I have a secret to tell.
I have an insane obsession with old cookbooks. The older the cookbook, the better. I snatch them up at yard sales, thrift stores, book sales; anywhere I can get my grubby little hands on one.
Photo courtesy of Tour Kittson County
Needless to say there are tons of antique and classic items in the store. The clothing and shoe fashions aren’t necessarily to my style but they have old records, books, cookbooks, dishes, trinkets, knick knacks, cookware and a myriad of other things I love to look and run my fingers over. Old things not only have a distinctive look, the feel different too. I love to to browse. Taking in all the history. Imagining the treasure's long and colorful journey. Even if I don’t buy anything, the fun is in the looking, touching and day dreaming.
Flikr photo fo Lefse by Litherland
I was quite surprised to discover a “This n That” section of the book listing recipes for play dough, finger Jello, plant fertilizer, finger paint. Today I’ll share the “Rainy Day Finger Paint” courtesy of Becky R. from the Evangelical Mission Covenant Church Centennial Cookbook of 1983.
Flikr Photo by Little Silver
Ingredients
1/2 cup cornstarch 1 envelope Knox gelatin 1/2 cup soap flakes | 1 cup cold water 2 cups hot waterfood coloring (as desired) |
Directions
Combine cornstarch and 3/4 cup cold water. Soak gelatin in remaining 1/4 cup cold water. Stir hot water slowly into starch mixture. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils and is clear. Remove from heat and blend in softened gelatin. Stir in soap flakes until dissolved. Cool mixture. Then divide into a jar for each color. Cover jars to store.
Jenn is a SAHM of two energetic and imaginative boys, one sport lovin' tweenie girl, and wife to a fantastically devoted husband. She writes about family, good food, fun crafts, saving money and her adventures in gardening and sewing at the Frugal Front Porch. Stop by for a visit.
I too love old cookbooks. My favorite is from the 1960's. The finger paint looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteSoap flakes? Any particular type of soap?
ReplyDeleteAnnette,
ReplyDeleteI would use a white soap like Ivory or Dove grated with a cheese grater. (similar to what many people use in homemade laundry detergent.) Both are usually okay for sensitive skin and have fewer sulfate ingredients.
If you use a colored soap, just remember the color wheel when adding the food color or your colors might be a little off.
Have fun!
I have some old northern cookbooks that belonged to my mom and maybe some of her family. They are primarily from the 1950's and 1960's. One of the recipes was for Oxen Head Soup! LOL Yuck. I guess times were tight back then, too, and they ate anything that couldn't be thrown away!
ReplyDelete