Day 19 was yesterday and my gift became a 2 part gift possibly 3 parts for today and tomorrow as well.   When I was putting together my donation of tinned and pre-packaged food for the food drive, I was reminded of something my Mother, who worked with the Children's Aid Society,  did many decades ago for young, unwed Mothers who hadn't a notion of how to run a house and feed their child.  Especially on a very minimal budget.   They put together a cookbook to teach basic cooking on a shoestring.  I come from a large family and we all got into cooking.   I survived my 'Starving Student" days because of this.   But, I know that not everyone was raised in such an amazing environment and many know only fast foods.  It saddens me to know that families no longer share a meal at the dinner table.  They don't begin their day, happily at breakfast together.  It is rush rush rush and grab what you can. 

As I was putting rice and pasta, tuna and ham, into the box I wondered what would become of it.  Would it be eaten as it came out of the tin or would the recipient instinctively know how to make it dance?  I pictured some poor soul, down on their luck, miserably picking at their 'charity food' and hating it!!   I found myself at the store buying honey, mustard, garlic powder, dried onion flakes, boullion cubes etc.   things I knew could make the basics sing! I started to  imagine how the children's little faces would light up when they discovered they could help Mom and Dad create something fun for dinner!   So . . . 

I have put together some very VERY basic recipes for people who possbily only recognized fast food as an option or had limited creative abilities.    I was first going to title it "Basics on a Budget" but that sounded so gloomy and depressing!   I then was leaning towards "Cooking on a Wing and a Prayer"  - but I googled it and found it already taken!

At the moment my cookbook is titled "Til Better Times"  and I have my proto type ready for a few copies to be printed and distributed tomorrow.   

Am I excited?   You bet your bippee I am.  See you tomorrow!

If you would like to read about my journey so far, I give you the posts below:

DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
DAY 9
DAY 10
DAY 11
DAY 12
DAY 13
DAY 14
DAY 15
DAY 16
DAY 17
DAY 18
DAY 19