Comments on: Crabapple Eyes & Crispy Skin, USA, 1958

By: VdV

VdV — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 09:06:07 +0000

Maybe they were a couple that lived near a Navy base and were at a party thrown by their Filipino neighbors. No joke; my parents are from the Philippines, and our parties (in the ’60s) always had the roast pig with apple in its mouth. The only way to tell for sure if this theory is correct is whether or not there was a big plastic punchbowl at the end of the table with Hawaiian Punch and julienned apple pieces and round, thin orange slices (with rind still on) floating around in the bowl. Hmmm…

By: Sassy Lu

Sassy Lu — Mon, 01 May 2006 20:21:06 +0000

A fine example of how Americans used to take the time to celebrate! A more laid back, fun time. An era gone by. Let’s revive the old traditions of festive times! Roast a beast with your friends and celebrate life!!!!!

By: Charles Phoenix

Charles Phoenix — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 04:28:25 +0000

When was tinfoil invented you ask…Reynolds Metals Company introduced its most famous product, Reynolds Wrap Aluminum, Foil in 1947.

And where did you find this slide you ask…It was part of a small collection that came from somewhere back East. But no location was written on on the slides, and none of the others that came with it revealed any location clues. So, I wish I could tell you where it was taken but I can’t!

Thanks for the compliments, comments…and questions!!!
Charles

By: Tom O'Sullivan

Tom O'Sullivan — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 03:36:28 +0000

Charles,
Where did you find this picture? It appears to be my 8th grade metal shop teacher, Mr.Norris (I’d be sure if I could see his hands clearly) and my sizeable childhood next door neighbor, Wilma Renfro? As for the poor beast in the garishly golden glaze posing so undignified in a bed of “let’s just use whatever we got in the pantry”–well, it’s just a sad, unfortunate way to wind up.

By: nylasor

nylasor — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 01:06:00 +0000

I think the “sliced ham or napkins” is actually sliced bread. Maybe they were going to carve up Rover, er . . . I mean the pig, and everyone was supposed to make their own ham samich? The amazing thing is, it looks like wheat bread! Can it be??? I think she has his leash behind her back in case he tries to make a run for it. The pig, not her date! Y’all are kinky!!!

By: missy kelliot

missy kelliot — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 23:04:40 +0000

where’s the beef???

By: Mike V.

Mike V. — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 22:35:47 +0000

My guess is that the lady is hiding a bottle of beer or perhaps a cigarette behind her back. There are many pictures of my grandmother in a similar pose, and my mom tells me that’s the sort of thing she was hiding back there.

By the way, I love your new webpage, Charles. Your slide show was sorely missed at Viva Las Vegas this year. Maybe you could venture up to Green Bay next May?

Cheers,
Mike V.

By: Steve Stuart

Steve Stuart — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 20:50:09 +0000

This moment in time sums up perfectly just exactly what’s wrong with our eating habits of today. I’m fully convinced if we adopted these “delightful repasts” into our normal mealtime dining, we’d be happier, healthier and I dare say, even more svelte-! Now, chow-down!!

By: Miss Sharon

Miss Sharon — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 20:30:51 +0000

Aloha Charles!

Although some might be dubious about the wisdom of wearing taffeta to a luau, I applaud Mrs. Fancy Pants and her penchant for sartorial splendor. And though some have mourned the lack of panache exhibited by the Mr. No Jacket For Dinner, Please, I think these two have probably struck a bargain whereby the lady sparkles and the man always dresses down to enhance said sparkling. Ah, sounds like a dream relationship to me!

I have consulted _The Family Book of Home Entertaining_ by Florence Brobeck (1960). According to Flo, this is a “big, basic book … filled with invaluable step-by-step suggestions and ideas for every possible manner of home entertaining.” Who doesn’t need one of these guides? Once you’ve played “Who Hit Me” at the potluck, what could you do next?

Well, Ms. Brobeck suggests a Hawaiian feast! As she says:

“A luau (pronounced loo-ah-oo) is an Hawaiian feast, gay, friendly, beautiful — with special music, dancing, and luxurious flowers.”

Sounds fine (although I’m unsure of that luau pronunciation). Seems like our Party Duo is playing by the party book. But here is where Taffeta At Any Time goes, well, a bit off course.

“Luau tables are either left bare but decorated here and there with blossoms. They may be covered with broad, shiny ti leaves as in Hawaii, or with a straw or split-bamboo mat, or fish nets. Wooden bowls and platters, green leaves, and hollowed, halved coconut shells hold the foods. Flowers from the garden or those ordered from Hawaii decorate many dishes and drinks as well as the table and are worn by all guests in their hair and as leis.

They may be as many as ten main dishes, a great many relishes, and a continuously arriving variety of lime, orange, pineapple, passion fruit and guava drinks, some frappeed. All of these are decorated with blossoms or fruit or both, and served in frosty mugs, bowls, large footed goblets, and hollowed-out pineapples and coconuts. (Hmmm … I see nothing here about jello molds).

Guests are supposed to wear summer sports clothes, the men flowery shirts and shorts, the girls sundresses or shorts and flowery bra-tops. Party of the hospitality is to provide both men and girls with leis, and the girls with grass skirts and flower anklets.”

Flowery bra-tops! Well I never! I had no idea that I would reach a bunch of smutty suggestions at the end of this otherwise suitable passage. Harumph. Flowery bra-tops are never good etiquette if you are leaving the house to attend a party. Wear them at home, ladies.

A good thing that Lady Fully Covered and Full Skirted didn’t read this passage. Can you imagine her in a flowery bra-top and grass skirt hoisting the pig over to the table?

xoxo!
Miss Sharon

By: Jen W

Jen W — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 18:57:10 +0000

Do you think 1958 was the year that Aluminum foil was invented?