Baking this weekend?

Good morning! What are you baking this weekend? I'm thinking red velvet cake. It's been about a year since my last one. I think I will make a butter cream frosting instead of cream cheese. I know of a bakery that uses beets instead of food coloring. I wonder if I should give it a go?

By the way, do you like the new look of this blog? I hope so! This is one of my favorite photos from my private Betty Crocker collection. A former "Crockette" gave it to me.

Have a great weekend! And I let you know how the cake turns out.

Always Order Dessert book review of Finding Betty Crocker

Always Order Dessert did a very thoughtful review of my book, Finding Betty Crocker. Check it out. And while you're there, check out Alejandra Ramos' recipes and writings.

Betty Crocker Search for the American Homemaker of Tomorrow

Some more interesting questions from the Betty Crocker Search for the American Homemaker of Tomorrow. These questions are from the 1959 test.

Which statement is most nearly correct?

A. Most mental illness is a result of heredity.

B. Most mental illness is caused by poor physical condition.

C. Most mentally ill people are dangerous.

D. Most mental illness is a reaction to both physical and environmental problems.

Which statement is most nearly correct?

A. Breast-fed babies are heavier.

B. Bottle-fed babies are healthier.

C. Breast-fed babies received more personal attention.

D. None of the above is true.

Do you think that the answers today would be the same as 1959? Let me know if you took this test!

Betty Crocker Search for the American Homemaker of Tomorrow

From the 1959 Betty Crocker Search for the American Homemaker of Tomorrow Scholarship examination.

42. A homemaker will enjoy her housekeeping tasks more if she...

A. has the right equipment.

B. has someone to talk to while working.

C. does the tasks systematically and regularly.

D. has a working plan suitable to herself and her family.

Apron Memories

You simply must visit this site if you haven't already. EllynAnne just got back from a visit to the Betty Crocker Kitchens and she is smitten!

Betty Crocker's Homemakers Creed

Betty Friedan wasn't the only Betty who knew about "the problem without a name." In fact, long before The Feminine Mystique was published, women were writing to Betty Crocker expressing major domestic dystopia. Betty's solution? Create a club, the Betty Crocker American Home Legion, to celebrate homemaking. The Homemakers Creed (see above) was send to every member. Notice how the wording is genderless? If you want to know more about this topic, I write extensively about it in my book on Betty Crocker.