| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| wildflower17 |
Posted - Mar 15 2010 : 4:41:54 PM
As Springs arrival is only a few days away, I have so many fond memories of days gone by, and the things we used to do, when that wonderful time of year began.
As I sit and reminisce I vividly remember things that kept us busy in Spring as well as all year long, and the way things used to be...
My father used mules to plow the garden and the other crop fields. Frank and Rowdy were their names.
My grandmother made lye soap.
We had a rock cellar where we kept canned goods, potatoes and onions. Above that was a smoke house where we kept our own pork.
My mother, grandmother and my sister canned fresh fried sausage patties in a jar, corn on the cob in a jar, as well as other vegetables.
We swept the yard back then because we didn't have a lawn mower. And yes we used an outhouse also, until I was about 8 years old. Our water was piped in from a spring and we never had city water until the late 80's. None of us had any dry skin issues until we used the city water.(Imagine that)...
We dried fresh green beans in the Summer...after being dried they were called "shuck beans".
In the Summer months when the weather was very dry, we handpumped well water to give to the livestock.
We always had fresh eggs and fresh milk, along with our own homemade butter which was churned in a large crock using a wooden dash.
Our house had a tin roof...no shingles back then...
We used a wringer type washer and hung our clothes,towels and sheets on the clothes line. There is no comparison to that type of fresh smell, or baked potatoes cooked on top of a coal and wood stove,or the smell of a right out of the oven yellow cake served with fresh strawberries.
And of course we were so blessed as a family to be able to sit on our front porch in the swing and rocking chairs.
I hope some of you have special memories that you would like to share about the "Good Old Days"...
Smiles...
Judy
Love as if there is no tomorrow!!!
"Country Girl at Heart"... |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Ga Girl |
Posted - Mar 18 2010 : 1:21:03 PM
Oh what great memories of days gone by I also have, I too remember my granddaddy plowing with his old mule Cricket and churning to make butter, but I think some of my best times were sliding down the fresh stacked hay, playing with the new piglets and baby chics and best of all trying to hold the big milk bottle for the baby calves. My other grandparents didnt live on a farm but I do remember going squirrel hunting with my granddaddy and my grandmama was a great one to learn some wonderful cleaning skills from,she kept a spotless house, good thing some of that rubbed off if not Id hate to see my house today. Thanks for bringing us down memory lane. Blessings,Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
Farmgirl sister #1156
www.KKJD1.etsy.com
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| mscountrygirl |
Posted - Mar 18 2010 : 11:52:29 AM
Here in MS we call them dewberry's. I have them growing all over the place in my yard.I let them take over a dead shrub!
It's all good!
http://mscountrygirl.blogspot.com |
| Faransgirl |
Posted - Mar 18 2010 : 08:34:55 AM
We use to pick blackberries along the road in the summer time and the only rule was we had to bring back enough to make cobbler. That was hard sometimes because we ate so many. My Grandma, use to back bread every week and make home made cinnamon rolls. She also made her own noodles. My other Grandma made her own ketchup and canned pickles. Air Conditioning was pushing your bed between the windows when there was a breeze or sleeping on the porch which we did alot.
Farmgirl Sister 572
When manure happens just say "WOO HOO Fertilizer". |
| wildflower17 |
Posted - Mar 17 2010 : 8:06:49 PM
Michelle,
Strawberry jam sounds so good! We used to have fresh strawberries and also when blackberries were ripe around the 4th of July we would have fresh blackberry cobbler!!! We canned them, made blackberry jam and froze them after we got our freezer! Those truly were the good old days!!!
Your children will never forget those special times that you share doing things with them. My life is filled with wonderful memories of doing things with my parents when I was very young. I will treasure those memories forever!!!
Smiles...
Judy
Love as if there is no tomorrow!!!
"Country Girl at Heart"... |
| mscountrygirl |
Posted - Mar 16 2010 : 5:39:42 PM
I think it's great to hear the stories. It encourages me to do things the old fashioned way with my children. I am making strawberry jam on friday when my strawberries come in! Thanks for sharing Judy.
It's all good! |
| Mikki |
Posted - Mar 16 2010 : 2:45:47 PM
Ahhhh the Good Ole Days, I remember Grandma singing as she scrubbed her clothes on her scrubboard with the edges of the wood worn smooth. I remember fresh picked strawberries, cut up in a bowl with cream and sugar yummmmmy. The smell of apples as the heat of the sun baked down on them and I picked them and ate til I was busting. Watching Papa brush his horses in the shade of the barn, as my brother and I fed the colt with a bottle, taking turns. The feel of the grass under my little bare feet as I run up and down the hill and we played Red Rover Red Rover! Those were the days. I miss them so.
~~Blessings, Mikki Jo
"Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyway" ***John Wayne
http://main.acsevents.org/goto/iloveyoumom
http://burningmeadowsprings.blogspot.com/
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| solilly |
Posted - Mar 16 2010 : 09:14:15 AM
Judy loved your past. That was the past of my husband as well he grew up in the smokies. Me a very different story. My father born in 1920 was a city boy never had or did any country stuff never had to. My mom was a world war two bride so she knew a very different way of life. Living on the east coast is very different then the west coast in rules and way things are done. Lilly 
learning the life I always wanted. |
| Lainey |
Posted - Mar 16 2010 : 09:06:11 AM
Judy, loved your memories! That's the way my great grandparents and grandparents lived until around the mid 70s, no indoor plumbing. They had wells and I think that water was some of the best I've ever drank. Life seemed so special back then, or it seems that way to me now. Thanks for posting this!
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.' |
| LBP |
Posted - Mar 16 2010 : 04:55:56 AM
I sometimes lull myself to sleep with thoughts of the good old days. When the only worry we had was what to buy with our dime at the store. Our neighbor across the street always plowed his garden with mules and the were all named Bessie and Nelly. If I think real hard I can even hear him calling to them to "get going' you dog on mule".
My friend and I would always hike through the woods looking for "jack in the pulpit" plants. We never dug them, but would bring everyone we knew to look at them.
One of my favorite springtime memories is Easter Sunday! Not only did you get a basket of candy, and a new homemade Easter dress, it was the the first day Mama would let us go barefoot! I can still feel the cool damp earth on my feet. How excited I was (and still am!).
Linda |
| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Mar 16 2010 : 01:26:55 AM
Girls: I am an old timer (or at least I have seen a lot of changes in my life). Record what the old folks do and say because when they have passed on you can no longer ask them questions. I pretty much lived the life that Judy did on the farm when I was little, only we used percherons for farm work. We made butter, soap, clothes, plucked chickens, smoked meat, etc. but when the telephone line came in. Wow. We could stand on the chair and talk to someone several farms away. It was exciting, except the other people on the party line could hear your call also. Everybody knew everyone's business. Now, when the Sears or Wards catalog came (black and white at first) Everyone would come as soon as possible to get their look at the wishbook. You could buy a house, barn, farm equipment, china, camera, clothes, toys, kitchen equipment. The next best thing to having the traveling salesman's wagon stopping at your door. I'ts amazing how fast the new things that lightened our load (hot and cold running water, pumps, fancy windmills, electricity) were accepted as money became available. I am blessed to see the changes. Bonnie
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Mar 15 2010 : 8:13:16 PM
I agree what Melody said. You have been very blessed Judy!!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Friendship is not something that can be bought, it is earned. |
| melody |
Posted - Mar 15 2010 : 7:55:39 PM
Judy...I dream of living a life like the one you described tucked away and relying on your own hard work with the help of your husband and family.
Will there ever be a time like that again? Sometimes, I feel like I was born in the wrong century! And I have often felt a little out of step with the life I am leading now...You have been really blessed.
"The best mirror is an old friend."
- George Herbert
Melody
Farmgirl #525
www.melodynotes-melodynotes.blogspot.com
www.lemonverbenasoap.etsy.com
www.longtallsallys.etsy.com
www.andsewitgoes.etsy.com |
| wildflower17 |
Posted - Mar 15 2010 : 7:44:12 PM
Siobhan,
As I recall she bought the lye at a general merchandise store. I feel that so many young people have been cheated out of the wonderous moments of life by not being able to have memories such as I have. I am so thankful for my young life, being able to grow up and witness what farm life was all about.
Smiles...
Judy
Love as if there is no tomorrow!!!
"Country Girl at Heart"... |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Mar 15 2010 : 5:48:07 PM
wow...how different from what its like today.
Linda in Scranton, PA
Jesus is a feminist. |
| clothedinscarlet |
Posted - Mar 15 2010 : 5:43:36 PM
Jusy...I wish I could step into your past and enjoy those memories. They are beautiful! Did your grandmother make her own lye for the soap? I've always wanted to do that.
Farmgirl Sister #1110
Siobhan - AKA Liza-Jane (my farmgirl name), wife to my best friend, Trent, and mommy to Camden (11/28/05) and Bennett (7/11/07). and Truman (7/28/09) |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Mar 15 2010 : 5:11:34 PM
Thank you soo much Judy for sharing the "Good Old Days" With me!! How special!
Hugs,
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Friendship is not something that can be bought, it is earned. |
