Secret Recipes
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 […]
Happy National Apple Month! #NationalAppleMonth APPLE DRYING AT HOME IT’S EASIER THAN YOU THINK! By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published book, My Cup Runneth Over and I Can’t Find My Mop (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Dec. 1989, p. 35). INSTRUCTIONS: You can purchase dried apple slices in the supermarket, and in the […]
Happy September! Crafting talents run in my family. In honor of it, being National Sewing Month, here are some great sewing ideas from my grandma, as Mom wrote about them, almost 40 years ago, in her Secret Recipes Newsletter… Esther Carter’s Crafts By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published newsletter… Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes […]
Happy July! Having just enjoyed National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, I was reminded of this little craft project that Mom taught me many decades ago, when my children were young, using citrus fruits (usually oranges) and poking cloves into them, creating some sort of face or design. They were wrapped in ribbons that were […]
Happy June! By the way, Friday, the 13th, is… National Sewing Machine Day! In honor, here are directions for making one of Mom’s beloved rag dolls. RAG DOLL By Gloria Pitzer* FROM MOM’S MEMORIES… No Laughing Matter [Gloria Pitzer’s syndicated column (circa early 1980s)] Excerpt from… ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE THANKFUL AND/OR JOLLY [RE: […]
Happy May to one and all. May is the gateway to summer since Memorial weekend is seen as its unofficial start. When I think of summer in Michigan, I think of beaches and sand… SAND CANDLES By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published cookbook… Eating Out at Home (National Home News, St. Clair, MI; […]
8-Hour Crocheted Tunic Vest (With Pockets) & Scarf By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published newsletter… Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipe Report (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Jan. 1981, Issue 85; p. 11). In 8 hours of time, this 2-piece tunic vest can be put together from leftover yarn pieces or… INGREDIENTS/ITEM NEEDS: 4 skeins […]
Happy National Craft Month, National Flour Month, and particularly National Children’s Craft Day. Plus, a happy early World Flour Day to you. In honor of all of these, here’s Mom’s secret recipe for… (HOMEMADE) CLAY By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her first self-published cookbook, The Better Cooker’s Cookbook (Happy Newspaper Features, Algonac, MI; 1973, […]
Happy March and happy National Craft Month! In honor, here are Mom’s instructions for making a… Granny Square Pullover Vest With Options (Plus Collar, Sleeves & Waistband) By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published newsletter… Granny Square How To (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Fall 1986, p. 3). [NOTE: As always, I’m asking only for […]