Evening star., 1951-10-30
Readers CIeorinq
House
Conducted by BETSY CASNyELL
HALLOWEEN PARTY.


This is to Mrs. J. D. r.. who
requested help with games for a
Halloween party for children aged
2 to S. The most appealing
game I know for young children
is the breaking of a pineta as is
done in Mexico. OF course, the
pinetas used in Mexico are made
Of rough pottery and filled with
an assortment of candies and
prizes, but a bought or home
made pineta Of crepe paper over
a light wire frame is much easier
for the children to break. You
might make a frame in the shape
Of pumpkin, leaving an opening
at the top. Attach a string for
hanging to the dining room light
fixture or other suitable place,
cover with orange paper and then
fill with candy corn. Each child
is blindfolded and given his turn
to see if he can break the pineta
with stick or broom handle.
When the pineta breaks the chill
dren scramble to pick up the
candies.
1t is very difficult to combine
children of the ages 2 to S
for games and believe that you
would have better party if you
avoided organized games. When
the children first come you might
have them sit in circle and each
stand and tell what kind of a cos
tune he is wearing. Then follow
that with the pineta breaking.
Allow time for the children to ad-
mire and eat some of their can
dies. then turn the lights down
while you read a suitable Hallow-
cen story. While you are read
ing the story, a helper can be
readying the refreshments which
should be served right after the
story. If things are kept moving
along the children will not get out
OF hand. Your party will be
short and sweet. leaving neither
the hostess nor children overly
tired.
In answer to your question
concerning the use of apples on
sticks-I would substitute stick
candy for the wooden skewers.
CRIB PROBLEM;
SKIRT PROBLEM?
From Mrs. T. F., Arlinoton.J
II you have one crib at your
parents you could take your play
pen for the other baby to sleep in.
I found this very satisfactory
when my children were small.
Blankets can be folded under
meath the regular pad to make it,
more comfortable. Also a sheet,
can be fastened around the out
side to keep drafts of.
Can any one suggest a way to-
lengthen plaid skirt which has
no hem? On plain colored skirts
l have seen contrasting colors in
serted, but did not know what to-
do to a plaid.
POT ROAST.
from Mrs. r. j., SilUer Sprino.)
Mrs. w.. Falls Church: The per-
1ect pot roast is cooked this way:
Put a 4-pound roast in an uncov-
cred roaster with salt, pepper and
roast meat seasoning from the
spice rack. Run a toothpick
through a Glove of garlic (the bet
ter to keep track of it, and put
underneath the roast. The garlic
is to be removed before serving
the meat. Cook at $50 degrees
three to three and one-half hours. |
I add no water or fat. You can
turn once and cover after adding
a little hot water during the last
part Of cooking and after it has
Drowned. but this is not neces-
sary. This old-time way brings
out all the flavor.
\
RAINY DAY?
(Frona Mrs. r. F. K, Washington
After a rainy day like today I'm
about to go crazy. How do the
rest Of you cope with pre-school
children on days when they must
stay in? What kind of indoor ac-
tivities are suitable for children
ages 81 months and 3 years to
keep them out Of mischief and
from fighting?
I've enjoyed the discussions on
Sunday dinners and have got a
lot Of help and ideas from them.
Sunday will really be a day of
rest from now on thanks to RICH. I