If we were having visitors (a rare occurrence) My Mom would sometimes prepare a high Sunday tea which consisted of a selection of sandwiches cut into triangles. She would use thin sliced white bread and spread Co-op butter from a shaped patted block. The filling (pre fridge days) was usually from tins: - red salmon with a dash of vinegar salt 'n' pepper. (White pepper then) ham and a small tin of tongue sometimes even Pilchards that were mashed in their tomato juice.
She would prepare some cucumber and spanish onion in a shallow dish smothered in vinegar, a few tomatoes, some wilted lettuce, a few hard boiled eggs sliced using the egg slicer thing that every one had, some celery sticks with the string still attached and a few spring onions. There were side dishes of Grans home made pickled onions and red cabbage and a jar of that stuff that looked like cat sick (Piccalilli)
There was usually a block of cheddar, which had had the rind cut off which was given to the dog and some Dairylea triangles for me. Heinz Salad cream was a luxury and strictly for grown ups. After the savory selection came the sweet selection,
which you couldn’t have unless you’d eaten what you been given before hand. You could have home made Fruitcake, scones or Malt loaf. There was tinned fruit salad or sliced peaches for those who weren’t concerned about what was going on in South African, both were served with Plumrose tinned cream. Sometimes if we had enough milk there was an individual jelly or a blancmange for me, if all else failed instead of banana sandwiches I could have sliced banana and custard.
For special occasions (Birthdays) Mom would make a Trifle; Mom’s trifle was why I loved Mom so much, it was wonderful and would keep me quiet afterwards in a stupefied state especially after seconds or thirds. My sister still tries to make a trifle like Mom’s for me but fails miserably every time. My brother and I still eat it out of courtesy and leave the dish clean so that we don’t upset her.
Mom would open the china cabinet and place her favorite Cups and saucers in readiness. The cups were so light they could have made of plastic, the porcelain was so fine you could see through it. Mom always kept the one with the crack for herself and would cup it in her hand instead of through the dainty little finger hole for some reason. The canteen of cutlery
which had been a 25th wedding anniversary gift and stood in the front room would have the tablecloth removed and with a deft movement my Dad would get the key, which was hidden from 'little prying hands' in the Toby Jug on the top shelf; I found it difficult to get the key without climbing on the back of the settee and stretching, but not impossible. It contained a large carving knife which was smashing to throw and see if I could get it to stick in during the school holidays. I digress.8)
When Dad felt inclined we would sometimes have a Crab or a few pints of mussels. Mom would leave these overnight in the big cauldron filled with water, and a handful of oats. I wasn't allowed to witness their death by boiling water; it was deemed that i was too sensitive and would be upset by their squealing.
I liked our teas together on Sunday nights when the TV used to go off between 6 and 7. I'm not sure now whether the TV actually went off or whether Dad just turned it off. My Dad was funny and made us laugh. He kept a straight face and never raised his voice. He could scold you with a look when needed. He scolded me many times but it never hurt though.
