We, of course, at that time didn't own a refrigerator but only an 'ice chest' with the iceman delivering huge blocks of ice every week, so therefore no icecream kept in the house.
As far as desserts (or sweets as we called them then) it was mainly rice puddings or bread and butter puddings and of course Mum's notoriously delicious pastry which became apple pie, jam turnover or simple jam tarts. She also made wonderful custard using custard powder and Sunshine full cream milk powder. I always loved the skin that formed on the top of the that custard.
As for icecream, I can remember when I was about 10 or 11 (1942-43), as a special treat on a Sunday I would take a dessert plate to the corner shop about 4 doors away and buy one scoop of icecream for each person. Occasionally, my brother (if he was home on leave) and his wife would be with us to share a meal so it would be 5 scoops or just 3 scoops if only Mum, Dad and me. This was then added to tinned fruit which was very special as it was rationed during the war years.
When I was about 13 (1945) Mum and Dad bought a corner shop which of course had a huge 'fridge but icecream too was rationed by then so Mum acquired an icecream maker. As far as I can remember it was quite large, the outer part made of wood, and you mixed the ingredients and put them in the inner part and then placed crushed ice in the outer compartment, put on the lid and turned the handle quite vigorously and with the churning and the effect of the ice...voila!! delicious icecream. It was then placed in the shop 'fridge and sold to grateful customers a little at a time. We too sometimes had some as a special treat. I borrowed this picture as I am quite sure that this is the type of 'machine' that we used....it was certainly non-electric as I can remember turning that handle:
I wonder if anyone else remembers icecream being made in that way? Nowadays people use electric machines which would be much easier but I wonder if it's as much fun as it was back then?
P.S. I still enjoy icecream and as a matter of fact I have a 'drumstick' each night as my treat. When I dislocated my shoulder over 2 years ago I remember wanting something but wasn't sure what. My other half went to the local deli and came back with a Peter's drumstick. I then vowed I would have one every evening until my shoulder was back to full use. It almost is but there is one thing I can't do (do up my bra) so I still have my nightly vanilla drumstick and yes, I do still try very hard to overcome this final obstacle in my recovery but no success as yet. : )
We very rarely had ice-cream, and I haven't really acquired a taste for it. Rice pudding on the other hand...
ReplyDeleteMmmm. Rice pudding and bread and butter pudding. Love 'em both.
DeleteMy first memory of ice cream was Amscol (SA only brand) neapolitan (which we called rainbow), brick sized and shaped, in a cardboard box. We had no fridge then either, just the ice chest, so ice cream was a treat a couple of times per month through the summer and the whole brick would be divided and eaten in one night, because it just didn't keep well. We had the occasional cone from the stores at the beachfront when I was a little older, then after mum left I don't remember ice cream unless it was in a milkshake on payday nights in summer. When my kids were little we'd buy the big 4 litre container of vanilla and vary the toppings, but dessert was a weekly thing not daily.
ReplyDeleteYes I remember the icecream in those cartons and I think we used to put it in an icecream tray when we had a fridge later. I never liked neapolitan for some reason but love a lot of the newer flavours but stick to my drumstick at night which I probably shouldn't have but you have to have a treat sometimes.
DeleteLove your story, I discovered the other week that Woolworth's has a ready made vanilla rice pudding, place a scoop in a bowl, heat and eat with a dollop of ice-cream on top. I'm in heaven. xxx
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the story Rae. May have to get Phil to check out the rice pudding when he shops next. I think I could allow myself a small portion and we actually bought some vanilla icecream a week or so back which hasn't been opened yet. Oh we are so good!!
DeleteNot only do I remember my Gran making ice cream in a similar contraption...I remember the ice man coming to the house.
ReplyDeleteand the baker, milkman, greengrocer at times and I can actually remember men coming to the door selling clothes props and even clothes pegs. Home-made icecream always taste great but I'm too old and lazy to do things like that now.
DeleteHi Mimsie! Thanks so much for stopping and commenting on my blog! I remember homemade ice cream, too...the old-fashioned way! My brother and I were allowed to crank it a little while, until it got too hard for us to do. We'd all sit out on our front porch, which was nothing more than a stoop. I haven't had it the new, electric way..and I agree with you...it can't possibly be much fun! :) Oh, and I love it that you have a drumstick every single night! Sounds like a wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteHi Becky! Nice to meet you and thanks for paying me a visit. I probably shouldn't have that drumstick every night but as I said above, a person has to have a treat to make the day worthwhile.
DeleteHari Om
ReplyDeleteI'm with EC - but custard??? Oh I'd fight you for that a 'skin'!!! YAM xx
Custard!!! Yum. I don't have custard powder or milk powder in my pantry these days or I'd be tempted. You can buy a very nice custard in a carton though (low fat) so just occasionally...but no skin though. xx
DeleteOh Mimsie I LOVE this story we did not have dessert except jello when I was a kid I think you were lucky. I do hope you can get your bra done up soon but not to give up the drumstick they are my favourite too. Hug B
ReplyDeleteHi Buttons. That's right we did have jelly and blanc mange (and Dad had junket which I didn't like at all). I'm not sure this arm is ever going to go quite high enough and the the hand is rather twisted with arthritis so perhaps not. I've tired bras that open at the front but they don't seem to work for me. I've discovered those that have no fastenings at all and will experiment with those but wont give up the drumstick. xx
DeleteI can't reach behind either, so I fasten my bra at the front, then twist it around and pull the straps up over my arms.
DeleteYes we sometimes made ice cream that way addidg rock salt to the ice to keep it col. I love ice cream and when our kids were little we flavored it with all sorts of fresh fruit. Apricot ice cream was ery good, I remember.
ReplyDeleteHi Bev. Mmm, apricot icecream sounds delightful. I love lots of the new modern flavours but have to be careful as my other half and I are both diabetics so not too much fat or sugar either.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way you have with words - I felt like I was walking alongside you to the stores to get those scoops of icecream. What a treat!
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