Old Fashioned Laundry

Felt the urge for one of my 'living history re-enactments' today. Decided to boil wash my dish cloths and tea towels the old fashioned way, instead of in the washing machine. (Although, technically, it only goes up to 95 degrees.)

First I got myself a bucketful of rain water (which has been collecting in my tin bath outside) and put it on my cooker to heat up. This took a looooooooooongggg time! Eventually I realised it would be quicker with a cover, so I used the lid of the bread bin.

I used my late mother-in-law's oven glove to lift the lid to add grated soap (Fairy household bar soap).

After boiling for a while I used a pair of wooden tongs to get the tea towel out - just like I remember my Mum and Nan using.

Squeezing out the excess water.

Rinsing the soap out in a sinkful of cool water. I like the reflection from the window in this picture.



Look at the condensation on the window! The kitchen was full of the distinctive smell of a boil wash, bringing back memories of being off primary school, unwell, watching Mum use the twin tub to wash and hearing Jimmy Young on the radio - "What's the recipe today, Jim?"

After wringing out the water (by hand, since these were small things) I hung them on the line - using wooden dolly pegs of course!

Do you like my 1940s wrapover apron?






Thoroughly enjoyed myself today - but I wouldn't want to do that all the time!

1940s day

Had a GREAT day out with my lovely Mum today. It was a special 1940s day at Gressenhall Museum of Rural Life, one of my favourite places to visit. They had organised a good range of activities, with re-enactors galore, like live music, school lessons, films, home guard drill, classic cars, lots of stalls to buy from (bought a lovely pair of navy gloves) and a fly past of a Hurricane, a Spitfire and a Lancaster! Met two uncles there too - and Winston Churchill!!!!! Of course I couldn't resist dressing up for the occasion, which turned out to be a good thing as they let me in for free because of it!
Here are some piccies.....

All dressed, ready to go. The coat is actually a modern one bought last year, but looks good in this context too.

My 40s dress bought from ebay 10 years ago. I had my very straight hair in rollers all last night to get the right look, and have a blue crocheted snood on to keep it tidy. The shoes are modern - bought online from Hotters - but look right.

I sooooo wanted one of these cars.

Look at this cute caravan!!!!

Two beautiful ladies dressed for the occasion.

1940s living room in the 'corner' of the marquee.

The sign by the stall where I bought my gloves.

Mum with an American jeep named after her! ;-)    (Sorry pic is a bit pink -  an occasional quirk of the camera I used.)

Look who paid a visit!!!!

The 1940s Patch

For many years I have been interested in domestic history, particularly how ordinary women coped with their daily tasks without all the luxuries we take for granted nowadays. Such strong women, taking pride in their duties, caring for their families and their homes as best they can - just like us!

About 10 years ago (10!!!!! I can't believe it!!!) I had 6 months off work recovering from stress and depression. During that time a programme called "1940s House" was shown, featuring a modern family living a 1940s lifestyle for a while. I really connected with this programme, partly I think because some of the artefacts etc were still around when I was growing up in the 1960s: thus a new Patch was born!

I enjoyed the thrill of finding, and bidding for, 1940s artefacts (or replicas) on Ebay. I wasn't interested in war memoribilia, just the actual home life. Flea markets, charity shops and 2nd hand shops were great to visit too! I built up quite a collection and would love to have had a room to decorate and furnish 40s style to show it off!

Although I don't collect much of this sort of thing now, many habits were born, things which make me feel connected with those brave women, our foremothers -  such as using wooden dolly pegs to hang out my washing, wearing a wrapover apron when doing house work, using a broom, carpet sweeper or brush and dustpan instead of a hoover. These, in turn, connect with my current Amish and simple living thoughts, so one thing leads to another!

Anyway, here are some piccies to enjoy:

Wicker basket with food items and the dreaded scratchy toilet paper! I remember visiting my Great Granny when I was little and needing the toilet but trying to hold on because of that horrible loo roll!

Same again but with coins in foreground: farthings, pennies, threepences, sixpences, shillings and florins. I now have some paper money to go with it too.

Tablecloth, cake stand, mixing bowl, wooden spoon, enamel bowl, sugar bowl and teapot.

Enamel saucepans, can opener, mincer and actual wartime cook book.

One of my wrapover aprons (I remember my Nan wearing one), carpet beater, scrubbing brush, so-called cream maker, gummed brown paper for sticking on those 1940s windows, moth balls and two candle holders. (One was my Nan's).

My lovely, lovely replica radio (I listen to this everyday! It also has a hidden tape player for my Glen Miller and other music tapes. What will I do when all our radio goes digital???), 2 gas masks, replica seamed nylons and replica ration books etc.

Genuine 1940s women's magazines and replica newspapers. I love to look at the adverts in the magazines!

Some beautiful badges - Women's Voluntary Service, Women's Institute, Land Army, Spitfire Fund, Air Raid Precaution. I forget what the silver one in the middle front is - maybe Red Cross.

A mixture of replica and genuine paper items.

Some 78s which belonged to Hubby's Mum and Dad, including Flanagan & Allen singing 'Run rabbit run'.

A small sample of some books I have from this period. I particularly love to read the Home Management advice!!! Will probably share snippets in future posts. The photo is of yours truly in 1940s clothing, in an Art Deco photo frame from Hubby's family.

Hope you enjoyed seeing those!  x