Just got through reading a May 1961 issue of Woman's Day.  I really enjoy collecting vintage magazines. Love all the fashion and food spreads, advertising and entertaining stories.

Here are some of the highlights. 

*Article entitled  "What Men Wish Women Wouldn't Do."  The list-    "Stop asking for emotional reassurance, don't ask too many questions, don't try and make them over and don't be a phoney-feminine."  In case you're wondering, a phoney-feminine back in 1961 was a woman "who has all the faults usually attributed to women. A man can't wait to get away from the woman who worries about small points of prestige, who recites the mean little advantages she has won, who promises what she will not give, who welshes on an honest bargain, who tears other women to shreds behind their backs and reports to one man her conquests over other men." 

These are traits usually attributed just to women? HMMMM.

* Permissive parenting was rampant and was creating a whole generation of children with shaky morals. There was a decline in simple good manners, a tolerance for smoking and drinking at much younger ages, classroom cheating,  a rise in juvenile crime, venereal disease and poor performance in the Armed services.  Yikes.  Sound familiar?

*Men snore more and louder than women, sometimes reaching 69 decibels, the equivalent of a hungry lion's roar at close quarters."  And according to a Dr. A.H. Douthwaite, "if your husband snores, it shows he's really fond of you. The nocturnal noises, whistling, wheezing and snorts are actually deep rooted signs he loves you and want to protect you."  Remember that, girls, next time you threaten to banish your man to the sofa!

Of course, there were all kinds of recipes for the busy moms involving casseroles, jello and Campbell's soup. Not combined in the same dish, though a recipe like that wouldn't surprise me.  They did mix together some very strange food combinations back then.

Here's the cover. Notice the bride.  A little bit Jackie, a little bit Audrey. Both huge fashion influences at that time.

Simplicity patterns for whipping up some cute summer outfits.

How to whip up hair styles to go with the summer outfits.

Get yourself the latest in hi-tech gadgets, the  princess style phone.

Budget decorating in mid-century style.

A car for the little woman.

I wish I could have this stove and a turquoise kitchen.  Also love the green cocktail dress on the woman floating in the background. I envision myself wearing it out to a swanky cocktail party, accompanied by a guy who looks like Don Draper from Mad Men. I can dream can't I?

And here's what I would make in my turqoise kitchen on my Tappan "Fabulous 400"

Let's not forget the workhorse of the 1960's kitchen, the electric fry pan. My mother had one and wasn't afraid to use it!

Well, that's all for now. I'm off to make a tuna casserole and a lime jello marshmellow cottage cheese surprise.