I am reminded from my grandma's vegetable garden to avoid starvation during the depression. Most folks do not have that connection.. So I grew up with a mom who was familiar with sandwiches of bread / butter/ radishes/ onions. As a son I had limited exposure to that lifestyle and she did not have the ability to communicate the experience while I was alive. As a result. I advocate to speak with older folks regarding family before it is too late. Might be semi-important later.
These all resonate! Thank you! I live in eastern NC where the vines are supercharged and each flooding event brings in yet another invasive “ground cover.” As one local botanist said, “Sometimes the best you can do is discourage them.”
That's funny! Discouraging a plant, love it. I think the Price cartoon resonated because my family had wysteria in the back yard, and it seemed to grow everywhere! It was beautiful, though.
As a person about to begin my 8th decade, childhood memories are flooding back as I remember how I reached this point in my life. One memory is of my grandmother (who raised me) and her great rhubarb bed. It took several years to fully develop, but as Ohio winters in the 1950s gave way to spring, I couldn't wait to have fresh rhubarb in a pie every year without fail. There was something magical that these beautiful leaves and stems could rise from almost bare ground and look beautiful and taste so delicious. Thank you for reviving a favorite memory!
My Mom made a critically wonderful rhubarb cream pie. I’ve only made it once or twice. We didn’t get rhubarb in Arizona and now in SC I’ve not seen it in stores. I’ll need to check further. I did love her pie.
Growing up in New Zealand rhubarb was standard fare on most dinner tables; it was cheap, simple to prepare (like making apple sauce) and 'good for you', which was never good news for kids! It was mostly served with custard, which balanced the tartness. Loved these drawings and captions, so apt! 🙏
This is the 'recipe' but its significantly more sophisticated than what I recall, which was essentially stewed rhubarb slopped into the bowl and a dollop of custard whacked on top—kids don't care how it looks, just as long as it full of sugar! https://www.newworld.co.nz/recipes/desserts/rhubarb-and-custard-crumbles
Raised in Duluth MN - always had Rhubarb. It thrives in wet and cool. Often enjoyed custard version Rhubarb Pie for Breakfast - fruity version for desserts. Stalks are heavenly. Leaves are poisonous. 😉💛
This brings back memories of my childhood, when my grandma made strawberry and rhubarb pie--or just mixed the two and chilled in her little ice box. Also, a Charles Addams cartoon in which asparagus in a yard has grown to Jack in the Beanstalk-like heights. A woman tells her husband (and this may be slightly off): "You call Better Homes and Gardens. I'll bring the Hollandaise sauce!" Love the cartoons, Liza.
As I remember from 60 years ago, rhubarb is really easy to grow; almost like a weed.
I am reminded from my grandma's vegetable garden to avoid starvation during the depression. Most folks do not have that connection.. So I grew up with a mom who was familiar with sandwiches of bread / butter/ radishes/ onions. As a son I had limited exposure to that lifestyle and she did not have the ability to communicate the experience while I was alive. As a result. I advocate to speak with older folks regarding family before it is too late. Might be semi-important later.
I agree. Thanks for your thoughts!
Your old weed drawing is beautiful, as is the caption.
Thank you!
These all resonate! Thank you! I live in eastern NC where the vines are supercharged and each flooding event brings in yet another invasive “ground cover.” As one local botanist said, “Sometimes the best you can do is discourage them.”
That's funny! Discouraging a plant, love it. I think the Price cartoon resonated because my family had wysteria in the back yard, and it seemed to grow everywhere! It was beautiful, though.
You made me laugh out loud!!
I love hearing that!!!
Laughing out loud - still dueling with vines I planted forty years ago. Persistent buggers...
Thank you! Yes, I suppose they are, although I have no personal experience....
As a person about to begin my 8th decade, childhood memories are flooding back as I remember how I reached this point in my life. One memory is of my grandmother (who raised me) and her great rhubarb bed. It took several years to fully develop, but as Ohio winters in the 1950s gave way to spring, I couldn't wait to have fresh rhubarb in a pie every year without fail. There was something magical that these beautiful leaves and stems could rise from almost bare ground and look beautiful and taste so delicious. Thank you for reviving a favorite memory!
I love hearing that, thanks for letting me know. Cartoons/drawings have such power, don't they?
My Mom made a critically wonderful rhubarb cream pie. I’ve only made it once or twice. We didn’t get rhubarb in Arizona and now in SC I’ve not seen it in stores. I’ll need to check further. I did love her pie.
Never heard of rhubarb cream pie. Sound delish!!
I love the cartoon with the " I love what you've done with your weeds." Is there anyway to save it so I could share with friends digitally.
You could take a screen shot of it and share that way, or I could email you a copy. Let me know! Thank you!
Growing up in New Zealand rhubarb was standard fare on most dinner tables; it was cheap, simple to prepare (like making apple sauce) and 'good for you', which was never good news for kids! It was mostly served with custard, which balanced the tartness. Loved these drawings and captions, so apt! 🙏
That sounds amazing, with custard. I will look for a recipe!
This is the 'recipe' but its significantly more sophisticated than what I recall, which was essentially stewed rhubarb slopped into the bowl and a dollop of custard whacked on top—kids don't care how it looks, just as long as it full of sugar! https://www.newworld.co.nz/recipes/desserts/rhubarb-and-custard-crumbles
I will publish the recipe when we return home if it can still be located. Which also will mean that I’ll have to make one.
Be grateful. I’m currently letting my vines strangle each other this year. Tapped out
Raised in Duluth MN - always had Rhubarb. It thrives in wet and cool. Often enjoyed custard version Rhubarb Pie for Breakfast - fruity version for desserts. Stalks are heavenly. Leaves are poisonous. 😉💛
This brings back memories of my childhood, when my grandma made strawberry and rhubarb pie--or just mixed the two and chilled in her little ice box. Also, a Charles Addams cartoon in which asparagus in a yard has grown to Jack in the Beanstalk-like heights. A woman tells her husband (and this may be slightly off): "You call Better Homes and Gardens. I'll bring the Hollandaise sauce!" Love the cartoons, Liza.