Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-19
las and Outs Of Nous ksepiaS.

1
When | was first married. didn'
know any more, or much less. than the
average bride of twenty two about the
ms and outs of housekeeping. l knew
| enough to butter a cake pan, and ia
soak ham. and to turn the heat into
the oven when l needed il: but never
suspected that these were the mere
u OF the kitchen. | learned, in time
| AS every one does who has willing
| spirit, a moderate amount of sense and
a strong body. But when think Of
the number of times l cried into the
roller towel during those first few
months. do want to see if ! can't
make the road to learning a little less
rocky for others
The hardest thing / had TO teach my
self was system. You have no idea
how much of your lime and strength
"A regular system will save. Work ii
out as wisely as you can and then
| stick to it.
And don't let yourself ever get into
the habit of leaving one piece Of work
until you have entirely finished 1t. for
| this is the best way Of never getting
through with anything. Havn't you
ing frcm one thing before it was half
finished. to start in at something else?
They I'LL the 1ishpan with hot water.
put in the soap and dishes, maybe wash
and wipe half a dozen. and then fly OF
TO dust the parlor. or moke the beds, or
dig in the garden just what fancy
strikes them. When they finally re-
membef the dishes the water is cold.
a lot Of the soap is wasted. the pan
must be emptied and filled again and
new start made-after which il is ten
to one they think of something else
more interesting and rereat the per-
Torrance. They always have more
that they can possibly do and they al
ways VIII.
Another thing. an ounce of prevent
ion is worth hired scrub woman.
When | began | had little trials of
gravy. little drifts ot -four spatter dc
signs of milk and streams of water
decorating my kitchen linoleum in
every direction by the time meal was
cooked. These didn't look appetizing:
they spoiled my shoes and kept me
everlastingly hopping and scrubbing
one day after having washed the
meal should hot have single spin.
began half an hour earlier | wiped
dripping things off on the bottom OF
held pans under them. instead Of trust
ing to a dying leap to land them safe
~ in the sink. l poured with caution,
stirred circunSpectlly. beat w with
discretion. and did not allow a single
stove plate to whirl off black circles
around my shrinking feet And my re-
ward was not only a clean floor. but an
unflurred mind and good appetite.
II was tho first dinner Of my own
cooking that really enjoyed. And
with time and practice ! didn't need
the extra half hour. could be quick
and careful too.
Another help TO tiiiness was to
spread layers of clean newspapers on
my kitchen table When one was
soiled pulled if OF and lit the next
fire with it and SO avoided the endless
securing.
IL you say 70 yourself when deciding
on a dinner or any other meal. II
must start in at such time, then
plan to start exactly at that time.
Don't put it of and think a few min
ter Things will be sure tn 90 wrong.
YOU will hurry and not be 50 careful
as usual and your ffrr-wiil 60 out. SO
you will have TO fly around and finally
serve your dinner with toasted wife.
as one young married man plaintiNely
remarked. Work out a time table for
yourself. Then. If You know how long
il will take tn. get everything ready.
YOU can have the meal on the table To
the minute. and can have managed to
have an extra five minutes to get rid OF
the kitchen uniform ana any streaks
of flour or black smudges that may
adorn your face.
Nothing delays the regular work 50
much as having to stop and pick up
things before you can start IN. Ii Is
a great deal more fun to drop a thing
than il is to pick it UP and put IT away
again but il YOU are doing your own
work you can't afford the luxury OF
wasting time and steps. You must put
| things away as YOU can finish with
| them. even though you hate it as did
Gradually every article finds con-
yenient place for itself. and II saves
many minutes and a great deal or wear
| and tear on the nervous system. not Z"
mention the temper if one is sure OF
| finding what one wants in the hrst
place one looks for it.