Last night we had a date night while friends watched the two boys. We'll take a turn with their two boys in a month or so, too. Kyle and I found this gem of an Antique shop in Wheaton, IL - MDL Sales: http://www.mdlsales.com which has lovely things with great owners. The store has a huge selection of vintage clothing and accessories but lots of kitchenalia and fascinating jewelry as well. One of the mother/daughter owner team found me this gem of a cookbook from 1934 about "Royal Aspic: The headliner in Today's Food News!" The second picture is of the back cover. The bottom picture is Macaroni Loaf:

1 package Royal Gelatin Aspic
1 cup boiling water
3/4 cup cold water
2/3 cup Russian Dressing
1 cup cooked elbow macaroni
2/3 cup chopped white cabbage (Yes, I'm not even kidding!)
2 tablespoons minced pimiento
2 tablespoons minced green pepper
Dissolve Royal Gelatin Aspic in boiling water; add cold water. Chill until it begins to thicken. Beat in Russian Dressing. Add remaining ingredients. Pour in mold. Chill until firm. If desired, add few drops Worcestershire Sauce or onion juice. (As if it wasn't gross enough.)

Notice the lovely top salad drawing on the front cover, too. It even has cold cuts.

I'm reading Lisa Wingate's Summer Kitchen now, before I read a bunch more YA and head off to ALA next week. Her writing is always fresh and fun, pulling me right into characters and story. I do like Southern writers, like Anne Tyler, too. Her new one is on hold for me at the library too. Anyone read it yet?