Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Betty Crocker's Homemakers Creed, Vintage Baking Fun & Hope Chest Talk ~ Plus Free Printable


In the Betty Crocker Cookbooks of old, you may be fortunate enough to find a hidden "creed" slipped inside. It is beautiful words written from a fictitious Betty Crocker (though keep in mind that a real-life virtuous woman did write it!) in the 1920's. It was meant to inspire homemakers from long ago to join the "Home Legion" and declare "Good Homemaking for a Better World". Oh how the times have changed (insert sorrowful sigh)... but doesn't that sound lovely and how useful would that be right now?

I stumbled upon this a few years ago but recently was reacquainted with it and wanted to share the encouraging words with you... I am also sharing a link to a printable version should you like a hard copy for your home (I do believe the copyright has expired). It would be darling to frame as a decoration in a vintage-style kitchen or it can be placed inside a homemaker's notebook!


Homemakers Creed of the Home Legion

I Believe homemaking is a noble and challenging career.

I Believe homemaking is an art requiring many different skills.

I Believe homemaking requires the best of my efforts, my abilities, and my thinking.

I Believe home reflects the spirit of the homemaker.




I Believe home should be a place of peace, joy and contentment.

I Believe no task is too humble that contributes to the cleanliness, the order, the health, the well being of the household.

I Believe a homemaker must be true to the highest ideals of love, loyalty, service and religion.

I Believe home must be an influence for good in the neighborhood, the community, the country.

This is to certify that (member’s name) is a member of the Home Legion dedicated to Good Homemaking for a Better World.

~ Betty Crocker


I definitely find myself being an honorary member, what about you?  Isn't it delightful?!!


My mother-in-law gave me my first Betty Crocker Cookbook when I was first married and it has been my go-to for many years with its common, basic recipes. Sadly, I had to leave it behind when we moved and I noticed the newer edition I picked up at Goodwill does not have many of the same "from scratch recipes". The chocolate cream pie which was my favorite has been replaced with some quick version that isn't as appealing to me. It seems that "tempering eggs" is too much work for the modern homemaker?!? I feel like they are dumbing down the cookbooks... With that being said, I began searching for the older editions for myself and one for my daughter. I want to put a nice copy in her hope chest of the old fashioned recipes that are becoming extinct in today's "from the box" society.


My daughter also loves vintage (see her guest post on Remembering Aunt Bee written when she was a young teenager) so when I found this set/3 pristine, Fire-King mixing bowls at the Salvation Army Store, I knew I would add these to her hope chest collection as well. The vintage linens I pictured were something that she brought home for me from an estate sale. I had to photograph them together before I packed them away for her since they match perfectly! When she becomes engaged I will probably wrap them together for her as a sweet gift -- the cookbook, the bowls and (probably the) linens in a gift basket of sorts with some small utensils.

I hope that I have instilled the values of the "Homemakers Creed" in her life and that she will enjoy these homemaking treasures from long ago in her future home one day! I am including the prices and information on these mixing bowls ($5 for set/3), kitchen linens ($1) and vintage cookbook ($1)* to inspire you that you don't need mounds of money to feather your nest or to prepare for your daughters' future one! Second hand stores are a blessing!

* Though I share a picture of the used Betty Crocker cookbook I found for myself, I came across a brand new copy, in shrink wrap, of the reprinted "Betty Crocker's Picture Cookbook" at a thrift shop for $1. I put this edition away for my daughter. The style matches those of the bowls perfectly! 

Happy homemaking, the old fashioned, from-scratch way! 🌹


32 comments:

  1. I'm swooning over those beautiful bowls!! Your daughter is so lucky! I'm older than you, but you can adopt me ha ha!!

    I have two Betty Crocker cookbooks from 1956 as I inherited one each from my mom and from my aunt. My mom was 19 and my aunt was 13 when they received them. I haven't noticed the creed or know if there is one in either book... any clue as to where?...it's certainly got all kinds of charm with little paragraphs at the beginning of each section. The pictures are mostly sketched and the women look like ladies. The detail in these books are amazing. It is truly an instance of teaching cooking to a complete novice. How to measure, how to choose cuts of meat, etc. Details, details. How to set tables, plan a dinner party, etc.

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    1. Sure I'll adopt you! 😘

      I always wanted more children than I was able to have! :)

      Your cookbooks sound delightful! I do believe the women had to send in to be a member and receive the "creed". I saw one before because I remember I wanted to copy it!!! But it was a few years back and I can't remember if it was printed in the book or inserted... It might have been my grandmothers copy... The picture cookbook looks like it shares a bit more details like yours so I am excited to gift it!!!

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  2. I love the Homemakers Creed and will print it out. Thank you Jes for always inspiring us to be good homemakers. I rarely watch television however, if I do, I find it is constantly encouraging woman to choose fast options on most things. I find this very unsettling. I’m sure your daughter will be so happy when she one day receives your gift. I would like to see a cross-stitch made of this Homemakers Creed. Wouldn’t that look pretty on the kitchen wall.
    Blessings Gail.

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    1. Thank you for sharing Gail! I think the cross-stitch is a lovely idea ❤️❤️❤️

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  3. I believe my grandmother had a set of those bowls. Now that I am 60, I feel the pull more than ever to return to the old ways even though I have always loved being home and was blessed that home is where my husband wanted me to be. As I cooked a simple fish dish for dinner tonight I thought, why does every recipe begin with a packet of something like ranch dressing mix these day? Most do not remember what simple delicious food tastes like anymore. Like you, I treasure my old cookbooks and do not wish for shortcuts. Thank you for sharing the Homemakers Creed. It has been a blessing to come here and read it and realize I am not alone in my endeavors.

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    1. You are not alone! And I don’t mind shortcuts on things that make sense but to sacrifice flavor and health is a different matter... so glad you shared here today 💗

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  4. Oh it's all just lovely! My MIL just gave me her copy within the past year. I will have to look and see if it has the creed in it. She keeps everything impeccable so can't imagine it wouldn't be there. What an ideal addition to a young lady's hope chest. They have character and practical use. I love that combo :-)

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    1. Thanks! ♥️😊 Keep in mind that if she didn’t join the club, there may not be a creed... I am jarring my brain to see where I found the one I found! Thanks for sharing here today!

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  5. I have an old cookbook that has gone through many printings called The Culinary Arts Institute Encyclopedic Cookbook. I took my mom's 1957 version with me when I left home at 19 and replaced it with a 1976 printing. I now have a 1943 and a 1964 printing. The original copyright inside says the first printing was 1910. The lovely thing is that the cookbook is always the same. No changing recipes, just illustrations to suit the current publication (and they still look retro).
    I remember my disappointment that my current Better Homes and Gardens and Betty Crocker cookbooks had been 'updated'. Why?! The old recipes were excellent and I miss them! I'm so glad that this particular cookbook has remained the same for all these years!

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    1. How interesting! So true though... you get certain cookbooks for recipes you know they had and to find them gone is disappointing... I noticed the updated Betty Crocker is a lot less from scratch 😬 which defeats the purpose for me.. . If I do want quick recipes, those behind the box ones are adequate 😉

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  6. Oh, how lovely this is, Jes! I have been working away with the hope of spending more time working from home!
    Op shopping is still special to me and, the other day, I bought a beautiful, white, two-seater cane seat at a market for only thirty dollars (the seller has to de clutter!). It is to sit on the verandah!

    Rachel

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    1. Sounds like a wonderful plan ❤️ Your seat sounds lovely and like something I would love ❤️

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  7. Love the bowl and towels ...Great find. I know your daughter will cherish those always. I have never heard of or seen the creed before. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I love thrift stores and I have a few cook books I have found in them. I just wish I could go more often...

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    1. Hi Tammy! Yes, I think she will love them too! Now that I think about it, I think I will frame the creed for her (something to match the other goodies) and add that to the gift when the time comes too! :).

      I also love thrift store shopping but time... there is never enough of it! ❤️

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  8. We have three vintage copies of the Betty Crocker cookbook. Ours are from the early 70s. A copy will go to each of our children when they set up their own homes. The instructions are spot on. I had to laugh a few years ago when a friend's husband asked how I got the corn on the cob so tender. I answered, "I have Betty Crocker in my kitchen."

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    1. Wonderful! And those will all have the original recipes ❤️

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  9. Oh this is so lovely! I myself love vintage books, I'm currently working on a vintage homemaking cleaning schedule for myself. I've been scouring as many books from the 1940s and 1950s I can find. I prefer the 1940s,I have a love for the WWII era and rationing and such. I spent my pocket money on a 1910 cookbook and a 1930s cookbook from eBay, I'm very excited to delve into them. I am sure your daughter will love these items, they're so beautiful! Have a wonderful week.

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    1. The vintage books are delightful! And the 1940s were so classy and yet quite domestic! Thanks for sharing ❤️

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  10. Sorry if I’m a bit chatty on this but I checked, no creed. But thank you because it is a first edition seventh printing and some interesting info in the front I never took the time to look at. 🌺 Now I will be on the lookout.

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    1. Yes! I do believe they had to mail in for it... and you are welcome to comment anytime my friend ❣️

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  11. Oh, you're so right! I love finding those "Homemaker Creeds" or "Letters to the Homemaker" in old cookbooks. I've always felt these little notes of inspiration dedicated "To the Homemaker..." are so special, because rarely if ever, do we see those words in print. So I love the feeling of this "secret" but beautiful Homemaking Society that we feel through these Kindred Spirits of not too long ago.

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    1. I ❤️ the way you put that! Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Thank you for another inspiring post that celebrates the contributions that women make for the home! I have to admit, I'm dismayed at the tone of "modern" publications that do not respect the efforts of homemakers and mothers. For example, I was so excited to order a book called "The Light of the Home: an Intimate View of the Lives of Women in Victorian America." But after I received it in the mail, I was dismayed to read things like"a very disturbing inventory of the means by which 'woman's place' has been defined." And it gets worse from there.

    That's why your blog is important: it's a counter voice to those negative pictures often painted in these publications. As an earlier comment said, as I approach 60, the more I realize the "old fashioned" ways are the best ways. So, I immediately printed the Homemakers Creed!

    In fact, I was going to ask you for a list of recommended books, from Victorian times until today, that celebrate and respect the feminine contributions to home, family, and community. I need the inspiration! Thank you again!

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement ❤️ I do have many books sprinkled along the way here but I will see if I can compile a list when time permits ❤️

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  13. Very timely...I was recently looking online for the old Betty Crocker cookbook that my mom used to use. I realized while searching that is was an from about the early 1950's. All used copies that I found were expensive and mostly in poor condition. So disappointed because it takes me back to being with her. If anyone has that book I would highly recommend the black midnight cake with the fudge frosting. She would make that for special occasions. Diane

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    1. Ooh yum! Thank you for the recommendation ❤️

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  14. Dear Jes,
    Thankyou very much for taking the time to share the Homemakers Creed. I printed it immediately to put in my folder. Gosh I am so glad you are back blogging. Your posts sure give me a lift. I'm off to iron now (happily). Kind Regards, Clare

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    1. Thank you! Your encouragement means a lot ♥️

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  15. I love that creed! I have a falling apart Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book that I bought used when I was a teen (I turned 60 this year) that I've thought I should get rid of multiple times because it's in such bad shape...but I just can't.

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    1. How special!! I really don't blame you! I'm sentimental like that too!

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  16. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post, JES! I actually remember your daughter's post about Aunt Bea. Aunt Bea is one of my favorite tv characters and I remember enjoying that post. It is so nice to see a young lady collecting for her hope chest. I had a hope chest growing up and it was such a joy to unpack all of the items I have collected when I married and moved into our home. The bowls you found are fabulous!! I love anything with chickens or roosters.

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    1. Thanks for visiting here today! I loved hearing about your hope chest adventures and am glad to keep that tradition alive ♥️

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