The 1940’s housewife

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Well, it’s all about the good life this week. Elaine expressed her horror surprise on my last post as I told her I had never made jam. That was past tense! Due to my glut of plums I have now made POTS of the stuff, and I must say I was shocked to see how much sugar goes into it, so I decided to use honey instead as far less is required and it’s so much better for you. Obviously I am a natural born jam-maker, I took to it like a duck takes too water!

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Now everyone is being forced to eat the stuff….neighbours have been given jars along with friends, I think they are all secretly hoping that the plums run out.

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I’m waiting with baited breath for my first toms to ripen….

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And I am enjoying meals that are coming straight from the garden.

Daughter arrives home each day to a kitchen filled with delicious cooking smells, she haughtily informed me recently that I’m like a 1940’s housewife! Cheek! She doesn’t turn her nose up at the end results of course….in fact it’s usually a case of…”Any more spinach and cucumber for my work lunch mommy dear?”

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In the courtyard I have a pear and plum tree growing side-by-side, and over that gate is my huge old apple tree. It’s fabulous at the moment to see all three with fruit on, and I have never pruned an inch off them, not by planning mind, just because of a lack of time…..after all I have to get on with more important 1940’s housewifery stuff like picking posies and what not!

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As well as food, plants are growing like there is no tomorrow. I never thought I would ever see anything actually growing by that felled tree stump, the soil is awful but look….away it romps. Ah y’see…..the gods smile on the righteous!

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Honeysuckle planted last Autumn in flower….can you SMELL it???? Gorgeous it is! Now if only I could be a butterfly or a bee for a day….

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I love the blue of this hydrangea.

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And I’m so pleased to see my black-eyed- suzy blooming. I just love this plant.

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This week hubs bought a manual log-splitter. No electricity or fuel, just arm power….

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Just look at how many logs I split in a couple of hours, WHO needs a gym eh?

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And of course now that cut-to-size logs are plentiful we simply had to burn a few, and as we’ve raised the chiminea, we get the full benefit of the warmth and a much better view, you just can’t beat gazing into fire!

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I have now started my latest art project, I am illustrating a children’s book about a little cat called Tickety-Boo….I’m hoping to have it finished in about six weeks or so…

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And finally…

This week I’ve had no specs having lost them, so I’ve had to make do with an old pair that were missing an arm. Whoever knew how USEFUL a lollipop stick could be! That and a little super glue have worked wonders! I have had some funny looks though!

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46 Comments

  1. I didn’t know you could use honey instead! I will have to look that up as I’m also horrified how much sugar goes into jam. Thanks for popping over and I’m off for a nosey round your blog x

  2. I love your popsicle stick repair! It does seem like we always lose what costs the most to replace. A warm fire, a cool might in the garden, and a bit of song and wine make for a fabulous evening indeed!

    • Lol….that little stick kept my sanity for a week……yes, the price of glasses is truly criminal and they are a necessity, so they have us over a barrel!
      You just can’t beat being outdoors can you….if only summer lasted longer. Thanks Casa.xxx

  3. You are certainly resourceful making jam, making meals from the garden and even inventive repairs with a popsicle stick. I am not sure if glasses are as expensive there as they are here. Its hundreds of dollars often for new pair. The frames are mostly plastic and must cost the manufacturer pennies, yet they sell for big bucks. It has always made me a little angry.
    It’s very hot here at the moment. I envy you your cool nights and fireside evenings.

    • It’s the same here, glasses are ridiculously priced, my new pair set me back £150, I was fuming as I had no idea what happened to my original pair, I rang everywhere I could have lost them…it is a scandel isn’t it…
      Thanks Jennifer, thankfully it is a little cooler during the evening.xxx

  4. Plum jam sounds wonderful! I used to make jam all the time but haven’t really made any for the past few years, and I’ve never made it with honey. Makes me want to drag out the jam pan from the back of the cupboard.

    Your illustrations are wonderful, how talented you are! Not sure about the lolly stick on the specs though, lol, not sure that will catch on 😉 .

    • Jam making is such fun isn’t it, especially without all the sugar, honey worked really well so I’m rather pleased with myself. Thanks Paula….lol….I can’t see my new look specs catching on either, but they sure did the trick.xxx

  5. It’s a great time of year, meals being made from the produce we’re harvesting. I haven’t done any jam making yet this year, but I’ve got lots of fruit in the freezer so perhaps it won’t be long before I’m stood over the hob. I love that hydrangea, such a beautiful colour.

    • Thanks Jo…..so true re harvesting and cooking straight from picking. I did enjoy jam making, I was surprised how easy it was. xxx

  6. Plum jam sounds terrific — I’m glad you’re making good use of those gorgeous plums. And your home-grown meals look a treat. No wonder your daughter is enamored 🙂 I’m so jealous of your honeysuckle! I planted mine about the same time as yours, but apparently not in an ideal spot as it is mostly brown. But two brave shoots persist.

    Mmmm. Blue hydrangeas delight the eyes. As does that toasty chiminea! Well done, you, on the wood chopping. I thought you would say how nice it was for your husband to chop up the wood…. Well, at least he provides the music 🙂

    • Oh dear….and there was me thinking honeysuckle grows like a weed, well it does in my garden, again I would have thought it would love your warm dry weather, here’s to the brave shoots growing.
      Lol….so far it’s only me chopping the wood, but then I do like it stock piled for chimineas, going to have another tonight as it’s so warm….thanks Anne.xxx

  7. 1940’s housewife indeed – how rude! I didn’t mean to start a revolution with my comment – but nice to know you are now an expert jam maker. I still have jam I made four years ago – I don’t know why I keep making the stuff – old habits die hard I guess.

    • Lol….it’s all tongue in cheek re daughter, she knows me far too well so was rather surprised to find me jam making, but wow….so glad you spurred me on, it’s so much nicer home made isn’t it?
      Gosh…..you must have a stock pile of jam, if Armageddon ever hits you’ll be laughing. Thanks Elaine.xxx

  8. I love plum jam! Judy has made it and it is always delicious. Note to self: bug her to make some when the plums come in August. Now you need to bake some muffins or scones to go with the jam. And tell your daughter she doesn’t have to eat any as you wouldn’t want her to compromise her principles. Actually, that reminds me of a sort-of friend of Judy’s who frowns on marriage in general. When told we were getting married in June (based on the most convenient date) she said with some disgust that she had never imagined Judy as a June bride.

    • Oh yes….make sure you make some jam when your plums ripen. Y’know I have never really baked, maybe I should give that a go as well….
      Lol….daughter is only joking, she knows I’m not really housewife material, I get bored too quickly.
      Good grief….Judy’s sort of friend sounds rather mean….what a daft thing to say…..sighs…. Thanks Jason.xxx

  9. Gill Kimber

    Another happy positive post that leaves me smiling on a sad day – thanks! Your plants must think they are the luckiest plants ever living with a lady who lavishes so much love on them! The pictures are all gorgeous. I didn’t realise you could make jam with honey … how does it set? And lurve the pix for your children’s book!

    • Ahhhh……so glad to have you smiling. Here’s to everything working out wonderfully.
      The jam sets perfectly with honey, and hardly any is needed, especially when using ripe sweet plums. Thanks Gilly.xxx

  10. It is said that if you want something done, ask a busy person…..and so once again you amaze with all your doings. Love plum jam….fabulous.

    LOVE the book illustrations…..and log splitting to boot…

    Walking through your luscious garden with you is a treat, and you have now wetted my appetite for a lollipop and it’s only 7.48 a.m.!

    Keep up all the wonderful work…and have a fantastic weekend. xxxx

    • Lol…..I’m horribly behind with so many jobs…..my problem is having too many things on the go at once!
      I do hope you had yourself a lollipop! Can’t beat the things. Thanks Janet.xxx

  11. p.s I meant splitting not ‘slipping’. Dunno how that slipped in to my comment ???

  12. Ooh how nice to have your own fruit trees. A proper orchard you have there D 😀
    I tried making rose hip syrup last year and that called for a ginormous amount of sugar. I used raw cane sugar as it is meant to be better for you, but unfortunately it is very, very sweet and the sugar overpowers the taste of the rose hips. Best laid plans and all that…
    Love the children’s book illustrations. You really have a talent there (one of many ).
    And those specs are priceless. It had me laughing, especially at the funny look you got. No wonder ! they will be calling you the lollipop lady soon LOL :))
    And btw, I bought a log-slipping axe which works well, but I haven’t used it for a while. I didn’t know you could get such contraptions as your hubs is using. Well done to him. 😀
    Another post that makes me want to rush out and get busy. If only I could find more time from somewhere…..

    • I’m really pleased with the more mature fruit trees and I have another ten beginning to grow up, I’m hoping for fruit off them next year.
      I have always wanted to make rose hip syrup…..shame yours was too sweet. Hopefully next time will be better.
      Lol….I forgot the specs were weird looking and kept wondering why I was getting so many funny looks….you’ll have to post a pic of that axe….sounds handy. Thanks Keggs.xxx

  13. What fun to make jam! I’ve made chutney before now but not tried jam – the amount of sugar frightens me too…

    Lovely pics – great to see all the fruiting and thriving vegetables, and how very satisfying to have so much home grown food to eat – you must be so very healthy!

    You can tell how much you enjoy your painting and how good that you have so many projects to work at 🙂 looks such fun!!

    Our plums are nowhere near ripe round here but they are Victoria plums so must ripen later on or something – they are usually delicious….

    All is looking fab in your corner of the world! xxx

    • Now I’ve never made chutney…..I must give that a go! It is great to just pop into the garden and hand pick fresh produce…..if only we could do it all year round. Lol….I’m afraid I’m not really very healthy, far to fond of savoury snacks and cheese! Thanks Arose.xxx

  14. I with you, girl! Picking and freezing fruit all week: gooseberries, black and red raspberries. Strawberries and rhubarb finished their yield last month…my tomatoes look about like yours, green and growing…how busy and lovely it is this time of year! Your yard. gardens, jams and veggies all look smashing. And–wow!– log-splitting, too! More like “pioneer woman” than 1940’s housewife! 🙂

    Thank you for another happy post: your illustrations look so sweet! Are you writing this book, too? I love how you use your many. many gifts, Dina!

    • How lovely that you have all that fruit, you just can’t beat it can you and it’s so good to know nothing horrible went into producing it, lovely and organic, just the way I like it!
      Ha! Loving the pioneer woman….that has me smiling!
      No, I’m not writing the book, just illustrating it for a wonderful children’s writer. Thanks Kitty, you’ll have to let us know how your celebrations went.xxx

  15. !940’s housewives were resourceful and where they could be, were creative; they had to be. I’d take the description as a compliment if I were you. You must be the most favourite neighbour.

    Standard jams do take tons of sugar and are queasily sweet; I’m not keen on honey either, although, I have been known to manage a little with a big touch of whisky! My favoured conserves, when I indulge, are the reduced sugar ones.

    Your garden is looking great. Hubby must have good arm and back muscles to do all that manual wood splitting, even with the gizmo.

    Nice fruity and busy pix!

    xxx

    • I do agree about housewives back in the day, they knew a thing or two! Lol….daughter knows I’m the world’s worst housewife, every now and then I get inspired and go on a run making things, I soon get bored though.
      Honey and whiskey eh….that sounds good especially with a little lemon ….for medicinal purposes….lol…
      Now that was me who cut all the wood, you wouldn’t believe how easy it is….a fab little gadget. Thanks Menhir.xxx

  16. Awesome post photo’s lovely enjoyed your post no end

  17. Ha! Ha! I just love those specs with the artificial limb.
    Jam???? All that sugar???? Not good!!! I prefer my fruit ‘unjammed’…
    You certainly know how to stay busy – no time for mischief…or do you make time for that too? Hugs! x

    • Lol….they did me proud! Yes, it’s shocking how much sugar goes into jam isn’t it, it’s lovely with honey and hardly any is used.xxx

  18. ps …… Plum crumble is yummy!!!!!!!!!!!!

  19. I love reading your delightful posts ….. sat here smiling ~x~

  20. A very domestic post, with lots of good pictures. Talk of pinnies made me smile as my mum always wore one for doing the housework.
    I like your children’s book illustrations.
    I think that’s brilliant thinking for a temporary fix to your glasses. xx

    • Thanks Flighty….I’ve never worn a pinny but given the mess I make maybe I should…..nice to get you thinking of your mum.That fix lasted all week and is still in one piece! It’s a right pain losing your specs though.xxx

  21. 1940’s housewives wouldn’t chop wood – would they? Maybe they would with their menfolk at war.

    We make compote to cut down on the sugar requited for jam. You do need to store it in the freezer though.

    • Maybe they did Sue, they were an adaptable bunch of girls back then.You must have HUGE freezers.Thanks Sue.xxx

  22. Good work on the jam making, I find it a very satisfying thing to do with a glut of fruit – it seems to make them last for ever! I love the illustrations too. 🙂

    • I must say I have enjoyed jam making and wondered why I’ve never bothered before. Thanks Jenny.xxx

  23. Jam making now? Is there no end to your talents? I don’t ‘ t know about a 1940s wife maybe you are turning into a Stepford wife.
    I have not been getting any of your posts either so I’ ve refollowed you. Perhaps I didn’ t do it properly last time.
    Have you looked to see if I am going into your spam? Several blogs that I follow end up there.

    • Lol….I remember that film, I’m just like the gal who caused all the trouble! Gosh…..I think hubs would pass out if I turned into a doting, cooking wife. Sadly, the poor soul knows I only cook when it suits me, and….he has to eat the food I’ve grown that he doesn’t actually like, I tell him it’s good for him, which it is.!!!

      I unfollowed you and followed again and then the posts I missed turned up…..hopefully I’m sorted now! Thanks Chloris.xxx

  24. Trust you to make a ‘spectacle’ of yourself 😉 Lovely growth in the garden, and plum delighted to see you have made jars of jam ~ and healthy home grown meals. Do you wear a pinny;? See I know terminology from my youth 🙂

    • Hahahaha….you DO make me laugh….ME? Wear a PINNY? I don’t even wear shoes in the house or in the garden! Little wildling I am, running barefoot wherever I can, a habit I learnt in my youth! Thanks Glo.xxx

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