Just a Memory: Peanut Butter & Jelly

When I was in elementary school (grade 4 or 5) a subject called "Home Economics" was taught once a week for half a year. I remember learning "Electricity," "Woodworking," "Sewing," and "Cooking." Yes, both the boys and the girls took all subjects.

Part of the Home Economics room was set up like a kitchen. The class was divided up into six "families." There were at least six sets of stove, refrigerator, sink, and counters with cabinets and drawers that contained everything a "family" would need to cook a meal.

The one memory that sticks was learning how to pack a lunch to take to school or on a picnic. We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with carrot sticks and sliced apples and learned how to wrap them in wax paper. In those days plastic bags did not yet exist. In fact wax bags were not commonly used yet either.

After spreading the PB&J evenly on two slices of Wonder Bread and cutting the sandwich in half, we learned how to wrap it in wax paper by doubling the edges several times and then folding them under. Hard to describe but I'll show you if you drop by.

Then we did the same with the carrot sticks but before wrapping in was paper we put our hand under cold water and sprinkled the sticks with water to keep them fresh.

Finally after slicing the apples we mixed them in fresh squeezed lemon juice to keep the slices from turning black. Same unique was paper wrap.

After finishing all the details of the lunch, the "family" sat at their table and ate the fruits (so to speak) of their labor.

To this day, when I make a sandwich to go, I wrap the sandwich in wax paper and I always remember to sprinkle the carrot sticks with cold water.

This is a sample of the doubt wrap (but not on a sandwich.)