Breakfast for day nine was weetabix and a cup of coffee ... shortly followed by another cup of coffee. It was just one of those days when double coffee-ing was the only way I was going to get through it.
I only used one and a quarter ounce of my 2oz ration of coffee during week one, hence my large coffee jar appearing in this week's rations photos the other day.
I knew I wouldn't be able to fit this week's coffee into that little jar while it already had some in it, so I tipped out the contents of my usual countertop jar into a jug and then weighed it back into the jar. There was a bit of a woo-woo spooky moment when it weighed in at exactly 2oz, but then I have had a few of those since rationing began.
Then I emptied the little jar containing last week's leftovers into the big jar and that how I know I only used one and a quarter ounce of coffee last week. It's a big relief that I am well under the necessary for my rations, and actually if I needed to, I could have more cups than I have been having.
A girl can never have too much coffee!!
I was hungry by the time I looked at the clock and realised I hadn't had any lunch so instead of a sandwich I made what was supposed to be for my evening meal for lunch.
The pasta was soon cooked and while it did I sauteed one of my large tomatoes with the last two spring onions from last week's fresh shop. With a dash of the pasta cooking water, it made for a very tasty, filling and simple tea.
I can't remember where I read it now, but in one of my books it said that although rare, pasta was available in the war years bought mostly from the little Italian grocers. Now I don't have a little Italian grocer, but I do have a large stash of pasta in my cupboard ... and that is good enough for me. 🍝
Later for some supper I just had a slice of bread with some jam, I forgot to take a photo as Alan had just arrived home from his meeting, distracting me with his teasing of the dogs.
That's another day happily under my belt. Tomorrow might be a bit more complicated though as Mum is coming out of hospital and we have to get to her bungalow in readiness for the transport bringing her home arriving, and to sort things out there for her. But I'll see what I can do.
Sue xx
I'm liking simple food more and more nowadays, as long as it's well flavoured and seasoned. Does such a limited diet get monotonous at times, Sue? Although during rationing people had no choice, not like we do nowadays, of course. Bet your Mum will be happy to be home, I hope she copes well now and has plenty of support to put your mind at rest too. xx
ReplyDeleteNo, the diet is not getting monotonous ... yet!! It's a good job I love bread and potatoes though :-)
DeleteMum will have the NHS arranged care package for 21 days and then if she needs anything else we will have to pay for someone to come in, which we don't mind of course.
Too right about coffee - it's always nice to have a second cup - it feels like an indulgent treat!
ReplyDeleteGood news about the pasta - it is such a flexible ingredient.
I hope all goes smoothly with your Mum's transfer home again - As Sooze said, I guess she will be very happy to be in her own place again. xx
Two cups of coffee soon after each other is a luxury now, but at least after using less coffee than I thought I would last week I know i can afford to do that when I really need to.
DeleteSue, how did you get your own photos as a background to the blog, please? I know how to do headers but not the background. Thanking you in hopes. :-) xx
ReplyDeleteClick on DESIGN at the top right of your blog ... next to Sign In etc ... then click on LAYOUT, then THEME DESIGNER, then BACKGROUND IMAGE, then click on NONE and finally UPLOAD IMAGE.
DeleteHope that helps.
Thanks very much, Sue, it really has helped. Success!!! xx
DeleteYay ... well done. Once you know you know, but it's not that obvious is it!!
DeleteI was thinking of the monotony of wartime food yesterday whilst pushing a trolley around the supermarket and seeing even more empty shelves there. I think it would have been very stressful feeding a family when you could never be sure what you could get from week to week. Despite the prices and shortages here at the moment, I feel we are still very lucky. No queues to speak of and still a bit of choice :o /
ReplyDeleteYou will have a long day again today, I daresay Sue, but it must be lovely to have your mum home again. I do hope things are in place for some help for her at the bungalow.
To go shopping and be bringing the same things back week in, week out, must have been quite demoralising at times, and trying to keep the meals interesting and tasty out of the limited ingredients very hard for families. The women on the Home Front did an amazing job and came out of the war with their families by and large healthier than when the war began.
DeleteGoing around the supermarket already makes me realise how many ready meals and processed things there are that we just take for granted, and we don't always realise the potential harm that they are doing us.
I hear you - a girl can never have too much coffee 😉
ReplyDeleteIf you have to have a day slightly off piste then so be it - whilst sticking to your Challenge guidelines is important to you, getting Mum settled without over-straining your back must take priority. I hope everything goes well for you all.
It went as well as we hoped it would. Ironically Mum was the most stressed when she got home, nobody at the hospital had actually told her she was going home!! She was halfway through her tea when the porter came to take her to the ambulance.
DeleteThat simple pasta dish really appeals - I'm often happy eating food like that that but my husband always wants to know where the meat is - *sigh* -
ReplyDeleteHope your mum is safely back home now
Alison in Wales x
It was very tasty and just what I needed. Alan is very good if he eats with me and never moans about the lack of meat, he's always just grateful to get a meal cooked for him.
DeleteHoping all goes well with resettling Mum in her bungalow. Know you had concerns about her care before she entered the hospital, but hope that those issues have been resolved. More than anything, I hope her (and your) day is not too taxing--physically and emotionally. Make sure you take care of yourself while you're in the midst of taking care of Mum. x
ReplyDeleteSome of her health issues have yet to be resolved, if indeed they can be, but the immediate shoulder damage, resulting from the fall is on the mend now.
DeleteFirst of all, Sue, thank you for my prize which arrived this morning. My friend’s husband is 90 soon and he was evacuated to the country as a child. I am going to put all the WW2 bits and pieces in a frame for a gift for him. He had a really happy time as an evacuee and still talks about it. Good luck with your Mum-I’ve had experience of trying to help my Mum when she was ill and was insistent on staying in her own flat. Catriona
ReplyDeleteWhat a brilliant use for the bits and pieces that I sent you and how very thoughtful of you to do this for him, he should be thrilled ... and it will be a real talking point.
DeleteIf Mum can just put up with all the different carers coming in four times a day for the next 21 days and let herself heal properly, she should be able to manage a bit better ... if she's more careful.