Review - Back in Time for Dinner TV Show - A week in the 1950's

Photo Credit: theguardian.com

Hello everyone. I wanted to share with my loyal blog readers a neat television show I came across on my endless search for people living life like the 1950's. This series takes a modern family and document's their experience living in different decades of life and what their meals would have been like as a family in the 1950's though 1990's.

"Back In Time For Dinner" is the title and the show was pretty eye opening and funny. It was quite interesting to watch as the family all tried to figure out how to use the can opener. I honestly don't know if I would fare any better than they did.

In the 1950's England food rationing was still happening even though war ended in 1945. It wasn't until 1954 that things got much better for the family at meal time. Rationing ended in 1954. This show is made in Britain by the BBC and the experiences of the English housewife may be somewhat different from what American housewives were experiencing.

I adored the color scheme as well as the kitchen curtains and the yellow cabinets featured in these episodes. As my kitchen is already teal/green it has prompted me to change my pink cupboards to creamy yellow and research rationing. My next project is to find some 1940's - 1950's recipe booklets using rations. It should be very interesting trying those recipes out on my own family. I mentioned my plan to my husband and the amounts that were rationed to each family member. Let's say he was less than enthused at giving up his "larger" portions.

This show is worth the watch. I was mostly interested in the decade of the 1950's. The series can be found on youtube or begin watching the first episode the below.

Thanks for Reading!

Happy Housewifing!

Outfit of the Day! Plus a New to Me Lovely Vintage, Wool, Winter Coat.

Hello and thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm posting my OOTD. Recently I have been leaning toward the fashions of the late 1940's, early 1950's. I will be posting some recent vintage frocks I have come across this past weekend. One of the lovely finds is a beautiful camel colored lined coat I found and it only cost $8.99. I also thrifted an adorable brown, striped hand knit scarf that matched quite well. I was hoping to find this very style of coat. I have plaid, wool coats in my wardrobe but I needed a basic piece like this. The camel color matches everything and is timeless. It is in mint condition and a wonderful find. You may understand that feeling you get when you come across that special vintage piece and fall in love.

Blouse - Thrifted

Vintage Puff Sleeve Embroidered Sweater - Thrifted

Wool Button Front Skirt - Thrifted

Shoes - Thrifted
Brooch - Thrifted

A Mom, Housewife and Figure Skater? Oh, My!

A few months ago I decided to pick up some figure skates and start figure skating again. Honestly the first day I put those skates on it was HARD. I still felt like that young 14 year old girl with those skates on and thought I would have no problem and would just take off skating. Wrong! My legs were wobbly, weak and I could not believe how challenging it had become.

Skating was one of my passions as a youth. I had a dream to become a famous figure skater, but as a child I didn't have the opportunity to follow that dream. My life as a figure skater ended on the public outdoor rink one Winter. Life went on and I didn't put on a pair of figure skates until November, 2015, over 30 years later.

I purchased a $4.99 pair from a thrift store and tried my skill at the local indoor ice arena. It wasn't long until I figured out that this was going to take some..ok..a lot of work. I researched some "better" skates and purchased those. I have been regularly skating at the rink and I am up to one foot spins as of two days ago. It's a lot of fun. Figure skating is a life long sport. A have met a few ladies at our local rink and are aged 54 to 71. They are out there jumping and spinning. Age is just a number.

1950's - Easy Sunday Dinner for the Family - American Chop Suey

I wanted to share a family favorite of ours. American Chop Suey is an easy, quick and cheap meal idea for a larger family like ours. This is one recipe that our three children don't turn their nose up at.
It can be made in many different ways but I will share with you how I make it.

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2 Boxes of Elbow Macaroni
1 Jar Spagetti Sauce - Any Kind
1 Can of Diced Tomatoes (I use the kind seasoned with basil, garlic and oregano)
1 Onion - Chopped (optional)
1 Cup of chopped green peppers (I used the frozen kind this time) (optional)
1/2 pound to 1 pound - Hamburg
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Fry Hamburg, Onion, and Green Peppers together (Drain)
Add Can of Tomatoes
Simmer - 5 minutes

Meanwhile - Boil water and Cook Macaroni until tender
Drain

Add Hamburg mixture
Add Jar of Spagetti Sauce

Mix Well

Voila!!! Dinner is Served and there are plenty of left overs to send in your hubby's lunch bucket for work Monday morning.

Thanks for Reading! Happy Housewifing!

1950's Vintage Apple Dump Cake Recipe

I am all for simple..simple recipes that is. Dump cakes became popular during the 1950's. It truly amazes me how the women of the 1950's would come up with these wonderful ideas. After World War II boxed cake mixes became available to the delight of housewives everywhere as well as canned food.
Dump cakes are simply 2 or 3 ingredients. I am sharing this wonderful Apple Dump Cake recipe. My husband and children love it. I serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. PLUS..there is very little mess to clean up as well. No mixing bowl. I can live with that.

1950's Apple Dump Cake

3 MAIN INGREDIENTS: 

1 Can of Apple Pie Filling

1 Box of Yellow Cake Mix

3/4 Cup - Butter or Margarine ( Melted)

1 tsp - Cinnamon

Use 13" x 9" Pan

 EASY DIRECTIONS: 

                       
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare 13" x 9" Baking pan. Spray with cooking spray or lightly grease with margarine/butter.
3. Pour apple pie filling into pan, sprinkle with cinnamon (if desired), cover with dry cake mix, melt butter/margerine and drizzle all over dry cake mix.
4. Place in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes.
5. Take it out and Enjoy.

Thanks for reading! Happy Housewifing!