Sphere Magazine- June/July 1972

Here is the next installment for all my Sphere Magazine fans!  The June/July 1972 issue is filled with food for family reunions, picnics, outdoor parties, and 4th of July cookies for kids to make.  Before we get to the food, we have to address the hair and clothes of 1972.

Who remembers this hair?  It looks like every girl on my college campus at the time!

Poofy sleeves, and coulette pants that look like a dress!  Remember how you had to take off the entire outfit to go to the bathroom??  Try doing that in a tiny stall!

I remember all the parties of the time were either fondue and anything on a skewer.  Look how her beads are tied.  I remember doing that, too.  My husband swears he never wore a jacket like that.  I do, however, remember him wearing pants that were a little loud.

I don’t think I can recall anyone who didn’t macrame something, like a belt or a plant hanger, at least!  This issue has a pattern for making a macrame hammock.

This summer issue has articles on how to buy a grill, throw a backyard bash, instructions on how to grill a whole fish, at least eight recipes for summer salads,  and even how to sew your own tennis outfits.  One article is all about how to plan a family reunion, and how grandma should wear this apron to the party:

Forget the apron, the family reunion article had typical summer dishes with everyone bringing along their specialties like Uncle Harry’s baked beans, Hattie’s bean salad, Aunt Susan’s cabbage slaw, Grandma’s baked chicken, and my favorite, Cousin Martha’s potato salad, which of course I had to make.   It has radishes, shredded cucumber, lots of onion, and a little lemon juice.  It’s really good!  Nice and creamy with a nice crunch from the radishes and onion.

Starting with the August 1972 issue, Sphere went monthly. However, I will not be writing about the August issue because it is the ONLY Sphere I don’t have!  I am hoping one of you out there has the issue and will take pity on me and scan the entire issue, front page to back page.  I’ll pay the postage.  Or even better, if anyone has an extra copy, I’ll be happy to buy it from you and pay the postage.  Do I sound desperate?  I have been searching for that issue for a long time to no avail.

See you in September for the next part of the series.  The September issue has THE wedding cake.  Anyone who knows Sphere, knows what I am talking about.  If you don’t know about the famous cake, you’ll just have to wait and see.  It’s a showstopper.

Hope you enjoyed another blast from the past.  I’m glad there are still staples we enjoy after all these years like the potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw.  But please, never again those poofy sleeves and pant/long dress things.  Or that apron.

In the meantime, just make the potato salad.

Cousin Martha’s Potato Salad

About 6-7 pounds red potatoes
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
6 Tablespoons lemon juice
2-1/4 teaspoons salt
3 Tablespoons sugar
3 medium onions, thinly sliced and separated into rings
1 cup thinly sliced radishes (I used a little more because I love radishes)
1-1/2 cups shredded unpared cucumber, drained and squeezed dry
6 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1 Tablespoon celery seeds
1 cup mayonnaise

Garnish:  tomato slices and hard-cooked egg wedges

1.  Cook unpared potatoes in boiling water until done but still firm (do not overcook).  Drain; cool and peel.  Cut into cubes to measure 14 cups into a large bowl.

2.  Mix vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and sugar; pour over potatoes.  Toss to mix well.  Add remaining ingredients (except garnishes) and toss well.  Cover bowl and chill.  Garnish with tomato slices and hard-cooked egg wedges before serving.   Makes 16 servings.