Evening star., 1901-05-11
HOUSE
HOLD
lINTS

On the threshold of summer suggestions
for something new and Jolly in out-of-door
functions are in order. Such one was a
desert housewarming'' recently given by
a clever California woman who was So
journing in Arizona for her health The
brush shed Indian vataw under whose
grateful shade she was to hang her ham
mock, read her books, entertain her friends
and dream herself back to health had lust
been completed by the Indians, and invita-
tions We're informally given to a score of
the younger people of the little desert ham
let to come and assist In the figurative
hanging of the crane"
The moon was at it's full. From the
river bank the young men had brought
great cottonwood logs and fagots of the
resinous greasewood for the big fire which
was to be a feature of the evenings enter
tainment. Long sticks Of arrow weed were
also provided with one end sharpened to
admit of toasting marshmallows and roast
ing apples at long range.
A half dozen corn-poppers were in readi-
ness, their handles heightened by splicing
In circle about the fire were spread rugs
blankets, carriage robes and cushions
galore and here comfortably reclining,
after the manner of the old Romans at
their feasts, the guests told stories, gave
conundrums, exchanged bright sallies Of
wit and repartee, the while they toasted
their marshmallows, popped their corn and
roasted apples The hostess had also pro-
vided a great kettle of chocolate, kept hot
on a bed of Goals, as we'll as a generous
supply of bread and butter and cheese
sandwiches and little cakes. These were
passed in the close-wove Indian baskets
for which that region is famous. Then as
the leaping flames began to settle down
into the great bed of glowing Goals came
the singing, varied repertoire, including
the familiar old English Scotch and Irish
ballads.
and war songs, time-honored rounds such
as "Scotlands Burning and Three Blind
Mice and last, the dear college songs OF
the various alma maters-Cornell, Amherst
Stanford, Elmira and Columbia-represent-
ed
What wonder that hearts grew tender
and eyes moist as. when the twinkling
lights in the tents of the little settlement
began to be eXtinguished and the moon
rode high in the southern heavens all rose
and standing shoulder to shoulder Joined
in the farewell chorus:
For Auld Lang Syne, my dear,
For Aud Lang Syne
Well take a cup O. kindness yet
For Aud Lang Syne.'
With moonlight and freight, "summat
to eat and drink and the fellowship of
ment, with variations to suit the special
environments presented by mountains sea-
shore or forest camp, may always be relied
upon to score a social success.
In active competition with the chafng
dish comes the newer and exceedingly
fashionable 'silver grill fad. This Is an
imported English fancy. which has the add
ed prestige Of having been a favorite
pastime with Edward VII. After moon
light coaching party, an evening at
bridge" or an afternoon on the links"
the hostess and her guests repair to the
roomy, well-adapted kitchen, where a sill
yer grill and big fire await the culinary
prowess Of a white-capped chef. Beef
steak. chops. deviled bones, pancakes, fritz
ters, clans, or some Of the popular cheese
dishes-such golden buck or English
monkey-are prepared before the eyes of
the delighted hungry guests, who dispatch
them sans ceremony, but with infinite rel
ish.
In boiling peas. string beans or aspara-
gus. save every bit of the water which you
pour off. to add to the soup pot With the
most ordinary care In utilizing the left
overs" even in small family, the soup