I learned about these videos several years ago, and enjoyed watching several of them on You Tube at the time with some of my children.  The videos are hosted by a lovely elderly woman, Clara, who shares recipes and demonstrated preparation of foods they made during the Depression.  She also shares anecdotes and stories about her life.  There are 28 videos, and are each very short and have a warm, wholesome feel to them.

I believe she made the first one when she was 89.  I was reminded of these tonight since Clara, now 96, recently released what she said will be the last video in the series because she’s ‘getting old’.  I enjoyed these so much and am sharing a link to them since I think a  lot of you will enjoy this as well.

Great Depression Cooking with Clara

On the note of the Great Depression, a couple of years ago I read a book recounting memories of this time that I really enjoyed.    You can learn a lot about frugal living, self-sufficiency, and just plain out making do by reading about what life was like during the Depression. The book is,  Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression.  It’s not a gloomy and difficult read, which you might associate with the Depression, but has a realistic but optimistic air about it.  (I was able to find it at the library.)

Avivah