The Old Ways

frustratedearthmother

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As most know - I have my elderly parents living with me. I hear lots of stories and learn new thing about them every day. Today was one of those learning days.

I occasionally make Kefir and offered dad some today. He took a sip and told me it was really good buttermilk, lol. I'm ok with that. However, I was really surprised when he picked up the salt and pepper and sprinkled some of each in the glass. After I got over my shock I got myself a glass and copied him with a little salt and pepper of my own. I've gotta say - it was good!

So - dad puts salt and pepper in his buttermilk and I remember my grandpa pouring his coffee into his saucer to cool it off. Anybody else remember some of those old ways that are disappearing?
 

CrealCritter

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I really wished I knew more tried and true ways of old. It's unfortunate that both my wife's and my parents are more "modernized" than my wife and I are.

Expecially when it comes to food - both my wife's parents nor mine will eat anything I raise or hunt including chicken eggs, let alone any meat I butchered and yes even deer.

It's very odd but they have to buy their meat from the grocery store. Even though I've explained to them all about factory farming - I just don't get it... I was even told my chicken eggs are not natural by my FIL once. I have to be nice to him because he is my FIL after all,the but I tell you that kind of got under my skin... So I thought of the nicest thing I could muster up and said to him. "Yeah? Well opinions are like armpits. Everybody has one and sometimes they really stink" He laughed so maybe I got through to him but I'm not holding my breath either.

I guess a lot of my "old" ways come from reading the Bible & storey's.
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Hinotori

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We salted cantaloupe (but not watermelon) when I was growing up because that's what great grandma did.

Oh and then there is the kid food thing I was just talking with Mom about over thanksgiving. Kids ate the same thing as adults when even my youngest brother was a kid. No issues with picky eaters only wanting junk from anyone I knew growing up. It's a poor farming town. Both brothers' kids are picky and only want processed crap. Seems I hear that from most friends too.

As kids I think we had generic brand mac and cheese a handful of times a year. Fast food even less. Hot dogs were only bought for camping trips. Chicken nuggets were a few times a year.
 

Mini Horses

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When I was a kid there were no McDonalds. That's right!! I was about 10 when first one opened here. TV was black & white, phones were party lines and the actual phone was NOT portable. Gasoline was under 25 cents (!!) a gallon. There were drive-in movie theatres...$1 a carload. You were lucky to have even one car.

LOL most people don't even know that there used to be "cup & saucers" instead of mugs and throw aways. Coffee was made in a perculator & a thermos used to keep it hot. No microwaves.

Aprons. One of my grandmas almost always had one on. Grab it & use to move a hot pan if no pot holder was in reach. Dry a wet hand on it. LOL useful item. More of a tie on towel than a protection for clothing. Holes in blue jeans were mended, never bought that way.

Life was different then.
 

Hinotori

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I have two aprons I use a lot. I will admit I'm fat so finding ones that fit right was great. I took my best one down to mom since she wants to make a few of them. They will fit other family members.

Sewing seems to be something that only a few do anymore. I know people who cant fix a button or hem pants. Heck, hubby has a favorite belt he's worn for 20+ years. The threads holding the buckle on gave out so he asked me to fix it. Trip to the store for proper thread and I saddle stitched it back together.
 

frustratedearthmother

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I was even told my chicken eggs are not natural by my FIL once.
That blows my mind, lol. Not natural?
Life was different then.
You are so right! I remember going to my first McDonalds...my mom and her sister found enough change in the car seats for a hamburger, lol. The first hamburger at McDonalds cost 15cents - I don't remember that far back - but I do remember 'em for .35cents. :)
Yes! Whatever happened to aprons? They were also one of my first sewing projects. We made them in home economics class. Do they still have home ec classes, I wonder?
We salted cantaloupe (but not watermelon) when I was growing up because that's what great grandma did.
I still salt 'em both! Love a salty watermelon.
generic brand mac and cheese
Mac and cheese was a bag of macaroni and grated cheese and/or Velveeta.
Holes in blue jeans were mended, never bought that way.
I remember my mom loving iron on patches, lol. She was a seamstress, but iron on patches were quick! When I was a little older we ironed on patches as a fashion statement. Remember 'flower power' - we had patches we'd put on hip pockets of our jeans to identify ourselves as 'hippies'!
 

NH Homesteader

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Some places have home ec, but it's a bit out of favor these days. I think the high school here has it though.

My daughter likes wearing aprons, lol, but I don't have any adult sized ones!
 

CrealCritter

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Speaking of microwave... I've read both sides of the coin and that microwave food basicly renders it dead of all good bacteria and significantly lowers nutritional value. The other side of the coin is that's all hogwash.

You know the internet is full of opinions and I believe very little what I read on the internet (except here - you all are great). But what say you about microwaving? Good / Bad / don't know?

I wanted to add a little side note... Since switching to mostly fermented foods and growing / raising / butchering my own. For the first time in years my twice annually blood tests came back all good. It sure is refreshing to hear my doctor say "keep up what your are doing - your as healthy as a bull ox" :) :) :)
 

frustratedearthmother

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I'm probably in the "not convinced they're terrible" class....but I prefer to actually cook my food the old fashioned way. I do heat water for tea...and I do zap a leftover for a quick meal...but most actual cooking is stovetop or oven at my house.

One of the things I don't do (in microwave) is use plastic bowls/plates/utensils. If I reheat something I use a real plate or bowl.

Great news from your doc @CrealCritter . I need to find the time to do more fermenting. But, I've got cabbage growing - hoping for some sauerkraut! Got my kefir restarted too.
 

NH Homesteader

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That's fantastic! People just don't understand how important REAL food is!

Don't know about microwaves. I've toyed with the idea of getting rid of mine but I've thus far been too lazy!
 
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