Foraging for ourselves

Thankfully I had an older brother to show me a few things but I remember we had to forage for ourselves during the summer especially.  We learned (and were apparently trusted) to use the stove, mixer, etc to what we needed to do.

Random memories of what I/we managed to make (yes, this was before microwaves...or at least we didn't have one):

> Tomato soup (I like mine with a butter)
> Bean soup (add ketchup)
> Fried egg sandwiches (also with ketchup)
> Grilled cheese (see tomato soup)
> Fried bologna (a little butter in a pan and drop it in)
> Toll House cookies (if we made it past the dough)
> Homemade frosting using powdered sugar and 1/2 and 1/2.  Put on graham crackers and if desperate on saltines.  Sometimes adding some food coloring (check the date?)


Not related to foraging, I remember Mom would put packs of gum in the small Sugar bowl and there was a plastic coffee can lid covering it.  Wrigley's Spearmint, Juicy Fruit and Double Mint.  And yes...Dentyne!

Nelson's Field

I was talking with my brother recently about this place and how it had a name but not really.  This was an unofficial designation that everyone understood.  The Nelson family owned a large property which included a nice flat area that became our football field and a place to fly a kite.

They also had grapes growing and if you wanted to risk being seen, you could grab a few grapes.  I don't remember anyone ever coming out to complain and I also don't remember us ever asking permission (or even seeing anyone).