Allen Prescott, The Wife Saver 46-04-15 Ep037 If I Had You

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Allen Prescott, The Wife Saver 46-04-15 Ep037 If I Had You
Release Date: May 6, 2025

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, host Harold dives into a myriad of household tips and creative solutions aimed at making domestic life smoother and more enjoyable. Joined by his co-host, Brad Reynolds, the show seamlessly blends practical advice with light-hearted banter and musical interludes, reminiscent of the beloved Golden Age of Radio.

Creative Kitchen Hacks

Utilizing Cauliflower Stalks

Harold kicks off the episode with a clever tip from Mrs. Brown of Boyerstown, Pennsylvania, on repurposing cauliflower stalks—a common kitchen leftover.

• Preparation Method:
  • Harold [00:19]: Introduces the idea with humor, suggesting "throwing away your cauliflower stalks" and playfully wonders if Brad can "make beads out of them."
  • Brad Reynolds [00:59]: Jokes about creating beads, adding a light-hearted touch.
  • Harold [01:04]: Explains the method: cutting the stalks lengthwise, bundling them, cooking like asparagus, and serving with white or hollandaise sauce. He humorously advises misleading the family initially by calling them "Chinese oysters."

Oyster Plant Dressing Substitute

Transitioning from cauliflower, Harold shares a substitute for traditional oysters, ideal for those with shellfish allergies.

• Preparation Steps:
  • Harold [01:49]: Introduces Mrs. Williams from Toronto, Ontario, who recommends oyster plant dressing as a shell-free alternative.
  • Brad Reynolds [02:19]: Playfully mentions needing an "oyster fork" to jot down the recipe.
  • Harold [02:27]: Details the preparation: slicing the oyster plant thinly, boiling until tender, and incorporating into dressing to emulate the oyster flavor without the shell.

Baking and Cake Decor Tips

Enhancing Cake Flavor

Mrs. Tyler from Gillette, Wyoming, offers a delightful tip to elevate cake flavor.

• Harold [03:00]: Shares the idea of adding almond flavoring alongside vanilla to surprise and delight family members.
• Brad Reynolds [05:01]: Performs a heartfelt rendition of "If I Had You," enhancing the episode's warmth and charm.

Efficient Cake Baking

Harold discusses strategies for minimizing waste when baking cakes.

• Listener Insight:
  • Harold [06:36]: References a listener from Montpelier, Vermont, who struggled with whole cakes, leading birds to overindulge on stale remnants.
  • Brad Reynolds [07:08]: Adds humor by suggesting the birds require a proper dining setup.
  • Harold [07:32]: Describes the solution: baking half the usual recipe and assembling a two-layer cake by stacking two halves, ensuring the family enjoys the cake without waste.

Kitchen Organization and Maintenance

Decorating Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Mrs. Donnelly from Clinton, British Columbia, provides a stylish approach to organizing kitchen cabinets with glass doors.

• Harold [07:35]: Suggests using matching wallpaper tacked inside the glass doors to create a neat and visually appealing exterior. This method hides clutter while maintaining an attractive kitchen appearance.

Efficient Dusting Techniques

For those who find dusting tedious, Mrs. Wilcox of Stockton, California, shares an innovative method.

• Harold [08:34]: Introduces the tip of using a dish mop or duster with a bit of furniture polish to make dusting easier.
• Brad Reynolds [08:36]: Expresses skepticism humorously.
• Harold [08:36]: Encourages listeners to adopt the method for a more efficient cleaning routine.

Laundry and Clothing Tips

Extending Stocking Lifespan

Mrs. Hoff from Bellmore, Long Island, advises on prolonging the life of stockings.

• Harold [11:14]: Recommends matching stockings with darning thread to ensure seamless repairs when holes develop.
• Brad Reynolds [11:58]: Inquires about polka dot stockings as an alternative.
• Harold [12:04]: Playfully considers the idea but notes potential design disruptions when darning.

Musical Interludes

"If I Had You" Performance

Brad Reynolds delivers a heartfelt rendition of "If I Had You," adding an emotional depth to the episode.

• Brad Reynolds [05:01]:

  I could show the world how to smile
  I could be glad all of the while
  I could change the grey skies to blue
  if I had you
  ...
  

"Memories" Performance

Later, Brad performs "Memories," providing a nostalgic touch.

• Brad Reynolds [09:10]:

  Memories, memories
  Dreams of love so true
  for the sea of memory
  I'm drifting back to you
  ...
  

Additional Household Tips

Nail Polish Thinning

Ms. Andrews from West Palm Beach, Florida, shares a quick fix for thickened nail polish.

• Harold [14:06]: Advises adding a few drops of nail polish remover to restore the polish's consistency for easier application.

Sausage Preparation Enhancement

Mrs. Danna from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, offers a tip to improve overly greasy or seasoned sausage.

• Harold [13:54]: Suggests dipping sausage meat in cracker crumbs before frying to balance flavors and reduce greasiness.

Brush Maintenance

Mrs. Halper from Olympia, Washington, provides a method to maintain brush bristles.

• Harold [13:54]: Recommends washing brushes with a warm rinse followed by a cold rinse to stiffen bristles, ensuring longevity and effectiveness.

Conclusion

Harold wraps up the episode with a collection of practical household tips, ensuring listeners are equipped with creative solutions for everyday challenges. From innovative cooking methods and efficient baking strategies to stylish kitchen organization and effective cleaning techniques, this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio offers a treasure trove of wisdom for homemakers. The blend of informative segments, humorous exchanges, and soulful musical performances by Brad Reynolds makes for a delightful and enriching listening experience.

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Notable Quotes:

• Harold [01:04]: "Why don't you tell them they're Chinese oysters."
• Harold [02:27]: "In preparing oyster plant for dressing... your family or friends will go poking around through the dressing looking for oysters but only finding the flavor."
• Harold [03:00]: "Shake hands with yourself for both of us."
• Harold [07:35]: "Things used to be arranged carefully after the manner of a well dressed window. But as you know, that got to be a bore."
• Harold [11:16]: "If the luncheon cloth has a border design... tell her it's very modern."

Timestamp Highlights:

• [00:19] Introduction to cauliflower stalks as kitchen staples.
• [01:49] Introduction of oyster plant dressing as an alternative to real oysters.
• [05:01] Musical performance of "If I Had You."
• [09:10] Musical performance of "Memories."
• [14:53] Closing thoughts before the final advertisements.

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This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio exemplifies the charm and practicality of Golden Age radio programming, blending useful household advice with engaging storytelling and music. Whether you're a seasoned homemaker or someone looking to enhance your domestic skills, Harold and Brad provide both inspiration and entertainment.

Transcript

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[Host]

Mrs. Housewife, do you smell something burning? Well, in that. Hello, girls. For some strange reason, the first thought that comes to mind is that you might be throwing away your cauliflower stalks.

[Brad Reynolds]

Did you say cauliflower stalks? Don't tell me you can make beads out of them.

[Host]

Well, maybe you can, Brad. But anyway, they're very useful. Mrs. Brown in Boyerstown, Pennsylvania, says that they like them in their family in case you want to try them out. She says you're to cut the cauliflower stalks lengthwise in two or three pieces according to the thickness.

[Brad Reynolds]

Then.

[Host]

Then you tie them in bundles and cook them as you would asparagus. After they're drained, they're served with white or hollandaise sauce. I know the first couple of times you serve them to the family, they're going to ask you what they are. Why don't you tell them they're Chinese oysters?

[Brad Reynolds]

Tell them they're Persian mushrooms.

[Host]

Sure. And after you made three or four different names and when you're sure the family likes them, you can have a frank little talk with your brood and tell them that they're eating cauliflower stalks. And what do they want to make of it? Well, while we still have our mouths full, let's talk about oyster plant dressing.

[Brad Reynolds]

All right, I'll talk about it if you'll talk about it. I've always wanted to talk about oyster plant dressing.

[Host]

There's my boy. Bradford, I want you to know that Mrs. Williams in Toronto, Ontario, says that it takes the place of real oysters.

[Brad Reynolds]

What? Pearls and all.

[Host]

Let's not overdo, junior. Oyster plant dressing hasn't any shell. However, now there has the oyster lots of times after it gets to the table. Oyster plant dressing is definitely a dandy thing for people who are allergic to real oysters, but who like the flavor. Would you like to know how to prepare it?

[Brad Reynolds]

Wait till I get my oyster fork and I'll scratch it down.

[Host]

All right, ready?

[Brad Reynolds]

There isn't much room on this half shell, but I'll try.

[Host]

All right. In preparing oyster plant for dressing, cut it in thin rounds and boil it until it's tender. Mix this in your dressing along with the broth, and your family or friends will go poking around through the dressing looking for oysters but only finding the flavor. This girl's really is a treat for the person who loves the oyster. But the oyster doesn't love back. Now then, Mrs. Tyler in Gillette, Wyoming has a small variation on your usual cake plans. The next time you find yourself in the kitchen whipping up a cake in the first place, shake hands with yourself for me.

[Brad Reynolds]

Oh, me too.

[Host]

Shake hands with yourself for both of us. And then try a couple of drops of almond flavoring along with your vanilla. This will surprise the members of the family into smiling, even though they haven't cracked a lip in years. Junior. Junior. Junior. Don't stand there scratching your head trying to think of what to say. Just say it. There we are. Junior may scratch around a little, girls, but once he makes up his mind what he's going to say, he certainly gets you told. Now we have some more notes on cake making a bit on decorating your kitchen, as well as some other things that I hope you'll find useful. But now Brad Reynolds, the moon eyed minstrel will give off with if I had you.

[Brad Reynolds]

I could show the world how to smile I could be glad all of the while I could change the grey skies to blue if I had you I could leave the old days behind Leave all my pals I'd never mind I could start my life all anew if I had you I could climb the snow capped mountains Sail the mighty ocean wide I could cross the burning desert if I had you by my side I could be a king, dear uncrowned Humble or poor, rich are enough There is nothing I couldn't do if I had you.

[Host]

Now let us take up that cake. Where? Ed, open your eyes. It's all over. Well, maybe you're only going to make half a cake. I know how that kind of thing can happen. You start out wanting to make a whole cake and then you think of how much of it was left the last time you made one. How you had to feed it to the birds. So you settle for half a cake recipe. One of our listeners in Montpelier, Vermont says she had an awful lot of trouble with whole cakes. Do you know that she threw out so much stale cake that the birds around her neighborhood took to singing only classical music?

[Brad Reynolds]

Sure, and they wouldn't eat it all unless she set a table for them.

[Host]

That's right. So now she takes half the cake recipe and bakes it in a round layer cake tin. And when it's baked, she cuts the single round layer that she's made in half and puts one half on top of the other. So she really has half of a two layer cake. When she's finished, you'll be glad to know that the family consumes this. And the birds have settled down again to bread and water and no nonsense.

[Brad Reynolds]

You know, sometimes I think he makes these things.

[Host]

Oh, come, come, Bradford. We mustn't lose faith. Now then, girls, at this point we step into the let's make it prettier department. Mrs. Donnelly in Clinton, British Columbia. Wants to put you to work on the glass doors in your kitchen cabinet. Glass doors in a kitchen cabinet, I suppose, were originally put there so that your handsome array of dishes, electrical equipment and store of supplies could overwhelm and impress your less fortunate friends. Things used to be arranged carefully after the manner of a well dressed window. But as you know, that got to be a bore. So now you just plain stack things. Well, Mrs. Donnelly says the thing to do is to buy some wallpaper to match your kitchen color scheme. Then tack the paper inside the glass right side out to the wooden parts of the door. Thumbtacks will do the trick nicely. And the result gives you a smooth and neat exterior. Then it doesn't matter if you're hiding a lot of broken electrical equipment and unused wedding gifts behind the design in the wallpaper. Are you lazy about dusting?

[Brad Reynolds]

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say that.

[Host]

You wouldn't, Brad? Well, I thought if any of the girls were lazy about dusting, they might take a tip from Mrs. Wilcox in Stockton, California. She says a lazy way to dust is to use a dish mop or a duster with a little furniture polish on it. The furniture polish makes it easier to dust onto. If you give it only the loose end of a rag to grab onto, the dust is liable to stay right in place. Now, if you want to try this out right now, Brad'll keep time for you as he sings Memories. Won't you, Brad?

[Brad Reynolds]

Memories, memories Dreams of love so true for the sea of memory I'm drifting back to you Childhood days Wildwood days among the birds and be. You left me alone but still you're my own. In my beautiful memory. You left me alone but still you're my own. In my beautiful memory.

[Host]

Well, Bradford, I must say you gave that all it took. I really enjoyed that. Girls, here's something to do the next time it rains and you want to stay home.

[Brad Reynolds]

Something to do outside of sleeping, of course.

[Host]

Yeah, in between naps on a rainy day, look over any luncheon clothes that you have around. Look them over to see if they're Wearing out. This sounds like you're trying to make yourself sad for the day. But that's not the idea. Mrs. Bowman in Snyder, Texas, says if the luncheon cloths are starting to wear out, you can cut napkins out of the corners. These are attractive, girls. And furthermore, two sides of the napkin will be already hemmed.

[Brad Reynolds]

Well, what if there's a design on.

[Host]

The border listener who's keeping house? Don't let that worry you. If the luncheon cloth has a border design so that due to the fact that you're cutting the napkin out of the corner, the border design will only appear on two sides. Oh, I know that your friend Mabel is going to look at it and say, look, look, the napkin only has a design on two sides. But when she does, you look at her just like she was an idiot and tell her it's very modern. After that, go right ahead and tell Ella to pass the peas. Oh, here's a. Here's a good trick too, girls. You're to keep it in mind the next time you buy some new hoes. Mrs. Hoff in Bellmore, Long island says after you buy your stockings, match them up with darning thread. Then you'll always have a shade that you want when the stocking springs a hole.

[Brad Reynolds]

Alan, why don't they have polka dot stockings?

[Host]

Why do you want polka dot stockings?

[Brad Reynolds]

Well, the holes wouldn't show up.

[Host]

Well, it's an idea, Brad. But the only trouble being that when the polka dot stockings get holey, they'll be likely to dot where they should. Poker, Junior. Junior. Mind the store. You know, I think Junior gets better all the time. And when you consider that that kid's clever enough to always wear a striped suit at something. Do you know that Brady that's really remarkable? He's one of the few people in the world and anytime he wants to get out from behind the bars, he just takes his coat off. Isn't that a clever kid? I'll start the. Did you know, says Mrs. Halper in Olympia, Washington. Did you know when washing brushes of any kind, a warm rinse and then a cold one will stiffen the bristols again.

[Brad Reynolds]

I'll try that, says Mrs. Danna in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. And did you know, if sausage is too greasy or too highly seasoned, you can help yourself out by dipping the sausage meat in cracker crumbs before frying.

[Host]

Here's mine, says Ms. Andrews in West Palm Beach, Florida. Did you know, if your favorite nail polish gets too thick to use, a few drops of nail polish remover will make it easy to apply G Mrs. Housewife, I hope there's nothing burning with.

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