The Grandkids, The Pantry & The Flour Barrel!

Imagine, if you will, a time where the only electronics in a house was a radio, TV, fans and an iron. As children we did not have electronics to keep us busy. TV had 2 channels NBC & CBS. This was in the mid 1950's. It was imagination that kept us all entertained. Imagination was something we were all full of.

We always lived away from the family in Jackson, MS. We took many trips each year to visit with everyone there. Dad liked peace and quite while we traveled so most of our trips were made during the night when there was less traffic and we 4 children were more apt to sleep.

This story revolves around the time when I, Charlotte Grantham Goodman, Pam Chisolm Knight and Donald Addison were between the ages of 5 to 4. There was 10 months between Pam and I and 8 months between Pam and Donald. I was the oldest, so I was thought of as the ring leader. I loved having cousins so close in age. Sometimes it felt more like we were brothers and sisters. We were all about the same size. I was a petite little girl with strawberry blond hair. Pam and Donald were tow head. (You ask what does tow head mean?  The word 'tow' is derived from an older German word for flax or straw. Essentially it means having hair the color of straw (light yellow).)

After having driven all night we would arrive at Grandma's house in the early morning hours. It was still dark outside. I remember Grandma getting up to welcome us. As mom and dad would unload the car Grandma would make coffee, a pan of biscuits, eggs and bacon.

She would make sure that we were well fed before we went to sleep for a few hours more. Going back to sleep was very difficult for me. All I wanted to do was see Pam and Donald and play. Generally it was mid morning before Pam and Donald would arrive.

The house was on Todd Street in Jackson. It was a 2 story limestone block house with a large front porch. There were rockers on the front porch. As you walked into the front door there was a huge entry way with a staircase to the 2nd floor on the right. To the left of the entry there was a double pocket door to the living room. As you enter the living room to the right there was another set of pocket doors which was a dining room, but later served as a bedroom for Grandma and Popper. Off that room straight ahead was a back porch and to the right was an eat in kitchen. Once you enter the kitchen there is a door off to the right, it was a huge walk in pantry. Inside the walk in pantry was "The Flour Barrel".

Flour was a staple in the kitchen and every meal revolved around flour made into biscuits, gravy, cakes, cookies, and more. The flour barrel was a big blue metal can about 2 1/2 feet high and about 18" round. It was also what I would call and attractive nuisance for little kids.

There was a window to the left when you entered the pantry and the flour barrel was straight ahead. In the eyes of a small child it was a sight to behold. I remember opening the can and seeing that beautiful white flour. Before you knew it the three of us dug in grabbing handfuls of that precious white flour. We would throw it up in the air laughing, squealing and dancing around. It was our own little snow storm. Just as we were having the time of our life watching the flour fall on us the pantry door would open. There stood three children who were covered in flour gazing up at our parents.

I am sure it was probably hard for our parents not laugh at the sight they had seen. We were scolded, cleaned up and sent outside to continue to play.

I have searched my memory bank and below is the recipe as I remember it.

Grandma's Buttermilk Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the board

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons shortening

1 cup buttermilk (approx.)

• Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place biscuit pan with one tablespoon of shortening in oven and melt. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut the remaining shortening into the flour until it resembles course meal.
• Add buttermilk mix with wooden spoon. Consistency of dough should be wet and stretchy to feel. Add more buttermilk if needed to obtain the correct consistency.
• Lightly dust the mixture and hands with flour. Pinch off dough about the size of a golf ball and roll in hand. Then pat the ball making it about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.  By doing this there is no waste and the biscuits are light and fluffy.
• Place biscuits in pan with shortening, then flip other side over. Place pan in 450°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not over bake. Biscuits can touch and will come out with a crispy top and bottom and soft sides.