75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 31, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 31, 1938

(New Year's Eve Day)

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, Dec 31:

 Up at 8:30. Pete up home to dinner & sawing wood. I made 3 loaves white bread. Scrubbed kitchen & dining room. To town at 6:00. Order came. 3 sheets music & a pastry server. Shoes didn't come. Julia wanted us to come to a party at her house but we were too tired. Listened to good orchestras and went to bed.

POSTSRIPT (In black space on page): Wonder what we'll know next year at its' close

This has been the best year of my life.


My comments: NICE! Well - she'll have a really nice six month old baby in the family at the end of 1939! ;-)

This was a new one - nice! - "Listened to good orchestras…"

"sawed wood" - life of a farmer goes on, continuously!

"I made 3 loaves white bread." Look what I found:

Suppose hers looked like these?


Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 30, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 30, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Friday, Dec 30:

 Up quite late again. In to town to dinner. Pete got a haircut. Got groceries & came home early. Pete took saw up home & then chores. Ate before he milked. Good liver supper. Took baths. To West Bend ballgames. Girls lost & boys won. Afterwards over to Bayard to Hal Stewart dance. Keen time. Had every dance. Home at 2:00.

My comments: Coon Rapids (IA) High School Boys Basketball team kept winning.

"Good liver supper."[I'll bet, however, that they didn't have broccoli! ;-)]

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 29, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 29, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, Dec 29:

Up the earliest for quite awhile. Berthal Jones came & sealed the corn. Had a good pork roast dinner.  Mom & Bussy came out in pm. Really cold. Mom scrubbed the kitchen w.w. & I patched Pete's jacket. Pete patched the barn.
Ate supper & then played marbles once & the folks left. Pete & I hung curtains & shades after they left.

My comments: I'm sure I'll be embarrassed to find out what "w.w." means - it comes up later, again…

Sealing of corn answers question, earlier, of what they signed up for at Carroll that one day!

She used the word "patched" twice in two sentences. Curious, for sure! ;-)

"Good Pork Roast Dinner!"

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 28, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 28, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, Dec 28:

 Up at 9:00. Finished the chores & then went in & brought Bussy out. Had a good beefsteak dinner. Fixed up kitchen in p.m. Pete made shelves & washstand and I did the cleaning. Scrubbed. Made cheese sandwiches for supper & then went in to "Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs." Real good. Home to bed.

My comments: Sounds like they moved the stoves around, the night before, to perhaps put in washing facility of some sort out here on the farm. They were still doing all washing and ironing in town… if I am correct.

1937 Disney - First Full Length Animated film!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 27, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 27, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, Dec 27:

Quite cold again. Up late. Did chores. Did separator. Got dinner. Pete had the left over soup. Went in to town. Sent back bedroom slippers. Up home a minute. Got groceries. Fried ham for supper.
Let fires go out. LVene & Verle came over & we moved the two stoves around. Played checkers &  pitch. Verle & I beat every game.

My comments: Mom was a good card player, for sure. A competitor, as well!

Nice to see her spell it "checkers!"

How do you like your ham?

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 26, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 26, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Monday, Dec 26:

 Up late. Did the chores. Made pancakes for dinner. In town in morning & got groceries. Hung pictures. Cleaned the house. Really cold out. At nite Liz & Kenny, Edith & Howard here for oyster supper. Did dishes & then played checkers & ate angel-food pie. Pete & I played rummy after they left until 1:00.

My comments: Yes, she wrote "angel-food pie!"

Do you play rummy? Recently?

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 25, 1938 (Christmas Day)

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 25, 1938

(Christmas Day)

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, Dec 25:

Up late. Did chores, took baths. Folks here at 8:00 on the way to Leo's. Up to Smith's to turkey dinner. Had all the pictures taken. Pop gave me a keen end table, and individual ash tray & scarf. Pete got a saw & hammer from Merle. Home at 4:30. Did the chores, went in to the show. "You Can't Take It With You." Good. Up home tending to furnace. Home to bed.

My comments: Nice practical gifts. I like that!

Here is the one "Picture" I have that was taken that day!

 

Movie Poster: 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 24, 1938 (Christmas Eve Day)

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 24, 1938

(Christmas Eve Day)

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, Dec 24:

Up late. Chored most of the morning. In to town after dinner. Betty's locket came. Up home a minute. Home & chores. Up to LVene & Verle's. Over to Star church to program. Down home to see the new lights. Home late.

My comments: Well, here is the Star (Methodist) Church, to the corner west of Smith's homeplace and one mile north, on the NW corner of the intersection. Pop and his kids had been members for years. Fairly active involvement over the years. My Mom just beginning to get into that activity.
 

[Star Church - early 1950s]

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 23, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 23, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Friday, Dec 23:

[Tom Wolfe birthday noted]

Pete up home in morning. After dinner Pete & Pop & I went in to town. Lil & baby at the folks. Packages came from Sears & Monky Ward (sic).
Pete took Pop up home. Late with chores. Just stayed home at nite.

My comments: Good time to share a photo of Pop - Pete's Dad. There weren't that many. This was taken about this time (1938). He'd have been 69.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 22, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 22, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, Dec 22:

Pete here in am. Went in to the folks for dinner.
Mom busy getting ready to go to Leos'. Did dishes & went down town & got the groceries. Home & chaired & went to bed early.

My comments: Good time to share this photo from earlier in the year, reminds me of ages of everyone in 1938. This was taken about six weeks before Mom and Dad were married. Note how young Buzz still was, here in 1938. About 10. Easy to forget. Leo and Ida, on left, of course. Pete looked pretty snazzy in his hat, back there, too!

[Paul and Dorothy (Sorensen) Kinnick Family. Paul in center; Dorothy on right. Buzzy on left. Pete and Eileen between her parents.]

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 21, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 21, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, Dec 21:

Up late. Pete ate dinner and then went up to Toots' again. I did up the work, scrubbed back room. Fed chicks, took cream in to town. Pete home at 4:30. Chored early. Bathing when Max & Orrin came. Went to A.I.B. & Galveston games in their new car. Galveston beat. Out home & played one game of chekkers (sic).

My comments: I hate interruptions during my bath - don't you? ;-)

"Fed chicks" - suppose they still look like these?

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago Today - Eileen's Diary - Dec 20, 1938

 

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 20, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, Dec 20:

 Pete to Toots' again so I went in home. Brought gifts for all the kids. Gave the folks a bookcase and picked out a rocker for us. Home & chores. ate & went to bed early.

My comments:  The phrase "all the kids" caught my attention. Doesn't seem there were many kids around to buy gifts for. I'd like to have seen her list! ;-)

Suppose their rocker looked like this one, from 1931??

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 19, 1938

75 Years Ago Today

Eileen's Diary

Dec 19, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Monday, Dec 19:

 In home at 10:00. Pete to Toots' cutting wood. Down town & mailed orders. Over to lite plant a minute.
Did the washing before dinner.
Louise & Rasmus, Annie & Karl were there for dinner. Down town & looked around in the afternoon. Had pigeon for supper. To bed early.

My comments: Notice that she still regularly refers to her parents' home, in town, as "home."
Cute!

"Had pigeon for supper." Found this image, "pigeon-squab" in Chinese cooking section of Wikipedia…

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 18, 1938

75 Years Ago

Eileen's Diary

Dec 18, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, Dec 18:

[Mrs. Lund - noted as being her birthday]

Up in good time. Picked out walnuts and made a nut cake. Fried chicken. Folks came out for dinner.
Played chekkers (sic) in pm. Pete made the wood box and fixed fence. Made nut fudge. Real good. Played chekkers until the folds went home. Made out an order for gifts while Pete took a bath.

My comments: My word processing software does want to spell chekkers like Mom did! She was normally so good at spelling and English - fascinating to see some specific short-comings, from time to time. We do all have them! ;-)

Walnuts played a big role in this day, so why not a walnut meat image… ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 17, 1938

75 Years Ago

Eileen's Diary

Dec 17, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resumed with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, Dec 17:

Toots here before we were thru' choring. Pete went to Scranton with him so I went in home to dinner. Mom & Bussy came out here with me in pm. Cleaned the house. Pete home early. Chored. Had chicken & noodles for supper. To bed early.

My comments: Wonder what they did in Scranton? Visit Aunt Lena? Went to a sale?

Last time she mentioned "chicken & noodles" Annette commented they had had "her" chicken and noodles for supper, as well! Earlier today, as I reviewed photos for our annual letter, I found this one I took of Arrion's "chicken & noodles." Small world. Still a most popular food! ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 16, 1938

75 Years Ago

Eileen's Diary

Dec 16, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Friday, Dec 16:
[Notes that it is Ed Kult's birthday!]

Home in the morning and then went in to town in pm. Pete went to sale. Mom and I played Chekkers. Down town and got the groceries and came home. Too late to go to the B.B. game so we didn't go to the dance either. Stayed home & went to bed early.

My comments: Assume she meant "regular" checkers...

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 15, 1938

75 Years Ago

Eileen's Diary

Dec 15, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, Dec 15:

Didn't feel good all day. Pete cut wood & I helped him saw it up. Called Mom at evening and told her about the party last nite. At nite did the chores up early and went to bed.

My comments: Good of her to help with wood, when she didn't feel good!

Does this look like your fire wood?

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 14, 1938

75 Years Ago

Eileen's Diary

Dec 14, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, Dec 14:

[Beside the date: Edna's & mine; Frances Lally

Mom's 20th Birthday!]

Up in good time. Ate breakfast and got ready to go to Carroll. 6 of the prettiest dish towels from Ida Marie. Soap & wash cloth form Bussy. Left for Carroll at 10:30. Mom got a new set of dishes. I got overalls, paint, gloves, hat. Didn't win the $300 drawing. Home at 4:30. Pete came at 5:00.
Invited to Roberts but Pete insisted that we go up home. Left at 8:00 - Surprise on me! Julia, Arnold, LVene, Verle, Polly, Merle, Don, Norma, Betty there. Chinese Chekkers. Nut picks, pictures, spoon, brush, stool. Keenest time. Ice cream & cakes, coffee. Home 12:30.

My comments: A Surprise Birthday Party! 20th Birthday - Big Deal, for sure! Did they plan this at Dinner on Sunday, when she was out of the room?? ;-)

Always interesting to see gifts received in different time periods.

Have you played Chinese Checkers??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Checkers


Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 13, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 13, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, Dec 13:

 Didn't get up 'till late. Late with chores. Nice out. Pete made a trough. Ate dinner. Pete cut some wood and I helped him saw it. Chored early & went to the Scranton - Gr. Junction - Coon games. Coon won both games. My stomach hurt awful. Took hot water bottle to bed.

My comments:  Coon Rapids had good boys basketball team, from reading 75 years ago column in The Enterprise. Showed, again, this week.

"Pete made a trough." I can picture it, in my mind, but having trouble finding an image. This is likely what it looked like, in process, at least. May have added legs, of some sort. Probably used to feed cows, I guess, so it would need to be up off the ground.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 12, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 12, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Monday, Dec 12:

 Pete got up early & we were in town by 9:30. Both of us did washing. I got dinner. Slept part of the afternoon. Got my ironing done. Home at 5:30. Chored. Just eating when Max & Orrin & Gary came. Used the new poacher Aunt Gertrude gave me. Really nice. Popped corn while Pete & Orrin went in to town & got some cards. Played bridge till 12:00.


[She had written "Dorothy Thomas" beside the date. That means it was her birthday - just two days before her own (Eileen's twentieth) - they were same age - Ruth (Thomas) Bolger's younger sister.]

My comments: Gotta have new cards to play bridge - apparently! ;-)

This photo is for a few weeks forward, but, on the right are Orrin, Max, Mom, Dad and Gary (being held by his grandfather Smith) at this point it time! Neat - and so young! ;-) Love it! ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 11, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 11, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, Dec 11:

Up kinda late. Chored & got ready to go to LVenes for dinner. Max, Orrin, Merle, Polly, Arnold, Julia, Lvene, Verle, Don, Norma there. Chicken & biscuits were really good. Bavarian cream. Home at 4:00.  Mom & Bussy here to supper. Dad took Cantata to Carroll. [that last sentence underlined] Buzz & Pete & I to Shirley Temple in "Little Miss Broadway."

My comments: An interesting six couple dinner. Life-long neighborhood friends, for sure, as well as some siblings. Neat!

Fascinated she spelled Bussy in one sentence and Buzz in the next! Is a change coming??

In the Shirley Temple movie, among other familiar names, Jimmy Durante played Jimmy Clayton, a bandleader…

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 10, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 10, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, Dec 10:

Up late. Did the chores, ate dinner early & went to Carroll. Pete got license & corn application. I went to the Doctor for first  examination. He said I was just coming fine. Home at 6:30. Ate supper. Ed Kult came talked 'till 8:30 & then we went to bed.

My comments: Did they need approval from government to plant corn?? Or how much?

It's official: "I went to the Doctor for first  examination. He said I was just coming fine." I am on the way…  what fun! ;-)

Can you believe, I have a photo of Ed Kult, with his family (wife, Rowena), about 15 years later - early 1950s, in basement of the Star Church. Small world!! ;-) 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 9, 1938

 

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 9, 1938

 

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Friday, Dec 9:

Up late. Did the chores and then Pete took me in to town. He went up home. Ate dinner. Told Mom. Got a permanent from Ted in p.m. Did my ironing. Pete came at 5:00. Had chicken & noodles for supper. Were going to games & dance but Pete was tired so we stayed home.

My comments: The comment that caught my attention here was "Told Mom." Do you suppose that was the announcement to her Mom that I was going to arrive on July 1, 1939?? Perhaps just my ego, but I think this was it! ;-)

Chicken and Noodles to celebrate!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 8, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 8, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date. 

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...
 

Here is the daily entry for Thursday, Dec 8:

Slept on studio couch all nite and until 8:30. Did separator, dishes, swept, took a bath, fixed my finger nails. Polly & Betty came. We got LVene, Margaret & Carrie & went to S.P.C. at Hazel Bolger's. Had nice time. The best lunch. Chicken salad was grand. Home at 4:30.

[She had written in "Noodles for supper." But, it was crossed out. Then, underlined this sentence:]
Put hot water bottle water on the noodles & we couldn't eat them.

Had sausage & spuds. Ate & went to bed.

My comments: Star Progressive Club. Again, first mention. She became an active member over many years, at some point. Hazel (my wife's grandmother, just for reference) was a special host, according to Mom, above! LVene was Pete's sister, of course. She was married to Verle Thomas. Margaret was his sister, Carrie was their mother. They were active in the Star Methodist Church.

Hazel Bolger, perhaps about that time

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 7, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 7, 1938

 

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Wednesday, Dec 7: 

 Keen day out. Did up work early. Polly & Betty got their hair fixed and we decided to go to the Annual Harvest dinner. I took rolls & pickles. Had the keenest dinner. Home at 4:30. Changed clothes & did my chores. Went in to town and got a grab bag present. Bro't Bussy home with me while folks went to see Lil. Moved couch. Max, Orrin, Gary came and we played bridge 'til 12:30.

My comments: She had a full day. Assume the Annual Harvest dinner was at Star Church, just a little over a mile from the Smith farm. It was a tradition. First mention, that I recall.

Bussy - as she always spelled her younger brother's nickname in her diaries; others spelled it Buzzy!

Lil was her aunt, who just had the baby, Dennis, on Dec 1.

Dad's sister, Max, husband, Orrin Hilgenberg, and their young son, Gary, spent the evening.

Playing bridge - all evening!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 6, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 6, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Resuming with Dec 1, 1938...


Here is the daily entry for Tuesday, Dec 6:

Did usual work in morning. Pete here for dinner. Vegetable soup. Made fresh rolls in pm. and got ready for club tonite. In town at 7:00. To Caswell's to Jr. Fed. Didn't have too much of a good time. Rice, whip. cream, crushed pineapple & coffee. Home at 12:00.
"Poochies' mamma."

My comments: Our "not quite 20" new farm housewife doesn't seem quite ready for the matronly role of small town club membership, yet… She did list the food… that never changes… ;-)

"Poochie" was the dog - not sure the reference to "mamma" in that context.

Pretty sure this photo, from nearly a year later, is actually "Poochie!"

Billie, Pete, Poochie, by car, at farm

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 5, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 5, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.' Resuming with Dec 1, 1938:

Here is the daily entry for Monday, Dec 5:

Didn't get up till 7:30. Did dishes & separator. Pete took out insurance $1000 from Dennis Brannan. Doc Wolfe said Pete should have been a prize fighter and that he never saw such teeth. Left at 3:00. Did our shopping. Home & did the chores and went to bed early.

My comments: Not sure if that was life insurance or property insurance. Not the right time of year for crop insurance. Our family generally had great teeth… and she loved to brag about it… seems to have started early!

Haven't used a separator image in a while - this is a generic milk/cream separator, like she washed every day, morning and night. Very important process, of course! ;-)
 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 4, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 4, 1938

 

This entry is an irregular post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Posts will be added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appear.

Resuming with Dec 1, 1938:


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, Dec 4:

 Up at 8:00. Pete chores. I put the roast on, made a chic. cake and did last nites dishes. Did separator, got dinner. Ate, did dishes, straightened up the house. Pete read awhile. Washed up. Did my bookkeeping. Snowing out. Chored, ate supper got ready for bed and laid on studio couch awhile. To bed at 10:00.

My comments: First actual snow fall, think. Had been very cold all the prior week.
I wonder what Dad was reading…  ;-)

Here is the income journal page she would have been working on, doing her "bookkeeping."

[Click on image for larger view]

Her handwriting is so distinctive - but, just like her fathers! ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 3, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 3, 1938

This entry is an irregular post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Posts will be added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appear.

Resuming with Dec 1, 1938:


Here is the daily entry for Saturday, Dec 3:

Didn't feel very good in the morning. Pete worked around here. Ate dinner. Went up home. Pete bro't the tractor down. I drove the car home. Did dishes, separator, scrubbed separator floor. Listened to Notre Dame-Southern Cal. Pete sawing wood. Listened to end of game and then chores. 13-0. S.C. Ate, and went to bed early.

My comments: From wikipedia:
1938 - USC 13, Notre Dame 0
Played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Notre Dame was undefeated and ranked #1 in the nation. USC was ranked 8th with a 7-2 record. Notre Dame fell to a #5 ranking the following week, but were still named national champions by the Dickinson System. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame%E2%80%93USC_football_rivalry
Southern California Trojans went on to win the Pacific Coast Conference Championship as well as the Rose Bowl Champitionship (over Duke, 7-3) under Coach Howard Jones.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USC_Trojans_football_under_Howard_Jones#1938

 

[LA Coliseum in 2006, not 1938!]

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 2, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 2, 1938

This entry is an irregular post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Posts will be added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appear.

Resuming with Dec 1, 1938:


Here is the daily entry for Friday, Dec 2:

Pete over fixing a fence on Gould's in morning. Home to dinner. Then we went in to town.
Pete to sale. I got the groceries etc.
Home at 5:00. Did the chores rite up. Bathed & went in to 4C. ball game. Tied 26-26. Boys lost to Ute 16-14. Really a good game. Afterwards Edith, Howard, Elmer, Erna & Pete & I to Boehler's afterwards.
Home at 12:00.

My comments: Dad apparently rented an 80 acres nearby owned by "Gould" family.
Will watch the paper for more about those "games."
I do not recognize "Boehler" - assume was a dance or such - frequent Friday night entertainment.

I found the "Gould Sisters 80" on the 1935 map of Union Township. It actually borders the land Mom and Dad moved to (red circled 6), on the county line, a couple of years later: W1/2 SE1/4 Sec 19. [You can read the map by clicking on it, and enlarging your view - focus in] Just about 2 miles by the road from where they lived (red circled 4 on map).

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 1, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Dec 1, 1938

This entry is a post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, 1938, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Between April 29 and Auguts 29, posts were added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appeared.

Resuming daily posts with December 1, 1938:


Here is the daily entry for Thursday, Dec 1:

Pete up to Toot's & XXX? home all day. I ironed all pm. Scribbed separator room floor.
Pete just finished the chores when LVene & Verle came
Brought 2 bu. walnuts.
Played cards 'till 12:00.

Lillian's boy Dennis Kinnick [Ford] born at St. Anthony's at 7:15.

My comments: Welcome to the world, Dennis!
Got 2 bu. walnuts - played cards until midnight… what more could one ask?

Youthful photo of Dennis and big sister Roberta:

2012 photo of Dennis Ford (left) at "Class of 1957" 55th Reunion in Coon Rapids, at Golf Course Country Club, with Dick Whitefield and Nancy (Bolger) Smith


Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 29, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 29, 1938

This entry is an irregular post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Posts will be added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appear.


Here is the daily entry for Sunday, Aug 28:

Pete up at 8:30. Me up at 10:00. Ate breakfast late. Pop & Merle came while I was out in the toilet sitting reading the paper with the door open. Picked cucumbers & tomatoes & ate dinner. Was just going to town when Red Brannan came. "There's no one with endurance like the man who sells insurance."

My comments: Hard to notice the "insurance man" quote after the… "with the door open" quote. Right? ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 28, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 28, 1938

This entry is an irregular post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Posts will be added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appear.

State Fair Time

Here is the daily entry for Sunday, Aug 28:

Up at about 8:30. Ate breakfast, cleaned up and went down to the grounds. Through the exposition building, and agriculture building. Ate lunch at a stand. Went & cleaned up and went to the grand stand. Keenest auto races. Emory Collin's won. Really a crowd. Left the grounds about 6:30. Went down town to Orpheum. Saw "Alexander's Ragtime Band." Really grand. Ate supper at Barr's & came home. Orville, Elmer, Arnold & Don passed up on the way. Talked to them at Guthrie.

My comments: I'd like to see the road maps of the highway route they would have taken at the time.

They seemed to enjoy the auto races in the afternoon, but still hard to beat a movie!!

A couple of readers of early State Fair Posts have mentioned the weather. Here were the readings for Harlan, in western Iowa, for August 1938... they would be pretty close... There weren't any for Des Moines. Note that there had been a 100 day on August 23. But, for the days they were at the fair, the high-low was:
Aug 26 - 82 - 59
Aug 27 - 77 - 58 Trace of rain during the day
Aug 28 - 86 - 60
Aug 29 - 89 - 60

Source:http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/IPS/coop/coop.html?_finish=0.6716706969591688



Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 27, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 27, 1938

 

This entry is an irregular post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Posts will be added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appear.


State Fair Time

Here is the daily entry for Saturday, Aug 27:

 Up about 8:00. Ate breakfast at the tent. Wore slacks & Pete wore overalls dow to see the livestock in the morning. Ate dinner at the tent. Slept till about 2:30 and then went down to the grounds. Ate supper in a stand. Chicken giblets. Went and got a jacket and came back down to the grounds. Saw quite a few from Coon Rapids. Saw hoola-hoolas, the fireworks. Played bean. Pete won the first time. Got an "alumuninim" pan. Up to the tent about 11:30.

My comments: If you have been to the Iowa State Fair, you can probably easily imagine the paths they took and the 'feel of the fair' as you read what she wrote. NEAT!

"Ate in a stand" - obviously was an "experience" for them. Not sure the connotation, but I can feel it in her words. I'm sure she was concerned about either cost, or cleanliness… perhaps both! ;-)

Livestock still make a "fair!"

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 26, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 26, 1938

 

This entry is an irregular post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Posts will be added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appear.


State Fair Time

Here is the daily entry for Friday, Aug 26:

 Didn't get up very early. Getting ready to leave for the fair. Fried a chicken, made oatmeal cookies. Toots here awhile. They tried the tent. Got pin to town to eat with the folks. Left town at 1:00. No trouble on the way. Got to Des Moines at 2:30. Got some socks at Younkers & then went out to Fair Ground. Pete put up the tent. We ate supper at the tent. Went down to the grounds. Ran around until 11:00. Saw fireworks and came back to the tent.

My comments: Hard for me to imagine Mom and Dad in a tent… but they were young then, and seemed to really enjoy the experience.

I really wonder what their tent looked like!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 25, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - Aug 25, 1938

 

This entry is an irregular post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Posts will be added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appear.

State Fair Time Approaches...

Here is the daily entry for Thursday, Aug 25:

Up late. Just finished breakfast when Betty, Pauline, Irene came down to get their hair set. They're going to the fair tomorrow, too. Canned 22 quarts of sauerkraut in p.m. At nite went in to town & ironed dresses and shirts. Mom cleaned a chicken for us. Home about 9:00. Went to bed right away.

My comments: Is this how you would prepare to go to the fair??

Eileen still using her Mom's iron, it appears. Here is an image I used earlier…

Families are Forever!  ;-)

FTDNA Family Finder Price to remain at $99

Don't forget, we do have a KINNICK DNA Project at FamilyTree DNA.

Here is the latest news - this is available to EVERYONE:

http://www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2013/07/26/ftdna-99-family-finder-price-stays/

Please let me know if you decide to do this. It would be great, for the whole family.

Bill  ;-)

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - July 22, 1938

75 Years Ago - Eileen's Diary - July 22, 1938

 

This entry is an irregular post on this blog from the diary of nineteen year old Eileen KINNICK, 75 Years Ago this date.

From March 1 thru April 29, I posted every day, to cover the marriage and the early married life of Pete and Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, but decided to 'take a breather.'  Posts will be added, from time to time, as items of particular interest appear.

Here is the daily entry for Friday, Jul 22:

Did up the work and then went over to Lund's to help them with threshers. Edith, Lenore, Erna & I. Home at 5:00.

My comments: She didn't have to host the thresher's dinner, but she did go help her friends as they did. Ah, the memories! ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)