Homework!....

I received this letter last weekend! I was livid!!

Becky always completes her homework on a Friday night as soon as she comes home from school...So we have the rest of the weekend without it hanging over us! I check it when she has finished....She has completed it every week....
  
She takes her homework back to school on a Monday according to her teacher at the start of term as they were given so much it does not have to be in until Thursday....The letter makes it sound like it needs to be in after the weekend!! Miscommunication on their part!!

Well I went into the school on Monday and the head said she knew some letters had been sent out but didn't know anything more than that.....She should know it had her name on!!

It turns out the letter was a generic one and Becky does complete her homework every week according to her teacher...Well I knew that!!....We were told to ignore it!!

Fine but what would of happened if we were really strict in our parenting style and we got the letter and punished Becky for the weekend by say taking her tablet off her, banning her from watching TV or sending her to her room....How bad would we of felt then? I'm so glad I didn't act on the letter until I spoke to her teacher....

I saw Becky's teacher at home time and it turns out Becky hadn't handed her homework in on time that week and they were trying to prove a point!!....She'd left it in her bag....She had done it just handed it in late....After the deadline....Yes she was to blame for not handing it in and is in the wrong!!

Strange though....Homework is due in on a Thursday....Even though it was handed in late on Thursday it was still marked when she brought home her new homework on Friday so it can't of being that late!!

There was no reason to send a letter out and cause so much stress and fuss!!

According to the teacher nearly everyone in the class got a letter....I spoke to one of the mums from school who's daughter goes to a special accelerated learning programme who isn't even there on a Thursday so hands it in on a Friday....Which now isn't good enough....She now has to hand it in on a Wednesday....As well as do the extra homework she gets from the accelerated learning programme....Not Fair at all!!

It seems a big coincidence the school was inspected by Ofsted a few months ago and got a not so good report now they are sending pointless letters out.....Trying to create a paper trail to make themselves look good!!

We have parents evening in a few weeks....That should be fun...I've had a few run in's with her teacher since he started at the school in September....I have a feeling he isn't my biggest fan!! 

I am linking this up with MummyBarrow's Ranty Friday.

What I'm watching...My favourite Three!!

I watch a lot of tv....There seems to be so many great shows at the moment! Of course I am watching the soaps and The Voice but there's other shows which are a must watch each week for me....

Benefits Street - Monday - CH4 - 9pm

 

This documentary series reveals the reality of life on benefits, as the residents of one of Britain's most benefit-dependent streets invite cameras into their tight-knit community....Where 90 per cent of residents are on benefits! 

I love it....It makes my street look like paradise....lol It is truly shocking people on that street live how they do!! Children in squalor....The parents have no idea how to look after a home....drug addicts...drunks and unemployable....Shocking but it's must watch tv.....

 

The Taste! Tuesdays - Ch4 - 9pm!

Nigella Lawson, Anthony Bourdain, Ludo Lefebvre search for the first British winner of the high stakes cooking competition where flavour is the only thing that matters!! Contestants face rounds of cookery challenges, with the sole emphasis on taste....In a twist, there are blind taste tests meaning one of the three star judges could send home one of their own acts if their dishes don't impress.

I love it....It's brilliant!! Nigella is like a mother hen....Ludo a shouty, crazy man and Anthony is so laid back the last couple of episodes drinking wine & beer...lol It's so good....Especially when the people who have been given immunity by winning a task mess up and end up in the bottom three.....

The Undateables - Thursdays - CH4 - 9pm

Looking for love can be tricky, but some find it harder than others. Add disability to the equation and it can sometimes seem almost impossible. This uplifting series follows the journeys of several extraordinary singletons as they enter the dating circuit in pursuit of love. 

This show is just so cute...I don't mean to sound patronising but it is....I do think calling it The Undateables is harsh though....They are not undateable just because of a disability!

What are you loving on TV at the moment?

A letter for Matilda Mae....

Dear Matilda Mae... 

It is nearly a year ago since you were went to sleep and just didn't wake up....Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) was the cause...You were only 9 months old!!

This time last year I was still quite new to blogging and to twitter....I knew something was wrong that night when I went online....There was a sadness....Everyone was saying the couldn't believe you were gone....I couldn't believe you were gone....I was crying for a baby which I didn't know....A family which I didn't know but reading your mummy's blog it felt like I did know you.....

I saw the whole blogging community come together in such an amazing way and supported your beautiful mummy and your family.....She was and still is so brave....Keeping everyone updated through those first awful weeks without you.....Doing what she does so beautifully....Writing!! 

I feel a touch of sadness every time I see a tweet or blog post from your mummy....She has been so brave and strong this past year....She probably doesn't feel strong but she is.....She is an inspiration to so many people....Working hard to raise awareness for of SIDS alongside The Lullaby Trust and making sure everybody knows who you are....You should be so proud of her....As she is of you!

I think everyday since that horrible night I have seen someone mention you or say your name online....You have touched so many peoples lives...

A year has passed for your family without you and I wish I could take some of your family's sadness away but we will remember you and continue to say your name...

May your star shine bright Matilda Mae!! 

Thoughts from my family to yours x

The ABC's of me...

I found another Alphabet thingy! Hooray! on a blog I read called A Beautiful Heart...Another one of those getting to know you lists.....

Addictions: My electronic cigarette....

Bed size: King size....

Chore you hate: Washing the dishes....

Dogs or cats: dogs...Neither really....I wouldn't harm one I just wouldn't have them as pets....

Essential start of your day: Checking my emails....

Favorite color: Purple....

Gold or silver: Gold....

Height: 5'6" and a half!....

Instruments you play (or have played): I used to play the piano but not very well and at school the recorder....

Jobs titles you've had: Mother, Stable-hand, Kitchen Assistant, Production line worker, Cleaner and Barmaid....

Keep-sake: A teddy I've that was made for my before I was born....

Live: Ashington, Northumberland.

Mum’s name: Patricia....

Nickname: Kimmer....

Overnight hospital stays: Plenty....When I broke my leg falling off a horse, when I had my appendix out, when I fell down the stairs when I was 3 and broke my arm, when I had my girls by c-section and that's about it I think....

Pet peeve: People not cleaning up their dogs mess....

Quote from a movie: I don't care if he's Muhammad "I'm hard" Bruce Lee. You can't change fighters - From Snatch....OR I see pride, I see power, I see a bad ass mother who don't no crap off nobody - From Cool Runnings....

Right or left handed: Right handed....

Siblings: 1 Younger brother....

Time you wake up: As soon as the kids are up and wake me up but term time usually about 7.10am....

Uncertainty: I'm never uncertain about anything....

Vegetables you dislike: Cauliflower, Broccoli & Cabbage....

What makes you run late: My girls...lol

X-rays you’ve had done: Teeth, Arms, Legs, Neck, Feet, Hands...Just about everything...I think my head is the only thing which hasn't been X-rayed...lol 

Yummy food you make: Cakes....

Zoo animal: The monkeys....So cute & funny!!

Our Weekly Meal Plan!! - #mealplanningmonday

I'm a bit late in posting this....Better late than never though!! This morning I was Spreading a little happiness!

Last weeks meal plan went smoothly....This week I've heard we're forecast snow so there will be a lot of hearty, filling meals to warm us up!!

This week on the menu we have....

Monday - Corned Beef hash & Baked beans.....
Tuesday - Lasagne and garlic bread...
Wednesday - Sweetcorn Fritters....
Thursday - Chicken Casserole & dumplings....
Friday - Hot dogs in buns and fries....
Saturday - Chicken Fajitas....
Sunday - Sausage and Mash Pie....

As always I've joined in with the wonderful Mrs M's #mealplanningmonday linky....

Parenting! #spreadalittlehappiness

The quickest way for a parent to get a child’s attention is to sit down and look comfortable. - Lane Olinhouse 

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don’t have one. - Leo Burke

You know your children are growing up when they stop asking you where they came from and refuse to tell you where they're going. - P. J. O'Rourke

Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories. - John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester

When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they’re finished, I climb out. - Erma Bombeck

Think of stretch marks as pregnancy service stripes. - Joyce Armor

We spend the first twelve months of our children's lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next twelve telling them to sit down and shut up. - Phyllis Diller

Insanity is hereditary - you get it from your kids
 

If your kids are giving you a headache, follow the directions on the aspirin bottle, especially the part that says "keep away from children. - Susan Savannah

Few things are more satisfying than seeing your own children have teenagers of their own. - Doug Larson

Children seldom misquote. They always say word for word what you shouldn't have said. Unknown

All of us have moments in out lives that test our courage. Taking children into a house with a white carpet is one of them. ― Erma Bombeck

If your baby is "beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses, sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the time," you're the grandma. - Theresa Bloomingdale

Any child can tell you that the sole purpose of a middle name is so he can tell when he's in trouble. - Dennis Fakes

Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing. - Phyllis Diller

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance. - Franklin P. Jones

A Hairy Subject...

I think I was about 11 or 12 when I started removing hair from my body.....I first started using some hair removing cream on my legs that I'd found it in the bathroom cupboard...It must of been my mums?....She wasn't too happy about me using it! She said I was too young but as I had dark hair the hair on my legs were really obvious!

I can't actually remember when I first started to shave my legs but I remember my dad telling me off for using his razors when I was about 13 or 14....lol Stu still tells me off now for using his razors too even though I have my own....hehehe

When I was a teenager one summer I had a bright idea of shaving my arms too....I kept up with that until a few years ago...It was just after Ellie was born....I would spend at least 10/15 minutes a day shaving....lol Life is too short and with two young children I could think of better things to do so I just let the hairs on my arms grow back and I'm sure they did come back darker and thicker just like the old wives tale says....

I love this time of year....All because I don't have to shave my legs as much....I can hide the stubble away hidden behind trousers...I do however shave under my arms everyday....

I must have wasted hours of my life in the shower or bath removing unwanted hair!!

One thing that I'd never thought about or even considered was laser hair removal.....I was reading about it over on  SK:N's blog....It all sounded very interesting!!

When think of lasers I think of pain....Laser guns or lasers cutting things l but from what I have read laser hair removal is nothing like that....Laser hair removal is a safe & virtually painless! Phew!!
 

 Laser hair removal works by focusing a laser beam at the base of the hair follicle, halting hair growth.....It can be used on any part of the body, including the most common problem areas: face, bikini area, legs and underarms too!! 

You are provided with goggles to protect your eyes....Depending on the area being treated lasering could take between 15 and 45 minutes....The area will need to be treated every 4 to 6 weeks for around 8 months to achieve the best results...Afterwards cold air or cooling gel will be applied to the treated area to soothe the skin as you may experience light stinging or tingling during the session....Sounds ok to me!!

They even have facial laser hair removal, hair removal laser treatment does sound fantastic....Imagine the money and time I could save by having this treatment....

Looking at the website they have so many clinics...Right up and down the country...I don't know why but I imagined this just being available down south but they even have two clinics in the North East...One in Middlesbrough and the closest to me is Newcastle...

This is certainly something for me to consider!

Silent Sunday!!

 

When I was a kid...

When I was a kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious talk about how hard things were. When they were growing up....What with walking Twenty-five miles to school every morning.... Uphill... barefoot... BOTH ways Yadda, yadda, yadda....And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way I was going to say anything like to my kids about how hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

You've got it so easy! I mean, compared to my childhood, you live in a bloody UTOPIA! And I hate to say it, but you kids today you don't know how good you've got it!!

I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have The Internet. If we wanted to know something, we had to go to the library and look it up ourselves!!

There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in the postbox and it would take  a week to get there!

Childrens Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a matter of fact it was encouraged. The parents of all my friends also had permission to give us a clip round the ear! Nowhere was safe!

There were no MP3' s or downloading music!! If you wanted to steal music, you had to walk to the record store and shoplift it yourself! Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio and the DJ would usually talk over the beginning and mess it all up! There were no CD players! We had tape decks in our car.

We didn't have fancy things like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone and somebody else called they got a busy signal, that's it! And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had no idea who it was! It could be your school, your mum, your boss, your bookie, you just didn't know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances!!

We didn't have any fancy Sony Playstation video games with high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like 'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your guy was a little square! You actually had to use your imagination!! And there were no multiple levels or screens, it was just one screen... forever! And you could never win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster until you died! Just like LIFE!

You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off your butt and walk over to the TV to change the channel! NO REMOTES!!!

There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying!?! We had to wait ALL WEEK for cartoons, you SPOILED LITTLE SO AND SO'S!!

And we didn't have microwaves, if we wanted to heat something up we had to use the cooker! Imagine that!

That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have got it too easy.You're spoiled. You little 'angels' wouldn't have lasted five minutes back in 1970 or before!

Graze Box - Review!

I think just about everyone has heard of Graze Boxes.....It's been one of those things I've wanted to try for a long time....Just one of those things I never got round to actually doing.....

A few of weeks ago a friend on Twitter was sharing what was in her latest box and it all looked so tasty!! I didn't take much convincing to sign up!!

The night before my box was delivered I was sent an email telling me what was in it....I was so excited!!

In my box was:

Pina colada - Pineapple, Coconut flakes and Mango
The Graze Brownie
El Picante - Jumbo salted corn, Spicy chilli peanuts and Mini paprika breadsticks
Bakewell Tart - Cherry infused raisins, Cranberries and Almonds. 

My box arrived and I couldn't wait to get into it....I munched on it all afternoon...I loved everything apart from the Spicy chilli peanuts...A bit too hot for me but my fella loved them!!

I thought the Brownie would of been my favourite item but no...The Pina colada was...The Pineapple, Coconut flakes and Mango were absolutely delicious! The brownies were still divine though!! 

That's a first me choosing fruit over chocolate....That never happens...lol

I was not asked to write this....All thoughts and opinions are my own!

False Positive Pregnancy Tests!

There's a surge in the number of false positive pregnancy tests you can buy online. People are buying and selling positive pregnancy tests....

Some are proper 'joke' ones in jokey packaging for oh so hilarious pranks.....Others are designed to show a positive result whoever wees on them......Others are real - used tests that show a positive result!!! These are wrapped in convincing packaging the same as well known brands and come with no mention on the packaging that they are fake.

Read the article here! 

After a quick search on Ebay I found these in seconds!!

 

I may be getting old but I just don't see the funny side of this!! A joke is supposed to make you laugh! Plastic dog poo is a prank....This plays with peoples emotions!! 

Think of the distress if this was given to someone who had fertility problems....had just suffered a miscarriage...was having relationship problems...financial crisis...health problems etc.

I can think of a few idiots I've seen on Jeremy Kyle who would use this sort of thing to turn peoples lives upside down....People who are vindictive enough to use this as a means to trap someone into a relationship...

The more I think about it and the fact that there appears to be a market for this the more I despair for society!!

No not right at all!! 

Wet weather, Cold Weather, I don't like this weather!

I'm sick of it this weather!! Yes I am!! I don't like rain and I don't like cold weather and we've had to much of it lately!! I know it's winter and we should expect it but it doesn't mean I have to like it!

I can just to say cope with the cold as long as it's dry but it seems like it's rained just about everyday since New Years Day!!....It's been either lashing down, that fine mizzly mist like rain and when it's not raining it's still damp and too cold outside!....It's no good for me!!... 

The washing baskets are overflowing....I hate using the tumble drier...It's far too expensive and I really don't want another high electric bill!....At the moment I'm only washing what I have to and drying things on the radiators and clothes horse.....

Ohh and there is the school run! Not much fun in the rain at all...The walk always seems twice as far when you're cold and wet....If it's going to rain you can guarantee it will rain at about about 2.50pm just when I'm picking the girls up from school....I do sometimes wish I'd learned how to drive....The good thing is by the time we get home after school it's coming in dark so I don't feel guilty about putting the heating on and having hot chocolate in our pj's... 

This is the weather forecast for the next few days!! It doesn't look very good does it!! I'm hoping that the rain forecast comes on a morning and is cleared by the afternoon so I can at least get some washing done!!

On a weekend we have struggled to get outside because of the weather....I get my groceries delivered so there is no real reason to go out apart from giving the kids some fresh air and exercise!! It's just so tempting to stay in the warm....

The odds of this month being the wettest ever have been cut by Ladbrokes. As more rain descends upon the UK the bookies have been forced to cut the odds of January being the wettest ever on record to just 6/4. It's also odds-on at 4/5 that 2014 sets a new record as the year with the most rainfall.

Jessica Bridge a PR and Communications Executive for Ladbrokes recently said "The odds are falling as quick as the rain and it looks like January's downpours will enter the record books."

Ladbrokes latest betting

2014 to be the wettest year on record    4/5

January 2014 to be the wettest on record  6/4

All that's missing is the snow....We've had none over this winter...Well unless you count the 5 minutes we had up here in Northumberland in the middle of November....We had a bit of sleet just before Christmas but I think it's just been far too wet for the white stuff!!

It was actually a year ago today I wrote this blog post about how sick I was of the snow...Usually up here we've have had lots of snow by this time in the winter....It has been colder this week so there is still hope! 

The girls are really hoping it snows soon....There has been lots of talk about snowmen, sledging, snow angels and snowball fights....They love the snow....I do too when it's freshly laid not so much when it turns to slush and ice!! 

The February half term holidays will be with us before we know it....That would be an ideal time to snow when we don't have to do the school run or really have to go out anywhere....Yes! Snow in February would be perfect!

Off with her fringe! #Funee

When this happened it was not funny.....Time has passed and now I can laugh about it....If I didn't laugh I think I'd cry....lol

Yes we had one of those moments over the weekend!

Ellie was playing upstairs....She was making the usual noise...Then she went quiet! I gave it five minutes then went up to see what she was doing!!
 

Ohh yes playing hairdressers!! She had got the scissors from a craft box which was in Becky's room on a shelf she should not been of able to reach!

She chopped her fringe off and a chunk at the side too.....

Look at the picture....She was so pleased with herself! She had the cheek to ask was she good at hairdressing?! Can I cut your hair!!

I was livid!!

Her reason for cutting her hair was that her hair tickles her head....She said she was going to cut off the hair at the back too! I'm so glad I went upstairs when I did!!

She suggested she could wear a hat to hide it....That would be brilliant...Wearing a hat in school...

So now we are making great use of hair slides trying to hide it as much as we can!!......I was going to buy some headbands but she thought that was fantastic...Like a treat!! Nope she isn't getting rewarded for cutting her hair!!

Monday morning for school it didn't look too bad?
I think she has started to regret cutting it now...She wasn't too happy with me messing about trying to get it right....There's bits on the side and top which are too short to go into her ponytail or the hair clip....They were just sticking up all over the place...

I think she has learnt her lesson now though.....Ellie is obsessed with being a princess.....Coming home from school last night my friend said to her that she'd have leave her hair alone, let it grow and not to cut it again or she won't be able to be a princess....

 

When we got in the house she started to look at pictures of the Disney princesses and said "they all have long hair, I think I need to grow mine so long so I can be a princess" She has promised not to cut her hair again....We'll see!!

Our Weekly Meal Plan!! - #mealplanningmonday

Ahh Monday again...Last week seemed such a long week! We were glad for the weekend to come as we were all so tired....The meal plan went to plan until we got to the weekend...We had a Chinese Saturday night....Been a long time since we treated ourselves to one so we stuffed ourselves silly!!....Sweet & sour chicken balls, chicken chow mein, spring rolls, prawn toast, chips, spare ribs, house special fried rice, Chicken with Pineapple & prawn crackers....lol Delicious! Of course Stu & I had it for lunch on Sunday too so we ended up not having the Chicken dinner as planned....Oops!

This week on the menu we have...

Monday - Roast chicken, mash, swede, parsnips, stuffing, peas, carrots, yorkshire puddings and loads of gravy.....
Tuesday - Bubble and Squeak...
Wednesday - Quiche & salad...
Thursday - Corned beef pie, chips and beans...
Friday - Pizza....

Saturday - Prawn cocktail salad with some lovely brown bread...
Sunday - Sausage Casserole...

As always I've joined in with the wonderful Mrs M's #mealplanningmonday linky..

 

David Emanuel Jeans - Review!!

In the winter I wear jeans near enough every day....I love jeans....When I get a comfy pair I will wear them and wear them until they are worn out...My last pair of favourite jeans were all worn round the hem on the bottom of the legs and there were holes appearing in them.....

So when I was offered the chance to review an item from the New Arrivals in Bonmarche jeans were the first thing on my mind...

I chose the David Emanuel Embroidered Pocket Jeans which are on sale for £19.50

Featuring elegant metallic silver embroidery to the front and back pockets and delicate diamante detailing, these stunning women's jeans have been designed exclusively by David Emanuel. Cut with a leg-lengthening straight leg and sitting on the waist for a comfortable and flattering fit, these ladies jeans are made from soft, cotton rich stretch denim. Easy-to-wear, these stylish jeans are perfect for both a smart-casual look and evening glamour.

Available in sizes 10 to 24 in 2 leg lengths: 29in and 31in...

When they arrived I tried them straight on and they fitted perfectly and were so comfy!! The length was perfect too! I usually struggle to get the perfect length but these were just right!! Long enough but not too long! They are made of a stretchy material which I love as it adds to the comfort! I loved the diamante detailing on the back pockets...Very stylish!

These would be ideal for a night out dressed up with some heels but not to over the top to wear on a daily basis!

Since wearing them I have washed them and they kept there shape well, didn't fade at all and didn't shrink either!! I think these will fast become my favourite jeans!!

If these don't take your fancy there are plenty of other jeans available from Bonmarch! 

Oh one last thing! I've just clicked on who David Emanuel is....He was in the jungle in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here....hahaha I knew I'd heard the name somewhere before...

I was sent these fabulous Jeans of charge for the purpose of this review....This is my honest review....All thoughts and opinions are my own!!

Silent Sunday!!

Our 'Fluffy' Visitor!!

Last weekend we had a visitor!! Ellie had been dying for this moment since September when she started in Year two!!

Ellie brought home Fluffy!! The class pet!! Actually a stuffed toy but who cares....lol I don't think I could of coped with a live animal...A stuffed one was more than enough responsibility for us....hehehe
 

He was a very well behaved puppy! Walking home from school he even knew how to use the pedestrian crossing....

Ellie was funny....I asked her who looked after him during the Christmas holidays....She said a teacher and he was well looked after....I asked if he got any Christmas presents...Ohh yes a squeaky toy....I then asked did he have any Christmas dinner....Ellie said "Don't be silly, he's a stuffed toy...He doesn't eat real food" Silly me to ask! lol 

Ellie had great fun.....Showed him all around the house, played princesses, found him some fancy shoes, played the game Doh-Nutters and even found him a little friend....

Fluffy even went on an adventure out to the shops....We haven't been out and about much lately....It's been too cold or wet but having Fluffy gave us a great excuse to get out, get some fresh air and exercise!!

It gave the girls the chance to have a good go on their scooters they got for Christmas....They made the most of it and whizzed about all over the place! Right up to the top of the high street and back....Of course stopping off to buy some sweets on the way home....

By the time they got home they both must of scooted about two miles....They never complained once of tired legs....I thought Ellie would of but no....She thought it was great fun!!

For once Ellie asked to do her homework!! She usually hates writing but took great pleasure in writing all about Fluffy's visit!!

Fluffy was a great guest! He can come back again!! Anything which encourages Ellie to do her homework is welcome in my house....hehehe

Eating in the 50's...

The 50's does not seem that long ago....Well it doesn't to me....Someone who was born in the 70's.....But oh how things have changed!!

Pasta had not been invented.

Olive oil was kept in the medicine cabinet. 

A takeaway was a mathematical problem.

The only vegetables known to us were spuds, peas, carrots and cabbage,
All crisps were plain; the only choice we had was whether to put the salt on or not.
Coke was something that we put on the fire.
A Big Mac was what we wore when it was raining.
Brown bread was something only poor people ate.
Oil was for lubricating, fat was for cooking
Bread and jam was a treat. 

Cubed sugar was regarded as posh.

Figs and dates appeared every Christmas, but no one ever ate them.
Coconuts only appeared when the fair came to town.
Salad cream was a dressing for salads, mayonnaise did not exist
Hors d'oeuvre was a spelling mistake.
The starter was our main meal. Soup was a main meal.
Only Heinz made beans.
Leftovers went in the dog. Special food for dogs and cats was unheard of.
Fish was only eaten on Fridays and didn't have fingers in those days.
Eating raw fish was called poverty, not sushi.
Ready meals only came from the fish and chip shop.

For the best taste fish and chips had to be eaten out of old newspapers.

Frozen food was called ice cream.
Ice cream only came in one colour and one flavour.
None of us had ever heard of yoghurt.
Jelly and blancmange was only eaten at parties.
If we said that we were on a diet, we simply got less.
Brunch was not a meal.
If we had eaten bacon lettuce and tomato in the same sandwich we would have been certified
Pancakes were only eaten on Pancake Tuesday
Cornflakes had arrived from America but it was obvious they would never catch on.
The phrase "boil in the bag" would have been beyond comprehension.
The idea of "oven chips" would not have made any sense at all to us.
The world had not heard of Pot Noodles, Instant Mash and Pop Tarts.
Sugar enjoyed a good press in those days, and was regarded as being white gold.
Surprisingly muesli was readily available in those days, it was called cattle feed.
Turkeys were definitely seasonal.

Pineapples came in chunks in a tin; we had only ever seen a picture of a real one.
We had never heard of Croissants we certainly couldn't pronounce it.
Garlic was used to ward off vampires, but never used to flavour food.
Water came out of the tap, if someone had suggested bottling it and charging more than petrol for it they would have become a laughing stock.
Food hygiene was all about washing your hands before meals.
The one thing that we never ever had on our table in the fifties …. elbows.