Books, Beds, and Tablescapes

What, you may ask, has this bed got to do with Susan’s party? No, I haven’t forgotten that Susan at Between naps on the porch hosts Tablescape Thursday. But I have been battling a spring cold/sinus infection---the kind that makes you want to go to bed, but not quite enough to allow it. This is our master bedroom—I don’t think I’ve ever invited you in. The bed is a reproduction rice-carved bed and I love it. Beloved gave it to me for our anniversary the minute we had tall ceilings :)

This the tray I’ve made myself to pamper both my cold and my feelings. It’s amazing what a silver gallery tray covered in a vintage crocheted doily can do to lift your spirits! I plucked a couple of flowers from the table arrangement downstairs for the silver bud vase. Blue irises are one my favorites. I made myself some chamomile tea with honey, lemon, and a slice of fresh ginger. I think the vintage doily calls for a vintage teacup. I inherited eight teacups and saucers each depicting a different flower. I love the pierced saucer. There is no marking on either. The cold is a good excuse to catch up with my reading, journaling, and recorded television.

But this is the book that has had my attention. I found it in a box of my grandmother’s books. It is dated 1928 and belonged to my great grandmother. I feel certain that it was a freebie from the Rumford Company. You know who Rumford is—they have been making Clabber Girl and Rumford since 1856.

The chapter titled “Recipes for the Sick” recommends serving strange-sounding recipes with unfamiliar ingredients such as arrowroot, Irish moss, and sago. Delicacies such as Invalid tea and corn meal gruel are included. “Daintiness in serving greatly influences the appetite of the patient” and “has as much to do with rapid recovery as drugs”. In an era without as many drugs and cures as we now have, this must have been a comforting addition to the cookbook. But…..I think I’ll just go with the chicken noodle soup :)

I am also joining Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. You can get to both parties by clicking on their buttons on my sidebar! Thanks for visiting!