GETTING READY FOR WINTER by Doris LeBlanc

Cerca 1930

Getting ready for winter years ago was really quite a chore. It really incorporated three seasons, spring when planting began, summer the growing season, and fall the harvest.

Concerning our family. We planted potatoes, carrots, turnips, parsnips, cabbage, peas and different species of beans, and onions. Onion greens were salted in glass mason jars and used in soups and stews. The vegetables were stored in the basement and the peas and beans were dried in the sun, or more often on a cotton sheet under the kitchen stove and stored in burlap bags.

We would often buy codfish from our neighbour and then dried them over racks in the yard. Mackerel and herring were salted and put in pails for the winter.

As autumn approached it was then that the other provisions were bought and stored away. A barrel of flour, a small barrel of yellow sugar, a bag of white sugar, rolled oats, cornmeal and of course a barrel of apples. These were stored in the cellar. I can still see them, beautiful apples, the barrel was first lined with blue corrugated paper and the apples were each put in blue tissue paper--the aroma was divine.

We had hens and in the late spring, there was always a setting hen who provided us with little chickens. As the hens did not give us many eggs in the winter, early on we would have a clay crock with salt and the eggs were stored in the salt. The salt was added as the eggs were gathered and stored, they kept

very well in this manner.

Butter was also kept in clay crocks with brine. My mother was very fussy about the cream. It was always cooled completely before mixing with the previous cream. Before we had a milk separator, my great grandmother, who lived with us until she died, would put the milk in bowls on shelves that lined the kitchen wall. When the cream had risen to the top she would skim it off and make butter that way. The rest of the milk was put on the back of the kitchen stove to make curds. What we did not eat she would feed to the hens. She was not a person to waste anything, that’s for sure.

In the fall my father would go down the shore to gather eel-grass. This was used to insulate the outside walls of the basement. Small poles were driven into the ground, boards were then attached to receive the insulating material. The storm windows were put all around the house. Storm doors were made ready as well.

As winter approached, he would go cut firewood in the woods. This was hauled by an ox and then cut and split, ready for the following year. In this way there was always dry wood for the next year. He also bought some coal and stored it as well. At the time, vessels loaded with coal, would come to the wharf, after purchase the coal was hauled by horse and cart to our house.

My mother would get us ready for the cold winter. We would have heavy underwear and knitted stockings, one pair was used in our boots and the other pair to go over our boots, then a pair of rubbers on top of that. I don’t think overshoes has come to D’Escousse at the time, certainly not for me. There were no ski pants either, my mother being a seamstress, had no trouble inventing a pair, which we joyfully wore and had a great time in the snow, which was often over or heads. We would also go sliding with our sleighs. In November we would go skating, no fancy skates, just our regular laced boots with the skate blades screwed onto the soles. We had a great time even with our limited conveniences.

When it got below zero Fahrenheit, the pig that had been kept up to then, was slaughtered. The blood was kept to make blood puddings. The hams were salted then smoked, also the bacon parts were salted and smoked, others left to freeze and cut as needed. The fat part of the pig was salted, put in brine, and used for cooking. Pork scraps and salt cod was a favourite dish. The calf, provided by our milk cow, and usually kept for a couple of years, was also slaughtered, hung to freeze, to be used throughout the winter as needed. As there was no electricity,

preparations had to be made at a certain time.

It was a lot of work at the time, but we could all relax and enjoy having family and friends over during the winter months.

∙ Doris LeBlanc.

For the past two years I have been researching my family tree and sadly came across Mary's obituary - its seems that I am a cousin from the Landry and Samson side of the family - She seems like such a wonderful person - I am truly sorry that we have never got to meet her - I would like to wish you and yours a pleasant holiday season and I will be honored to remember her in my prayers.

God Bless

Thomas Harte

Watertown, MA 02472

I am so sorry to hear of Doris' passing. Many a time I went down with my Dad, Jerome Benoit, to buy groceries at the store. She was always so pleasant and kind. She had the best Treasure drumsticks ! A fond remembrance of my childhood. My sincerest sympathies to the family. God Bless

G. J. Naomi,@ Maxine. I was truly saddened to learn of your mothers passing. I am one of her many overnight traveller guests during the 1960's and 1970's. She was a marvellous host, a tremendous cook and a very warm and caring person.

Dear LeBlanc Family, Our most sincere condolences to all the family. We have known Doris for many years,as many of us have lived and taught in d'Escousse. We are with all of you in thoughts and prayers. May she rest in the peace of her God.... Blessings !!

So sorry to hear of Doris's passing - she was such a respected member of the north side and a devoted mother who spoke so highly of her children and grandchildren . Sympathy to all the family on your loss , and I am sure the wonderful memories of her will stay with you forever . RIP Doris .

Dear Maxine & Family, My sincere condolences on the loss of your Mother. Thinking of you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Linda H. Stone (Kehoe)

I was with sadness we learned of Doris's passing. Doris has been my neighbour on two occasions in the D'Escousse community as well as a relative.going back to my great grandfather. To all the family Judy & l extend our most sincere condolences.

We would like to express our deepest condolences to your family Maxine. Your mom was very special and will always hold a special place in your heart. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Jerome & Solange

Doris will always be remembered for her kindness. We were neighbors for 40 years and always helpful. The first year I decided to try and make fudge for Halloween I went to Omer's and Doris gave me her no fail recipe 1 kg bag brown sugar, 1 can carnation milk and a block of margarine...lo and behold it worked! I am still using and passing on that recipe!Rest in peace Doris.

Sincere condolences GJ, Naomi, Maxine and families. Thinking and praying for all of you. Your Mom was a special lady. Lots of faith and always so well organized.A Eucharist Minister as long as she could be. Proud of her children and grand children. Many nights when I walked in to St Anne, she held the resident's phone saying she was waiting for a call. Always saying GJ was going to call and she always got her call that made her happy for that night. Loved to dance and even when bones were sore,she'd dance with the staff to Robert Bouchard's music. A precious gem she was. RIP Doris!

My condolences to the family of Doris LeBlanc. Thinking about you at this very difficult time.

My condolences to the family of Doris LeBlanc. Thinking about you at this very difficult time.

Our sincere condolences to the LeBlanc family.

PLEASE accept my condolences for your loss. MAY you find comfort in knowing that God will soon do away with Death along with pain and sorrow. JOHN 5:28_29

To the family of the late Doris Leblanc, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you . May she RIP with God and the many guardian angels. Darlene Landry -Sampson Alliston, Ontario

I am so sorry to hear about the family's loss. Please accept my deepest condolences. The loss of a loved one in death is one of the most painful things we can experience. Although, it can be comforting to know that humans were never meant to go through such pain. In fact, we were never meant to die at all. In the Bible, at Ecclesiastes 3:11, it says that God “put eternity in [our] heart.” God also promises us at Psalms 37: 29 that “the righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.” It's nice to know that we won't always have to endure such tragedy and suffering. A website that I find comforting is jw.org. It's a Bible-based website that talks about all the promises that God has for our future, as well as our dead loved ones. I hope it can provide some hope during this difficult time.

Our deepest sympathies to the family. I used to visit this wonderful lady when I would visit my mother in law at St. Anne Centre. Always sweet and gentle we would talk for a bit. She was a very nice person. God bless you

condolences to the family .God Bless Maxine.

So sorry to hear about your loss. Aunt Doris will definitely be missed. I hope you are all able to find comfort in happy memories of her. Love from Trisha, Mike, Aiden & Nolan xoxo

We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. Hoping all your wonderful memories bring you comfort. Our deepest condolences. Sharon & Dennis

My Deepest Condolences go out to the LeBlanc family, I hope you find comfort in these words, "He will swallow up death forever,......And will wipe away the tears from all faces. Isaiah 25:8

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with all the Family Doris was and still is a very Special Lady to me Love you R I P Doris

Such a kind and pleasant lady! Condolences on your loss, GJ, Naomi and Maxine. You were all blessed to have had her in your lives for a long time.

So Sorry for our loss she well be missed

marilyn&charles kehoe made a donation to St. Hyacinth Cemetery Fund

we will always remember her smile,may she rest in peace.

Rachelle and John Hayes made a donation to St. Hyacinth Cemetery Fund

Rest in peace, dear Doris. You will be missed!