Well – I am back from the wedding. It was wonderful … and it gave me a chance to eat some more often rationed food. Ummmm – I drank all the coffee that I could get my hands on!
Rationing during the winter holidays was an interesting experience. I ended up not making my traditional cookies (sprits or holiday fruit cake). I did end up trying some new recipes. I made a sugarless and eggless spice cake. This cake was so good and due to molasses being the sweetener – it could easily be substituted for fruit cake (which costs too many ration points in butter, dried fruit, and rum). I also ended up eating a lot of lefsa … and yes … I used my coveted butter on this wonderful sweet snack. I discovered that it is great with honey or jam besides using my favorite sugar and cinnamon.
One thing that surprised me was looking at what I gave away as gifts. Due to not being able to buy many new things (that and I am paying back school loans) I went through what I had that I wanted to give away. I discovered that I had so many things that were still nice but I didn’t need or use. My whole Christmas gift giving was all repurposed or homemade. I did end up buying my dad a new shirt (for the wedding) and my mom a new Christmas plate… but my nieces got my old jewelry and nail polish I didn’t use, my sticker collection (some from the 80’s-so vintage:). I hand other items that were very nice but I didn’t need them… It was wonderful to slim down my own home – while not buying a lot for Christmas. I do have to say… I haven’t heard the verdict from my family to hear wither I am considered thrifty or cheap!
This December got me thinking a lot about how much I throw away or what I have. I am discovering that I do not need as much as I thought I did. I want to know what I could do with the extra money that I save from not buying as much… So here is my new year’s resolution. I have decided that I am going to stop buying coffee (It is on the edge of cheating on this rationing thing anyways) and the money that I save from that habit – I am going to give to a charity. This is one way this experiment can be used for the good of others – besides me.
WWII living is about going without so others can have – and that is what I want to do as well!
