Secret RecipesHi! I'm Laura Emerich and Gloria Pitzer, the ORIGINAL Secret Recipe Detective, is my mom. This website is lovingly dedicated to her memory and legacy.
YES, CAROL! I WANNA MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF IT! By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her syndicated1 column… “No Laughing Matter” (Circa 1970s). I just finished reading a brand-new book called Crafts For Everyone – For Your Family And Friends, by Carol Duvall, and believe me, my life will never be the same again. I […]
AMISH QUILT CROCHETED AFGHAN By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published newsletter… Secret Recipes Newsletter (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; May-June 1989, p. 11) [This pattern really goes fast! I completed a single bed size cover in 4 weeks of spare time – television watching time, mostly. Try it!] INGREDIENTS/NEEDS: “I” hook suggested 4-round […]
Thank God it’s Monday. I look forward to every Monday. They’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you. Therefore, happy Monday AND happy July. #TheRecipeDetective #TheDogDaysOfSummer Michigan’s cold, wet winter and spring is long gone, for now. The Dog Days of Summer are about to […]
Thank God it’s Monday. I look forward to all Mondays, as they’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you so happy Monday! #TheRecipeDetective #NationalGreatOutdoorsMonth It’s officially summertime fun season. No wonder National Great Outdoors Month is celebrated in June. Although, it’s great for July, August, […]
Thank God it’s Monday, once again. I personally look forward to each and every Monday, as they’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you! Therefore, happy Monday to one and all. #TheRecipeDetective #DaylightAppreciationDay #SummerSolstice #Summersgiving Even though we celebrated the unofficial start of summer several […]
Thank God it’s Monday, as they’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you. Therefore, happy Monday. #TheRecipeDetective #FreshFruitAndVegetablesMonth In honor of June, being National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, I’d like to continue with my… LAST THOUGHTS… FROM LAST WEEK… Since grocery prices continue to […]
As usual, thank God it’s Monday, once again. I personally look forward to all Mondays, as they’re my 52 Chances a year, in which I get to share Memories of My Mom with you! Therefore, happy Monday and happy June, too. #TheRecipeDetective #NationalGardeningWeek #NationalGardeningExerciseDay #FreshFruitAndVegetablesMonth #RoseMonth This week celebrates, among other things, National Gardening Week. […]
HOW TO MAKE POCKETS FOR GRANNY SQUARE VEST By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published newsletter, Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes Newsletter (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Nov.-Dec. 1987, p. 11). Whether you use one pocket or two pockets on the Granny Square Vest, per directions… [see also https://therecipedetective.com/2024/05/06/light-spring-vest/]… You will make a 12-round Granny […]
CROCHET ABREVIATIONS & STITCH EXAMPLES CROCHET ABBREVIATIONS By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published folder, Granny Square How To (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI: Fall 1986, p. 1). The only abbreviations in my patterns… STITCHES: ½-DC…….Half Double Crochet DC………..Double Crochet SC………..Single Crochet sts………..Stitches rnd(s)…….Round(s) ch…………Chain SIZES: X-Lg………Extra Large Lg…………Large Med……….Medium Sm………..Small [For reference, see […]
BEEF BRISKET By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in… Gloria Pitzer’s Mostly 4-Ingredient Recipes (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; April 1986, p. 14). INGREDIENTS: 3 to 3½-lb beef brisket ½ cup Lambrusco wine 1.5-oz envelope onion soup mix 12-oz bottle Heinz Chili Sauce INSTRUCTIONS: Combine it all in a Pam-sprayed 9x12x2-inch baking pan or deep baking […]