Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-27

Entert aiming need not be any expense
if you have time to sec to details per-
sonally. OF course you will wish to have
pretty decorations, and at this season you
can get lovely characterization for the pick
ing If you have no garden OF your own
take trolley trip into the country In al
most any direction and bring back with
you big armful Of blackberry leaves and
vines, goldenrOd, sumac, wild asters,
pokeweed, oak leaves, and all that Is
pretty, save the poison ivy. which you
can distinguish from the woodbine by
the three leaves instead of five.
Get your husband or some friend to go
with you TO help in bringing back the
lovely waysde plumber, for you Will have
your arms full. a pair of shears or Il
knife and ball Of cord will be neces-
sary. to save your hands and patience.
These decorations can be gathered day
or two before your affair, as they will
keep if put in the bathtub or any, large
vessel of water. If you have Il porch. set
big lars of the wild flowers there, i'll
front of the fireplace, on the newell posts
or tops OF bookcases.
The ordinary gray and blue butter jars
make decorative borders for massing
flowers If you serve u luncheon you will
have to set a more elaborate table than
for simple lat home For the latter
you would have your dining table prettily
set with either dOilieS or your finest cloth.
with pretty centerpiece of vines and
flowers. At one end have the coffee urn
and service, and at the other the tea or
chocolate pot OF course, in this case,
you would ask some of your friends to
pour tea, etc, for you, so you would be
at liberty to receive your guests. Other
guests will assist you and themselves in
serving There should be plates of dainty
ca three varieties
sailed nuts, bonbons, small cakes. olives
and, If you desire to go to the expense, a
frappe ice
This latter is not necessary and is a
bother to serve if you have no maid. If
the day is exceptionally hot punch can
be served in place of the coffee, and the
tea may be iced. serving 1t with lemon
If you have punch bowl, wreath 1t with
vine leaves. Ii you have no vine in your
own garden. get some of the wild grape
branches while you are out in the coun-
try. Any fruit punch will answer, but a
grape punch would be specially timely
now At charming lat home attended
last season there were clusters of white
grapes hanging over the edges of the
punch bowl, and the tea carriage was
rolled about to enable each guest to help
herself to seasonings, cakes and bonbons
Your sailed nuts you can easily make
at home also your mtntS II you prefer 10
make rather than buy.
Wear your prettiest gown, don't worry,
be your own sweet natural self and make
every one feel at home. II you have some
friend who will play or sing for your
guests it will add much to the pleasure,
but it is not All essential.
Should you prefer a luncheon instead Of
an "at home" this may be served on
small tables placed informally about the
rooms, or buffet luncheon may be served
the guests as they stand or sit. In the
dining room have the table spread and
decorated. On the buffet have the plates.
knives. forks, etc, for the different
courses. Plates may be passed filled with
the different courses, or the plates may
first be passed and the food follow on a
platter. For this you can serve bouillon
or consomme in cups. an entree of oys-
tiers in ramikins. then broiled chicken or
chops with fancy potatoes and string
beans. next q fruit salad in orange cups
with ices cake and coffee. This, of
course will necessitate having some. out
side help.
Let me give you directions for delec-
table punches. for sailing your almonds
at home and making mints.