Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-05-03
SUMMERTIME LEISURE.
nv Macy ANNABLE FANToN.

| BN MANY ANNApsAG HAAsfAN~'H
| Women who are their own home
makers, and who at the same time like 10
enjoy outdoor life or rest in the summer
| time which is the case with so many in
| telligent American women arc often per-
picked how to accomplish both work and
play in Just 'the few hours" the modern
day seems to allow.
| You see, the house must be pretty and
coy, there must be eool, dainty summer
frocks, one must help at bsssars and testi-
walls, there are always some relatives or
| friends to be entertained when the conn
try is lovely. and then where does time for
rest and amusement come Ing
The very first and most important way
TO save time in the summer is TO work
less, to simplify certain indoor duties, ms
many as possible without marring the
smoothness Of domestic routine.
Pack away heavy curtains and rugs,
cover Up upholstered furniture, and then
run the dining room on the simplest basis
adaptable TO daintiness and wholesome
ness.
Put away in the farthermost corners OF
the buffet drawers al tablecloths and fine
| tinted silk centre pieces. Have the din
ing-table waxed and rubbed, and set it
with simple little doiliss and platter
pieces. with centre space always for
ferns and flowers.
This share table" idea is going TO be
very fashionable, not merely for luncheon
this summer. but for three meals, and a
table can be made very decorative by set
ting it smartly, and using plenty OF
flowers from meadows and woods.
II you have the cheapest sort of old
| blue and white willow-ware, your bare
table will become positively artistic.
Next to the bare table with its saving OF
time and labor, ranks the simple, right
| method Of washing glasses and silver.
| MANY housewives are ultra fastidious in
| the care OF their own dishes, few are
| careless, and only few are sure that the
easiest way is the best.
For instance, with glassware all that is
necessary is swift dipping in hot boraS
water, then a quick drying with old linen,
teaspoonfuI of borax to a dishpan OF
water, no soap, nor rinsing. The borax is
cleansing and antiseptic and harmless; it
also polshes the glass and helps the water
to dry easily.
The washing Of the dolies and napkins
can be accomplished with much the same
ease and swiitness. No boiling or rub
bing is necessary, just the dipping up and
down in borax suds, and single rinsing
| in clear warm water, then the quick press
| ing on the wrong side before they are
quite dry. This cleaning in boraS water
| will take out fruit and tea-stains without
the insidious injury that acid is bound to
work.
| II is of course a great mistake to think
| that mere baroness and hleakness will
keep house attractive because il is cool.
II is necessary 10 make up to the eye that
misses upholstery and rich rugs, by
growing flowers, pots Of ferns and palms
and by cut flowers everywhere.
The simplicity must be artistic, not
bleak; the changes must appeal to the
! masculine eye as improvements, not les
SEEMING OF home comforts II a house
looks cool and uncrowded, with pleasant
colors about, and refreshing flowers OF
''green things growing, no mere man will
fret about wool curtains and carpets. lie
| won't, ten to one, know there is a change
He will just think it's pleasant day, OF
his wife is pretty, or that summer after all
| is the incest season of the year.
And .swifen will be pretty. because she
is resting and living more out OF doors
and picnieking or playing golf, or tennis
or just eheerfuily rocking on the dainty
porch-all made possible by these easier
ways of working.