Back in the day, homemakers did a lot more than the average homemaker today in my opinion. Not only wash there cooking, cleaning, laundry - but gardening, canning, stay at home mom, sewing and mending, quilting, often times loading firewood, ironing...….and on and on.
I know my Momma and Grandma's worked a lot harder than I ever have back in the 40's and 50's.
I had an outside job for ages, plus taking care of the household. But I do believe my ancestors worked physically harder than I ever thought I could. We all know that if you go back far enough in time - our pioneer ancestors worked their bums off. I can't even imagine.
I think given the present situation, many people are changing up their homemaking practices. I think that is good.
People are finally going back to using absolutely everything up! Not wasting
Gardening is hugely present on a lot of people's minds
People are eager to learn to sew
Trying new recipes and experimenting
Wanting to can
Getting creative
Learning new skills
Bartering and foraging is cool again
Meals with family sitting down together is back
Parents are getting reacquainted with their kids
People are learning to be more self sufficient and learning to stretch a dollar better
I know most of on here have been practicing many of these things for years - but a lot of younger folks are learning and asking questions. I LOVE IT! Let us all help teach!!!
**NOT my picture.
Boy, do I remember helping Mom with the laundry this way. We had the wringer washer and a big wash tub on the back porch and every Monday, we did the laundry. Hung them out on the line or in the house (when too cold outside). Everything was then ironed - and I mean everything!!!!!
Momma ALWAYS had on a dress - 7 days a week - and an apron.
I would love to have a wringer washer again today. It seemed the clothes just got so clean.
I do have a washer stand that holds 2 big tubs (it was grandma's) and I have wash tubs. I have a REAL washboard as well and a wringer that attaches to a table. I could do it the hard way!
My younger family members are asking questions and learning new things. I had a niece tell me the other day how she was really enjoying making her own sanitizer and face masks. She has learned to bake bread. She has always been a good cook (took after her Momma) but she is learning new stuff now that she is staying home and watching her money.
She managed to get a sewing machine and is loving sewing for her family and friends. Her statement to me was "who knew?" LOL - I laughed and just said "good for you kiddo".
Have another who asking all kinds of gardening questions and canning questions.
I just think this is so neat.
They are realizing that they need to be more self sufficient. They are leaning the money may not always be there like in the past. They are learning how to make do and use it up and wear it out!
Me in the late 50's in our family kitchen. Notice the open faced cabinets, the old stand mixer (well used) and we had a Formica table and chairs that matched (I remember yellow/gray). My oh my, would I love to go back and sit in the kitchen for a little while again!
We all need to take the time NOW to learn new things (we are never to old to learn) and get back to a simpler (not nec. easier) life. Hopefully everyone really pays attention and LEARNS from this - it seems that so many didn't learn from past economic downfalls.
Pray, meditate, learn, read, organize, build stock, clean and GROW as a person!
Don't give in to a pity party - get busy!!!!!!
Be prepared for whatever the future holds. You KNOW this will not be the last fiasco you will face in life.
Listen to your instincts. Most often they don't steer you wrong. If you feel the need to build up a better pantry - do it. If you feel the need to put back more money - do it. If you feel the need to keep more funds at home - do it. If you feel the need to stay away from certain people - do it.
Good or bad - your instincts guide you. Listen to them.
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
I know I want to be prepared for whatever comes my way in the future. I am sure you do to.
Please prepare for anything and teach those that want to learn.
Let us make this the SEASON OF GROWING AND LEARNING.
What a lovely post and good to hear that youngsters you know are asking how to do things. That's good to hear.
ReplyDeleteI think - from what is missing on the supermarket shelves - people are making their own bread and baking too, as flour (and yeast) much in demand, and on-line sales gone into meltdown. Same applies to seeds, gardening equipment, polytunnels etc - selling in vast amounts as people start to garden - or find time for it again.
Is it the Amish who always have a year's supply of foodstuffs of every description? A good thing to plan for - I have perhaps 3 mths worth?
I am finding the time to make things I had let slip in recent years (due to running a small business), and it's good to get back to basics.
Thanks. I find it very encouraging that these younger gals are interested in learning too. Yes, the Amish are always prepared as well as the Mormons. I think I have "most" things to last for a year (or more) - of course there would be substitutions along the way!
DeleteI can eat quit simply if I had too. Biscuits and gravy or jelly. I have tons of pickles of all sorts. Heck it is all food! If you are hungry - simple is great!
I like the idea of getting back to basics as well.
Your post brought back so many happy memories for me! I’m in my 60s, and the kitchen was truly the heart of our home, and my grandmothers home. It wasn’t just the food - it was the time spent truly together, without screens or tv or the internet. I enjoy our modern conveniences, but I sure do miss the old days sometimes.
ReplyDeleteSusan we grew up at the same time. Same here, I am in my 60's. Everything centered in the kitchen and around the goodies made there. I do miss those SLOW days.
DeleteThe longer this goes on the more likelihood there is that people (both women and men) will want to learn old skills. Sadly, though I see evidence of those who are merely riding this out and making plans to go back to what they were doing before. I suspect they are going to be disappointed. In the meantime they are missing an opportunity to make "hay while the sun shines".
ReplyDeleteI've not had a garden for years but have decided I'll use some additional containers to grow a few items this year. It won't be much but every little bit helps. Last year we set up two 4X4 garden beds for my daughter - she'll do more this year.
Take care and stay well!
I think many may be surprised as well. I really don't want things back the way they were. It didn't seem to be working too good that way either!
DeleteA few containers will give you much food. It doesn't take a lot to make a difference.
I was talking to Sluggy on Easter and I think blogs like ours are going to be very popular and necessary, as there are a slew of individuals out there that don't have a clue. They will need ideas and help. This pandemic is awful but some good will come out of it.
ReplyDeleteI think you may be right. People need to learn - and it's best to learn from those who know how.
DeleteI agree, there will be good that comes out of this. I feel that something good comes from all bad things. I just have to believe that.
Yes! You are absolutely right!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hope you are doing well.
DeleteCheryl, I really enjoy your blog. I only found it a couple of months ago and I have been reading your old posts. I love your positive attitude and cheerfulness. Your blog is very
ReplyDeleteencouraging and informative. I love the picture of you as a child in your kitchen. Thank you and please keep writing.
Hello Terry. Nice of you to come and visit. Thank you for your sweet words.
DeleteI may not always have a positive attitude - but try.
I am glad you are enjoying. Look forward to hearing from you any time!!!
I used to help my grandma with the wringer washer and then when we moved here to the home place, the well was not deep enough to stand an automatic washer. I used the wringer for several years. Then we did the laundrymat routine (I had a dryer and the clothes line so only washed them in town.) Then we dug the new well. I've made soap. I sew. I can. We garden. I grind my flour and make bread. Make yogurt. We have our own cattle we feed out and take to the butcher. My kids are not as interested in learning new things, but they do garden. The ddil's think canning is too hard to do. And neither sew. You'd think I was born in the 40s or 50s but I'm the very last of the Boomers, born in 63. I grew up in the Women's Movement and the Me generation. Yet, I've never felt that way. I always say I was born 20 years too late. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to help my grandma with the wringer washer and then when we moved here to the home place, the well was not deep enough to stand an automatic washer. I used the wringer for several years. Then we did the laundrymat routine (I had a dryer and the clothes line so only washed them in town.) Then we dug the new well. I've made soap. I sew. I can. We garden. I grind my flour and make bread. Make yogurt. We have our own cattle we feed out and take to the butcher. My kids are not as interested in learning new things, but they do garden. The ddil's think canning is too hard to do. And neither sew. You'd think I was born in the 40s or 50s but I'm the very last of the Boomers, born in 63. I grew up in the Women's Movement and the Me generation. Yet, I've never felt that way. I always say I was born 20 years too late. :)
ReplyDeleteThere are times I would love to have a wringer washer...I helped when I was little, and then eventually mom allowed me to actually run the clothes through and hang them out.
ReplyDeleteI love your post! Lots of memories in thereI remember as a little girl getting my hand stuck in that wringer machine at my grandma's house!
ReplyDeleteAlso the formica table my grandmother had one that was red and gray, there was lots of good fellowship around that table. My husbands mother passed away in November and his stepdad was cleaning things out and asked him if he wanted his grandmas old formica table. Iit was still in good shape, he wasn't sure where we would put it but I found it a home in my sewing room, my sewing machines sit on it. It is red and has grey and yellow speckles on it. I love vintage, my mom says I was born in the wrong generation.