Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist)

© irene waters 2016

Last month’s topic proved a tough one and not one that was readily approached by many. If I caused distress to you by this topic I apologise as that was not my intention. It was however a topic that should be talked about. Corporal punishment still exists in places and I had hoped to discover ways that discipline was served without resorting to straps, paddles and ferulas for I believe all children do need to be disciplined at times. There was certainly a difference in generations with the baby boomers being the largest respondents and all can remember corporal punishment. Other punishment was the soapy water mouthwash. There did not seem much difference between the treatment of boys or girls or indeed by the countries or region one lived. However, the response rate was far too small to draw any conclusions. One interesting observation however, is that this post obtained a staggering 287 views, most referred by a UK site network54 who have their own thread going on the subject.

Now on to this month’s topic – Your favourite childhood meal and what would you think if you were served it today.

What were your favourites?

Would you still like them today? If not why not?

Was your favourite served as a normal meal or only on special or rare occasions?

Did your mother enjoy cooking?

Did you serve the same favourite to your own children? If so, did it become his/her favourite as well?

For understanding the purpose of these prompts and for instructions for taking part please visit Times Past. I hope you have more pleasant memories with this prompt and I hope to be able to see similarities between regions and a difference between generations. Please don’t forget to say which generation you belong to and country of childhood and city or rural.

Baby Boomers

Australia Rural

For my mother cooking was a chore she had to do. It was an expectation of women that they were good cooks and provided their families with wonderful meals. There was no questioning that some foods weren’t good for you. We ate the lot. I hated it but the rest of the family loved bread and dripping sandwiches, bread fried in lard and offle. Most of our meals were meat and three veg (a green, orange and white which usually translated to beans or peas, carrots and potato). Mostly our meals were fairly uninspired. My favourite meal before the age of 12 was most definitely the left overs we had on Sunday night. Our main meal on Sunday was always a roast served after church at lunchtime. That night we would have the left over meat battered and fried as fritters and the real treat were the corn fritters Mum made to serve with them. I still drool at the thought of them. I have tried to replicate the fritters and have never been successful. Most that I have made have been nothing but stodge. I am convinced that if I were to be given fritters like Mum used to make I’d still think I’d gone to heaven and back.

Having a sweet tooth I had two favourite desserts. One was lemon sago and the other was blanc mange over red arrowroot jelly. I haven’t had either of these for years but again I think I’d still love them. Unfortunately the thought of any of these dishes turns my husband’s stomach and as he does the cooking they are never created.

German Heritage 

Reflecting on Childhood Meal Favourites: Times Past

U.S. A. city

(nf) childhood food memories/ Food Glorious Food (6.22)

England City

My Sandwich Generation And The Song Of The Summerhouse

Baby Busters

Rural USA

Reflecting on Childhood Meal Favourites: Times Past