at home
uring this past, most unusual year, we found ourselves tied closer to home with more time on our hands. Looking to fill the idle hours, some Milfordites looked back in time for inspiration. By reviving pastimes that harkened back to a simpler time, before technology garnered more and more of our attention, we discovered the benefits of some good old-fashioned living.
NADYA SPETNITSKAYA
Back to Basics D
the dough to rise take time. As yeast became scarce at the beginning of the pandemic,
The Chicken and the Egg
In the early 1900s the average household kept a
alternatives were created. Homemade baking
small flock of hens to produce eggs and poultry for
powder and sourdough starters were passed
families. Chickens are surprisingly easy to care for
Many may remember the heavenly aroma of
along to family, friends, and neighbors. The
and inexpensive to maintain. Fresh eggs taste far
grandma’s warm, homemade bread, slathered
delicious rewards of their efforts have created
better than those from a store and contain more
with butter or jam. Grannny made it seem
new traditions, with ardent bakers sharing and
nutrients. Chickens that spend time free ranging
simple, but today’s rookie bakers soon realized
discovering new recipes. As renowned chef
provide yards with chemical free bug control, plus
its challenges. Patience is a virtue when
James Beard once said. “Good bread is the most
they prefer to eat weeds rather than grass. Chicken
creating bread; kneading and checking for
fundamentally satisfying of all foods; and good
manure is thought to be one of the best fertilizers
Loafing Around
bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts.”
And Sew it Begins
The sudden need for masks started many of us sewing. Patterns were made available online, and long dormant sewing machines were dusted off and put to work. Machines whirred and those new to the art learned Sewing 101 secrets like how to thread a needle and set a bobbin. Cheater eyeglasses were on standby—ready to be deployed—awaiting the dread of the inevitable snapped thread. Local
TATA TOTO
kept plenty busy. Sales of fabric, machines,
16 Milford Living • Spring
patterns, and sundries increased…and continue to climb. The satisfaction of engaging in this time-honored skill has many of us hooked.
ZACHARIAH SMITH
fabric stores offered pickup service and were
