Archives for August 2019

Welsh Cakes

A special taste from Wales. Griddle scones cooked on a hot griddle or cast iron fry pan. A cross between a pancake and a biscuit. Flakey, tastey & melt in yer mouth. Serve warm with butter.

Ingredients

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup caster sugar (finely ground sugar)
1/4 cup currants/raisins
1 egg beaten with 3 Tbsp milk
Prep time:15 mins Makes 15

Method

Mix dry ingred. and cut in butter.
Mix milk and egg together and add to dry mix(thick dough)
roll out 1/4″ thick & cut wth cutter
cook on med heat 3-4 mins on both sides
sprinkle sugar on top
serve warm with butter….Yum

In the 1960’s Hippie Generation..the times were a changin’! America became deeply involved in the Viet Nam War, the baby boomers were coming of age, a civil rights era was kicking in, protests were strong, right wing politics was questioned and Watergate break-in happened. All this created an atmosphere for a strong distrust of the Establishment (the ruling classes);by the peeople.

The ethos of the 1950’s Beat Generation continued on but; by 1967, the times became known as the 1960’s Hippie Generation. The Beatniks of the 50’s desired change but always kept a low profile. Politics and stereotypes in society were common denominators but the 1960’s Hippie Generation were louder, more aggressive and actively protested for change.

The Hippie Movement evolved from the literary Beatnik era who sported turtlenecks, short hair and beards. The Hippies were known for communal living, harmony in nature, useage of recreational drugs(lots of weed and acid) and free love. A hippie was easily recognized by their appearance with psychodelic clothing, fringes, tie dyed clothing, headbands, grannie glasses, barefeet, sandals,colorful VW vans,bellbottoms and their long hair. Also referred to as a Flower Child! The Peace symbol became their own symbol and the two finger, vee shaped, hand gesture became their greeting. Peace and Love were their mantra!

During these times; there was a new rage of music happening and music is a big influencer of the era. There was a shift from the popular Beatlemani in the early 60’s to a harder edged rock. Joe Cocker, Santana, The Who, The Band, Greatful Dead, Janis Joplin and Jimmie Hendrix were popular and expressing the new times through their lyrics. I have to mention the Woodstock concert; held in Bethel NY, in August of 1969. It was the greatest outdoor concert of all time. These bands (and more); gathered in a farmers field, along with thousands of like minded and free spirited Hippies. They communed and partied for 3 solid days to celebrate and share Peace and Love! Oh to have been part of that!

As per usual; with every counter culture, new sayings and slang evolved from the chaos!

Share yer 60’s slang so we can all find our inner Hippie! Peace and Love to all y’all!

1950’s the Beat Generation

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Discover who you are by exploring the 1950’s the Beat Generation.

The 1950’s; the Beat Generation, was an era that questioned social change in North America. The Second World War was now history, the troops were back home fueling a big economy, a new generation ( the Baby Boomers) was being created and the generation known as the Beat Culture was forming. Television was just being introduced to the mass market and soda shops were popular. In the latter part of the era; rock and roll was being fueled by; a very young Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johny Cash(yes he was a rocker firstly) and Buddy Holly. The younger people of the time; heavily embraced this movement and the call for change it represented.

All generations or decades have a counterculture and the 1950’s were no different. The Beat Generation was a literary movement whose work influenced the counterculture with respect to change in society. Essentially it called for liberation of censorchip, sexual morals and spirituality. They wanted drugs decriminalized. Also expressed concerns for the de-emphasis of military and industrialization in society. They fought for a new emphasis on ecology with respect to the land and demanded a new respect for the indigenous peoples and their ways. It was a time for questiioning standards and stereotypes in society. They questioned quietly with no major protests. They were considered intelectuals and a more peaceful movement.

As with all movements, the 1950’s; the Beat Generation spawned changes in society but it can also be noted in their dress and language. Imagine this; people wearing turtlenecks, berets, men in short hair, women in long hair, sporting horn rimmed glasses, playing the bongos, smoking weed and listening to jazz music. The people of this time were pretty layed back/cool and became known as the “Beatniks”. Some great slang derived from that era that was certainly condusive to the times. Step back in time and honor the people, their words and the meanings they introduced to the world!