FoodNetArchive

The standard book of recipes and housewife's guide, comprising as complete cook book

1901

Page 104

Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Another very useful form is to make for the window garden a box, in length equal to the width of the window, six or eight inches wide and eight inches deep. The box should be lined with zinc and filled with sand or light mold. Not more than six or eight plants should be used in an ordinary window-garden box. In winter time the plants should be carefully protected at night from the frost caused by tlie falling of the temperature of the room. This may be 451 84 THE MODEL COOK BOOK easily done by putting heavy paper between the plants and the window. Decorations for Public and Festive Occasions. It is desirable to decorate rooms for both public and private occasions, such as anni- versary days and festal days. Decorations intended to instil patriotism are frequently used on Children's Day, Washington's Birthday and the Fourth of July. The national flag is always a prominent feature. The platform, or stage, or the part of the room to be used for the entertainment, is made the centre of the decorations. Flowers, palms and vines are always beautiful, and their arrangement depends upon the taste of the parties directing the same. It must not be overlooked that even the most common flowers and plants form the prettiest decora- tions. Although the farmer may fight the daisy as a nuisance in the field, yet the dec- orator will find that it makes one of the most beautiful decorations, either bunched together or in chains, woven around walls and furniture. Wedding Occasions. No wedding would be complete unless there were decorations in the parlor or church where the marriage ceremony takes place, and also of the dining-room and table where the breakfast or dinner is served. There are many happy suggestions for such occasions. It is customary to decorate the church by running arches, made of flowers and vines, over the aisle along which the bridal procession takes place. Festoons may be hung from the ceiling in artistic lines. Care should be taken that harmony in arrangement prevails, and one part is not decorated at the expense of another. Potted plants are always beautiful in decor- ating the platform and pulpit and for tables and window ledges. White ribbon, either in bows, or nicely looped, adds also to the effectiveness of the decorations. Decorating the Table. For bridal or festive occasions very simple and pretty decorations may be made by the arrangement of a few flowers on the table and good taste in arranging the china, 452 the silver, and the linen. It should not be overlooked that too much decoration is worse than no decoration at all, and the effectiveness is often lost by carelessness in arranging one or two small items. Sym- metry and harmony should not be lost sight of. The color effect should be left to per- sons who have " an eye for color." Fancy Work for Leisure Hours. In these days of household leisure taste in common art has developed, and we care much more than did our grandparents about surrounding ourselves with things of beauty. The struggle of life was harder for them, and they had little time to adorn tables and chairs, arrange artistic effects in rooms, and make windows and walls rich with color and fair with soft drapery. Embroidery.