Old Time Kitchens

Supper table at the Helms' family home in Alabama, 1939. LOC.

 

I was in the grocery store this afternoon. I saw many people buying large amounts of food. Some were quietly talking to other customers about their concerns about the state of events in our country.  The subject of food is on the minds of many.

The store is full of snacks, prepacked meals, frozen dinners, assorted produce, and so much more. As I walked down the aisle, I wondered what people would do if the stores were suddenly closed and all this food was not available for a short period of time. I had a moment of panic.  It reminded me of how very important it is to stock up and have sufficient groceries in one's own home to last the season, if possible, or at least enough for a few months.

This year I am not as prepared as I want to be. But I am remembering the old ways and trying to do all I can for the needs of my household. 

 In my childhood home, my mother always had a plate of bread on the table. There was always a bowl of fresh sliced cucumbers to go with supper.  We often had mashed potatoes and another vegetable with many of our meals.  The vegetables and the bread helped to fill us up.  To make a meal look more bountiful, it helps when there is a variety of food set out together.  I never heard my mother complain or worry about putting food on the table. She trusted the Lord to provide and then she knew how to do her part. 

We ate all our meals, together, at the kitchen table.  It was a large dining table with a drawer (underneath) to hold the silverware. We had silverware, napkins, and glasses of milk beside our plates.  It was always a well-balanced assortment of food. The routine of eating began with a prayer of thanksgiving from Dad. We would talk and visit and enjoy the food. Then we always left the table happy and grateful.

I remember visiting my aunt in the rural south. She had a big garden and always made delicious meals for us. These were economical and nutritious. Each morning, she made a batch of buttermilk biscuits to go with eggs and bacon. She would often send one of the children out to the garden to get some fresh produce to serve with our meals.  To me, nothing will ever taste as good as food made at home, with love and care.

Saving money and practicing the art of thrift has always been a wise way to live.  Homemakers used to make meals based on what was in the kitchen rather than whatever they wanted to choose from the store. They kept a supply of basic items in the pantry, such as flour, oats, sugar, and plenty of canned goods.  They would prepare food in advance so there would be good things to eat that would last for days. 

I realize it takes a lot of time and effort to work so hard. But this was very common in old time kitchens. The art of cooking, baking, and filling the table with nourishing and appetizing food is a wonderful work. It brings comfort to the family. 

 In these difficult times we are enduring, bringing back some of the old ways of housekeeping may very well provide a sense of rest and contentment. There is an adventure in finding creative ways to feed the family. We must not worry or fret as we go about our household chores. Remembering the promises of Scripture is essential. We are to seek the Lord and His righteousness and all will be well. The Lord will provide.

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Advice for a Happy Home - Peaceful Living by Rules.

Reality and Wisdom - Retirement Planning for the Poor.

A Precious Lifetime of Duty at home at - The Mission House.  

Ideas to minimize stress - Peace be Upon this House. 

 - To find out more about this blog, or Mrs. White, please visit our About page. -

 Help For Homeschooling:

Seeking a Thrifty and Simple Life: Encouragement for Christian Homeschooling by Mrs. White

Paperback, 112 pages

As you read this book, I hope you get a sense that, no matter what is going on in the world, every home can be a homeschool.