The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-26

INQUIRIES ADDRESSED.

most desirable and suitable for the
busy, restless American, is the house,
party. This gathering should be as
| far as possible from a formal or FASH
| ionable one, but be more of family as-
sembly from far and near, an "at
home" day to ones own people, and
| the neighbor without a home, who finds
| 1t hard to be thankful for the good
times he sees but is not partaker
| thereof.
| A Thanksgiving house party has ad-
vantages over the Christmas gather
| ing, as in most sections the seasons all
| low outdoor entertainment for the guest
and there is yet abundant materials for
| the decoration of the house which are
| inexpensive and appropriate. Guests
| who arrive early will enjoy taking part
| in an expedition In search of the au-
tumn leaves, hardy ferns, laurel, red
| berries and such available materials;
and also find pleasure in arranging
| these afterward. This gives the
"homey feeling so grateful to the
world weary, and also relieves the hos
| tess very materially if she is too busy
| with other matters to assume this re-
sponsibility. The long-sghted home
maker will provide for this exigency.
in measure, during her summer ram
bles in the country: but nature helps
even the less provident by furnishing
| the rich, brilliant autumn colors IN
| fruit and vegetable and nuts, and the
| chrysanthemums are most essentially
the Thanksgiving flower
The Thanksgiving Dinner.
However elaborate and elegant the
dinner may be, there must be certain
| indispensables on the Thanksgiving
menu. The turkey, of course, as every
body associates the two most naturally
as being peculiarly American. And the
pumpkin pie, the golden crown of this
generous banquet, must not be omit
ted, or the piquant little cranberry,
which doubtless was discovered by our
New England forbears, in the marshes
of Cape Cod. Neither must the crisp,
| refreshing celery be forgotten as it has
a close affinity with the toothsome
Turk Baked potatoes. white and
sweet, apple pie, nuts, raisins and cof-
fee: all these make dinner simple,
| wholesome, appetizing and in keeping
with the day. More may be added If
one wishes to display lavishness rather
than good taste or regard for hygienic
laws, but more cannot be as honestly
enioyed from the oldest to the youngest
guest. With the simpler viands none
need be debarred on account of rich
ness or indigestibility.
The wife and mother who is the work.
ing housekeeper as well, is unjust to
herself, her family and her guests If
| she undertakes a more elaborate din
ner than her time, strength and re-
sources allow. That all may enjoy the
dinner prepared by mothers hands, and
she herself not be too tired to further
add to the pleasure of the occasion by
eating. and enjoying, as we'll as taxi
ing part in the lively conversation or
the table, let everything be simplified
as much as possible, so that there be no
confusion to make the guest conscious
of an effort to furnish entertainment.
OYSTERS on the half shell may appro-
priately take the place of soup, and
serve as fish course as well. This
course entails so little trouble where it
is possible to obtain the unopened oys-
ters from the dealer. who will deliver
them opened on the half shell, packed
on cracked ice, at stated time, charg-
ing perhaps. an extra ten cents per doz-
en- which any busy housewife will
gladly pay. When ready to serve the
oysters requires but a few seconds to
remove them from the ice to chilled
plate. half a dozen oysters for each
guest. and place the half of a lemon
and spray of parsley or cress in the
center. Vinegar, catsup and pepper
sauce may be placed on the table for
those who season their oysters with
these, and prefer to eat them as a
cocktail.
Cranberry jelly may be made days"
before it is needed and will be all the
better for standing. The turkey is inn
proved, if the weather is cool enough,
by stuffing and trussing it at least d
day previous to its roasting, as the sea-
soning in the dressing permeates the