ITEM 1: Cook book or history?

I call this a cook book but it is more. Not really about me, but about my time. Life in the 30s and 40s was quite different but occasionally I will go beyond that . The ultimate goal of most was a house and plenty of food and never go to bed hungry, and I didn't; so I relate food to all I have experienced. Every visitor was greeted and offered something to eat and drink. If there was nothing available my Mom sent me to the bakery 2 blocks away for donuts and put on a pot of coffee, French pastry or Danish. There were 9 siblings on my father's side and 5 on my mother's and 90% all lived within walking distance of each other in South Philly. Call it OZ if you like, but remember, OZ was not without challenges. My book is not the place to present the negatives.

Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, some would visit almost every Sunday. They bought me a 5¢ icecream cone, penny fudge or candy dots on a strip of paper, wax lips and so many other treats. I am grateful to them all, mostly for their presence. My Aunt Linda for cakes and pies; Aunt Jean for Polish Bow cakes and taking me in when I ran away from home for 6 hours. My Uncle Charlie and Uncle Mike for their great humor and teaching me humor to be "the true spice of life".

The Trevelinos had many skills and talents and the DeLiberatos were blessed to be designers of clothing, artists and musicians. My Great-Uncle Arthur designed coats and suits for the Duke of Windsor when  he visited the USA. My mom designed and created wedding gowns for half the women in our family and her friends. We were close. My grandfather sang off-broadway in Gilbert & Sullivan English operas. Uncle Reds(Levino), a national Checker Champion. Uncle Angelo head of the board of psychology for the Philadelphia schools system. I can go on and on.

I would like you to join me on a journey to the past while you anticipate your frugal budget, remember - plan, shop, cook and package. I will offer tidbits of experiences that I hope you will find entertaining and amusing. My high school English teacher once told me I had the potential to be an excellent writer if it weren't for my grammar, spelling and limited vocabulary. But I won't let that stop me.