Literary Feasts: Heaven to Betsy, by Maud Hart Lovelace
So I have been trying to control my rampant compulsion to start reading everything that comes into the door and concentrate on the book that I am already reading. It’s hard for me not to cheat, but I have managed to be good and stick to the book at hand, except when it comes to the Betsy and Tacy series, by Maud Hart Lovelace.
Even though I know that I read some of this series when I was growing up, like most things it hasn’t stayed the freshest in my mind. When I was able to get my hands on a copy of Heaven to Betsy, I couldn’t help but to start it immediately. I love the story and I treat myself to reading it when I’m lounging in the bubble bath.
In addition to being the wonderful and wholesome trip down memory lane- back when when dinner meant lunch and supper meant dinner- it has got some excellent food! Heaven to Betsy Nicole indeed!
In the beginning of Heaven to Betsy, Betsy is homesick while visiting some friends of the family, and when her visit is shortened, much to her joy, she has to take the train home. She gets packed this glorious lunch for the ride:
It was magnificent; ham sandwiches, dill pickles, hard-boiled eggs, a chunk of layer cake and cookies.
Now when it comes to sandwiches I am a simple girl. I don’t like fancy sandwiches. I love cheese, and I don’t even like cheese on my sandwiches.
Nicole’s Ham Sandwich
- 2 slices of whole wheat bread
- 2 slices ham (thinly sliced)
- 1 leaf romaine lettuce
- mayonnaise
- salt
- pepper
Combine ingredients into a sandwich, and cut into two triangles. Devour Eat.
Modifications: (Yes, I even modify my own recipes.) Add fresh mustard with seeds and a slice of tomato if feeling adventurous. I also like apple, ham and cheese sandwiches. Somehow that works for me.
Have you read any of the Betsy-Tacy stories? Did you love them? Do you love ham sandwiches?
FTC Disclosure – I am an Amazon Associate and Harper Perennial sent me a copy of this book to review, but my love for it (Heaven to Betsy) and ham sandwiches is real and the recipe for Nicole’s Ham Sandwich is my own.
19 Responses to “Literary Feasts: Heaven to Betsy, by Maud Hart Lovelace”
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I love, love, love Heaven to Betsy. I just read it last month. And there were definitely lots of food references in it. I couldn’t figure out why they weren’t all 800 pounds. I am itching to read Betsy in Spite of Herself but trying to wait awhile to prolong the enjoyment.
However, I do not like ham sandwiches. But in the interest of full disclosure, I don’t eat beef or pork so I am not really a good judge of ham sandwiches.
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Nicole Reply:
November 18th, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Nicole’s Ham sandwich works with chicken or turkey too! Just call it Nicole’s Turkey sandwich or Nicole’s Chicken Sandwich.
I don’t know why they weren’t all 800 pounds. I might be after I finish reading this book.
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I’ve never read any of these books and they’re sitting on my middle school shelves!
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Nicole Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Well then that should make it really easy for you to check them out!
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I love the disclosure on this post!
And, I’m glad you posted a recipe for Nicole’s Ham Sandwich instead of the raw onion sandwiches that Betsy’s father made!
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Nicole Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Yeah, I don’t think I am up for a raw onion sandwich although it’s probably the type of thing that would be very good for you. I can’t wait to get to those.
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I’ve seen the reviews of this series ALL OVER THE PLACE! I did not read them when I was younger, so maybe I have less emotional attachment, but they certainly remind me of that era of reading. Simple and unspoiled.
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Nicole Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:27 AM
I know I read at least a few of them when I was younger bit fir some reason I didn’t remember these as much. I am enjoying the rediscovery.
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I don’t know how I missed the Betsy-Tacy books as a kid. I guess I thought I was too sophisticated for them. I admit to liking fancy sandwiches and cheese on a sandwich is a must!
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Nicole Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:28 AM
My exception is grill cheese. Kind of hard to make without the cheese! I love grilled brie with tomato & bacon.
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This is one series I never read! I was a huge Anne of Green Gables fan as well as Nancy Drew and some Bobbsey Twins. I can’t believe I never heard of the Betsy-Tracy series. I love wholesome, charming books like this too…more now for the nostalgia factor. Anywa, I’ll have to look them up next time I’m in the library or bookstore!
Your sandwhich sounds great!
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Nicole Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:30 AM
I loved Anne of Green Gables as well. I don’t remember he Betsy Tacy books as much as I do some others so it’s been nice to read the stories fresh. I remember loving to read the Nancy Drew books, but I don’t remember them as well either.
I love my sandwich!
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Mmm. . .love ham, apple, and cheese sandwiches!
Amy Reads Good Books´s last blog ..Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife
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Nicole Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:31 AM
That apple does give it a certain something. I was surprised to try that and see that I liked it.
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I loved this series growing up. My aunt gave me a new book for each birthday. I bought them again when I went overseas and they made me so homesick for my mother because we used to read them together.
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Nicole Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:32 AM
That must have been fun to know that you would get more of the story at your birthday. Just one more reason to want your birthday to come around quickly.
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I have read the first four Betsy-Tacy books and have the recent reissued books to start on soon.
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Nicole Reply:
November 20th, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I’m starting with the ones where she is older. I think I want to check out the ones when she is younger for my little cousin.
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I think I will get very hungry when reading this book.
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