The outbreak of Covid-19 and the immediate panic when it struck my shores drove me to researching the experiences of the generation who endured the Second World War.
Like now, families in the 1930s and 40s Britain, had to find food. I am sure there were extreme worries about supplies and how to make them last. Rationing helped, but one had to also be creative and frugal.
During the war years in Britain, butter was limited to 2 oz per person per week. For my small family, that would equal 2 pounds per month- and there were not as many butter substitutes available as there are today.
I will try an experiment and discover if I can make 2 pounds of butter last one month(I will not use oils or butter substitutes except drippings).
Update 14 June 2020: I had to barter for butter this week after using up the last of my monthly ration only half way through. I am left with 4 teaspoons to use until next week. I cannot imagine what it was like to have so many other supplies on ration at the same time!
Update 7 June 2020: I have been keeping track of my “butter ration” for the past 2 weeks. I have discovered that my frugality has not been as frugal as I expected- I am down to 2 tablespoons of butter. For the next 2 weeks, we will not be buttering toast or pancakes, and I will be using bacon fat for seasoning vegetables and light frying. I should have hoarded the butter for special occasions such as my son’s upcoming birthday. I totally understand why a frosted cake would have been a rare and wonderful treat.
Living Miss Marple 