I’m trying so hard to get back into posting once a week on my blog and posting once a week on YouTube (Sundays at 7pm). Even if it’s just a quick hello, it’s better than just burying my head in the sand and feeling a failure for not doing anything for months. Stupid I know, I mean it’s stupid to not post something as I truly love blogging and creating simple little videos.
I’m sorry…
As I’m writing this I’m exhausted. A busy day at work and straight into cleaning up my house for a visitor this weekend. It’s now 8pm and I’m going to grab a cuppa tea and jump into bed and try and get an early night as tomorrow I’ll be up at 6am,as my kitchen needs cleaning and I’m too exhausted to do it now and at 7:30 am I am driving to the recycling depot as my car is full of “stuff” I no longer need or is broken that has been cluttering up the house. It feels good to be letting go of stuff…
My mind is also full with plans for recreating WW2 recipes and adopting some more of the simple, frugal habits during the days of rationing to persevere with my plans of serious saving in 2026 so I can max out my “rainy day fund” to feel safe and secure. We never know what tomorrow brings.
I’d like to say thanks this week for some of the lovely messages I’ve received on my blog, on Facebook and on YouTube and Instagram. Some of them really touched me and got to me a bit. It’s all good though . I am very lucky. Thank you.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend, C xxxx
PS: I have to share this video. THIS IS OUR GARDEN! We are always blessed to have visits from badgers every night but the other day the whole clan (10) visited our garden at the same time.
I am having a bit of a wobble in my life at the moment. I’m generally feeling exhausted and emotional among other things so of course, as always, I turn to our stoic and resilient families that lived for several years under incredible hardship during WW2. How did they get through? What would they have done?
That mighty poster springs to mind… “Keep Calm and Carry On”.
From Wikipedia:
Keep Calm and Carry On was a motivational poster produced by the Government of the United Kingdom in 1939 in preparation for World War II. The poster was intended to raise the morale of the British public, threatened with widely predicted mass air attacks on major cities.[1][2] Although 2.45 million copies were printed, and the Blitz did in fact take place, the poster was only rarely publicly displayed and was little known until a copy was rediscovered in 2000 at Barter Books, a bookshop in Alnwick.[3] It has since been re-issued by a number of private companies, and has been used as the decorative theme for a range of products.[4]
Evocative of the Victorian belief in British stoicism – the “stiff upper lip“, self-discipline, fortitude, and remaining calm in adversity – the poster has become recognised around the world.[5] It was thought that only two original copies survived until a collection of approximately 15 was brought in to the Antiques Roadshow in 2012 by the daughter of an ex-Royal Observer Corps member.[6] A few further examples have come to light since.[7]
Uncertainty
But of course there were many powerful phrases bandied around to raise morale and a common sense of bravery and steadfastness. I mean, what else can you do to cope? One can only imagine what people had to endure, physically and emotionally and with no end date, the uncertainty must have only added to their anxiety.
In short: fear, grief, and hardship coexisted with resilience, unity, and hope. This emotional duality is why the “home front spirit” is remembered as both incredibly tough and deeply inspiring.
Much love, C xxxx
Common Phrases and Slogans used during WW2
Resilience and encouragement
These phrases were designed to maintain morale during the Blitz and other hardships:
Keep Calm and Carry On: Though now iconic, this phrase was originally a 1939 government poster that was not widely distributed at the time. It has been heavily popularised in recent years.
“Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory”: This was another government poster issued during the war, aimed at boosting public confidence.
“We shall fight on the beaches…we shall never surrender”: Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s famous speeches provided powerful and defiant rallying cries that unified the nation.
Make Do and Mend: This was the official campaign slogan for conserving and repairing clothes, household items, and appliances. It encouraged citizens to be thrifty and creative rather than buy new things.
Security and secrecy
The government ran campaigns to encourage vigilance against spies and gossip.
“Careless talk costs lives”: This was the most famous of a series of posters warning people to be careful about what they said, as German spies could be anywhere.
“Be Like Dad – Keep Mum!”: A related slogan from the same campaign, using the old-fashioned term “mum” for silent.
Loose Lips Sink Ships: Although this version is more strongly associated with American propaganda, the underlying message was prominent in the UK.
Resourcefulness and rationing
As food and resources grew scarce, people were urged to conserve and contribute.
“Dig for Victory”: This campaign encouraged people to grow their own fruit and vegetables in gardens, parks, and allotments to supplement their rations.
“Go easy with bread, try potatoes instead”: A slogan promoted by the Ministry of Food to reduce the consumption of imported wheat.
“Save kitchen waste to feed the pigs!”: People were encouraged to collect food scraps for a national pig and poultry feeding programme.
Better Pot-Luck Than Humble Pie: This slogan, paired with images of Churchill and Hitler, urged people not to waste food.
Everyday slang
While not official slogans, these phrases were common on the homefront:
The Blitz: A shortening of the German word Blitzkrieg (“lightning war”), referring to the intense aerial bombing of British cities, particularly London.
Having the wind up: A common phrase for being scared or afraid, originating from military slang.
Going for a burton: A colloquialism for being killed or destroyed, particularly when a plane crashed. The phrase then came to mean anything that was ruined or no longer working.
A cushy billet: A soft or easy job or position. This term had a military origin but became popular on the homefront to describe anything comfortable or pleasant.
Chum: A popular term for a friend, comrade, or acquaintance, used in both military and civilian life.
A quick blog update during my lunch break at work! I recorded a catch-up and uploaded it to my YouTube channel. I also cooked “Bubble and Squeak” as honestly, this is something I regularly cook as it is so quick and delicious and prefect for using up leftovers! The recipe on my blog is here >>> https://the1940sexperiment.com/2012/07/31/bubble-and-squeak-no-78/
Let’s get one thing straight, I’m NOT a good cook! In fact I’m one of those cooks who often doesn’t measure ingredients, who makes do with what’s in the cupboard and therefore changes ingredients around and hopes for the best. I often think our grandmothers must have done the same during WW2.
And that is partly the reason that it’s taken me 20+ years to write my first WW2 recipe book…I just don’t think I’m good enough (oh and the lack of time due to my job and other family commitments).
I’m 60 next year and I want to achieve my dream, to create and publish my first proper cook book. A keepsake of my re-created WW2 recipes, re-created, re-photographed, re-written, in full colour, in a beautiful book…. More info here >>> https://the1940sexperiment.com/ration-book-recipes-new-book/
I’ve taken that first step. All the outline and costings are done and today I am deciding what recipes I will re-create for book 1. See my screenshot below…
I’ve dusted off my DSLR camera, located an area in the house where I will be able to set up props and photograph my food, bought a couple of backdrops when creating the scene for the food photo (see below) and once my final list of recipes is decided on, I’ll schedule baking days into some weekends where I can re-create and photograph recipes. My goal is to bake and photograph 8 recipes per month and to get the book completed and ready for printing in April 2026.
Thanks for all your support and all the sign-ups to be notified when the book is ready for order. This has really encouraged me to get this project moving!!!
Finally, after nearly 20 years of passionate WW2 baking, I am releasing my re-created ration book recipes, as full-colour keepsakes. Additionally, there will be lots of new content, photography, historical data and interesting information, readers hand me down WW2 recipes and hints and tips on frugal living on the modern day home-front.
The first 100 people on the wait-list will receive a 10% discount and a signed copy with a personalised note so please drop your email dress below and I will keep you updated on the books progress and full details on how you can purchase the books as we head towards next Spring.
A quick update as I am literally getting ready for work!
We visited our local community gardens during my weeks annual leave. I’ve lived back in Swindon now for 5 years and had never visited, I’m kicking myself, the place is a lovely little haven!
Next year, when it opens for the summer, I will be a regular visitor as I’d love to see the gardens grow throughout the spring and summer.
TWIGS “Our gardens are places of healing. Engaging with nature through horticultural therapy is a powerful way of reducing stress and finding a sense of purpose.
The gardens are also a resource to give people who experience mental health problems the chance to regain confidence, self-esteem and to learn new skills”
