The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1897-01-01
AT THE LAST MINUTE.
Some sonsible Christmas Suggestions for
th6 Woman Who Il Always flushed. Isl

the Woman Who IL Always Rushed.
In Sending off the Christmas pack
ages there will doubtless be many little
conyeniences missing ut the last minute
unless we have the forethought to have
everything IN readiness, says d Thought
full writer in the Philadelphia Times. a
gift that Is hurriediy and carelessly
wrapped and labeled will not receive half
the appreciation accorded the one that ID
.daintily prepared. 1t Ia IN excellent
idea to saye#all the candy boxes and
other attractive looking boxes that come
to one throughout the year, and have
gift IN a box carries with it certain 4
air of Importance that a paper package
fails to convey. II boxes cannot be pro-
cured dainty wrappings are always pos
sible. A few sheets of white tissue pa
per, some narrow ribbons in bright col
.ors and. a few sprigs of holly to do up
the Christmas packages add to their
festal and gracious air, and enhance their
value 100 per cent. in the eyes Of people
of taste. For the tiny tots the old dodge
Of many wrappings never fails to add in
picture card slipped in with the gift will
increase its value to a surprising extent
in the eyes of the little ones. g. III. e
Il a Popcorn SuggestlOn-Fresh, crisp
popcorn balls Of home manufacture will
probably be in demand among the young
sters, and they will be delighted to as
sist in preparing them. In popping the
Christmas tree and for whatever pur-
pose it is required at the last moment.
suggestion in regard to rapid and certain
popping is sure to be appreciated; for it
is very aggravating to have the corn fail
to pop. Never put thepopcorn near the
stove until it is put in the pepper:
Many people--in fact, the majority
have the idea that corn should be dry
in order to pop. 1t is a great mistake.
That is just the reason that it does not
pop, When ready to pop the corn it is
good plan to pour cold water upon it and
then pour it right off again. If the corn
is very dry let it stand in the water a
few minutes. Put it right into the pop
per while wet. In popping the corn
should always be kept in motion until it
is popped: Unless the corn has dried
until the kernels have cracked there will
be no trouble in having it pop if these
directions are followed.
Window Novelties-For the little
friend who was interested in window
gardening novelties for the flower
shelves will be greatly appreciated, and
minute if they have been overlooked in
planning the gifts. A water hyacinth
may be quickly arranged in it's dish of
water, with a little sandy soil at the
bottom. A Chinese sacred lily may be
set in a dish of pebbles and water, or
even a hyacinth growing in its glass Of
water will offer suggestions differing
from the regularly ported plants. And
sponge garden will also be admired
and receive great deal of interested at
tention. For this get a piece of sponge
the coarse, cheap kind is the best-and
after soaking it thoroughly in warm
water squeeze it gently in order to wiring
out the most of the water, but not all.
Have ready some seeds of grass, clover,
large ones into the holes of the damp
sponge and sprinkle the fine seed over
the surface. On Christmas morning
hang the sponge in the window of the
little gardener, where it will get the sun
during part of the day, and give Girec-
lions for sprinkling it with little water
every day to keep it slightly moist. Soon
the little spear-like leaves will begin to
shoot from every part of the sponge, and
green fringe will fall down over this
rustic basket, covering it on all sides.
1t may be trimmed occasionally to make
the ball round and the green mass thick
and luxuriant, and if carefully tended
and sprinkled it will remain green and
DeaullIul Tor long time.
A Useful Christmas Candy-While
preparing the homemade Christmas
candy it will be a good plan to include
this excellent receipt of cough candy,
and the youngsters will forget it's nedi-
cinal qualities and it will seem mere
delicious to them throughout the winter
whenever it is necessary to use it
from the fact Of its "Christmasy'' flavor,
which will be sure to cling to it in the
small negotiations. An excellent cough
candy that is sure to prove beneficial
and sugar: Soak a gill Of whole flIx-
seed in half pint of boiling water. In
another dish put cup Of broken pieces
of slippery elm, and cover this also nth
boiling water. Let it stand for two
hours. Then strain them both through
muslin cloth into a. saucepan contain
ing pound and half of granulated
sugar. Extract all the liquor you can,
stir the sugar until it is melted and then
boil it until it turns to candy. When it
reaches this point, and will harden when
dropped into cold water, pour it out at
once upon CREASED papers. This is an
old-fashioned rule and very good. The
candy is more palatable if the juice of
two lemons is added to it after it has
cooked for few moments.