This curated blog is devoted to discovering “how-to” ideas, recipes and other helpful tips from civilian women of the World War 2 era with its years of intense need and community spirit.
My recipes and instructions have been updated to work better with the modern palette and preferences, but they still maintain the spirit of the Second World War era—economical, practical and helpful.
I hope you will be inspired by these glimpses into the world of the 1940s, with its marvelous women who kept things running smoothly on the home front and overcame to achieve Victory. Enjoy!
Child’s Play! 2 Easy Ways to Make Craft Dough
Two easy ways to make craft dough for children’s celebrations or everyday play
Leftover Coffee? Coffee Jelly! A Delicious 4-Ingredient Treat
How to make a delicious 4-ingredient treat
Classic! An Old-Fashioned Meal in 3 Steps—Macaroni & Tomatoes
This summer, if you want a real treat, learn how to can vine-ripened tomatoes, make yourself a quart, and try creating some culinary art of your own. I promise I’ll stay in my own kitchen.
Grow Your Own! 5 Ways to Garden
Whether in war or peace time, if you have any space—even a container or two—learning to grow some of your own food is empowering.
Remarkable Radish! How to Make a Mighty Soup from 1 Mini Ingredient
Cooking the radishes makes them less spicy and more earthy-sweet. Combined with yummy potatoes, this soup is dreamy.
Juicy! How to Make 1 Great Tomato Juice “Paw & Maw Style”
This juice can be water-bath canned for long-term storage, or placed in the refrigerator for use within 7-10 days. Remember: Great juice relies on fresh, ripe tomatoes.
More Moo! How to Make 4-Ingredient Pantry Pancakes
These can be made any size you like but are especially good on the small side, filled and rolled crepe-style. Fast, easy and yummy!
Sweet! Potatoes, That Is—How to Make 2-Potato Sweet Potato Salad
A simple and delicious salad that can be adapted for any season depending on vegetables that are available or in season.
Crazy Cake! How to Make Rich Chocolate Cake with No Eggs or Butter
This tender, moist cake is so rich it will feed a crowd. I’ve added espresso granules to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Small Sugar Sweet! How to Make a Family-Sized Dessert with Only 3 Tablespoons of Sugar
In honor of nature’s strawberry—a sweet that uses only a small amount of sugar. How sweet is that?
Save Dessert! 3 Ways To Temper Eggs
In many places during World War 2, eggs were one of several foods that were hard to get.
Three Methods! How to Mix Dried Eggs
I’ve had egg powder in my emergency storage for years but never used it for one simple reason—it was daunting!
Magic Spread! How to Stretch the Butter Ration
This magical recipe stretches the butter ration, and also provides more nutrition—vitamins and minerals from milk, protein from gelatin, and fat from the butter.
Soup for a Troop! How to Make Budget-Friendly Soup with 12 Simple Ingredients
How to make budget-friendly soup with 12 simple ingredients