Vintage Show & Tell: Tales of a Wayside Inn by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Welcome to Vintage Show & Tell! 

The following is an article I originally wrote for my literature blog, Belle's Library. Today I was thinking about it and realized it would be the perfect thing to share for Vintage Show & Tell! Check this out...

You know those times when you have something to share but you don't know how to properly express the level of awesomeness that goes along with it? That's how I'm feeling right about now. Last summer, I picked up this 1915 copy of Longfellow's Tales of a Wayside Inn in the books-for-sale section of our library. You've read before about our library's awesome shelf of antique books that sell for super cheap---it's irresistible! I try to pick up Longfellow when I see him because I plan to save them for our own Evangeline---four year old Brenna Evangeline.

The reason I got so excited about this copy is because of what's written inside. Don't worry, I'll show you in a minute...just let me tell my story! If you're not familiar with Tales of a Wayside Inn, here's the scoop: Originally published in 1863, the book is narrated in turns by fictional friends who are staying at the real-life Sudbury, Massachusetts inn and are telling stories in the form of poems. The Wayside Inn was actually known in real life as The Red Horse Tavern. It was established in 1716 and was a popular hangout for Harvard students until it closed in 1861 upon the death of the owner. Longfellow visited in 1862 and was inspired after receiving a tour of what he thought to be a "rambling, tumble-down building." 

In 1897, the inn was reopened by a man who wanted to restore it and fill it with the beautiful antiques he'd collected on his travels. One of the pieces he added was Daniel Webster's desk. In 1923, Henry Ford bought the inn and that's where this book comes in.

Just like Longfellow's group of friends who stayed at the inn, Mr. Glenn L. Davis and Mr. Max Herzog visited the inn with their wives and recorded the event by signing the inside of this book on August 28, 1930. What's more, they signed it on Daniel Webster's desk! Whomever owned this book also thought it was a special memento because they came back to it 25 years later to record the fire that destroyed Webster's desk in 1955, along with many other beautiful antiques and much of the inn.

There is so much fun history to be read about The Wayside Inn---it's still operating today! It's located along the Old Boston Post Road---one of the oldest in the country, having been in operation since 1673. George Washington passed through there in 1775 on his way to Cambridge to take command of the Patriot army. In fact, it's recorded that both Washington and LaFayette passed by numerous times. Henry David Thoreau noted in his journal that he left his horse there in 1853 while attending to other business in town. 

So, what do you think? Pretty awesome, huh? 

How I love books! Beautiful, wonderful, holders of history.

Thanks for stopping by Vintage Show & Tell! Have a lovely weekend!

Linking with:

Orange Lime Torte

Welcome to the Homemaking Party! We're all having a nice time in Oregon with Mom still---but definitely ready to go back to Daddy and home and routine! Did I tell you Jamie is coming out to visit for a couple weeks? YESSS!! So excited. He'll be here on the 8th.

Today I'm sharing a delicious recipe that I created a couple years ago when I was working with SunnyD. You don't have to use SunnyD for it---use orange juice, if you'd like!

I love anything citrus. From desserts and drinks to lotions and perfumes, the scent and flavor of citrus is one of the best parts of summer time! A couple years ago, I made this delicious Orange Lime Torte with SunnyD. Does anyone remember when it was called Sunny Delight? They had the best commercials. My kids would laugh at me if I called it that. Ha! Maybe I'll do a quiz to see if anyone knows what the "D" stands for...

Anyway... It's easy to put together this refreshing summer torte. In fact, the steps are really similar to my Strawberry Cream Torte. (Ok, I'm really wanting to make both of these again now!!) Start by baking a pound cake in a 15" jelly roll pan. Once it's cooled, turn it upside down, poke holes throughout, then brush SunnyD all over the surface of the cake. Cut into three equal pieces, and set aside.

Mix the filling ingredients, being sure to sprinkle the pudding mix on top of the whipped topping before stirring it all up together. This mixture will be thick.

Spread the filling between layers of cake, and on top of the last layer.

Garnish with citrus zest and sliced fruit for a delicious and beautiful dessert. 

Orange Lime Torte

16 oz. pound cake mix + ingredients to make the cake

1-2 TB lime zest

1 c. SunnyD (or orange juice)

2 TB lemon juice

8 oz. softened cream cheese

1/3 c. milk

12 oz. whipped topping

3.4 oz. instant vanilla pudding mix

orange and lime to garnish

Preheat oven to 350º and line a 15" jelly roll pan with parchment paper.  Prepare cake mix according to the directions on the package, adding in the lime zest, and spread evenly into prepared pan.  Bake about 20-22 minutes, until done and cool completely. Prick the cake all over with a fork and then brush it evenly with SunnyD.  Slice the cake into three equal pieces and set aside. Whisk cream cheese and lemon juice together until smooth, then whisk in milk.  Spoon whipped topping over top of this but don't mix in. Sprinkle with pudding mix and then stir it all up well. Spread the filling between the layers of cake and top of the last layer. Garnish with citrus zest and sliced fruit. This dessert must be refrigerated when it's not being devoured by you and your guests!

Thanks for stopping by The Homemaking Party! Hope you're having a great week!

Linking with:

Vintage Show & Tell #2: Chalkware Piggy Bank

Welcome to Vintage Show & Tell! I'm so excited to be offering this new linky party to my readers. I absolutely love collecting, reading, and writing about vintage and antique treasures so this weekly party will be a real treat for me! I hope you'll all enjoy visiting one another, as well, and invite your friends to come party, too!

Tonight I want to introduce you to my piggy bank. For as long as I can remember, this sweet piece has been my special coin bank. I've never been one to hold on to money for very long, so he's been a very hungry piggy over the years! From very early childhood until I graduated high school, he sat on my dresser or shelf. Once Jamie and I were married, I packed him away in a box of special things, but I've recently dug him out and he now sits on my dresser, once again!

This is a mid-century piece and is made of chalkware composite, a material that's sturdier than regular chalkware. Chalkware was known as "poor man's porcelain" and was popularly used in carnival game prizes in the early 1900s before stuffed animals became the coveted prize. It's hand-painted with oils or watercolors and glazed. It was made in Taiwan and has many bumps and scars. Still, it's a priceless treasure to me!

I'd love to see what you've got to share today! Link up your vintage stuff---(older posts are fine!)---and let's all visit one another and be inspired by fun things from the past!