By Arnold Krusemark Christmas is barely two weeks away. It is time to finish whatever plans you have for the event. We’ve already talked about gifts. Lately most of our gifts are direct shipped rather than delivered somehow. And then there’s the Christmas meals. In our case that included a Christmas eve dinner which almost always included oyster stew. Then there’s Christmas Day dinner (and possibly supper) on Christmas Day. And then additional guests to help with the leftovers.
One thing Mother used to do starting about Thanksgiving was to watch the local grocery stores for sales. When something (canned goods) went on sale which we used, she would put in an order for a whole case. The store manager apparently sent in only one order a week so we had to wait until the store got delivery and then we could get our case. This went on for several kinds of canned goods - usually vegetables (corn, beans, peas, etc) along with other canned items. That filled up the pantry for the winter. And we also watched for sales on potatoes and usually got a 100 pound sack which also lasted most of the winter. Meat was another item. In the days before electricity, a refrigerator, and a freezer, we would stop at the locker and get a package of frozen meat which had to last for usually two meals. In the winter we didn’t need a freezer as the garage was cold enough to be a natural freezer.
What we needed to buy were the fresh items. They also helped us through several meals too. Especially for salads. That kept us well stocked through the Winter and into Spring.
Buying items by the case is now somewhat rare, but this writer has sometimes had to do it - for church dinners, for example.
Anyhow, that got us through another winter. The larger supplies also helped in case we had last minute guests and visitors. We have quite a few memories there too.
In the meantime, we hope your plans for Christmas work out your way. Don’t forget to water your house plants too.
Until next week.
