Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-02-10
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN.
Correspondence on topics Of interest 70 TIE hdie;
IA solIcited. Address: Editor H0n1nAKkH1
CoTUnN, Oxford Democrat, South Paris. No

oorraspondence on topics of interest 70 the Ad1e!
Ia solicited. Address: Editor Honln!KtHs -
COLUMN, Oxford Democrat, South Psriss No
Uaintiness In the Home Table.
Simplicity of decoration and d.inti.
ness In table appointments should be OF
chief importance to the hostess who
takes pleasure In entertaining. whether
the meal be served to two persons or 70
q dozen. The simplest sort OF repast
II prettily served 10 preferable to the
most elaborate meal where there ID no
attention paid to correct detail. In tho
effort TO sustain her reputation a. IA
nous cook many Q woman Is apt to over
load her table with things to eat, there
by detracting from its dainty appear
ance.
In setting pretty table the first thing
to consider, of course, 10 the linen, for
nothing makes or mars the appearance
as much as this particular item OF table,
cloth and napkins. Even If ono cannot
afford to use handsome linen for the
family table three times day 1t Is a.
WAYS possible to have at least two or
three sets of good quality, and with the
fashion of using bare table with center.
piece and doilies for breakfast and
luncheon the tablecloths are subjected
to 90 little wear that few OF good quail
isy and pretty design will last long
time. With nicely Numbered damask
cloth and napkins for dinner, and set
of doilies as plain or as elaborate as may
be practical, with hemstitched napkins
twelve or fifteen inches square for lunch.
con and supper, the hostess may feei
sure that that part of her service, ~
least, Is correct.
For dinner, nothing but white In the
way of table linen should be used, ana
a csnterpiece IL not at all necessary, al
though a pretty one done entirely 10
white Is permissible. Colors are used
on the table for breakfast, luncheon or
supper and some Of the newly imported
breakfast cloths have quite elaborate
colored borders that are repeated 10 the
napkins. Colors are also SEED In the
sets of centerpieces and doilies to be
used on bare table, but the hands"m'
est of these are invariably all white.
A pretty and inexpensive set suitable
for the Sunday night supper or for
ysry informal luncheon is made OF the
same material as the Japanese toweling
in blue and white-net of strips OF tow
cling put together with q fancy stitcn,
but large square in Q pretty design,
with q wide blue band as border, and
doilies to match. These sets launder
beautifully, make no pretense at De-
ing anything but blue and white Japan
ESQ cotton stuff, and provide pleasing
change for occasional meals, particular
" if one has some blue and white china
with which to set the table.
Flowers for the table and candles Tor
use at dinner or supper are OF course
matters of individual taste, but both
give decidedly festive appearance with
out necessarily adding much to the ex'
pense. An elaborate array OF cut now
CTS is not at all indispensable to pretty
table, for just few blossoms or q bit OF
green will be quite sufficient II tastefuiiy
arranged. A fashion borrowed from the
Japanese is that of using as center
piece fiat, shallow dish filled with
water, In the middle Of this is placed
little flower holder containing a number
of holes, in which the stems OF a few
flowers are inserted. Sometimes this
little holder is OF bronze In the shape OF
a crab or turtle, sometimes OF glass or
bronze, shaped like box. One OF these
holding six or eight long-stemmed bios
SONS Of jonquils or iris or narcissus
makes most artistic centerpiece for the
table at com paratively little cost.
Glass candlesticks are now made In
such pretty designs, and numberless vari'
cites of attractive candleshades can be
bought or made at home so inexpensive
ly that there is no reason why candles
should not be used on the table as a gen.
eral thing, and not only for state occa-
sions. Candle.light is much softer and
pre,tier than any other kind, particular
ly when it comes through dainty shades,
and the effect is just as good when the
candlesticks are of glass and the mex
pensive shades are of cretonne or paper
as when an elaborate silk-shaded candel-
bra adorns the center Of the table. For
q small, circular table two candles are
sufficient If tho light is augmented by a
top light turned rather low, while four
are necessary for larger table, and may
be placed either in the form of square
near the edges of the table, or around
the flower centerpiece.
Daiutiness in individual service 10 an.
other important item to be considered
when one is entertaining. Even for q
small function, where there are few
guests, it is usually easier and much
more effective to have the salad and des-
sert courses brought In on individual
plates than to serve from one large dish
at the table, and when this 10 done there
is opportunity for the arrangement Of
most attractive looking dishes.
Salads In any form, whether combi'
nation of several kinds Of fruit with may
onnaise or French dressing, or tomato
jelly with may onuaise or simply plain
lettuce leaves with cream cheese can be
prettily served on the individual plates
so that they are feast for the eye as
we'll as for the appetite. Paprika, or
Hungarian sweet pepper, Is one of the
most important ingredients fora pretty
salad, for when used in French dressing
| it gives decided red color, while balls
of cream cheese moistened slightly with
olive oil and rolled In paprika are not
only good to eat but make most effect.
I've garnish.
With the general use Of the little glass
cups or compotes that may be had with
either long or short stems, for ice-cream
and other desserts, 1t is possible to serve
the individual portions in the daintiest
sort of way. They are brought to the
table on plates. and on each plate under
the cup 10 lace dolly, II one has them;
il not, the pretty lace paper doilies that
come in number of attractive designs
may be used. There is practically no
end to the number of desserts including
jellies, cutstards, whipped cream and
ices that can be served prettily in this
way, and the little glass cups are so In.