Well, we better all copy down her recipe because we might be back in another Depression before too long. Imagine this generation having to actually SACRIFICE by thinking of another’s needs first and/or going without??? It would be VERY good for us (sigh) though I don’t want to see a Depression actually happen.
Stephen was looking over my shoulder just now and said “thats a big meal!” I was thinking the same thing. You know people who could garden and farm did really well during the depression. We all need to get back to gardening and farming, even if it’s on a small scale. Hey we’ll raise the pigs!!
I’ve been trying to cut back on our meals and make them very simple and save the big meal for Sunday.
My dad used to eat ketchup and mayoniase sandwiches when he was a boy because there was nothing to put between the bread.
I have got the goats, quiver full has got the pigs, Knight Errant has got the lambs, all we need is the cow and we will be set for a year:)
I would like to say something about my parents living in the depression, but alas I am too young.
My father, circa depression and WWII era, was the last in his family of 14 injun children. About half of his brothers and sisters died as infants or in childhood from disease, lack of nutrition. They had to hunt regularly … rabbit, deer, etc… to eat. Otherwise, the main staple was oatmeal and potato. Their house/shack I won’t describe, except to say my grandmother made the inside a shrine to our Lord and Blessed Mother.
The definition of “poor” in our culture seems to have changed drastically in the last few decades. However, there are still many in this country today who are poorer now than my father was, then… they are the forgotten. There are many poorer still, in other countries. We need to pray for the truly needy and help where we can. Most of us can live on much less than we have…..much less than we know.
My father was one of thirteen, and his mother died when he was 12, while giving birth to the 13th baby. The baby also died. He had to quit school and go to work to help support the family. Some of his brothers and sisters had to go live at an orphanage for a while. During the depression, they ate a lot of potatoes. And he remembers strangers coming in off the street and eating dinner with them. They would have mayonaise sandwiches, and they lived in the city, so they were unable to hunt. They had no heat in their bedrooms during the winter, and my father remembers sleeping between the mattresses to try and stay warm (along with his brother) but it didn’t make a difference. My grandfather became somewhat of an alcoholic after his wife died. While my grandmother was still living, the whole family, and any guests there for dinner, were required to say the rosary after dinner. Times were tough, but if you ask my father, they were the good old days.
I was looking at that meal and it sure didn’t look like a depression meal to me. It looked like a three course meal. All she needed was dessert! The only time I ever serve a salad is when its a Sunday dinner and we have company. My dad grew up on Mash potatoe sandwichs with ketchup. Potatoes and onions were a good staple. I have an excellent onion soup recipe if any one wants it.
Thank you Father for your timely video of Clara’s modest, and outdated kitchen and appliances. I have been ‘lusting’ over buying a pressure cooker today, and after seeing Clara using her ‘ancient wares’ made me feel absolutely shameless. Her pots look as old as she is! How many times do we think we need the newer model of anything to make us happier, or free up our time…? She’s 93 and seems perfectly happy!
We need more Claras in the world to open our eyes! 🙂 God bless our country and our families through these upcoming times.
My grandmother raised seven kids on a farm during the Depression. I look to her for her wisdom (the kind that can only be gained by life). She knows the struggles of raising kids with little to nothing for them, but that never stopped her from having as many as God was willing to give.
My most recent favorite quote from Granny Annie was “Patty, it seems like when you’re raising kids, that that’s all you have is kids.”
During the Great Depression there were many small farms sprinkled around the country. Unfortunately, that is no longer true. I wrote to the head of the Ag Dept. requesting assistance in designing a program for developing small community supported gardens…ran by VOLUNTEERS. It takes a few years to develop a really nice loam. My prayer is that the local governments will be interested in allowing local participants to learn HOW to grow fruits and vegetables. It is a lost art. I really doubt they will take me serious and respond to my letter…LOL…I probably sound like some dooms day, conspiracy nut…oh, wait…I am…LOL.
One thing that concerns me is that we have become a society addicted to grains. Without large heavy equipment grains can be quite laborious growing, harvesting, and milling. It is much easier to grow other things…like tomatoes and summer squash at the friary ;-).
That’s a great idea. You may also want to call the local 4H extension office and maybe the FFA chapter in your area? Not only do these programs support ag. projects, they would help you round up volunteers! I love gardening (although I’m not that good at it yet) it’s therapeutic and its good for you all the way around…
Patty, we are members of a 4H group here in KY. And, my farmer friend’s son is a member of FFA. We are attempting to help educate families to grow food. Perhaps, I sound a bit like chicken little when I say that EVERYONE should take an active interest in producing some food. There is a proposed bill, HR 875, by a rep in CT who wants another food inspection group created to oversee all foods marketed. This bill “may” have an impact on those of us who are attempting local area food sales. I believe this bill will increase the costs of food, cause a bigger delay in transportation (quality of food will decrease), and additional radiation and/or chemical pathogen prevention not to mention make it almost impossible for small farmers to get quality food to area markets. I guess I am a bit concerned that people will become even MORE dependent on the government…like the Romans during the Fall of Western Roman Empire. We can start by cutting back on our grain consumption and eating more veggies.
Mary Victrix 
Well, we better all copy down her recipe because we might be back in another Depression before too long. Imagine this generation having to actually SACRIFICE by thinking of another’s needs first and/or going without??? It would be VERY good for us (sigh) though I don’t want to see a Depression actually happen.
Ever have an eggless cake, Father? I think that we have a recipe from the depression that was handed down.
Stephen was looking over my shoulder just now and said “thats a big meal!” I was thinking the same thing. You know people who could garden and farm did really well during the depression. We all need to get back to gardening and farming, even if it’s on a small scale. Hey we’ll raise the pigs!!
I’ve been trying to cut back on our meals and make them very simple and save the big meal for Sunday.
My dad used to eat ketchup and mayoniase sandwiches when he was a boy because there was nothing to put between the bread.
What do you eat during a depression if this is your good times fare?
I have got the goats, quiver full has got the pigs, Knight Errant has got the lambs, all we need is the cow and we will be set for a year:)
I would like to say something about my parents living in the depression, but alas I am too young.
My father, circa depression and WWII era, was the last in his family of 14 injun children. About half of his brothers and sisters died as infants or in childhood from disease, lack of nutrition. They had to hunt regularly … rabbit, deer, etc… to eat. Otherwise, the main staple was oatmeal and potato. Their house/shack I won’t describe, except to say my grandmother made the inside a shrine to our Lord and Blessed Mother.
The definition of “poor” in our culture seems to have changed drastically in the last few decades. However, there are still many in this country today who are poorer now than my father was, then… they are the forgotten. There are many poorer still, in other countries. We need to pray for the truly needy and help where we can. Most of us can live on much less than we have…..much less than we know.
My father was one of thirteen, and his mother died when he was 12, while giving birth to the 13th baby. The baby also died. He had to quit school and go to work to help support the family. Some of his brothers and sisters had to go live at an orphanage for a while. During the depression, they ate a lot of potatoes. And he remembers strangers coming in off the street and eating dinner with them. They would have mayonaise sandwiches, and they lived in the city, so they were unable to hunt. They had no heat in their bedrooms during the winter, and my father remembers sleeping between the mattresses to try and stay warm (along with his brother) but it didn’t make a difference. My grandfather became somewhat of an alcoholic after his wife died. While my grandmother was still living, the whole family, and any guests there for dinner, were required to say the rosary after dinner. Times were tough, but if you ask my father, they were the good old days.
Daily fare.
I was looking at that meal and it sure didn’t look like a depression meal to me. It looked like a three course meal. All she needed was dessert! The only time I ever serve a salad is when its a Sunday dinner and we have company. My dad grew up on Mash potatoe sandwichs with ketchup. Potatoes and onions were a good staple. I have an excellent onion soup recipe if any one wants it.
Hey, my wife forgot to take my name off of this blog. I don’t do salads for company nor do I bake cakes………
sure Maurice….
the secret’s out
Thank you Father for your timely video of Clara’s modest, and outdated kitchen and appliances. I have been ‘lusting’ over buying a pressure cooker today, and after seeing Clara using her ‘ancient wares’ made me feel absolutely shameless. Her pots look as old as she is! How many times do we think we need the newer model of anything to make us happier, or free up our time…? She’s 93 and seems perfectly happy!
We need more Claras in the world to open our eyes! 🙂 God bless our country and our families through these upcoming times.
My grandmother raised seven kids on a farm during the Depression. I look to her for her wisdom (the kind that can only be gained by life). She knows the struggles of raising kids with little to nothing for them, but that never stopped her from having as many as God was willing to give.
My most recent favorite quote from Granny Annie was “Patty, it seems like when you’re raising kids, that that’s all you have is kids.”
What a blessed soul!
During the Great Depression there were many small farms sprinkled around the country. Unfortunately, that is no longer true. I wrote to the head of the Ag Dept. requesting assistance in designing a program for developing small community supported gardens…ran by VOLUNTEERS. It takes a few years to develop a really nice loam. My prayer is that the local governments will be interested in allowing local participants to learn HOW to grow fruits and vegetables. It is a lost art. I really doubt they will take me serious and respond to my letter…LOL…I probably sound like some dooms day, conspiracy nut…oh, wait…I am…LOL.
One thing that concerns me is that we have become a society addicted to grains. Without large heavy equipment grains can be quite laborious growing, harvesting, and milling. It is much easier to grow other things…like tomatoes and summer squash at the friary ;-).
The Lentils need some modification. I.E. – Flavoring.
But then again. They are Lent – ils.
Nancy,
That’s a great idea. You may also want to call the local 4H extension office and maybe the FFA chapter in your area? Not only do these programs support ag. projects, they would help you round up volunteers! I love gardening (although I’m not that good at it yet) it’s therapeutic and its good for you all the way around…
Patty, we are members of a 4H group here in KY. And, my farmer friend’s son is a member of FFA. We are attempting to help educate families to grow food. Perhaps, I sound a bit like chicken little when I say that EVERYONE should take an active interest in producing some food. There is a proposed bill, HR 875, by a rep in CT who wants another food inspection group created to oversee all foods marketed. This bill “may” have an impact on those of us who are attempting local area food sales. I believe this bill will increase the costs of food, cause a bigger delay in transportation (quality of food will decrease), and additional radiation and/or chemical pathogen prevention not to mention make it almost impossible for small farmers to get quality food to area markets. I guess I am a bit concerned that people will become even MORE dependent on the government…like the Romans during the Fall of Western Roman Empire. We can start by cutting back on our grain consumption and eating more veggies.