An idealist is one who, on noticing that roses smell better than a cabbage, concludes that it will also make better soup.
- H. L. Mencken
There are some other old postcards for sale on the Internet that are also floral paintings by Thor E. Byger, a Swiss artist evidently from the town of Adelboden. His practice was to sign the postcards on the back. I've been unable to find a definitive date indicating when they were done, but it appears early 1900s.
This week's Old Postcard Wednesday comes with a bonus Back to Basics Recipe because of the above quote. The cookbook isn't anywhere near as old as the vintage postcard, even if it does look like it. I bought this cookbook in 1976, the year it was published. Here's the beginning of the introduction:
The Brotherhood of the Sun is a family of more than 300 people, who have dedicated themselves to living in harmony with all people and all things.
Our desire is to follow the simple laws of God and nature. In order to create an environment in which this is possible, we have established four communities upon thousands of acres of farm and ranch land in the coastal mountains around Santa Barbara, California. . .
Those were the days, the days of wine and roses and.....
The article about the Sunburst Community at Wikipedia is a fascinating account following the "family" from those early days to the eventual collapse, group split and moves to other states, return by some to Santa Barbara, and partial reincarnation of the community.
12 comments:
Love the quote! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Simmering cabbage that long would surely lead to a need for Gas X.
Otherwise, the soup sounds good.
Solvang and Lompoc (Lum-poke).
My mother's family was closely associated with the Santa Inez Mission. But those were different times. And now the commune era is receeding into the past as well.
@Mark- You betcha!
@Darlene- Is that so? I had no idea that cooking cabbage a long time has consequences. Must be why cole slaw is such a popular way to eat cabbage. :)
@Hattie- Interesting info and a poignant last sentence in your comments.
Another class OPW - always learn something from these.
BTW - did you know that rose petals form a main part of the flavouring of Turkish Delight?
That is a humdinger of a quote..and .. divine cabbage and sil recipe doesn't call for rose petals does it:)
lydia -- I have missed so many great posts (as I discovered when I went looking for the Hoosier cabinet post. I did check when I was at my father & stepmother's house. Pretty sure that's a flour sifter).
This cookbook makes me think of my childhood. 1976 was the era of the Food Coop -- though I think my mother was more into spinach souffle than cabbage soup (and thick wheat bread and honey instead of sugar and hot carob instead of hot chocolate). We have a lovely cabbage in the refrigerator and I've been wondering what to make for dinner tonight ...
@Pixies- Thanks. And now I have to find out what Turkish Delight is!
@Marie- No rose petals in this one. I don't think I've ever eaten a dish with rose petals in it (see Pixies comment above)....
@Jennifer- Thanks for confirming that the thing in the sketch is a flour sifter. Mystery solved.
I love spinach souffle but have never made it, and I should try that. It sounds like you had some good natural foods as a kid. Do you credit that with your interest and expertise in food?
(Let me know if you try the recipe and if Darlene is right about Gas X!)
Th old rose postcard is beautiful!
@thewillowsnest- O, thanks so much. Will be by to see your blog too!
Love this post! The rose painting, the quote and the recipe all together are fabulous. Wasn't there a cabbage soup diet a few years ago. I wonder if this was it. It sounds very "healthy." Have a nice weekend, Lydia!
@Margo- I'm pleased you liked the way this post worked out. Now that you mention it I think I did hear something about a diet that featured cabbage in some form. Don't remember the particulars. We have our own garden (small) to plant so I'll be "vegetating" this weekend. Hope yours goes great.
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