The winner will be posted on Friday, August 10.

My plum tree overfloweth. Right now, two bags full of ripe plums are sitting on my kitchen counter, saying, "We want to jam!" 

Soon I'll boil jars, pit and puree plums, measure sugar, and emotionally bond with my ancestors.

Something about canning appeals to me. I love my food processor, heavy-duty mixer, and modern stove. I love buying my meat already butchered and wrapped in clear plastic. I love my pantry and refrigerator bulging with food. But all of this distances me from reality.

Food comes at a price. Food takes work. Food is precious.

In the 1940s, everyone knew that. While most people didn't have to do their own butchering, meat was rationed and scarce. Housewives had to come up with dishes that didn't require meat or used whatever was available.

Everyone was encouraged to plant Victory Gardens to grow ration point-free produce for their families. Canning was a necessity to preserve these fruits and vegetables for year-round use. Each household was even allowed an extra ration of precious sugar just for canning use.

I make my own jam for many reasons. It uses up the fruit so it doesn't go to waste. It saves me a bit of money. It makes the house smell divine. And homemade jam is yummy. But I also love the sense of continuity with the past, and the reminder that food is a gift from God to be cherished and never taken for granted.

How about you? Do you have any canning memories? Do you enjoy canning?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 6, 1942: Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands addresses US Congress.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 5, 1942: Vichy France reduces wine ration to 2 liters/person/week. Churchill replaces Gen. Auchinleck with Lt. Gen. Gott over Eighth Army in North Africa.