The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-11-13
(By BEATRICE HALL)

Making meals attractive is not a difficult job and it does enhance even c very simple meal. The state- ment that we eat first with our eyes is certainly true. Study a formal tea table if you do not believe 1t. The striking effect of the silver, flowers and lighted candles gives one a pleasing sense ofenjoyment and a feeling of certainty that the food will be delicious. The tiny sandwiches and cakes commonly found at a tea. cannot compare with the delectable dinners often served at home. but the ceremony and at- tractive table make for gala oc- casion and sure enjoyment.
 There are very few homemakers who have the time UT energy to dress the family dinner up to the tea table style. This is not neces- sary or desirable for an everyday activity. The trouble with most of us is that we are apt to put all our energies into attractive food and service for guests and let the family go along in the usual way. A home maker often overlooks the fact that her husband and children are prin- arily the ones to be pleased. She may prepare wholesome food, but if 1t does not have appeal, 1t lacks the spark to make 1t really desirable. Many people feel that centerpiece means a bouquet of flowers, which, during most of the year is prohibit- ed by its cost: Even though such a decoration IS attractive, there are many others which cost little, yet which add note of decoration. The fruits which have been purchased for breakfast can be used to great advantage as @ centerpiece for the dinner table. This time of year there are grapes, oranges, bright red apples, bananas, and other colorful fruits, all of which are ideal table decorations. The greens of different vegetables can often used to great advantage. Asparagus fern and car- rot tops are examples. It would be difficult to use these alone, but in combination with an inexpensive hardy flower, will give @ pleasing effect.
 Besides arranging the centerpiece attractively, the food itself should be prepared in Q way to attract the eye. This, of course, is far more important than having center dec- oration so perhaps should have been given first consideration. It is not hard to make food attractive for nature has made 1t Q thing of beauty. The human hand can do much to spoil this beauty, so let there be a few precautions. Take care in color combinations. This does not mean that you must take 1 the same care in putting colors to- gether, as you do with your clothes. It does mean to avoid such unin. teresting, although thoroughly good combinations, as mashed potatoes, caulifiower and codfish. All the foods are white and certainly would not attract the eye first. The use of a green vegetable or a brown baked potato with plenty of butter and paprika would make the plate more deserving of attention.
 We all know that salads are not only nutritious, but are often de- pended upon to brighten up the dinner table. This is an excellent plan, but take care that the salad Is not fiattened on the plate but IS arranged in g cup shape. A good rule is to try to have each salad . picture in itself.
 No rule can ever be set on just how to serve food. There are cer- tain conventional ways that it may be done, but the Ideas of every inc dividual homemaker, although she
 may follow the general plan, will help to make her table attractive. Let her keep in the hack of her mind the idea that every table should pFsent a beautiful picture