I have always had varying commitment to my blog, though I have always kept it going to some degree. When I began my doctorate, my posts unsurprisingly declined. While preparing for comprehensive exams and trying to get my dissertation proposal approved, I was too overwhelmed to do anything. Those days are in the past though. I am indeed writing my dissertation, and its amazingly less stressful than those aforementioned activities (so far at least). All that to say, I have updated the blog, freshened the look, and am committing to being here more. Why? Why take on more writing? More commitments? Well, I was actually inspired while researching for my dissertation, believe it or not.

Without getting into too much detail, my dissertation is about Christian women in Minnesota (between the years 1880-1920) and their engagement in social reform. While trying to find an article on Scandinavian-American suffrage groups (I had read it before but was having trouble finding a copy online), I stumbled upon a Suffrage Cookbook from 1886. This is unusable in my actual dissertation, but I was thrilled to find a book filled with recipes by famous suffragists like Lucy Stone, Francis Willard, Matilda Joslyn Gage, among others. I once had a series of posts called Recipes from Yesteryear where a friend of mine and I made pretty atrocious recipes like Tomato Soup Cake, and I plan something similar but with the Suffrage cookbook (I also hope the recipes are a little tastier).

1886 is before cooking methods were standardized. There will be some trial and error–how many tablespoons are in an egg shape amount of butter? Cooking pans are a bit different–can I use a muffin tin for a Gem recipe? These are things I will be dealing with, but it is also the fun of it. I also plan to pair these recipes with a little history; how can I not?!?

In addition to perhaps edible recipes from famous suffragists, you will probably be seeing healthier recipes. I have been on a real food kick–to great results! Everyone seems a little happier, healthier, and thinner. AND I am obsessed with my Instant Pot–so there is that.

In the meantime, I posted a picture of some beautiful Christmas cookies Lucy decorated.