"All About Home Economics" by Deirdre Madden

kelle

Does anybody remember doing this book for their Group/ Intermediate Certificate back in the mid-80s? I bought this book three months before I started secondary school (in 1983) and I read it from cover to cover throughout the holidays. It was full of tips on cleaning and cooking amongst other things. My mother noticed the house a lot cleaner when I read this book!
It had a brown paperback cover.

Dudess

I did have a brown home ec book by Deirdre Madden for my leaving (mid nineties). Can't remember the title though - probably had "home economics" in it . Horrendously boring subject. I got my lowest mark in it, even though a chimp could do well in some of the assessments (e.g. "draw an aerial view of a kitchen" :rolleyes:). Just shows how interested I was in it.

irishgeo

done th home ec for the leaving cert and it was doddle. easy subject that. was crap at the cooking but you were not examied on that.

kelle

Dudess wrote:

I did have a brown home ec book by Deirdre Madden for my leaving (mid nineties). Can't remember the title though - probably had "home economics" in it . Horrendously boring subject. I got my lowest mark in it, even though a chimp could do well in some of the assessments (e.g. "draw an aerial view of a kitchen" :rolleyes:). Just shows how interested I was in it.

It was a boring subject, I suppose Dudess, but I felt Deirdre Madden made it more interesting! You see, the house I grew up in would have easily featured in Kim'n'Aggie and I knew nothing about housework or hygiene, until Deirdre Madden came to the rescue! I feel the book saved me as I learned how to wash dishes properly, cleaning tips, even the fact my mother used only buy one toothbrush a year for all of us to use was wrong. It even taught me about the proper foods to eat. I'd love to get a copy of that book, but in those days it was impossible to get hold of a secondhand version of it as people held onto them. So, Dudess, if you find it in your attic and would like to part with it please let me know!!!

Dudess

Wo, that's some unpleasant stuff you've told me about your childhood, kelle. Hope things are ok now.

I actually don't have the book. I distinctly remember selling it at a second-hand shop and then, a few weeks later, wishing I still had it as there was something I needed to look up in it.
May not be available at this stage. But look her up. She's probably still publishing books. A more up-to-date one would probably be even better anyway.

Hope you find it.

Mrs. MacGyver

Have a copy at home. Any of ye have all in the cooking from the 1960's (my mam had it in st Catherines), tis great for really basic recipies.

Dudess

St Catherine's in Bishopstown?

kelle

Mrs. MacGyver wrote:

Have a copy at home. Any of ye have all in the cooking from the 1960's (my mam had it in st Catherines), tis great for really basic recipies.

Yes, we had that book, Mrs McGyver! It required the minimum amount of ingredients for everything, and were so easy for me as a kid to follow. Though I looked through it a couple of years ago and was shocked to find recipes requiring sheep's brains and pig's cheek:eek:

Dudess wrote:

Wo, that's some unpleasant stuff you've told me about your childhood, kelle. Hope things are ok now.

I suppose I make it sound really bad! We were happy, though, and rarely visited the doctor but I never invited friends round!

siobhy

Mrs. MacGyver wrote: »

Have a copy at home. Any of ye have all in the cooking from the 1960's (my mam had it in st Catherines), tis great for really basic recipies.

Hi Mrs.Mac Gyver, any ideas on where I could get a copy of this book, My Mother is allways raving on about it so hopefully I will be able to surprise her Regards Siobhan

kelle

It's funny to see my old thread brought back to life !

Siobhy, I NEVER managed to get a copy of this book despite constant searching on eBay and Amazon!

I heard on the radio recently that All in The Cooking was for sale at an unbelievable price (about €300) on some American websites, but people have got lucky and got them on eBay at a reasonable price! So keep searching....

Lynfo

I have a copy of 'All about Home Economics' here that I still refer to from time to time.

Unfortunately Deirdre Madden passed away quite some time ago.

milli milli

I also own a copy of this book. I kept it for the recipes.

kelle

Lynfo wrote: »

I have a copy of 'All about Home Economics' here that I still refer to from time to time.

Unfortunately Deirdre Madden passed away quite some time ago.

Are you sure about this?

I just see the updated version of the latest LC Home Ec book, and her name is on it.

Is this a different Deirdre Madden?

Lynfo

kelle wrote: »

Are you sure about this?

100% I used to know one of her daughters, Deirdre passed away about 10 years ago iirc.

Ann22

I think that's the book my cousin had. Was it a tan coloured book with a photo on the front of a bowl of flour with eggs floating in it...or something like that?

I had a smaller thicker book, think the cover was dark green and maybe red. I think there was a picture of a hand on the front. I used my sisters and the cover fell off. I lent it to someone and never got it back. I was mad 'cos there were great recipes in it. It was used up 'til 1985 anyway.

I remember learning off the lists of stuff proteins, fats and carbohydrates did for us, some of it I still know word for word. Proteins ...'for growth and repair, to repair worn soft tissues etc.' I remember 'excess carbohydrates are stored as fat and used to pad muscles and nerves.':)

kelle

I wonder if we showed Folens a copy of this thread, would they have it re-published like Soundings?

Tinalouise

anyone have a spare copy of this book by any chance?

kelle

Tinalouise wrote: »

anyone have a spare copy of this book by any chance?

If they do Tina, they're reluctant to part with it. And I don't blame them.

In the meantime, I'm still checking out websites - if I find any I will inform you!

Tinalouise

anyone have any luck finding this book?

Electric Sheep

I'm so old that we used the Byrne and Timoney Home Economics book.:eek:

kelle

http://cgi.ebay.ie/All-Home-Economics-Deirdre-Madden-1983-/290606340633?pt=School_Textbooks_Study_Guides&hash=item43a97cda19#ht_500wt_1156

Let the fighting commence

LittleBook

I left school more years ago than I care to share, have lived in several different countries and moved house more times than I care to remember ... and this is the ONLY schoolbook I still have and refer to

Giselle

I used to love Home Ec, although I'm not familiar with the Deirdre Madden book. I love older household manuals etc. especially from the 50's and before.

A good guide to general household stuff is

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_14?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=home+comforts+the+art+and+science+of+keeping+house+by+cheryl+mendelson&sprefix=Home+Comforts+

Rather extremist (NOBODY can keep routines as involved as some described in this book), but very thorough and informative on everything from place settings to choosing a dryer or deciphering laundry tags. Its not a cookbook though so no recipes, basic or otherwise.

An entertaining read from the Victorian Era is Mrs Beetons Guide to Household Management. She gives tips on how the staff are to be managed, as well as some entertaining thoughts on cooking and nutrition

Online here:
http://www.mrsbeeton.com/index.html

kelle

kelle wrote: »

http://cgi.ebay.ie/All-Home-Economics-Deirdre-Madden-1983-/290606340633?pt=School_Textbooks_Study_Guides&hash=item43a97cda19#ht_500wt_1156

Let the fighting commence

It's over. I didn't win it

girlwithpearls

Did anybody hear the segment on Ryan Tubridy's show yesterday morning about this book? About 16:40 on wards on showplayer: http://2fm.rte.ie/show/get_epg_schedule_item/86/2011-09-20

I want a copy now more than ever!

kelle wrote: »

I wonder if we showed Folens a copy of this thread, would they have it re-published like Soundings?

I think this is a brilliant idea! Let the campaign begin!

Aglomerado

kelle wrote: »

I wonder if we showed Folens a copy of this thread, would they have it re-published like Soundings?

That would be great! I'm not sure if my old copy is still around (probably in my parents' attic).

On a similar note I noticed the republished Exploring English (The short story edition) on sale in Tesco yesterday! That was a great book - again I think the original's still knocking around at home.

leelaaloo

ah that's so funny Kelle. I was just about to post about ryan tubridy talking about it all week and someone beat me to it.. they may be putting pressure on the publishers yet..and my dad just told me he's clearing out the attic today and reckons my old school books are still up there.though I hated home economics always loved that book so hoping it's still there...

kelle

leelaaloo wrote: »

ah that's so funny Kelle. I was just about to post about ryan tubridy talking about it all week and someone beat me to it.. they may be putting pressure on the publishers yet..and my dad just told me he's clearing out the attic today and reckons my old school books are still up there.though I hated home economics always loved that book so hoping it's still there...

I started this thread in 2007! Looks like it could be paying off at last!

Sundew

Still have the book with all it's doodles by my classmates.
Like another poster, I kept it for it's recipies and tips. Have it so long now I couldn't bear to part with it.
Wonder how much it would fetch on e-bay. Anybody sell one?

kelle

The book that was sold on eBay made €23.50.

leelaaloo

Kelle I found mine in my mam's attic...i thought i might like to keep it but doesn't have any particularly good memories for me ,unlike you... dare I say this without causing a war,but would you like it? methinks you deserve it after all your years of searching.it's in perfect condition...

Giselle

leelaaloo wrote: »

Kelle I found mine in my mam's attic...i thought i might like to keep it but doesn't have any particularly good memories for me ,unlike you... dare I say this without causing a war,but would you like it? methinks you deserve it after all your years of searching.it's in perfect condition...

You're very nice.:)

Lucky you Kelle!

amdublin

leelaaloo wrote: »

Kelle I found mine in my mam's attic...i thought i might like to keep it but doesn't have any particularly good memories for me ,unlike you... dare I say this without causing a war,but would you like it? methinks you deserve it after all your years of searching.it's in perfect condition...

Fair play leelaa. Very nice of you.

kelle

Thanks, laaleeloo - I am over the moon!

And thanks Giselle and amdublin - I promise if I ever find one I'll contact you!

amdublin

kelle wrote: »

Thanks, laaleeloo - I am over the moon!

And thanks Giselle and amdublin - I promise if I ever find one I'll contact you!

Pay it Forward.....I love it!

Enjoy the book Again, Laaloo fair play to you.

leelaaloo

ah tanx ladies..glad I can help...an early xmas present for Kelle :)hope you all get one eventually...

applejam

This is about to be available to buy any day now, check out the all about home economics face book page

Cherrycola

Cheers for that, i had no idea they were doing a reprint of it! I heard the Tubridy show that morning when the girl rang in looking for it. I had that book in school too, and i searched my mams house high and low for it, but she must have chucked it out, i was raging!

Just ordered my copy, woohoo!!

applejam

The reprinted book is being launched at Hughes & Hughes in Stephens Green centre next week & all royalties from the sale are going to Irish Cancer Society Daffodil Nurse Scheme.


I won't be able to get in so I have ordered mine on DeirdreMadden.ie , CAN NOT WAIT

Muirgheal

I never parted with my school copy- it's my go to book for so many recipies. I now have to perfect christmas pressie for my mate who lost hers. She has been ringing me up at least once a month for the last ten years, "what was in-such and-such a recipe again?"

r3nu4l

Disappointing to see that several new accounts have registered on this site with the sole purpose of spamming this book. It may be for charity but spam is spam.

Cherrycola

Was it really a problem that one of Deirdre Maddens daughters came on to say thanks, and link to the book website though?

It didnt bother me as a user, and since the website was already mentioned by some other posters, i dont think she was out of order at all.

In fact if it wasnt for one of the other posters mentioning the facebook page/website address i would never have known about this at all! :eek:

I didnt see their post as regular spam since it was completely related to the subject, ie the book we have all been looking for! Its not like someone just came on and linked to their website selling other unrelated home ec books, or something like that.

Just my opinion on it, i know rules are rules, but.....

r3nu4l

PM sent to you. It may make you think a bit more about the tactics displayed here today.

applejam

I mentioned the website ( where I ordered my book ) and I mentioned the fb page, random search popped it up for me, was I not supposed to ? I was just so flippin excited about eating my hands finally on a copy of this book after yrs of searching, I just wanted the other girls on here to get theirs too.

Cherrycola

Deirdre Maddens daughters are on Tubridy right now talking about the new reprint of the book.

r3nu4l

applejam wrote: »

I mentioned the website ( where I ordered my book ) and I mentioned the fb page, random search popped it up for me, was I not supposed to ? I was just so flippin excited about eating my hands finally on a copy of this book after yrs of searching, I just wanted the other girls on here to get theirs too.

The difference is that you didn't sign up to boards.ie with the sole purpose of promoting this book, an activity that is against the Terms of Use that all users agree to on sign-up. We know the difference between enthusiasm and spam.

Aglomerado

Article in today's Indo:

http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/education/features/how-the-inter-certs-domestic-goddess-is-making-a-comeback-2942443.html

Manda76

I was reading this thread a few months back and was so happy to read it was being republished as we used it in school. I loved baking in Home economics in school hated the sewing part though!
I bought it for myself and hope to use some of the recipes in it as I'm hopeless at cooking. I love how they haven't changed any of it, the little pictures are priceless.

tampopo

I clicked on All Things Retro by mistake late on Saturday afternoon and saw this thread. Legged it into town and bought the book in Easons.

great book.

suzzi

i have to see this book!....didn't do home ec......BUT......i have exploring english 1,2 & 3...love them....and the notes scribbled over every poem!......:)