By Mary Emma Allen
A question from a friend about the tinker of days ago who mended pots and
pans and also carried household goods in his wagon triggered memories of
the peddler of my childhood....Mr. Isner. He came periodically to our
farmhouse with all kinds of goodies in his car, not a horse and buggy.
Usually he appeared about lunch time because he knew Father and the hired
man were in from the fields or barn. Mother also often invited him to the
noon meal. He became a family friend, one with whom Father and Dan, the
hired man, discussed local events, happenings Mr. Isner learned about in
his travels, politics, the weather, and national news.
The back seat and trunk of Mr. Isner's car were piled full with clothing
for farmers, pens, pencils, notebooks, cooking items, incidentals that
country folks needed but didn't want to take the time to go to the store
for...which often was some distance away. It was fascinating to me as a
child to see what treasures his car held. Would he have something new
this time that I'd not seen before?
Goodies for Children
Our hired man always purchased something for himself, often his work
overalls and shirts. Then Dan, who also was sort of a surrogate
grandfather, would buy candy for us youngsters. One year he got me
pencils and a notebook for starting school. Another time he bought us
children combs.
It was always fun when Mr. Isner stopped by. During summer vacation from
school, his daughter sometimes accompanied him. Then they didn't stay for
dinner. I think they either brought a picnic along or Mr. Isner took her
out to eat.
I can't recall just when Mr. Isner stopped coming with his wares. But it
seems it was about the same time that Dan became ill and could no longer
do farm work. However, as I look back on my childhood, both played a role
in my memories.
Dinner Menus
What did Mother serve for our noon time dinner meals? The menu might
include meat and potatoes of some kind...a stew, pot roast, pork chops,
ham and gravy, with vegetables from the garden in summer and home canned
veggies in winter.
There always was a dessert which might consist of pie, puddings, cake or
cookies.
From MotherÂ’s store of recipes which I'm including in a family cookbook,
I found:
SCALLOPED POTATOES - I always enjoyed this dish when Mother had time to
prepare it instead of boiled potatoes.
Peel and slice thinly 12 large potatoes. Slice 1 or 2 onions. In a large
buttered flat casserole dish, alternate layers of potatoes, onions, salt
and pepper. Continue until you use all ingredients. Dot with butter and
sprinkle with bread crumbs. Add milk until potatoes are just covered.
Bake at 350 degrees F. for about an hour, or until potatoes are tender
and milk is thickened.
HAM SCALLOP - MotherÂ’s friend made a hearty meal by baking a large slice
of ham, about 1/2 inch thick, either on the bottom of the casserole or on
top of the potatoes and onion. Mother sometimes cut the ham into smaller
pieces and alternated it with the potatoes and onions as she prepared the
dish. Then bake as for regular Scalloped Potatoes.
You also can serve the Scalloped Potatoes along with baked or fried ham.
(C) 2002 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing her "Cooking Column" for newspapers
and online publications for 30 years and
has compiled a family cookbook. SheÂ’s currently compiling a
cookbook/story book,
"Tales From a Country Kitchen." Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
