The Good Old Days?

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   Hi all,

I had the opportunity to glean some facinating info about life without the luxuries I take for granted...and I feel spoiled rotton right now.  

Seems my Oma used to get up and 4 every day and either make 8 loafs of bread in the cookstove, or start laundry via the washboard for a family of 11.  All 8 kids shared the same bath water, as there was no running water in the house til 1962...I can't imagine!!  Then, I happened to find a book that belonged to someone from the 1920's (an ag report book I think)  in which she clipped helpful hints from the newspaper about everything from parrafin wax to plum pudding recipes.  How much valuable info from just a couple of generations ago!  I read tips from you folks everyday, and I must say I am humbled at how much knowledge you possess and more importantly, are so free about sharing...thank you all so much!

PS.  We found out it's a girl!  Simone Jeanette will be here in December, and I feel pretty darn healthy for a 41 year old mother to be!  Any good books or sites on home birth would be greatly appreciated!

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stockmama Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: March 17 2006 Status: Offline Points: 100	Post Options Post Reply Quote stockmama Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: The Good Old Days? Posted: September 09 2006 at 7:18am
	Hi all, I had the opportunity to glean some facinating info about life without the luxuries I take for granted...and I feel spoiled rotton right now. Seems my Oma used to get up and 4 every day and either make 8 loafs of bread in the cookstove, or start laundry via the washboard for a family of 11. All 8 kids shared the same bath water, as there was no running water in the house til 1962...I can't imagine!! Then, I happened to find a book that belonged to someone from the 1920's (an ag report book I think) in which she clipped helpful hints from the newspaper about everything from parrafin wax to plum pudding recipes. How much valuable info from just a couple of generations ago! I read tips from you folks everyday, and I must say I am humbled at how much knowledge you possess and more importantly, are so free about sharing...thank you all so much! PS. We found out it's a girl! Simone Jeanette will be here in December, and I feel pretty darn healthy for a 41 year old mother to be! Any good books or sites on home birth would be greatly appreciated!

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 09 2006 at 7:46am
	Congrats!!!

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 09 2006 at 8:47am
	Ok Im waiting stockmama: Share with us what your books say...any good recipes or tips.... Love to here them.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 09 2006 at 9:15am
	Two generations from now, will the youngins be saying how hard we had it back in the early 2000s?

stockmama Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: March 17 2006 Status: Offline Points: 100	Post Options Post Reply Quote stockmama Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 09 2006 at 9:16am
	Well, I'm sure most of you guys already know most of this stuff. I am at the radio station, so I don't have the book in front of me, but it did have some interesting ways to preserve root veggies and fruits as well, using hay bales. Brining tips and general household hints...New to me, but then most of this stuff is! I am sure I am on the lower end of the learning curve compared to most of you! Willing to learn though!! When I get home I will share more of the clippings, some from 1928!! She pasted them in the pages of the book, how ingenious!! Just shows you what a person is able to do if the need arises!

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 09 2006 at 11:12am
	Stockmama: Brining tips? I've been looking for a recipe to preserve vegetables in brine, onions in particular, but all the recipes I have found include vinegar and pickles the veg, which I prefer not to do. Do you have any recipes for preserving veg in brine? Beth

Mississipp Mama Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: January 20 2006 Status: Offline Points: 524	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mississipp Mama Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 09 2006 at 12:31pm
	Hi Stockmama, I would love to know how to preserve root vegetables. When you have the time please post the informaton. Thanks

mamasjob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: May 16 2006 Status: Offline Points: 192	Post Options Post Reply Quote mamasjob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 09 2006 at 7:01pm
	Dear Stockmama, Congratulations on your baby! You asked for info on homebirthing...here are a few links I have in my files: http://www.birthwithlove.com/index.aspx (lots of info on birthing at home, supplies, books, question forum, etc) http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/homebirth/a/aahomebirth.htm (general questions and answers regarding homebirth) Supplies list to have on hand (prepping for homebirth..:) This is a sample list used by some midwives for the things parents will need to gather for a homebirth. Pint of 91% alcohol (or 99% alcohol, grain alcohol, or 180 proof Golden Grain) Bottle of isopropyl rubbing alcohol (70%) Cotton balls Plastic drop cloth or plastic sheet (an old shower curtain or large plastic table cloth works wonderfully) Plastic trash bags (AT LEAST 4 large) dark colored 2 fitted bed sheets to fit your bed 2 flat bed sheets to fit your bed (4 flat sheets is acceptable) 4 bath Need to finish draftels 4 wash cloths 8 receiving blankets Large mixing type bowl Small mixing type bowl (prefer bowls not be glass) Working flashlight and extra batteries Extra toilet paper (at least 2 6-roll packs) Several kinds of juice (at least one citrus and 1 non-citrus) One extra bag of ice Protein you like that is easy to fix (peanut butter, cheese, or eggs for example) Clothes for you for after the birth (gown and panties) Clothes for the baby (2 pair socks or booties, 2 onesies, 2 sleepers) Diapers for the baby Large cookie sheet Silver duct tape (preferably new roll) Thermometer (if digital, include probe covers) Instructions for Preparation Linens and clothes may be old or new. All should be freshly washed and dried in a hot dryer 10 extra minutes. Bag items in brown paper bags (NOT plastic bags), tape shut, and label clearly in large letters. Bag in this combination: Sheets Need to finish draftels and washcloths Receiving blankets Baby clothes Mother�s clothes Please have your birth kit and other supplies purchased, prepared and ready by 3 weeks before your due date. Have everything in one place in the room you plan to give birth. Sorry so long....best wishes! JD

mamasjob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: May 16 2006 Status: Offline Points: 192	Post Options Post Reply Quote mamasjob Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 09 2006 at 7:05pm
	Dear Stockmama, Oops...sorry...I meant to include a recommendation for this excellent book: "Having a Baby Naturally~ Mothering Magazine" ...it is written by Peggy O'Mara This is the first book I read when I started considering homebirth. Blessings, JD

stockmama Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: March 17 2006 Status: Offline Points: 100	Post Options Post Reply Quote stockmama Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 10 2006 at 6:53pm
	Hey all, sorry it took me so long to get this to you. It is actually from a book called "stocking up", and it says that Bales of spoiled hay can be used for above groung apple and root crop storage. At harvest time (cooler weather) on a well drained ares, lay two bales end to end. About 14 inched across from them, lay two more bales end to end parallel to the first two. the ends are closed off by placing a bale at both ends. A thin layer of hay is then placed at the bottom of the "box" inside. Apples, pears, potatoes or other root crops are then placed inside. Do not dump the produce, as any bruising can quickly cause it all to spoil. Cover the top with hay, then place hay bales across the opening, placing a stone under each on to keep it from completely sealing the top...about 5 inches leeway. Wait until freezing weather sets in , then remove the stones to completely seal the crop. If unseasonably warm weather comes, place the stones once again for proper venilation. Remove when hard cold returns. Dig a shallow trench alongside the bales for rain drainage. The book is available at most used book stores I think, and has a TON of great ideas in it. It's published by Rosdale Press.

Mississipp Mama Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Valued Member Joined: January 20 2006 Status: Offline Points: 524	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mississipp Mama Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 10 2006 at 8:15pm
	Stockmama thanks for the info, I'll try to find the book next week.

steve 101 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: February 07 2006 Location: New Zealand Status: Offline Points: 138	Post Options Post Reply Quote steve 101 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 10 2006 at 9:02pm
	thank you Stockmamma do u put hay between each layer of root veges please.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 11 2006 at 4:14am
	To preserve potatos dig a hole 1 to 2 feet below the frost line cover them with straw then dirt then put a sheet of tin over it.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: September 11 2006 at 4:21am
	leather breeches (dried green beans) Get a needle and strong thread put a knot in the end string green beans on it hang it to dry but not in direct sunlight after they are dry you can store them in a bag.Aka a dry place. because of fly waste ect.I would recommend drying them in a dehydrator.These have a long cooking time boil them and add bacon to season.