Secret Recipes
Happy June and National Pen Pal Day! #NationalPenPalDay PAPER HOLE PUNCH FLOWERS – For Stationary & Greeting Cards By Gloria Pitzer (circa 1992; no printed version found). When my children were young, I volunteered as their Campfire Boys & Girls group leader, just as Mom had volunteered as a Scout’s leader 20 years earlier. This […]
Happy National Preservation Month & National Scrapbook Day Eve. Preservation is the act of keeping something valued intact and in its original state, protecting it from damage or decay, for the conservation of history and more. Scrapbooks are where Mom kept her personal “valuables” – letters and cards from relatives and close friends, pictures and […]
Happy April and a belated happy Easter. Here’s Mom’s easy “craft” instructions for making a bunny-shaped cake… #Easter EASTER BUNNY CAKE By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published newsletter… Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes Newsletter (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Mar.-Apr. 1987, p. 12). INGREDIENTS/ITEM NEEDS: 2 8-inch or 9-inch, round cake pans [prepared per […]
Happy March and National Craft Month. In honor, here’s another one of Mom’s crochet patterns for a “V Stitch Pullover Vest” as seen in her self-published newsletter, Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes Newsletter (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; July-Aug. 1988, p. 11). As always, asking only for proper credit if you wish to share it. #NationalCraftMonth […]
Happy February! Next Sunday is the “big game” (aka: Super Bowl Sunday). If you’re hosting a party for it (or any other event), here’s Mom’s idea for a homemade pan warmer to use on your buffet table. #SuperBowlSunday Instant Warmer for Buffet Table By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published newsletter… Gloria Pitzer’s Secret […]
In honor of January, being National Slow Cooking Month, here’s Mom’s copycat recipe for “Tomato Paste”; as seen in… Gloria Pitzer’s Cookbook – The Best of the Recipe Detective (Balboa Press; Jan. 2018, p. 64). [A revised reprint of Gloria Pitzer’s Better Cookery Cookbook (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; May 1983, 3rd Edition)]. As always, […]
Happy New Year’s Day… “I may not have much candle left but, with what I have, I’ll shed a light.” – Gloria Pitzer, This is not a Cook Book! It’s Gloria Pitzer’s Food for Thought (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Oct. 1986, p. 34). #NewYearsDay HOLIDAY HURRICANE LAMP By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her […]
Happy National Day of Giving Eve (for 2025). In honor, here’s Mom’s recipe for… SOFT SOAP (Homemade) By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published newsletter… Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipe Report (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; December 1980, p. 9). INGREDIENTS/ITEM NEEDS: 1 bar (4.75-oz) Dial soap 1-qt (4 cups) hot tap water 4-oz cologne […]
Happy November! This is the perfect time for curling up in a cozy afghan. Crocheting was one of Mom’s favorite hobbies. Here’s her idea for an afghan made from “Granny Triangles” rather than traditional “Granny Squares”, similar to her Amish Windmill Quilt Pattern, Hand-Sewn. GRANNY TRIANGLE AFGHAN By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published […]
In honor of Friday, being National Food Day… #NationalFoodDay SALT-SPICE MIX By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in… Gloria Pitzer’s Cookbook – Best Of The Recipe Detective (Balboa Press; Jan. 2018, p. 16). [A revised reprint of Gloria Pitzer’s Better Cookery Cookbook (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; May 1983, 3rd Edition).] INGREDIENTS: ¼ cup sea salt […]