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Saturday, October 6, 2012

SUNDAY NIGHT SUPPER

Hi, Ya'll
I sure do hope things are going good for you and yours.


PLEASE, join hands with me in praying for
THE CURE.......




Everything is GOOD here at Sweet Nothings and I go down on my knees every night to thank HIM for my blessings...large and small and everything in between.





I saw a post.......trying like crazy to remember WHERE, that was talking about their SUNDAY SUPPER when she was a child.
She asked if we had any memories about OUR Sunday supper
and  I have a GREAT memory about that meal.....
a meal that we ALWAYS had our family of 4, sitting at the 
kitchen table, TOGETHER.
We always had our meals at the very same time, every day and evening.
This is not an easy thing to do anymore....so many ballgames, practice,
school activities and a thousand other things.

My daddy worked as a machinist and my mother stayed at home.
She had a budget for groceries and she made ONE trip to the grocery store a week.
If she ran out of something, she just waited 'til payday rolled back around....
which, by the way, was Monday.
I can't imagine why my dad was paid on Mondays but.......he was.

We ate goood....she was an awesome cook and being raised on a farm and knowing how to stretch dollars, she did an AMAZING job with the little bit of money she had each week.
This was in the late 40's and 50's and a blue collar man didn't earn much money...

Towards the last of the week, she got VERY creative with her meals.
Most were delicious....some....well.....lacked a little to be desired. :))

By Sunday night (after a wonderful lunch), she would reach for her
GO-TO meal.
REAL rice (not the Minute rice stuff) cooked to fluffiness...
served as a hot cereal...
butter
sugar
a sprinkle of cinnamon (mine was more a POURING of cinnamon)
milk......(I liked mine dry...)
served with OVEN BUTTERED TOAST.
Still to this very day, one of my FAVORITE COMFORT MEALs on the planet.
I always used a LOT of cinnamon...no milk at all...and lots of butter....still do. :)

I had NO idea, that a lot of times, it was all we had for that meal....
I just knew I looked forward to it every single week.
I had no idea she often cried, behind the bathroom door, because she
didn't have more substantial food to offer her family.
 
(Please.....let me say right here, that I've never gone hungry a day in my blessed life.
I have lived long enuf that I did go thru some hard times with my parents...
but,
as the years went by, things were better for us...and money not so tight.)
I also never noticed anything different from the way my friends lived.
Seems in the 40's and 50's, most people were "in the same boat"....all our dads worked blue collar jobs, our moms stayed at home, cooking, sewing and such.
We had a nice home that was clean as a whistle....I had really cute clothes as Mother sewed for me all the time....and I was blessed with lots of great friends.

I didn't know all the feelings my mother went thru about that SUNDAY NIGHT SUPPER until, not too long before she passed away,
I made the remark that I was "hungry for one of my favorite meals",
HER rice and toast.
She had the funniest look pass over her sweet face....
and she talked about the fretting she did, those early years, over meals.
I think she even giggled a bit, finding out I counted RICE AND TOAST as
a high-ranking COMFORT meal.
Can I tell you how blessed I feel to have "mentioned" that meal in loving memory
to her....to have her know that, all those times she was fretting about the meal,
I was LOVIN' it.?
That, in no way whatsoever, I ever felt slighted.....or poor.....or anything
but unconditional love from a mother that cried because she had to
serve RICE and BUTTERED TOAST
to a family that loved her, no matter what.
(and can I tell you that I cried for two solid hours after writing this post?)
I WANT MY MAMA.....

OOO....and
if you are in the neighborhood, please stop in at 5015 for Sunday supper...
we're having
RICE and BUTTERED, OVEN TOAST...

41 comments:

Bev said...

I heard someone say that their mother was a "fishes and loaves" kind of cook in the 50's. She could make something out of nothing and for a lot of people.

That described my grandmother exactly. When she would visit, I would think that since I had not planned, we should take her out to eat. But she'd insist on cooking. She could go into my kitchen with what seemed like nothing in the pantry but flour and we'd end up with chicken and dumplings, homemade rolls, green beans almondine, and a cobbler for dessert.

Now with an empty nest and out of practice cooking, it seems like I can't make a meal without a trip to the grocery store. That skill definitely skipped my generation!

Audrey said...

Good morning bj ... well, you brought me to tears too. I can certainly identify with you. Sounds like our family; only there were seven of us kids, Mom, Dad and Grandma. Times were hard, but we had love and that got us through. We grew and raised our own food. I also love rice with cinnamon and a little bit sugar. Your pictures make it look so special. Thanks for refreshing that memory.
Hugs,
Audrey Z. http://audreyzumwalt.blogspot.com/
Timeless Treasures

Salmagundi said...

Great post! Tears here, too. Sally

Madeline's Album said...

Wonder post. Brought tears for me also. Have a blessed day. Madeline

Madeline's Album said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vee said...

Oh this has left me with some serious sniffles. BJ, what a sweet post. My mother's "go-to" meal when everything was gone was a combination of scrambled eggs and leftover rice. Oh dear. Not nearly so comforting. ☺ Hope that you felt your mama's arms around you again writing this one. Remember when you talked about wanting a sweet dream of your mother for Christmas? Well, I made a similar request last Christmas as I thought of that. I got my wish! She sang me "I love you a bushel and a peck..." Ohhhh...must run for some tissues now.

LV said...

BJ, you almost wrote my life history today. The evening meal is still supper to me. I said that one day in front of my great grandson and he did not know what I was talking about. I explained,and he politely told me it was "dinner". It will always be supper to me. I do not make changes at this point in my life. I still enjoy a bowl of rice with just butter and sugar. Those are memories that have a lifetime warranty and cannot be replaced.

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

Isn't it interesting how you viewed this as a child and the memories and comfort it brings to you versus your mother's memories. I can remember fondly the same type of meals at my grandmother's house. Really nice post :-)

Beth said...

A lovely post bj. It took me until my children were born to appreciate all that my mother coped with, trying to feed 8 children.

Trish said...

Oh BJ this brought back such sweet memories! My Mama made that same rice...I too liked mine dry, but we had it for breakfast. Mama and Daddy raised 8 children, we never went hungry...and my sweet Mama apologized some years back for not feeding us better. What? We were so blessed! Thanks for the memories. Big hugs!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Our go to meal was Ring Bologna and fried potatoes...every Saturday afternoon. I remember so much the rice and milk. I loved it! My girlfriends mother always had MustGo on Fridays...she wrapped all the leftovers and then on Friday, they all came out in Mason jars....It was unique, but I remember it. Food was so different then...you know, I was almost graduating when I had my first English Muffin. Had no idea what it was...but muffin sounded good. And when my hubby and I started dated...he wanted to get some cheesecake. I thought who wants to eat a cake made out of cheese (ie like cheddar)...well, my hips are proof that that was a success!!

TexWisGirl said...

this was really sweet. i remember having cinnamon rice a few times as a kid. nowadays i prefer just butter on it. :)

we had some of those 'stretched' lunches. mayonnaise sandwiches were one - no meat, just bread and mayo.

Anonymous said...

O BJ I can't begin to tell you how this has hit home to me,we are a family(I say ARE even though mama and daddy are passed)of eight:mama,daddy,and four brothers and one sister,growing up in the 50's/60's must have been a challange for all.I remember my mama only went to the grocery once a week and that was usually on a Saturday(she also had a charge-account at a small local grocery)when I think back I remember we always had plenty to eat,and I wonder how in the world mama and daddy kept us fed,clothed and we never went without,my Daddy worked maintaince/transportation at our County Board of Education Bus barn,mama drove a bus route.
I miss my mama and daddy!
My mama passed away 12-5-1983 she was only 52...breast cancer.
I would do anything to have her here today,I would be cooking for her instead of her having to worry(and I know she must have)about cooking for us,she would fry chicken on Sunday's.

Renée said...

What a sweet post BJ. I too remember my mom working so hard to stretch dollars with 5 children and she made each meal special, all week long. My dad was an educator and we would play games around the table and then mom would relax after dinner while dad played the piano and my two sisters and I cleaned the kitchen. Like you, I'm counting my blessings and giving thanks for such a happy life.

Alice said...

Sweet post today. I'm sure most of us " mature" women can relate. We are indeed blessed to have such good memories. May our own children look back with fondness at the times of their youth when they are older.
Love, Alice

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Precious post, Dear One.

"Auntie"

Linda said...

Sweet, SWEET post!!!
Our 'go to' meal was oatmeal....which is still a favorite with me today. OR bologna and bread......which I still love!

You are such an artist with words. You literally 'painted a picture' with this post - as you always DO!

Set us a plate for Sunday Supper, please!

Blondie's Journal said...

I love this post, BJ! You write so well and tell it like a great story! I think we were in the same boat. Money was tight and I had 6 siblings. My mom never stopped cooking and cleaning. She didn't drive so we all piled into the car with her and my dad to do the weekly shopping. If we ran out of something, my mother just knew how to get by. The best meals were the ones she made making soups and stews with all the leftovers. Yum!

XO,
Jane

thistlewoodfarm said...

When we sit down to eat dinner.....we always say our highs and lows of the day! It's a great way to connect with each other!

blessings,
karianne

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, brought back so many memories of me and my growing up years. Things were so tight in those days and my Mom could stretch a dollar further than anyone I know. SHe was so innovative with our meals and like you, I never felt deprived or otherwise slighted by the meals that we had. My Mom made our syrup and I thought that was so amazing. We ate a lot of syrup and toast and syrup was expensive, so she made it with sugar, water and vanilla. Great post!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Awwww, now I'm writing this with tears in MY eyes! Isn't that the best that you were able to share those sweet memories with you dear Mom?? What lovely thoughts. xo

Kathleen Grace said...

Oh BJ, what a blessig you must have been to your mother, as she was to you...♥

Nancy said...

This made me all teary and my mom is still alive, bless your heart.

Love the story -- I think it's lessons like these that our children should hear. Priceless. xo

Claudia said...

BJ, this is one of the loveliest posts I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I could just imagine your home, your mama cooking, the smell of cinnamon and toast and rice. Heaven. Something that your mama struggled with was a blessing to you. I'm so glad you were able to tell her so.

You know, just last night I was talking to my husband about how my mom stayed home when we were kids, never learned to drive, and shopped once a week for groceries. If we ran out of food, something creative had to be done with what we had. None of this running up to the store for a 'few' things!

Thank you so much for sharing this memory. I can see why it is a favorite thing!

xo
Claudia

Susy said...

BJ ~ you are a treasure. I was talking just a few days ago with someone who's mother recently passed away. We agreed the thing that made it bearable, was that we knew we would be spending eternity with them. Oh what a happy reunion that will be. How fortunate we are to have had the mothers we did ~ and to have been raised in simpler times. xo

Betty said...

Sweet BJ. My Mom had fried bread and stewed tomatoes on Saturday. I never thought of it as a stretch meal, I loved it. I would love to sit down and have stewed tomatoes and fried bread with my Mom. I never thought of us as poor, I feel blessed to have had the mom I did.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh sweet BJ, I loved your post! Thank you first of all, for sharing this warm and sweet story with us. I was such a bad eater when I was a child and most of my teen years, I don't have much recollection of food, except what mother cooked for dinner for my Ecuadorian father who liked stews, meat, or chicken, mostly with his rice..I didn't like it, so I don't know if mother struggled or not, I will ask her, (she's still around and doing well). Our family life in those days was so close, people didn't run around or watched TV at their own time, we all watched the same shows together. Here in Latin America, families do try to eat at the same time together, although big kids are already going their way, what a shame. Loved your post dear BJ, thank you again. Have a blessed Sunday.
FABBY

Sunny Simple Life said...

Yum and plated up so pretty too!

Cranberry Morning said...

Wow, that post brought back a flood of good memories from when I was a kid.

I was wondering about Monday being payday, but I think that some employers did that so that the men wouldn't blow the paycheck over the weekend. (I actually typed 'blog' the paycheck at first. lol)

Thanks for this nostalgic post!

Karena said...

Bj I probably grew up much as you my father being a blue collar worker and my mother raising 8 of us until the youngest went to school and she went back to her days of tax and accounting work

Both Mom and Dad could stretch the budget. We were NEVER hungry (better be at the table by 6 sharp though!) Many meals of stews, ham and beans, grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Plus they just loved us so much and tried to make a better life for us than they had!

I do hope you will come enter the last weekend of my Giveaway of Velvet Pumpkins from Love Feast!

Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Nikki said...

A beautiful, heartfelt post. Makes me appreciate that I can still have family meals with my Mum. Love your photos too.

debra said...

What a beautiful post. Your rice reminds me of a baked rice pudding dish that my grandparents ate once a week...I loved it and thought of it as a treat! :)

The Farmers Daughter said...

I remember the same from my childhood! What a loving memory and tribute!

Tanya said...

Boy, BJ - I LOVE this post...you and I may have grown up in the same family...I'm so glad you shared that you loved that meal with your Mom before she passed, too.

We ate breakfast for dinner about once a week with our family - we also used to eat white rice COLD, with milk and cinnamon and sugar, as a sort of pudding treat.

My kids and husband and I still sit together at the dinner table when we're all home - I'll certainly be thinking of this story tonight, as we're there! Happy Sunday, friend...XOXO Tanya

Idaho Outback WireHaired Pointing Griffons said...

BJ, You are a sweety... I so wish you were my freind and neighbor because you have such a sweet spirit about you. Tears and memories as a remember my Grandmother feeding her 8 kids and extended family. I remember getting the free ckicken necks from ALbertsons, yummy deep fried. Burnt homemade toast and milk, Mayo and mustard sandwiches sometimes with a slice of wafer thin ham, homemade bread and noodles, wild game roasts and canned rasberries spread thin with apple sauce.
Thanks for a special memory Christy

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

What a lovely post - my husband remembers rice like that and it's HIS favorite comfort food as well. I used to get paid on Mondays too and my boss told us it was so we didn't blow our whole paycheck on the weekends, which made perfect sense. Stopped by from Sunny Simple!

Anonymous said...

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Ellie said...

Oh what a beautiful post - I loved hearing you talk about your favourite meal. Isn't it funny how the favourite can also be the most simple.
I'm sorry it made you sad for your mum!
Many thanks for popping over to visit me :))

Irene said...

What a lovely memory and post. I miss my mom everyday she has been gone.

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

I had started crying before I even got to where you said you cried after writing your post. There are so many things I wish I would have told my mom back then. I miss my mom, too. I like to think that somehow she now knows all that I would have liked to have said to her and didn't get a chance to. I love it when I dream about my mom, in a lot of the dreams we are fishing.

Haworth said...

That is such a beautiful memory, BJ, and how wonderful that your mother learned from you what that Sunday meal meant to you. (It sounds delicious, by the way, and I plan on trying it myself!) Take care.