I am a civil war reenactor and recently purchased a wooden bread bowl at one of the events.  Am wondering what I need to do to make it "useable".....meaning that it is just the raw wood and seems to absorb whatever liquid is put in the bowl, i.e. water when I rinsed it out.  Should I rub oil on it?  I would like to use it but am a loss at what to do.  Thanks for your help.