“Come on in!” | Grandma’s Stories

Jan 1st “Come on in!”

In the 1940s – when I was a kid – family and friends would come to visit – and we said, “Come on in!” That’s what we did and so did everybody that we knew did, also. One has to remember in those days there was no “TV” and also there was a “WAR” going on. If you did not welcome guests – you would be out of tune as to the “NEWS” of the day. Almost every family had someone in the “WAR” and how could you comfort your loved ones, without having the “Hospitality Banner” waving.

Back then – my Mother and two brothers and I would walk and visit and at the same time we were learning where everyone lived. They would always have something to share to eat and or drink, which made the visiting enjoyable. Almost all of our family including cousins, and friends lived within a couple mile distances. Since I was the oldest, I really needed to pay attention, since I would sometimes have to carry a note or something to their house. I was the original “GO-FOR” kid.

Everybody had something special that they usually had for their treats to give the kids – and it was good to go for the walk – just to receive something special. Those were the days for the “Penny Candy” which was easy to get – every corner had a “Confectionary Store!”

My Father was a “CHEF” when he was in the ARMY and did most of the cooking at our house. He could cook and bake without looking up the recipe – he just knows how to do when preparing the food. He could make candy from scratch and we kids were the candy testers – and we loved to get our turn to see if the soft ball of candy was almost ready? He would also make candy to send to the service men and women and we were ready to do our part testing.

My Mother would make cakes from scratch and we just loved when she would turn to get or do something – gave one of us a chance to get a figure full of the raw dough. She did not notice, I guess – cannot remember her complaining about us doing that? She also made rice pudding and bread pudding, and today those are my favorites – the way she made them!

Today, New Year’s Day – 2014 – my front door is open to whoever can stop by for a meal with us. Seems, that Hospitality has left America – no one stops by without a “FORMAL Invitation” – Date and Time?

“Happy New Year” May Almighty God richly bless – you all!