Clean and Dry

It used to frustrate me to try to take scenic photos where I couldn't avoid cars being in the shot.  Then I noticed I really appreciated seeing old photos that DID have cars in them so I don't let myself get as bothered by them anymore since perhaps I will feel the same way about cars in my own photos in the future.


In browsing these old "The American Home" magazines issues this past week, I've realized the same thing about all the advertisements.  Reading current magazines, I've been annoyed that they are half full of ads. But now that I'm enjoying the vintage ads, I will assume that sometime in the future someone will enjoy the ads that irritate me.


These are probably four of my favorites.  I'm not alone - people framed the Swan Soap ads for wall decor.  I also notice a coupon to order the print without the ad.


Get clean and dry!

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

"Ask the neighbors in for 'burger barbecue'"

While we are eager to kick summer off this weekend, we should by no means forget what Memorial Day is all about.  Please remember to honor those who served and sacrificed for our country.

With an extra day in the weekend many choose to have a party!  Check out these vintage World War 2 era food ads (click on the image and find the magnifying glass to enlarge):

Not just for breakfast - appetizer recipes for entertaining:

From Vintage Goodness

"Ask the neighbors in for 'burger barbecue'"

From Vintage Goodness

Salad recipes to brag about:

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

And keep this canning calendar handy since it's almost that season:

From Vintage Goodness

And whether for your own entertaining or for the June brides in your life:

From Vintage Goodness

Patriotic Home and Appliance Care

More WW2 ads in honor of Memorial Day Weekend.


Taking care of your home and your appliances was the patiotic duty of early 1940's Americans.  Families learned to live without or make due with what they had so that resources could be used for the War Effort to bring our men home.


Protect your home's exterior!  Be sure to use lead based paint!

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

Properly maintain your heating system!

From Vintage Goodness

"Uncle Sam says 'Keep homes in good repair'!"

From Vintage Goodness

Use your refrigerator appropriately!

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

And you can dream of your future kitchen!

From Vintage Goodness

"Let's Hasten the Day"

On Memorial Day Weekend and always, heartfelt thanks to those who have served and who are serving our country defending our freedom.

Some more vintage World War 2 advertisements from "The American Home" magazine.  Sacrifices on the homefront didn't match those overseas but Americans stateside were trying to do their part.

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

"One of those 'certain days'"

Apologies in advance to those with a "Y" chromosome who might not find this post quaint but, rather . . . awkward!

I rarely read women's magazines.  But I'm thrilled to have two called The American Home.  One is dated August 1942 which sold for 10¢; the other from June 1943 had gone up 50% to 15 ¢.  The format is larger than most current women's magazines 12 3/4" (32+cm) X 9 3/4" (~25cm).  Of course most ads and articles connect to World War 2.

I will probably post more from these charming magazines but I'm starting with these three ads regarding "trying days of the month". Be sure to click to see them in a readable size.

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

From Vintage Goodness

Maren Nielsen Andersen & the Rev. Dr. Mark Allison Matthews

I met Maren (née Nielsen) Andersen in the early 1980's - she was born March 20, 1889 in Varde, Næsbjerg, Denmark so she was in her early 90s at the time. She was my fiancée's maternal grandmother. Maren was very sweet to me - I figured at her age she had met countless people and that it must be difficult to keep track of details of newcomers. I was delighted that she joked with me that I belonged in the family since my name begins with J so I fit in with several current family members Judy, Jolene, Jane, Jean.




Maren Dorthea Nielsen arrived in the United States October 30, 1907 (age 18). On her issued inspection card she wrote, " there never was a doktor to see me when i was so sick and laid in the bunk all the way to New York. How could a Dr. sign for everything as it shows he did on other side. I weighed 90 lbs landing on the dock." Shortly after arriving in the states, she got a job working as a domestic for the Rev. Dr. Mark A. Matthews in Seattle.

From Maren Nielsen Andersen's album

"Miss Gwladys Matthews" This is one of the Matthews' children. Maren wrote, "I have combed her hair many times and dressed both her and Mark Allison when he was a Baby."

Maren appears to have had a lot of respect for Rev. Dr. Matthews. She clipped and saved many newspaper articles about him.

Dr. Matthews was quite active in early 20th century Seattle politics and religion as a Presbyterian minister. According to History Link he "pastored Seattle’s First Presbyterian Church for 38 years, from 1902 to 1940. He built his congregation into the denomination’s largest, with nearly 10,000 members at its height" "He spearheaded social projects and helped create new institutions such as Seattle Day Nursery, which evolved into Childhaven, one of the state’s most successful institutions to treat child abuse. He helped lead the effort to establish Harborview Hospital." The article goes on to describe his controversial efforts as well.








The Reverend and his wife gave a lovely carving set to Maren upon her marriage to Hans Andersen in 1910. 

When I married her grandson in 1983 Maren thought we should have this beautiful gift and I will treasure it always.

From Maren Nielsen Andersen's album

She died in 1985 at age 96, a few years after I met her.  Of course I wish I had asked for more stories and found out more about her.