Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Nostalgic Foods from Growing Up

 Hello to all and midweek wishes for health and safety.  Yesterday we woke to a covering of snow - then it was mainly gone by the end of the day.  Had nothing to do with temps, but we had sunshine for a bit.  It is cold this morning, but no snow here (so far), and not as cold as yesterday's high!  Making our way back upwards!

I have had a couple people ask if I saw the brief post from Linda (PP) that Tommy passed.  So very sad.  I can't help but wonder what she will do now.  Such a sad situation.

Yesterday I read an article about nostalgic foods from days gone by, and that they said most don't do today.  Hmmmm - I still do some of these.  I do remember every single one - and the thing was, we just thought it was all good, we had no idea it was frugal food because we didn't have a lot of money (even though mom did)!


1.  Catsup and spaghetti - I truly don't remember mom doing this - we did have tomatoes and pasta often times.  BUT catsup and macaroni was a staple for me in my single days.  It was what I could afford.  To be honest I still do this every now and then.  I really like it - my sister does too!

2.  Sugar sandwiches - I didn't do this, but I remember hearing that my siblings did once in a while, when money and food was low

3.  Fried bologna - I was never a fan of it fried but did and do like bologna sandwiches once in a while in the summer with a big tomato sliced on it!  Glen loved fried bologna and so did my dad

4.  Peanut butter & syrup - oh golly, I loved this as a kid.  It was such a fun treat.  Mom would mix the two and I had it with crackers or bread.  I thought this was the best thing ever

5.  Hotdogs cut up in mac and cheese - remember this and have done it back in the day.  It is a great way to extend a little meat and make a simple meal out of what you have

6. Cereal with no milk - LOL - this is the only way I have ever eaten cereal!  I do not like my cereal soggy!!  I drink milk on the side, but eat cereal more like a snack and it is always dry

7.  Powdered milk - Mom may have served us powdered milk - I really do not remember.  I have never made it just to drink but have made and used in recipes.  I have extended a short gallon with it, but never made it just alone to drink

8. Cinnamon sugar toast - LOVED it and still do this for a snack sometimes.  It is easy and quick and so very tasty!!!

9.  Buttered noodles - yep, mom did these and I have too many times.  I really like buttered noodles - don't have to have fancy gravy or sauce

10.  Tuna and crackers - sure enough.  I still do this.  It may be part of a meal or just a snack.  I don't have to have tuna salad - I like plain old tuna

11.  Egg sandwiches - of course.  Still a staple for me.  Easy and fairly cheap and tummy filling

12.  Mayo sandwich - I know dad did this once in a while and I think mom did.  I have never just had mayo - but have had many a tomato or onion or cucumber sandwich with mayo.  A summer treat still today

13.  Biscuits and gravy - duh!  Not sure why this is on the list.  Are there actually people that have never had them?  I love biscuits (scones) and gravy.  Truly a favorite and comforting meal for me

14.  Rice with sugar and butter - I was never a fan - but Glen used to LOVE it.  He would ask for this many times as a breakfast meal.  I know mom served it a lot for my siblings.

15. (adding this one myself) - Cornbread or crackers crumbled up and eaten in milk.  This was a big thing with dad - he loved it.  I remember my siblings saying this was a breakfast or lunch many times, when things were tight.  My brother still does this but uses buttermilk.  Oh, I shudder!!!!!  LOL


Do you remember some of the odd ones?  Have you had any or all of them in years past?  Do you still eat any of them today?
It is always fun to go back and think about the ways food got stretched when the budgets were low and food needed to used up and nothing wasted.  People found a way to eat what they had.  I know there are people today that would just cringe to think of some of these things.  Hey, you ate what you had, so as not to be hungry.  Many of these were what we considered 'fast' food!!!!!  Quick, easy, cheap and used it up!

Have a great day everyone.  
Spring will soon be here!!



2 comments:

  1. This did bring back memories. Soda crackers w/ milk & sugar was a treat as was cinnamon/sugar toast. Even condiments were a luxury so I don't remember having ketchup or mayo 'til I was in my teens. For sure hot dogs in mac & cheese, homemade of course. I made mac & cheese last night w/ tuna & peas. I remember mom extending store bought milk w/ powdered milk after we quit milking cows. Powdered milk is so expensive now. She also made a dish w/ bread & canned tomatoes which is some rustic version of panzanella unknown to her. Fried bologna on toast w/ mustard is a once in awhile treat even now.

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  2. Ha, so funny to think of these things we ate as kids. My Dad liked sardines on crackers or bread, peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches. Both of those things I can't get my head around. I do occasionally eat sardines on crackers though. But we ate a lot of the same things that you mentioned.

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