Original Vintage Recipe: 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup butter 2 eggs beaten separately 4 tablespoons sweet milk 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 ¼ cup flour ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon almond flavouring Beat well together then fold in lightly 4 cups of Kellogg’s toasted corn flakes, drop on buttered pan. Recipe from Miss. Parker. August 26th, 1923. Our first recipe comes from Miss Parker, Etta Blakely’s daughter, and transports us to her kitchen in 1923. Oh, how things must have changed in 98 years … the types of stoves, kitchen appliances, electricity, and places to get ingredients. Can you imagine milking your cow for milk, churning your butter, or chasing after your chickens to get eggs, all to make some dang cookies! One of the items that has remained the same is Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. This cereal first arrived in Canada in 1914 and continues to appear on families' breakfast tables today. We thought there was no better way than to start off this blog by using this mainstay ingredient. So, let’s get baking… This quick and easy recipe for macaroon cookies will no doubt become an essential part of your own home cookbooks. Since the required ingredients are everyday kitchen staples, all you have to do is dump everything into a bowl. We would recommend that when “dropping” them on to the baking sheet, like Miss Parker explains, you use spoons to help yourself out. I used my hands and … well it got pretty messy. Oops! Since the recipe doesn’t specify exactly how long to bake them for, we experimented with the bake time. I felt like a little kid again, sitting in front of the oven, and peaking in with excitement while expectantly waiting on the treats we just made. We determined that, like most cookies, baking at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes seemed to be the sweet spot. So, how did they turn out … Although the recipe is simple, both in terms of taste and preparation, the Kellogg’s Toasted Corn Flake Macaroons are delicious! Both Lauren and I agreed that they would be lovely with a nice cup of tea. The Corn Flakes become crunchy on the outer edges but maintained a nice chewy texture in the center. The almond flavour gives them a simultaneous sweet yet savoury and nutty taste. It also made our kitchen smell heavenly (the best bonus of baking!) and Lauren noted that the scent of these cookies was absolutely made for old wooden stoves. We would definitely serve this recipe on Our Vintage Table. - Danielle

Vintage Recipe: Fudge (Made from packaged pudding powder) 1 pkg. cook-and-serve pudding powder, any flavour preferred (Do not use instant pudding!) 1 cup sugar ⅓ cup milk 2 tbsp. butter Combine pudding package, sugar, and milk. Boil slowly until it forms a soft ball in cold water. Remove from heat and add 2 tbsp. of butter. Beat till thick. Pour on buttered pan and score in to squares. Mrs. T.H. Jackman’s Fudge I remember as a kid, Valentines Day was filled with construction paper crafts, mailboxes for cards from class, and candy, lots and lots of candy! So this week’s recipe is all about eating sweets and making a gift for your Valentine… or yourself! This easy fudge recipe is great for the amateur candy maker (Hi, that’s me!), it is quick to make and only calls for 3 ingredients. This simple recipe uses a cook-and-serve pudding package, a nice nod to 50’s cooking, and takes the usual stress of fudge making away. We used butterscotch here, but choose whatever flavour is your favourite! When you combine the ingredients and start the boiling process remember to go LOW and SLOW. It took about 15 minutes to boil the mixture to the right temperature and consistency. When adding the butter at the end, remember to mix vigorously…but don’t lose your spoon in the pot like we did! We recommend using a standard loaf pan lined with parchment paper for easy portioning and removal. Mrs. T.H. Jackman, who provided this recipe in the Farm Women’s Union of Alberta cookbook, first settled with her family in the Ardrossan area in 1902. The family were integral to the formation of both the United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) and United Farm Woman of Alberta (UFWA). Mrs. Jackman and her family have made multiple contributions to the community of Strathcona County for generations. We can see why Mrs. Jackman shared her fudge recipe with the UFWA - a quick indulgent treat for the family. Making a smooth fudge takes practice, and we would be lying if we said our first batches turned out well. But once we got it right it was an excellent treat, especially to share with your Valentine. We would serve this on Our Vintage Table…if made correctly, haha! - Lauren

Hey everyone, Danielle here! You’ve asked to learn a little bit about the people behind this blog so we are happily sharing! A little about me… I am always cold… like, hands are basically icicles. I thrive in 25+ weather which does not bode well considering I live in a place which has 8 months of winter. Bones and skeletons fascinate me. My first degree is in Anthropology and I focused on biological anthropology and archaeology. I am itching to go on another archaeological dig somewhere! I love to learn. Whether that be from school, lectures, museums, articles, books, or physically doing something. I’m a big nerd what can I say… there is something comforting to me knowing that there is something new I can learn. What do you love about food…? The memories associated with food. Some of my happiest memories of my family and friends are intertwined with food. My grandpa (aka Gogo) cooking bacon at the lake when I was little, planting my grandmas garden every spring, Christmas dinners, endless chats over coffee, or wine and cheese in a small Italian town. Food is meant to be shared with loved ones! What is one of your favourite activities…? One of my favourite activities to do is to go to markets. I love to browse and people watch (in a non-creepy way), and markets are the perfect venue for both! There is something special about a hot summer’s day, eating fresh produce, and looking at beautiful pieces. I have made it a point on my travels that I go to a local market! What is one thing you have learned / discovered while working on Our Vintage Table…? How much food rationing affected the daily lives of people. Learning about the ingenuity, sense of community, and how everyone helped each other during these times has been one of the most eye opening experiences. Funny story … I frequently ask my grandparents questions about projects I am working on at the Strathma. One day I asked what cookies they made or ate around the holidays when they were little (late 1930’s/during WWII). My grandma briskly answered, “We didn’t have cookies, we were poor!” Mmm yep, fair enough haha at least she was honest. Danielle's Table Talk Interview

1/7 Upcoming Events Newsletter Sign-Up Donate Online Event Title Event Time Event Date Change the event description to include your own content. Adjust the settings to customize the style. September 2026 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Event Title Event Time Event Date Change the event description to include your own content. Adjust the settings to customize the style. September 2026 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING Cute little museum. It's worth a visit. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. A small space with a big impact—full of meaningful stories that bring the past to life. [The museum] far exceeded expectations… I only wish I’d gone sooner. Leave us a Review

Strathma is not only keeping busy inside the Museum, but also outside! Check out our page to see when we're out in the community! Événements et programmes Événements et programmes Our Strathma Museum School program (formerly known as Homeschool Drop-In) offers engaging, curriculum-connected learning in a relaxed museum setting, designed specifically for homeschool families. Each month features a new theme with hands-on activities, guided exploration, and staff-led learning experiences. Upcoming Dates & Themes September 9 – Aviation October 14 – Local Legends: Medieval Days November 18 – TBA December 9 – TBA Each session is designed to align with Alberta curriculum themes while encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and hands-on exploration. Program Details Ages: 6–12 When: Second Wednesday of each month, 10:45 AM–12:45 PM Cost: $5 per student, paid at the door Registration: No registration required Format: Guided activities, facilitated learning, and supported self-exploration This program provides homeschool families with a consistent, affordable way to engage with the museum throughout the year. Sessions are led by museum staff to ensure a structured learning environment while allowing families the flexibility to explore at their own pace. Parents or guardians are encouraged to stay with their students. Learning resources will be available to support and extend the experience during and after each session. For more information about the Strathma Museum School program, please contact us. Join us on the second Wednesday of every month from 10:30 AM–12:30 PM for meaningful learning and discovery at the museum.

Join our Paint and Sip Night event, where we will be "Painting the Plains" with local Indigenous artist Jane Ester Henderson! PAINT & SIP NIGHTS AT STRATHMA About the Event Join us for our Pride Paint & Sip Night! Celebrate Pride with a creative evening at the Strathcona County Museum & Archives. Led by local artist Andrea Krahn, this ticketed Pride-themed Paint Night invites participants to enjoy a relaxed, welcoming art activity in the museum after hours. No experience is needed — just come ready to paint, connect, and enjoy a fun evening in community. June 6 | 7 PM - 10 PM 913 Ash St., Sherwood Park AB All supplies and a complimentary drink included for just $40/person. A portion of proceeds will support the AltView Foundation. Spots are limited—get your tickets today! TICKETS EVENTS TICKETS EVENTS See more of Andrea's work at www.andreakrahnart.com ! Shop Home About Andrea Andrea is a local artist who grew up in rural Strathcona County, but whose global adventures have shaped her vibrant creativity. Having lived in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Central America. Andrea returned to her hometown of Strathcona County, with her husband and daughter after nearly 20 years overseas. During the 2020 pandemic, Andrea rediscovered her passion for painting. Her joyful, whimsical pieces are filled with bold colors and comedic expressions, reflecting her playful outlook on life. Each work radiates a sense of jubilation, inviting viewers to share in her celebration of beauty and joy.