Evening star., 1901-12-31

So fieetIy has the closing year sped on
we still seem to hear 1.-The echo fading from
the chime of New Year bells of a twelve
month ago. Winter, that comes like an
old and hoary man, seems a fitting trim
for the death of the year. And yet there
is more of joy than sadness at this season,
for both old and young, as we sit by the
good fires of winter and rejoice over the
fullness of the gathered sheaf and plan for
new pleasures and triumps for the coming
days. Almost every one grows optimistic
at this season that seems so fresh and full
of new life, and old and young turn each
new leaf in the book of years with fresh in
terest, hoping to find the following chapter
more absorbing than the last; with new and
pleasing developments which lead up to the
hoped-for sequel:
Celebrating the Day.
Time was when the preparations for the
New Year celebration entailed a great
amount of labor and fatigue in making
ready for the gala day. Now, although
society has revived the old-time custom of
receiving this day, the entertainments
are more quiet and select and we may add.
for the benefit of the pesSmists, far more
temperate. They take the form of small re-
ceptions or luncheons for few friends and
intimates or family dinner.
While it is essential that a New Year din
ner and reception be given on the day that
uSherS in the new year, 1t is not necessary,
however. that New Year luncheon should
be on this very day. The first days of jan
uary are frequently gloomy, if not actually
stormy, and the effect of the holiday deco
rations, which should be red and green,
of course, throughout, accompanied by the
good cheer. about which still fingers that
charm peculiar to the Yuetide, will do
much to brighten the first two weeks of
New Year.
Table Decorations.
For a large table there is nothing more
effective or suitable than a mass of poin-
settias grouped in the center These flow
ers look best in a gilded or gold and white
or gold and green basket, as their centers
are gold and green and leaves a brilliant
scarlet. Have smaller flowers for the small
tables; the scarlet fish geranum massed
in the center, with the green leaves form
ing border, scarlet carnations and aspara-
gus ferns; the new scarlet begona may be
used. Red candles with red shades If a
plain white damask cloth is used. But
when the embroidered or lace lunch cloths
are on the effect is more pleasing when the
candles are unshaded. The glow reflected
on the polished mahogany gives you that
pleasing and cosy family feeling that made
our granddame's lunch or tea table so
charming.
The arrangement of the candles is some
thing to consider. too. Single candlesticks
are the most desirable for small tables and
these may be grouped in twos, if small, at
either end of an oblong table, or in threeS
if the table is round. For a small square
table, placed near each corner as they
should not be too directly in front of the
guests when SO near.
Small dishes of bonbons, salted nuts can
died fruits, pimolas, Chinese chou-chou etc
will help decorate the table. The menu or
guest cards must take some form of a
he CT hpr ty1ral
even tWenty-four each one may have
card to represent a month, with sappropri-
ate decoration and verse-having a differ
ent couplet If the cards are duplicated.
The Menu.
If a luncheon and not an elaborate din
ner is served do not have more than one
very cold dish, such as an ice. No matter
how cosy your rooms may be, there are
many who have a sensation of chilliness if
the luncheon has more than gentle hint
of winter SHOWS and ice.
Creamed fish in cucumber cases make a
dainty and attractive dish for a New Year
luncheon. When fish and lobster is not OBJ
tainable, as is often the case at a distance
from the city markets, there is always
chicken to fall back upon for dainty little
creations for the luncheon. Chicken a la
royal served in delicate cases of French
batter are delicious. These are made of
the white meat Of chicken, or better still,
turkey, cut into small cubes and mixed with
well-seasoned tomato sauce and few green
peas added. ..--..s-- -. = -..-
A tomato jelly salad can be made from
canned tomatoes that is: a pretty addition
to these holiday menus. This is made firm
enough to set with gelattne.. Oyster dew
lied crab meat, lobster and chicken salad
may be encased in this jelly and set in in
dividual molds and served for these lunch
cons. Ice creams or cold puddings should
be in the guise OF snowballs or drifts and
if they disclose a glowing heart Of red or
centers of gold they are all the more de-
lightful. Red maraschino cherries may be
used for small ices-when frozen creams are
not possible. These may be put in small
long-Stemmed glasses and whipped cream
heaped roughly on top.
A pretty conceit for little cakes to serve
with this course is to break off large round
crumbs of golden sponge cake or angel food
and dip them in pink. green and white boil
ed icing or fondant, until they are we'll COW
cred; lay them on oiled paper to dry;
little grated cocoanut may be sprinkled
over the white and green to represent snow.
Butter strudel With Prunes.
Make a batter with one pint Of milk, four
whole eggs and yolks Of two, half a level
teaspoonful of salt and flour enough to
make batter consistency of pancake bat
ter. Butter pie tins and pour in a thin
layer of the batter and bake. Have ready
some stewed prunes, stoned and mashed
grated lemon peel. Have this hot and
spread 1t over the cake as soon as 1t is
baked; roll up Immediately. Serve with
powdered sugar.
Cheap Black Cake.
Beat one cup of butter with one cup of
brown sugar until creamy; add two well
beaten eggs, one cup of cold coffee, three
fourths of a cup of molasses, one cup of
seeded raisins. cup of currants, quar-
ter of pound of citron shredded and a tea
spoonful each of ground cloves, allspice and
cinnamon sifted with four cups of Drowned
flour and two teaspoonfuls of baking DOW
der. Mix the fruit in with the butter and
sugar instead of Touring it to prevent the
fruit from sinking when'brown flour Is used
in the cake. A little flour may be required
to make the batter stiff, as browning the
Hour Injuries the thickening property
Pound Plum Cake
Rub pound of butter to a cream with
a pound of sifted sugar powdered Beat
to a cream nine egg yolks and add to,
sugar and butter. Then a half Gun Of
brandy. the juice of an orange and lemon.
pound of seeded raisins, a pound of cur
rants. half pound of shredded citron and
lemon and one and one-quarter pounds
of flour measured after Sitting. Bake in a
slow oven. Soak the fruit in the hran