,breakfasts and ,teas ,,novel ,,suggestions ,,for ,,social ,,occasions ,compiled by ,,paul ,,pierce ,editor and ,publisher of ,what to ,eat1 the ,national ,food ,magazine4 ,superintendent of ,food ,exhibits at the ,st4 ,louis ,worlds's ,fair4 ,honorary ,commissioner of ,foods at the ,jamestown ,exposition4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,chicago ,,brewer1 ,,barse ,,co4 ,copyrighted #aijg by ,,paul ,,pierce ,,to ,,women ,,editors4 ,in appreciation of the many favorable press notices and high editorial comment given to my previous efforts in the compilation of books on suggestions for entertaining and in the publication of my magazine1 ,what ,to ,eat1 this book on ,breakfasts and ,teas1 is inscribed4 ,full well ,i realize the difficulties under which most ,women ,editors labor in their duty of suggesting new ideas for entertaining1 and ,i hold a sincere appreciation for the good they perform in elevating the women of our country to a higher plain of civilization4 ,when the woman is done with the school room and finds herself in the social whirl it is then she begins to see that she has another and very important course of learning to acquire and forthwith she submits herself to the tutorage of the editor of the woman's page4 ,no school teacher of the world has such a large class to instruct as this woman editor4 ,her pupils are numbered by the thousands and tens of thousands and hundreds of thousands4 ,the knowledge she must impart is not of the kind that has been set down by past generations and which once learned suffices as a supply for all future dispensations4 ,it is a knowledge of the day1 which is constantly changing and which must be gleaned each day for the lessons of the morrow4 ,this little book embraces the latest information on the title it bears1 and all herein contained1 that may be of help to the woman editor1 she is welcome to use if she will comply with the publisher's rule of giving the proper credit to the volume4 ,,publisher',s ,,announcement4 ,breakfast and ,teas is a companion book to that most interesting and helpful series of social works compiled by ,paul ,pierce1 publisher of ,what ,to ,eat1 the ,national ,food ,magazine1 and the world's authority on all problems pertaining to the drawing room and the table4 ,the other books are ,dinners and ,luncheons1 ,parties and ,entertainments1 ,suppers1 and ,weddings and ,wedding ,celebrations4 ,the contents of each volume are selected with especial regard for the extent of their helpfulness for the perplexed hostess4 ,the instructions that are given will afford suggestions for all the different kinds of social functions the host or hostess ever will have occasion to give or to attend1 and therefore all the volumes combined will furnish a veritable library for the person who entertains or who attends entertainments1 and no person with a regard for correct social forms should fail to be supplied with all five of the books4 ,in the directions special attention is given to the suggestions afforded for other kinds of entertainments1 so that in each entertainment described the reader will find ideas for a dozen or more entertainments of a similar nature4 ,,contents ,,chapter ,i4 ,breakfasts at ,high ,noon--,typical ,breakfast ,menu--,breakfast ,decorations--,two ,bride-,elect ,breakfasts--,silver ,wedding ,day ,breakfast--,a ,family ,breakfast--,light ,informal ,breakfast4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,two ,bon ,voyage ,breakfasts--,who ,takes the ,cake8--,breakfast and ,tea for ,christmas or ,thanksgiving4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,a ,cuban ,breakfast4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,spring and ,autumn ,breakfasts--,april ,breakfast--,a ,maypole ,breakfast--,may ,breakfast--,an ,autumn ,breakfast--,a ,musical ,romance--,a ,red ,rose ,breakfast--,chrysanthemum ,breakfast--,pond ,lily ,breakfast--,a ,tulip ,breakfast--,a ,grape ,breakfast--,woman's ,club ,breakfast--,breakfast al ,fresco4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,the ,modern ',five ,o',clock' ,tea--,an ,afternoon ,tea--,telling ,fortunes by ,teagrounds4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,scotch ,teas--,a ,gypsy ,tea ,out of ,doors4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,japanese ,teas4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,two ,valentine ,teas4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,a ,grandmother's ,tea ,party--,an ,april ,fool ,tea--,a ,colonial ,tea--,pretty ,rose ,tea--,omber ,shades of ,rose--,a ,bouquet ,tea--,spring ,planting--,a ,high ,tea--,book-,title ,teas--,patriotic ,tea--,debut ,tea--,yellow ,tea--,a ,candle-,light ,tea--,a ,flower ,tea--,an ,exchange ,tea--,a ,watermelon ,tea4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,unique ,ideas for ,teas--,a ,chocolatiere--,a ,kaffee ,klatch--,a ,rushing ,tea for ,sorority--,sandwiches for ,teas--,novelties in ,tea ,serving--,summer ,porch ,tea ,parties4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,breakfasts ,,at ,,high ,,noon4 ,a ,,very ,,swell ,,repast ,,for ,a ,,swagger ,,set4 ,by the operation of one of those laws of occult force1 the power of which we feel while we are totally ignorant of its rules1 we fix upon the noonday as the time for some of our chief social functions4 ,as a matter of fact we are at our best at this time of the day1 both physically and mentally2 and we naturally choose it for our special entertainments and enjoyments4 ,one of the chief of these is the noonday breakfast1 which meets several social demands4 ,it is the proper service for the return of nearly every obligation in the form of hospitality which may have been received by the giver during the closing season4 ,this noonday breakfast very much resembles the morning breakfast of the ,french country-house in the variety of foods4 ,this repast always is most attractive to an ,american because of its informality1 and the viands are enticing4 ,this morning breakfast of the ,parisian is really like a little dinner1 and that is what we wish to serve to meet all the varied obligations that are to be wiped out by an artistic and choice return entertainment1 whether it be called luncheon or noonday breakfast4 ,when a luncheon or noonday breakfast by formal invitation is given1 the service is identical with that of dinner a la ,russe1 and the bill of fare similar1 although less extended2 but the pleasantest repasts are those where perfect service is secured without formality4 ,first1 the table3 ,lay it as carefully as for dinner and in much the same way1 save that an embroidered or delicately colored cloth may replace the white dinner linen2 under this cloth lay the usual thick one of felt or ,canton flannel4 ,the small dessert and fruit1 flowers and relishes1 may form a part of the table decoration4 ,now that castors are seldom used1 unless of fine old silver and ornamental form1 place conveniently about the table salt1 pepper1 the oil and vinegar stand1 and the table sauces in their original bottles set in silver holders4 ,olives1 salted almonds1 cheese-straws and sandwiches may be put upon the table in pretty china1 silver and glass ornamental dishes2 in short1 all save the hot dishes may form part of the ornamentation4 ,hot plates are required for all the food except the raw shell-fish1 salad and dessert1 and should be ready for immediate use1 together with a reserve of silver1 or means for washing it4 ,the coffee service may be laid before the hostess or upon the side table1 at convenience2 chocolate is similarly served1 and is a favorite breakfast beverage1 especially when it is made with eggs1 after the ,mexican method4 ,tea is not on the regulation breakfast list1 but of course it may be served if it is desired4 ,cider1 malt liquors1 the lighter wines1 and in summer the various cups or fruit punches are in order2 the breakfast wines are sherry1 hock or ,rhine wine1 sauterne and champagne2 and when a variety is served the preference of each guest is ascertained by the attendant before filling the glasses4 ,,breakfast ,,menu4 ,the following is an excellent bill of fare for a noonday breakfast3 ,little ,neck ,clams ,cold ,wine ,soup ,angels on ,horseback ,chicken ,patties ,newberg ,lobster ,green ,peas with ,new ,turnips ,grape ,fruit ,sherbet ,broiled ,birds with ,orange ,salad ,white ,custards ,cannelons with ,jelly ,strawberries in ,cream ,black ,coffee ,for a simple repast for a few persons1 two relishes may be omitted1 only one entree being served2 then the sherbet1 the birds1 and one desert1 with coffee2 this combination would make a most acceptable small breakfast4 ,blue ,point ,oysters1 as all small oysters are called1 may be used in their season1 in place of the clams4 ,both are of much dietetic value1 the clams being the most stimulating and nutritious1 and the oysters the most tonic and digestible4 ,the cold wine soup is a valuable tonic nutrient2 and each dish possesses some special value of its own4 ,,cold ,,wine ,,soup4 ,wash quarter of a pound of fine sago in cold water1 put it over the fire in two quarts of cold water1 and boil it gently until the grains are transparent2 then dissolve with it half a pound of fine sugar1 add a very little grated nutmeg1 a dust of cayenne1 and an even teaspoonful of salt2 when the sugar is melted add a bottle of claret1 and as much cold water as is required to make the soup of an agreeable creamy consistency2 cool it before serving4 ,,angels ,,on ,,horseback4 ,this is one of the gastronomic inspirations of ,urbain ,dubois1 the chef of the great ,emperor of ,germany4 ,remove all bits of shell from fine oysters and lay them upon a clean towel2 cut as many slices of thin bacon1 about the size of the oysters2 run them alternately upon bright metal skewers1 dust them with cayenne1 lay the skewers between the bars of a double-wire grid-iron1 and broil the angels over a quick fire until the bacon begins to crisp2 then transfer the skewers to a hot dish garnished with lemon and parsley1 or with cresses1 and send at once to table4 ,in serving1 a skewerful of angels is laid upon a hot plate1 and the eater removes them with a fork4 ,the success of this dish depends upon the rapidity with which it is cooked and served4 ,,chicken ,,patties4 ,the housewife is advised to procure the cooked patty cases at the baker's shops1 ready to be heated and filled with the following ragout4 ,for a dozen patties remove the bones and skin from a pint bowlful of the white meat of cold boiled or roasted chicken1 and cut it into one-half inch pieces4 ,open a can of mushrooms1 save the liquor1 and cut the mushrooms about the size of the chicken2 put over the fire in a saucepan a tablespoonful each of butter and flour1 stir them until they are smoothly blended2 then gradually stir in the mushroom liquor and enough milk to make a sauce which should be as thick as cream after it has boiled2 add the chicken and mushrooms1 a palatable seasoning of salt and pepper2 place the saucepan in a pan containing boiling salted water and keep hot until it is time to fill the hot patty cases and serve them4 ,,green ,,peas ,,with ,,new ,,turnips4 ,peal about a dozen new turnips of medium size1 boil them until tender in salted boiling water2 meanwhile smoothly mix in a saucepan a tablespoonful each of butter and flour1 and gradually stir in a pint of milk4 ,open a can of ,french peas1 drain them1 run cold water through them1 draining again1 and heat them in the sauce1 seasoning them palatably with salt and white pepper4 ,when the turnips are tender scoop a hollow in the center of each1 fill it with peas1 and arrange them upon the rest of the peas on a hot shallow dish4 ,,typical ,,breakfast ,,menu4 ,here is a typical breakfast menu3 ,grape fruit1 plain or prepared by removing the center and putting in it a spoonful of rum and a lump of sugar2 some cereal with cream or fruit2 a chafing dish preparation1 oysters in some way1 mushrooms1 or eggs1 or a mixture on toast2 hot bread of some kind1 waffles1 corn cakes1 pancakes1 flannel cakes1 etc42 coffee and coffee cake4 ,,breakfast ,,decorations4 ,the sunburst done in one color is a very popular design for summer hostesses4 ,suppose one is giving a pond lily breakfast4 ,in the center of the table have a cut glass bowl of the lilies4 ,from beneath the bowl radiate long streamers of pale green ribbon ending at the plates of the guests with name cards decorated with the lilies cut out of watercolor paper4 ,half way between the bowl and the plate1 the ribbon is knotted about a bouquet of the flowers or a bunch of maidenhair ferns which will become the corsage bouquet of the guest4 ,sometimes several strands of narrower ribbon are used giving more rays2 a very pretty effect4 ,do not have artificial light at a summer breakfast4 ,garden flowers are all the rage1 either one kind or several kinds mixed4 ,coreopsis1 mignonette1 featherfew1 nasturtiums1 lilies1 sweet peas1 geraniums1 all the simple garden flowers are used now in place of the hothouse products4 ,,breakfast ,,to ,,bride-,,elect4 ,,to ,a ,,bride4 ,happy is the bride whom the sun shines on1 ,and happy today are you2 ,may all of the glad dreams you have dreamed ,in all of your life come true2 ,may every good there is in life ,step down from the years to you4 ,there's nothing so sweet as a maid is sweet1 ,on the day she becomes a bride2 ,oh1 the paths that ope to the dancing feet6 ,oh1 the true love by her side6 ,oh1 the gray old world looks a glad old world1 ,and it's fields of pleasure1 wide4 ,a breakfast for a bride-elect can be made very dainty and pretty by following out a pink color scheme1 unless one prefers the more common scheme of white4 ,cover the table with the prettiest1 whitest damask1 and over this lay lace-trimmed or openwork doilies1 with a foundation of pink satin underneath4 ,for flowers have pink begonias 7very pretty and effective71 carnations1 roses1 azaleas or cyclamens4 ,arrange the flowers in a center basket with a large pink butterfly bow on the handle4 ,light the table with pink candles and shades in silver or china candlesticks4 ,have the place cards in heart shapes with pen and ink sketches or watercolors of brides1 or tiny cupids4 ,mark the bride-elect's chair by a large bow of ribbon or a bouquet of pink flowers matching those on the table4 ,if white flowers are used1 lilies of the valley and hyacinths make a pretty bouquet1 tied with white gauze ribbon4 ,serve this menu3 ,grape ,fruit with ,rum and ,cherries ,turkey ,cutlets ,stuffed ,peppers 7,serve on ,heart-,shaped ,pieces of ,bread7 ,tiny ,heart-,shaped ,hot ,rolls ,peach ,mangoes ,sweetbread ,salad in ,tomato ,cups on ,lettuce ,leaf ,cheese ,straws ,ice ,cream in ,shape of ,wedding ,bells ,filled with ,candied ,fruits ,cocoanut ,cake and ,angel ,food in ,heart ,shape ,coffee ,a tiny bouquet of violets tied with gauze ribbon at each plate makes the table pretty and is a dainty souvenir for the guest4 ,sometimes the individual favors are tiny wicker hampers filled with fine flowers tied with white silk cord4 ,,for ,,the ,,bride-,,elect4 ,a white breakfast is the daintiest and prettiest for the bride-elect4 ,have the table decorations in white4 ,for the center have a large round basket of bride roses1 and at each plate tiny ,french baskets filled with maidenhair fern and white pansies1 or apple blossoms1 for individual favors4 ,tie the handle of each basket with white gauze ribbon1 looping the baskets together with the ribbon forming a garland for the table4 ,serve strawberries in large white tulips or bride roses1 and have the ices in form of wedding bells4 ,for name cards have two wedding bells tied with white satin ribbons4 ,,silver ,,wedding ,,day ,,breakfast4 ,for the breakfast the table is crossed by a broad band of white carnations1 sprinkled with diamond dust4 ,arranged in billows over the table is silver gauze1 silver candelabra1 and all the handsome silver1 which the hostess possesses4 ,the menu is3 ,bouillon ,lobster ,cutlets ,tartar ,sauce ,cucumber ,sandwiches ,breast of ,turkey1 larded and broiled ,green ,peas ,current ,jelly ,hot ,rolls ,pear and ,celery ,salad1 with ,german ,cherries served in ,hearts of ,lettuce ,caramel ,ice ,cream1 with ,pecan ,meringue ,old ,madeira is served with the meat course1 then ,sauterne4 ,a ,,family ,,breakfast4 ,grape ,fruit with ,cherries and ,pineapple ,creamed ,fish ,new ,potatoes with ,sauce of ,parsley and ,drawn ,butter ,sliced ,cucumbers ,hot ,biscuits ,fried ,chicken ,asparagus on ,toast ,sweetbreads ,waffles and ,maple ,syrup ,strawberry ,shortcake1 with ,frozen ,whipped ,cream ,coffee ,,light ,,informal ,,breakfast4 ,first serve a fluffy egg omelet with ,saratoga potatoes1 and fish and cheese sandwiches cut in hearts and rings4 ,next cucumber boats filled with cucumber and tomato salad mixed with sour cream dressing1 resting on lettuce leaves4 ,with this an innovation in the shape of square ginger wafers4 ,place by each plate salted almonds and bread and butter on bread and butter plates4 ,the last course is a popular ,new ,england combination1 warm apple sauce and huckleberry muffins4 ,tea is the beverage4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,two ,,bon ,,voyage ,,breakfasts4 ,i take my leave of you ,shall not be long but ,i'll be here again4 ,i4 ,use the national colors for decorations for a bon voyage breakfast4 ,this will remind the guest of honor that ,east1 ,west1 ,hame's ,best4 ,use blue and white hyacinths and red tulips1 carnations or roses and tiny silk flags can be used for place cards4 ,carry out the same idea in the ices1 candies1 etc4 ,one pretty floral decoration for a bon voyage breakfast is a ship and the place cards can have a tiny ocean steamer for decoration4 ,ask each guest to bring some little gift4 ,tie these with tissue paper and baby ribbon1 leaving a long end of the ribbon4 ,make a little bag of flowered chintz or silk and place the gifts inside4 ,have cards labeled ,monday1 ,tuesday1 ,wednesday1 etc41 one for each day of the voyage4 ,slip the end of the ribbon through a card and leave the labeled ends of the ribbons sticking out of the top of the bag4 ,this will give a little remembrance for each day on shipboard1 a very pleasant remembrance too4 ,a packet of ship letters each labeled a certain day1 is another gift much prized by travelers4 ,,ii4 ,have three tables1 with six guests at a table with ,la ,france roses for decorations1 and silver for all the courses laid at each cover4 ,the guest cards are little circular marine water color sketches1 no two alike4 ,the menu is as follows3 ,grape ,fruit with strawberries ,salmon ,croquettes ,fried ,mush ,jelly ,steamed ,chicken ,hot ,rolls ,shoestring ,potatoes ,coffee ,vegetable ,salad ,wafers with ,melted ,cheese ,molded ,cherry ,jelly with ,english ,walnuts1 served with ,whipped ,cream ,sponge ,cakes ,the grape fruit is served in halves with one large strawberry in the center of the fruit4 ,the salmon croquettes are molded in pyramidal form1 a bit of cress laid on the top1 and the mush which has been made the night before is cut in cubes an inch square1 dipped in eggs and cracker dust1 then dropped in deep fat1 the only way to fry mush a delicate brown and preserve its softness4 ,a spoonful of current jelly completes a color scheme4 ,,steamed ,,chicken4 ,grind with a food chopper the meat of two raw chickens and half a pound of pickled pork4 ,add a cup of sifted bread crumbs1 half a cup of thick sweet cream1 half a cup of butter1 half a can of chopped mushrooms1 a little minced parsley1 salt and pepper4 ,mix thoroughly with the hands and put into well greased timbale cups and steam three hours4 ,,sauce4 ,make a sauce for this by mixing the liquor of the mushrooms1 half a cup of cream1 the rest of the mushrooms1 chopped2 heat and thicken with half a cup of cracker dust4 ,serve very hot4 ,,vegetable ,,salad4 ,with the smallest sized potato scoop1 cut out a pint of potato balls about the size of common marbles and boil in salted water until tender4 ,let them cool1 and add a pint of the largest peas1 three stalks of minced celery1 a good sized cucumber cut fine1 ten drops of onion juice4 ,salt and pepper any good cooked dressing1 to which add two large spoonfuls of thick cream and two of olive oil4 ,serve on a lettuce leaf1 pour over the dressing1 and last of all put on the top of the salad three little balls of red pickled beet cut with the potato scoop1 and half embedded in the dressing4 ,make a gelatine jelly1 flavored with juice of two lemons and cherries4 ,serve with whipped cream1 into which beat finely sifted crumbs of three macaroons4 ,,who ,,takes ,,the ,,cake8 ,who takes the cake8 is a most merry-making scheme to assist in entertaining at a breakfast4 ,the hostess provides upon slips of paper1 what may be termed cake-conundrums4 ,these are neatly written and wound upon coarse steel knitting needles into little rolls and tied with baby-ribbon to match the color scheme of the table4 ,these are brought in just after serving the coffee and passed to the guests4 ,the hostess announces that each is to guess the name of the cake suggested on her slip2 adding1 the one who gives the most correct answers wins the prize of a delicious cake4 ,this should be exhibited4 ,the hostess has a list of the answers1 and when one misses the hit1 she reads it aloud to the merriment of the crowd4 ,for instance1 one slip reads3 ,name the ,president's cake4 ,the answer is 7,election74 ,the parenthesis must not appear on the slips4 ,a list recently used1 and very wittily selected1 is given for suggestion3 ,name the ,geologist's cake4 7,mountain47 ,name the ,advertiser's cake4 7,puff47 ,name the ,farmer's cake4 7,corn47 ,name the ,tailor's cake4 7,measure47 ,name the ,milliner's cake4 7,ribbon47 ,name the ,devout cake4 7,angel ,food47 ,name the ,jeweler's cake4 7,gold47 ,name the ,lover's cake4 7,kisses47 ,name the ,author's cake4 7,short cake47 ,name the ,pugilist's cake4 7,pound47 ,name the ,office-seeker's cake4 7,washington47 ,name the ,idler's cake4 7,loaf47 ,many others can be added by the clever hostess4 ,,breakfast ,,and ,,tea ,,for ,,christmas ,,or ,,thanksgiving4 ,,breakfast4 ,oranges and ,grapes ,farina with ,dates and ,cream and ,sugar ,chicken ,croquettes ,oysters in ,potato ,balls ,rice ,muffins with ,maple ,syrup ,coffee ,chocolate with ,whipped ,cream ,,tea4 ,scalloped ,oysters ,turkey ,salad ,cheese ,balls ,bread and ,butter ,sandwiches ,strawberry ,trifle ,gipsy ,jelly with ,whipped ,cream ,lemon ,cocoanut ,cake ,meringues filled with ,preserved ,walnuts ,tea ,cocoa with ,whipped ,cream ,,oysters ,,in ,,potato ,,balls4 ,cook the potatoes the day before4 ,while hot mash them1 season nicely with salt1 paprika and a little celery salt4 ,add a generous lump of butter1 and one or two lightly beaten eggs4 ,form into little balls with the hands floured4 ,the next morning scoop out a hollow large enough to hold two or three nicely seasoned oysters1 press over the part removed1 egg and bread-crumb1 and fry in a wire basket in deep hot fat4 ,drain a minute on unglazed paper1 and serve at once4 ,,rice ,,muffins4 ,sift together half a teaspoonful of salt1 a heaping teaspoonful of baking powder1 and two cupfuls of flour4 ,add two well-beaten eggs to one cupful of sweet milk1 and stir into the flour1 with one teaspoonful of melted butter and one cupful of dry boiled rice4 ,beat thoroughly1 and bake in buttered pans for thirty-five minutes4 ,serve with maple syrup4 ,,turkey ,,salad4 ,cut the cold turkey meat into dice and mix it with twice the quantity of diced celery and one cupful of broken walnut meats4 ,mix all well together and moisten with a good boiled dressing4 ,serve in a nest of bleached lettuce4 ,,cheese ,,balls4 ,roll rich pastry out very thin1 cut it into circles with a small tumbler1 put two teaspoonfuls of grated cheese in the center of each1 add a dash of cayenne and a teaspoonful of finely chopped walnut meats1 then draw the edges of the paste together over the cheese1 pinching it well to form a little ball4 ,bake in a hot oven to a very pale brown4 ,before serving reheat in the oven4 ,,strawberry ,,trifle4 ,cut one large stale sponge cake in horizontal slices the whole length of the loaf4 ,they should be half an inch thick4 ,beat the whites of four eggs to a stiff snow1 divide it into two portions2 into one stir two level tablespoons of powdered sugar and one-half of a grated cocoanut2 into the other stir the same amount of powdered sugar and one-half pound of sweet almonds blanched and pounded4 ,spread the slices of cake with these mixtures1 half with the cocoanut and half with the almond1 and replace them in their original form4 ,the top crust should be cut off before slicing the cake as it is used for a lid4 ,hold the sliced cake firmly together and with a sharp knife cut down deep enough to leave only an inch at the bottom1 and take out the center1 leaving walls only one inch thick4 ,soak the part removed in a bowl with one cupful of rich custard flavored with lemon4 ,rub it to a smooth batter1 then whip into it one cupful of cream which has been whipped to a dry stiff froth4 ,fill the cavity of the cake with alternate layers of this mixture and very rich preserved strawberries4 ,then put on the lid and ice with a frosting made with the whites of three eggs1 one heaping cupful of powdered sugar and the juice of one lemon4 ,spread it smoothly over the sides and top of the cake1 and keep in a very cold place until time to serve4 ,then place it on a silver or crystal dish1 and put alternate spoonfuls of the whipped cream mixture and preserved strawberries around the base4 ,,meringues ,,filled ,,with ,,preserved ,,walnuts4 ,beat the whites of six eggs to a stiff firm snow1 stir into it three-fourths of a pound of powdered sugar1 flavor with a little lemon or rose water1 and continue to beat until very light4 ,then drop them from a spoon1 a little more than an inch apart1 on well buttered paper1 keeping them as nearly egg-shaped as possible4 ,place the paper on a half-inch board and bake in a slow oven until well dried out4 ,remove from the paper1 scrape out the soft part from the underside1 and before serving fill with preserved walnuts and stick each two together4 ,the preserved walnuts are a very delicious sweet but one rarely met with4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,a ,,cuban ,,breakfast4 ,the palm1 of course1 is the key note for decoration1 as it is the characteristic plant of the tropics4 ,but in order to be true to the scheme in mind1 that is1 to make your surroundings appear truly southern and create a local atmosphere1 a marked difference should be made between the arrangement of our usual ,american interior and the room which aims at the imitation of a ,cuban home4 ,light and air are most important1 the factors sine qua non1 and the scene of the ,almuerzo 7breakfast7 should not recall the hot house1 the conservatory1 nor the dimly lighted1 heavily curtained apartment of our northern dwellings4 ,there should be space1 plenty of windows1 the fewest possible hangings1 and these light in weight and color4 ,for the mantel and table decorations dwarf palms are very effective1 while larger ones of many varieties are appropriate for corners and other available places4 ,very pretty souvenirs can be made of small palm leaf fans4 ,a ,cuban landscape and the name of a guest are painted thereon1 and tiny ,cuban and ,american flags tied on the handle make a neat finish4 ,as most of the dishes served will be new to the guests1 it is advisable to have at each place a menu card where they may see how the dishes are called1 that they may not only relish them knowingly but remember their excellence4 ,the hour for breakfast is noon1 although it may be taken as late as one o'clock4 ,here is a typical breakfast which can be easily reproduced with the material at our command4 ,almuerzo ,olives ,aeles ,sausage ,eggs in ,revoltillo ,boiled ,rice ,fried ,plantains ,fish in ,escabeche ,new ,potatoes ,tenderloin ,steak ,lettuce ,salad ,guava ,paste and ,fresh ,cheese ,cocoanut ,desert ,fruit ,coffee ,the olives should be served with cracked ice2 the ,aeles sausage 7imported7 in very thin slices4 ,,eggs ,,in ,,revoltillo4 ,fry in a little butter a good sized onion chopped fine2 when brown1 add three fresh tomatoes and one sweet green pepper cut into small bits4 ,salt to taste and let simmer until the tomatoes are quite cooked1 then add six eggs which have been beaten4 ,stir while cooking and serve soft as you would scrambled eggs4 ,,boiled ,,rice4 ,rice in ,cuba is an indispensable article of food1 and no meal is complete without it4 ,there is no little art required in its preparation1 and it is imperative that it should be dry and tender at once4 ,like most simple things1 it has a certain knack to it4 ,having thoroughly washed the rice1 place it in a saucepan with three or four times the same quantity of water2 salt generously and allow to boil until the grain is soft but not broken2 drain off carefully all the water1 cover the saucepan tightly and place at the back of the stove1 where it will finish cooking slowly and become dry through the action of the steam4 ,a small piece of lard added a few moments before serving glazes the rice and brings out its flavor4 ,each grain should stand apart from its neighbors4 ,some ,cubans add a single kernel of garlic after removing the water4 ,the quantity is so small that there is but a suspicion of a taste1 and it gives this frugal dish a certain cachet4 ,,fried ,,plantains are essential to every breakfast in the tropics1 but they are not always obtainable here4 ,a very good substitute is the ordinary banana4 ,it should not be over ripe4 ,fry until a rich brown in hot fat4 ,these three dishes should be served at one course4 ,,fish ,,in ,,escabeche4 ,take three pounds of bonito or halibut in slices1 fry and lay for several hours in a sauce made of half a pint of vinegar1 in which the following ingredients have boiled for a few minutes3 ,three or four cloves1 a bay leaf1 a pinch of thyme1 a kernel of garlic1 a sliced onion1 half a teaspoonful of coloring pepper1 three tablespoonfuls of good salad oil and a few capers1 olives and pickles4 ,hard boiled eggs may also be used for garnishing4 ,it is eaten cold1 and will keep1 well covered in a stone jar1 for weeks4 7,this dish is invaluable in summer47 ,serve with new potatoes1 boiled1 over which a lump of butter and a tablespoonful of finely chopped parsley have been placed4 ,,tenderloin ,,steak4 ,the best restaurants in ,habana prepare the steak as follows3 ,take a tender filet of beef1 cut in cross sections an inch and a half thick1 wrap each piece in greased paper1 and broil over a brisk fire4 ,remove the papers1 add butter1 salt1 pepper and plenty of lemon juice--say the juice of two lemons for a whole filet4 ,in ,cuba they use the juice of the sour orange1 but that is not to be had here4 ,this is the creole style1 and is simply a modification of the ,french way4 ,if you want the steak a la espanola1 it should be fried instead of broiled1 and when well done each piece surmounted by a mojo4 ,the mojo is a little mound consisting of onions and green peppers chopped very fine1 and lemon juice added to the gravy4 ,guava paste is easily obtained from any importer1 and it is the proper thing to eat it with fresh cream cheese or sliced ,edam cheese4 ,,cocoanut ,,dessert4 ,this is purely a tropical dish1 but ,americans are very fond of it4 ,peel and grate a cocoanut2 make a syrup out of four cups of sugar and two of water2 when the syrup begins to thicken 7when it has boiled about five minutes7 throw in the grated cocoanut and cook on a moderate fire half an hour more2 stir in the beaten yolks of three eggs and a wine glass full of sherry4 ,remove from the fire4 ,the final point of your breakfast is the coffee1 and in ,cuban eyes the affair will be a success or a failure according to the quality of this supreme nectar4 ,the berry should be the best obtainable2 freshly roasted1 or at least the flavor refreshened by heating the grain in the oven a few minutes before using4 ,grind and percolate at the last moment4 ,serve black and very strong1 in very small cups4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,spring ,,and ,,autumn ,,breakfasts4 ,the centerpiece is of moss and ferns with arbutus blossoms peeping out1 with a border of green and white fairy lamps mushroom form4 ,miniature flower beds1 marked off with tiny white shells are in each of the four corners of the table4 ,in one lilies of the valley stand upright1 narcissii are in another1 white tulips in a third and white lilacs wired on a tiny bush make the fourth4 ,the name cards have tiny photographs of a farm with the name of the guests in gilt script4 ,at each place is a tiny ,may basket of moss filled with arbutus1 spring beauties1 and wild violets1 for a souvenir4 ,the ice cream in flower forms is brought in in a spun sugar nest resting on twigs of pussy willows4 ,the menu is a very simple one and includes grape fruit1 the center cut out and filled with a lump of sugar soaked in rum1 cream of clams1 shredded whitefish in shells with horseradish and cucumbers1 filet of beef with mushrooms1 new potatoes1 new asparagus1 mint ice1 squab on toast with shoestring potatoes1 current jelly2 salad of cucumbers1 pecan nuts and lettuce with ,french dressing2 ice cream1 white cake1 and black cake1 coffee and cream de menthe4 ,,april ,,breakfast4 ,april's lady wears the pussywillow for her flower1 and this makes a delightful springlike motif for decoration4 ,for the breakfast have round tables or one long table with twig baskets of pussywillows tied with bows of soft grasses1 raffia dyed a silvery grey4 ,the table is set with the old-fashioned willow pattern china1 quaint ,sheffield silver and is unmarked by any of the small dishes of sweets that fill breakfast tables4 ,the name cards are decorated with sprays of pussywillows in the upper left corner and miniatures of famous women writers of this and the past decade taken from magazines3 ,george ,eliot1 ,miss ,austen1 ,miss ,mulock1 ,jean ,ingelow1 ,elizabeth ,barrett ,browning1 ,felicia ,hemans1 ,louisa ,m4 ,alcott1 ,mrs4 ,humphrey ,ward1 ,mrs4 ,burton ,harrison1 ,mary ,e4 ,wilkins ,freeman1 ,elizabeth ,stuart ,phelps1 ,margaret ,deland4 ,the menu is strawberries in little twig baskets with brown paper caps filled with sugar1 planked fish with sliced cucumbers1 deviled sweetbreads and mushrooms on toast squares1 ,saratoga potatoes1 hot rolls1 brandy peaches1 waffles and hot syrup1 coffee4 ,a ,,maypole ,,breakfast4 ,this breakfast is given the last week in ,may and can be copied by the summer hostess substituting different flowers in season4 ,the guests are seated at small tables1 each table being decorated with a different kind of flower--the iris1 marguerites1 sweet peas1 roses1 mignonette1 etc4 ,before each plate stands a tiny ,maypole about the size of a lead pencil1 wound with baby ribbon of different colors4 ,these are souvenirs for each guest4 ,for the first course have fresh strawberries served with their leaves and blossoms4 ,then a cream of celery soup served in cups4 ,croutons are served with this4 ,the soft shell crabs are served on a bed of water cress and radishes cut in fancy shapes4 ,with them is served a thick mayonnaise on half a lemon2 and cucumbers with ,french dressing4 ,the brown and white bread sandwiches are cut in the shape of palm leaves4 ,delicious orange sherbet is served in champagne glasses4 ,then comes broiled chicken with new potatoes1 ,french peas and hot rolls4 ,the fruit salad is served in head lettuce with square wafers accompanying4 ,the ice cream is molded in the form of red and white apples1 with a cluster of real apple blossoms laid on each plate4 ,with this is served a white cake with whipped cream and ,french coffee4 ,,may ,,breakfast4 ,carry out the ,may basket idea for a breakfast4 ,by searching the ten-cent stores one can find little imitation cut glass baskets with handles4 ,use a large cut glass basket or bowl with wire handle over the top for the center of the table and one of the smaller baskets filled with pansies1 valley lilies or ,may flowers at each place4 ,or make a pretty crystal wreath a short distance from the center by using crystal candlesticks with white candles and shades of glass beads1 alternated by the little glass baskets filled with dainty flowers or maidenhair fern4 ,or use these baskets for green1 white or pink bonbons4 ,another pretty ,may basket idea is to suspend little baskets of flowers from the back of each chair and use an immense basket of flowers for the center of the table4 ,suitable toasts for the name cards1 which should be little flower baskets cut out of water color paper and decorated1 would be sentences describing ,mayday in various countries4 ,or1 use sentiments of flowers4 ,here are some3 ,the red rose3 ,i love you4 ,the daisy3 ,there is no hope4 ,lily of the valley3 ,my heart withers in secret4 ,the lilac3 ,you are my first love4 ,violets3 ,i am faithful4 ,you will enjoy hunting for flower sentiments4 ,for the menu serve3 ,tomato bisque1 wafers2 sweetbread croquettes1 peas1 new potatoes1 creamed asparagus1 lemon sherbet2 spring salad 7radishes1 cucumbers1 tomatoes1 with ,french dressing on lettuce leaf71 strawberries1 served with hulls on and around a paper cup or mound of fine sugar2 white cake with chocolate icing4 ,,an ,,autumn ,,breakfast4 ,if one loves the reigning color1 brown1 give a brown breakfast in which all shades from seal to orange are used in pretty combination4 ,a flat wreath of brown foliage extends inside the plate line4 ,in the center of the table is a pyramid made of the tiny artificial oranges1 buds and blossoms that are shown in the milliners' windows4 ,from this pyramid radiate streamers of light brown tulle in wavy lines across the table to the wreath at the edge4 ,yellow candles with autumn leaf shades in yellows and browns are placed inside the space between the center and the wreath4 ,the name cards are placed inside little boxes decorated with pyrographic work and suitable for jewel boxes4 ,the creamed lobster is served in cups covered with brown tissue paper1 the browned chops1 browned fried potatoes1 and browned rice croquettes are served on plates decorated with a design of brown oak leaves and acorns4 ,the ice cream is chocolate frozen in shape of large ,english walnuts and the little squares of white cake bear the design of a leaf in tiny chocolate candies4 ,a ,,musical ,,romance4 ,have it for entertainment at breakfast with prizes for the one who answers best4 ,each question is answered by the name of a song4 ,questions4 #a4 ,who was the lover8 #b4 ,who was his sweetheart8 #c4 ,in what country were they born8 #d4 ,on what river was his home8 #e4 ,what was his favorite state8 #f4 ,where did he first meet her8 #g4 ,what part of the day was it8 #h4 ,how was her hair arranged8 #i4 ,what flower did he offer her8 #aj4 ,when did he propose to her8 #aa4 ,what did he say to her8 #ab4 ,what was her reply8 #ac4 ,when were they married8 #ad4 ,her maid of honor was from ,scotland2 what was her name8 #ae4 ,the best man was a soldier2 who was he8 #af4 ,when in the civil war did the groom and best man become acquainted8 #ag4 ,a little sister of the bride was flower girl2 what was her name8 #ah4 ,in what church was the ceremony solemnized8 #ai4 ,in the thoroughfares of what foreign city did they spend their honeymoon8 #bj4 ,what motto greeted them as they entered their new dwelling8 #ba4 ,who did the bridegroom finally turn out to be8 ,answers4 #a4 ,ben ,bolt4 #b4 ,sweet ,marie4 #c4 ,america4 #d4 ,suanne ,river4 #e4 ,maryland1 ,my ,maryland4 #f4 ,comin' ,through the ,rye4 #g4 ,in the ,gloaming4 #h4 ,her ,golden ,hair was ,hanging ,down her ,back4 #i4 ,sweet ,violets4 #aj4 ,after the ,ball4 #aa4 ,won't ,you ,be ,my ,sweetheart8 #ab4 ,if you ,ain't ,got ,no ,money ,you ,needn't ,come ,around4 #ac4 ,in ,springtime1 ,gentle ,anne4 #ad4 ,annie ,laurie4 #ae4 ,warrior ,bold4 #af4 ,while ,we ,were ,marching ,through ,georgia4 #ag4 ,marguerite4 #ah4 ,church ,across ,the ,way4 #ai4 ,streets of ,cairo4 #bj4 ,home1 ,sweet ,home4 #ba4 ,the ,man ,that ,broke ,the ,bank at ,monte ,carlo4 ,the answers to the above should not be arbitrary4 ,there are many songs that afford quite as good answers as those given above1 and the score should credit anyone that makes a reply which fits the question4 ,a ,,red ,,rose ,,breakfast4 ,i find earth not gray1 but rosy1 ,heaven not grim1 but fair of hue4 ,here is a pretty breakfast for the month of ,june4 ,have for the centerpiece a huge bowl of jacque-minot roses4 ,use long sprays of the leaves and arrange the flowers very loosely in the bowl4 ,have for the boutonnieres at each cover a bunch of red rose buds tied with scarlet ribbon4 ,the place cards are also red roses cut to the required shape from rough drawing paper and appropriately colored4 ,of course the red touch will be introduced as frequently as possible into the menu4 ,serve tomato soup1 salmon salad and claret water ice4 ,cakes must be glazed in red1 and the ice cream1 served in artistic little baskets of spun sugar1 to take the form of red roses4 ,have side dishes filled with pink coated almonds and candied rose petals4 ,then1 during the dessert course1 introduce what is called a ,rose ,shower4 ,this will be on the order of the literary salads that were so popular some time ago1 but it is newer4 ,the idea is this3 ,cut from red tissue paper a couple of dozen little leaf shaped pieces to be crimped and creased and coaxed into representing rose petals4 ,on each petal write a familiar quotation relating to the rose4 ,these leaves are to be passed around the table1 each guest taking one1 and when done with it1 passing it on4 ,prizes will be offered to the guests who are able to name the authors of the largest number of quotations4 ,here are some of the verses3 ,that which we call a rose1 ,by any other name would smell as sweet4 --,shakespeare4 ,but earthlier happy is the rose distilled ,than that which1 withering on the virgin thorn ,grows1 lives1 and dies in single blessedness4 --,shakespeare4 ,the rose is fairest when 'tis budding new2 ,and hope is brightest when it dawns from fears4 ,the rose is sweetest washed with morning dew1 ,and love is loveliest when embalmed in tears4 --,scott4 ',tis the last rose of summer ,left blooming alone4 --,moore4 ,you may break1 you may shatter the vase if you will1 ,but the scent of the roses will hang round it still4 --,moore4 ,he wears the rose ,of youth upon him4 --,shakespeare4 ,as though a rose should shut and be a bud again4 --,keats4 ,she wore a wreath of roses1 ,that night when first we met4 --,t4 ,h4 ,bayley4 ,the rose that all are praising ,is not the rose for me4 --,t4 ,h4 ,bayley4 ,loveliest of lovely things are they ,on earth that soonest pass away4 ,the rose that lives his little hour ,is prized beyond the sculptured flower4 --,bryant4 ,flowers of all hue and without thorn the rose4 --,milton4 ,a rosebud set with little wilful thorns1 ,and sweet as ,english air could make her1 she4 --,tennyson4 ,let us crown ourselves with rosebuds before they be withered4 --,bible4 ,gather ye rosebuds while ye may1 ,old time is still a flying2 ,and this same flower that smiles today1 ,tomorrow wille be dying4 --,herrick4 ,their lips were four red roses on a stalk4 --,shakespeare4 ,and ,i will make thee beds of roses ,and a thousand fragrant posies4 --,marlowe4 ,these1 of course1 will be only about half enough1 but the hostess can add others to them4 ,the prize for the best list of answers should suggest roses in some way4 ,,chrysanthemum ,,breakfast4 ,the time ten o'clock4 ,invitations1 to be on a large sized visiting card1 this wise3 ,mrs4 ---- ,at ,home1 ,wednesday morning1 ,november ,seventh1 ,nineteen -- ---- ten o'clock1 #cdj ---- ,street1 ,please reply4 ,breakfast4 ,enclose card in envelope to match4 ,have three schemes of color for decorations--white chrysanthemums for parlor1 pink for library1 and yellow for dining-room4 ,serve at small tables1 with rich floral center pieces1 and handsomely draped with ,battenburg1 or linen center piece and plate tumbler doylies4 ,place cards1 two and one-half inches by six in size1 should be decorated with a spray of chrysanthemums on a shaded background in water colors1 leaving sufficient blank for a name and outlining the top card with cut edges of leaves4 ,,first ,,course4 ,a small cluster of grapes served on dessert plates4 ,,second ,,course4 ,baked apple--7,remove the core and fill with cooked oat meal2 bake and serve with whipped cream over the whole47 ,,third ,,course4 ,chicken croquettes1 scalloped potatoes1 buttered rolls1 celery1 coffee4 ,,fourth ,,course4 ,fruit and nut salad1 served in small cups on a bread and butter plate1 with a wafer4 ,,fifth ,,course4 ,ice cream1 in chocolate1 pink and white layers2 angel food1 and pink and white layer cake4 ,have a dish of salted almonds on each table4 ,,pond ,,lily ,,breakfast4 ,white and green are the colors for a ,september breakfast4 ,have the dining room decorated with luxuriant ferns and dainty1 fragrant water lilies1 the fireplace banked with ferns1 the lilies scattered carelessly over the mantel4 ,in the center of the table have a miniature rowboat heaped high with the lilies4 ,for the souvenirs have very small oars which could afterwards be used for paper knives2 besides clusters of lilies4 ,harp music is the most in harmony with our ideas of lilies and the lily naiads1 so the soft strains will form a delightful accompaniment to the breakfast4 ,this is the menu3 ,cream of ,lettuce ,soup ,steamed ,white ,fish ,hollandaise ,sauce ,potato ,balls ,maitre de ,hotel ,sauce ,jellied ,chicken ,cauliflower1 ,creamed ,asparagus ,cheese ,salad ,metropolitan ,ice ,cream ,small ,cakes ,niagara ,grapes ,coffee ,,cream ,,of ,,lettuce ,,soup4 ,break the outer green leaves from two heads of lettuce4 ,place neatly together and with a sharp knife cut into shreds4 ,put them into one quart of white stock and simmer gently for half an hour4 ,press through a colander1 return to the fire4 ,rub together one tablespoonful of butter and two of flour1 add two tablespoonfuls of hot stock and rub smooth1 add this to the soup1 stirring constantly until it thickens4 ,add a level tablespoonful of grated onion1 one cupful of cream and a seasoning of salt and white pepper4 ,when ready to serve1 beat the yolk of one egg lightly1 pour into a tureen1 turn the hot soup over it and add a heaping tablespoonful of finely chopped parsley4 ,the fish is garnished with cress4 ,,cheese ,,salad4 ,mash very fine the cold yolks of three hard-boiled eggs1 and rub with them a coffee cupful of finely grated cheese1 a teaspoonful of mustard1 a saltspoonful of salt and one-half as much white pepper4 ,when all are well mixed1 add two tablespoonfuls each of oil and vinegar1 alternately4 ,heap this upon fresh lettuce and garnish with the whites of eggs cut into rings1 and a few tips of celery4 ,serve with hot buttered crackers4 ,the ice cream is served on lily leaves4 ,the cakes are white1 with green icing4 ,this is the music selected3 ,solo--,to a ,water ,lily ,mc,dowell ,old ,song--,lily ,dale ,vocal ,solo--,row ,gently ,here1 ,my ,gondolier ,schumann ,a ,,tulip ,,breakfast4 ,a pretty idea is a tulip breakfast4 ,the centerpiece is a large basket filled with tulips of different colors4 ,a pretty course is strawberries served in real tulips lying on fancy plates with the stems tied with narrow ribbon the same shade as the tulip4 ,the ice cream is served in shape of a tulip1 and the salad is in a cup of green tissue paper imitating four tulip leaves4 ,this is the plan for finding places4 ,the name cards are decorated with tiny landscapes4 ,on the back of the card is written the title of a song and the guest finds her own name in the title4 ,for example a guest named ,mamie will find her place by the words ,mamie1 ,come ,kiss ,your ,honey ,boy1 one named ,alice will find hers ,oh1 ,don't ,you ,remember ,sweet ,alice1 ,ben ,bolt2 ,mollie in ,do ,you ,love ,me1 ,mollie ,darling1 etc4 ,the menu is3 ,fruit ,cup 7,strawberries1 ,oranges1 ,white ,grapes with ,whipped ,cream7 ,bouillon1 ,wafers1 ,radishes ,escalloped ,fish1 ,wafers1 ,pickles ,veal ,loaf1 ,whipped ,potatoes1 ,green ,peas ,hot ,rolls1 ,pickles1 ,sherbet ,fruit ,salad1 ,wafers ,ice ,cream in ,shape of ,tulips1 ,strawberries ,served in ,real ,tulips ,white ,cake1 ,bonbons ,coffee ,a ,,grape ,,breakfast4 ,may the juice of the grape enliven each soul1 ,and good humor preside at the head of each bowl4 ,nothing could be prettier nor more appropriate for ,september than a grape breakfast4 ,if possible1 have the design of the lunch cloth in grapes1 and use a pyramid of purple and white grapes for the center of the table4 ,lay perfect bunches of grapes tied with lavender ribbon on the cloth for decoration4 ,serve grapes in some fashion with each course1 single1 in tiny bunches1 or the leaves decorating the plates4 ,mold gelatine in a grape mold and color with grape juice4 ,use white grapes for the salad and grape juice to drink4 ,serve grape jelly with the meat course4 ,,woman',s ,,club ,,breakfast4 ,have the table of honor a round table with a large round basket of white flowers and everything corresponding in white4 ,use roses1 carnations or any white flower you choose4 ,have oblong tables radiating from the center table with place for four on each side and two at the outer ends4 ,this leaves no guest seated with her back to the honor table4 ,have the oblong tables decorated in pink4 ,have name cards with carnations thrust through the corner1 at each plate4 ,make the breakfast a daylight affair1 unless the day is a dark one4 ,serve chopped fresh sweet cherries sweetened and with a little rum or white wine poured over them2 let stand for several hours in the refrigerator and serve in stem glasses4 ,chicken croquettes molded in form of small chickens1 or broiled chicken with water cress2 creamed potatoes1 sliced cucumbers1 hot rolls1 spiced peaches served in champagne glasses2 whole tomatoes stuffed with cooked cauliflower and nuts set on branch of cherry or strawberry leaves2 cheese sandwiches made very thin2 ice cream molded in form of strawberries1 small cakes frosted1 7place half of a large strawberry on top of each piece of cake before serving74 ,,breakfast ,,al ,,fresco4 ,a breakfast al fresco is just the thing to entertain a party of young girls4 ,have the tables on the porch4 ,at each plate have a cluster of flowers answering a conundrum4 ,give each girl a card containing the conundrum and ask her to find her place at the table by the flower answering the questions4 ,these questions will not be hard for a hostess to arrange and will of course depend on the flowers she can secure4 ,here are a few sample ones given at a recent breakfast3 ,who will attend our next entertainment8 ,phlox4 ,what happened when ,gladys lost her hat in the lake8 ,a yellow rose 7a yell arose74 ,what paper gives the most help in decoration8 ,justicia 7just tissue74 ,what will the ,far ,north do for you8 ,freesia4 ,for what hour were you invited8 ,four o'clock4 ,what is the handsomest woman in the world8 ,american ,beauty4 ,use pink and green for the color scheme and add a little touch of these two colors to everything served4 ,tie the skewers of the chops with pink and green ribbons and have the ice cream one layer of pistachio and one of strawberry4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,modern ,,five ,o',,clock4 ,a cup she designates as mine ,with motion of her dainty finger2 ,the kettle boils--oh6 drink divine1 ,in memory shall thy fragrance linger6 ,although indebted to ,england for the afternoon tea1 it is a very informal affair across the water4 ,it doubtless originated in suburban homes1 where during the hunting and holiday seasons1 large and merry house-parties are entertained for weeks together4 ,returning late from driving or field sports the tired guests require some light refreshment before making their toilets for the evening dinner4 ,the ,english hostess very sensibly meets this claim upon her hospitality by serving tea and biscuit in library or drawing-room4 ,from this small beginning comes the ,american ,five ,o',clock1 one of the prettiest of all social functions1 and still smiled upon by ,dame ,fashion as a favorite method of entertaining4 ,decorative in character1 it gives opportunity to display the treasures of porcelain1 glass1 silver1 embroidered napery and all the lovely table-appointments that everywhere delight the heart of woman4 ,more exquisite than ever before are the little tea-tables--a succession of crescent shaped shelves1 rising one above the other1 two1 three or four in number1 as the taste inclines4 ,upon these1 resting on cobwebs of linen or lace1 are placed the priceless cups1 tiny spoons1 graceful caddy and all other articles necessary to the service4 ,the silver caddy is now a thing of sentiment as well as use--one recently bestowed as a bridal gift bearing engraved upon it this little verse3 ,we sit and sip--the time flies fast1 ,my cup needs filling1--project clever6 ,she comes and ,i grown bold at last ,say ',darling1 make my tea forever6' ,in the future of married life1 how sweet this reminder of the past1 when all the days were golden in the light of love1 youth and hope6 ,another couplet pretty and suggestive is found in ,a cup and a welcome for everyone1 ,and a corner for you and me4 ,amid flowers and softly shaded lights sits the gracious woman who pours the liquid gold into the fragile cups1 dispensing meanwhile1 smiles and the bright charming small talk that is so necessary to the success of these occasions4 ,a wise hostess selects for this important position the most brilliant1 tactful woman within her circle of friends4 ,the menu1 although by no means regulated on the ,english house-party plan1 should consist of trifles--sandwiches1 wafers1 fancy cakes1 ices1 and possibly a salad4 ,foreigners understand the value of the simple feast which makes frequent entertaining possible and a delight rather than a burden4 ,in ,america the menu1 decorations1 etc41 grow more and more elaborate from the ambition of each successive hostess to out-do her neighbor1 until the economy and beauty of simplicity is irretrievably lost in the greater expense1 fatigue and crush of a more pretentious function4 ,at the afternoon tea guests may come and go in street toilet1 with or without a carriage in accordance with preference and pocketbook4 ,however elegant the appointments and surroundings of this special function1 the progressive hostess must remember that her culture will be judged by the quality of the beverage she serves4 ,it is an age of luxury and refined taste in palate1 as in other things1 and tea is no longer ,,tea1 unless of a high grade and properly brewed4 ,the woman who trusts her domestic affairs to a housekeeper1 or in the event of attending to them herself1 depends wholly for the excellence of an article upon the price she pays1 is a very mistaken one4 ,without informing herself she may very naturally conclude that ,russian or ,caravan tea is cultivated1 buds and blossoms in the land of the ,czar1 until later on1 when her ignorance meets a downfall in some very embarrassing way4 ,the high-class1 fancy teas of ,china are prepared by special manipulation and for the use of wealthy families in the ,celestial ,empire and are therefore never exported to other countries4 ,russian tea-merchants1 recognizing this1 send shrewd buyers across the desert into ,china just at the season to secure the choicest pickings for future consumption by the nobility of their own country4 ,of late years the ,five ,o',clocks and consequent craze for fine teas in ,america has tempted them to obtain a small quantity above the requirements of their titled patrons in ,russia and this they export to the ,united ,states4 ,if genuine1 the name ,russia or ,caravan tea signifies the choicest and most expensive grade procurable the world over4 ,it will be remembered that among the many gifts bestowed when in this country by its recent guest1 ,li ,hung ,chang1 were beautifully ornamented boxes and packages of this delicately flavored and fragrant tea4 ,the high class grades from ,india and ,ceylon1 although not as costly as the ,russian1 may be used by the hostess of the modern ,five ,o',clock without risk to her reputation as a woman of culture4 ,she will consent1 however1 ,that tea boiled1 ,is tea spoiled1 and avail herself of the pretty and convenient silver-ball1 or the closely covered pot or cups in which these rare teas should never brew over three minutes4 ,for the famous tea service of ,china and ,japan1 tiny covered cups are always presented4 ,the ,american hostess will regret when too late1 the many advantages of the afternoon tea1 alas6 foolishly sacrificed upon the altar of her vanity to excel in the extravagance of hospitality4 ,even now experience teaches that a tea means anything from its original intention of informal1 pleasant social intercourse with light refreshments1 to the function which includes hundreds of guests1 who are entertained at a banquet presenting the most expensive achievements of florist and caterer4 ,in repudiation of this is the strict code of etiquette requiring that an invitation be worded to indicate truthfully the exact character of the hospitality it extends4 ,courtesy to guests compels this1 that they may be able to conform in toilet to the occasion and thus avoid the mortification of being under or over-dressed1 the latter to be counted as much the greater misfortune4 ,this from a very ancient book1 it is true1 but its lesson in good manners is none the less pertinent now than when written in the dead past4 ,it remains with the hostess1 whether one shall enjoy the pleasures and privileges of the pretty ,five ,o',clock4 ,whether in the line of elegance or simplicity1 the tea ,russian or ,ceylon1 it can be dainty1 well served1 and lovely with flowers of sweet graciousness and cordial welcome4 ,these united may be depended upon to make it the social success coveted by every woman who poses as a hostess1 whether in cottage or palace6 ,nowhere are the artistic instincts of a modern hostess more charmingly brought to bear than in the appointments of her tea-table4 ,to show individuality in this cosy afternoon ceremony1 is an aim not difficult to reach4 ,the ,russian table should have a cloth with insertion bands of the strong ,muscovite peasant lace that is brightened by red and blue threads in the pattern2 a tea caddy of niello work2 and a brass samovar1 of course4 ,facilities for fitting out a ,japanese tea-table can be found almost everywhere4 ,the correct outfit consists of a low lacquered table1 lotus-blossom cups--with covers and without handles--and a plump little teapot heated over an hibachi of glowing charcoal4 ,it is not a ,japanese custom to have the tea-table covered1 but the famous embroiderers of ,yokohama1 having learned to cater to foreign tastes1 now send out tea-cloths of the sheerest linen lawn1 with the national bamboo richly worked in white linen floss above the broad hem-stitched hem4 ,these are exquisitely dainty in appearance1 but can be easily and successfully laundered--a very important consideration4 ,but the quaintest of all is the ,dutch table1 where the sugar basin is supported over the heads of chased silver female figures2 the cream jug is in the form of a silver cow1 and the beguiling ,jamaica shows richly dark through a ,black ,forest spirit bottle4 ,cakes and wafers have lost favor at tea-tables4 ,they have been replaced by little savories1 which harmonize with the popular antique silver and china1 by passing under their old-fashioned name of whets2 for the afternoon tea1 originally intended to be a light refreshment1 had become a detriment to the dinner4 ,savories1 on the contrary1 are a whet to the appetite and clear the palate for the due appreciation of the dinner4 ,two or three different kinds are usually served4 ,anybody possessed of a little cooking knowledge can arrange a variety of them at a minimum of trouble and expense1 and in their variety lies half their charm4 ,there are many kinds of fish1 both preserved in oil and smoked1 that may be used4 ,these should be sprinkled with chopped fines herbes1 placed upon thin slices of fresh bread--from which the crust has been carefully cut--rolled and served en pyramide4 ,toasted crumpets1 heavily buttered1 spread with caviar upon which a little lemon juice has been squeezed and served hot1 are considered a great delicacy at ,english tea-tables4 ,another way of serving caviar is to spread it on thin bread and butter1 which is then rolled up like tiny cigars4 ,russians declare1 however1 that the less done to caviar the better it will be1 and to send it to the tea-table in its original jar1 with an accompaniment of fresh dry toast and quartered lemon1 is the fashion preferred by connoisseurs4 ,it takes a grand dame1 so to speak1 to give a tea4 ,the vulgarian almost always overdoes it4 ,she gets things to eat1 while the woman who knows gets people1 and doesn't care what they have to eat4 ,there is nothing about a whole shop of provisions1 while people who dress well1 look well1 talk well and behave well1 make up that charming circle called ,society4 ,the tea table may be green and white4 ,palms1 ferns1 mignonette1 mosses and clusters of leaves lend themselves to the nicest effects against the whites of the table-cloth and china4 ,if color is preferred1 there are tulips and daffodils of gorgeous beauty1 and good for a week's wear4 ,nothing but white damask is used by gentlewomen4 ,the woman who gives a tea never pours it4 ,there are other things she can do to please her callers4 ,tea is usually served with candlelight1 and to be a success need cost next to nothing1 for nothing need be served that is substantial enough to dislocate the appetite for dinner4 ,some women serve an old fashioned beat biscuit1 about the size of an ,english walnut1 with the cup of tea4 ,these biscuits are awfully good1 but only the old mammies who have survived the ,war know how to make them1 and there is where the old families have the advantage of the new people4 ,others serve brown sandwiches made of ,boston brown bread and butter4 ,more slices of lemon than cream jugs are used4 ,cream is something of a nuisance1 and if people don't take lemon they can take tea as ,li ,hung ,chang does4 ,for a guest to have a preference and emphasize it1 is downright rude4 ,to be asked to a lady's house is glory enough for any one4 ,the grumbler can go to a restaurant and take a cup and drink it up for a dime4 ,,an ,,afternoon ,,tea4 ,send out the invitation for an afternoon tea a week or ten days or even two weeks beforehand4 ,use visiting cards and below the name or in the lower left corner1 the hours3 #b to #f1 or any hours one chooses4 ,on the top of the card or below the name write the name of the guest for whom the tea is given1 if it is an affair in honor of some guest4 ,decorate the rooms simply or elaborately as one chooses4 ,for a small tea simply fill the vases with flowers1 and make a special feature of the tea table in the dining room4 ,have a center basket of flowers and ferns tied with satin ribbons on the handle1 or have cut glass vases at the corners4 ,use lighted candles1 white1 or the color of your flowers1 if carrying out a certain color scheme in the dining-room4 ,pink1 red or yellow are liked for this room as they are warm1 bright colors4 ,if the tea is given in spring or summer1 green and white are liked4 ,have candles and shades match the color scheme and place silk or satin of the color used under the mats and doilies4 ,on the table have cut glass or fine china dishes filled with candies1 chocolates1 salted nuts and candied fruits4 ,tea may be served from one end of the table and an ice from the other4 ,have a friend pour tea4 ,place before her the small cups1 saucers1 spoons4 ,she fills the cups and hands them to the guests or to those assisting in the dining-room4 ,the cream1 sugar or slices of lemon are passed by assistants4 ,piles of plates are on the table by the one serving ice4 ,the ice is served into a cut glass cup and placed on the plate with a spoon4 ,cakes are passed2 so are the bonbons4 ,serve tea and chocolate or coffee4 ,if one wish a more elaborate collation1 pass assorted sandwiches1 which are on plates on the table1 or have a plate containing chicken salad on a lettuce leaf1 olives and wafers4 ,waiters are best when the refreshments include two or three courses4 ,the ices may be brought in or served from the table and the coffee and tea served from the table4 ,ask from five to ten friends to assist in the parlors1 to see that guests go to the dining-room and that strangers are introduced4 ,stand at the entrance or before a bank of palms in a window or corner and greet the guests4 ,the guest or guests of honor stand with the hostess and she introduces them4 ,a great many ladies do not wear gloves when receiving1 but it is proper to wear them4 ,it would seem that the hands would keep in better condition to shake hands with guests1 if gloves were worn4 ,bank the mantels with ferns and flowers and cover the lights with pretty shades of tissue paper4 ,use pink or green and white in the parlors and red1 yellow or pink in the dining-room4 ,serve a fruit punch from a table covered with a white cloth and trimmed with smilax1 ferns and flowers4 ,use a large punch bowl and glass cups4 ,have a square block of ice in the bowl4 ,if a cut-glass punch bowl is used1 care should be used lest the ice crack it4 ,temper the bowl by putting in cold water and adding a few bits of ice at a time until it is chilled4 ,do not put ice into a warm bowl or one that has not been thus tempered4 ,if there is music have a string orchestra concealed behind palms in a corner of the hall or dining-room4 ,,telling ,,fortunes ,,by ,,teagrounds4 ,first1 the one whose fortune is to be told should drink a little of the tea while it is hot1 and then turn out the rest1 being careful not to turn out the grounds in doing so1 and also not to look at them1 as it is bad luck4 ,then she must turn the cup over1 so that no water remains1 for drops of water in the teagrounds signify tears4 ,next1 she must turn the cup around slowly toward her three times1 wishing the wish of her heart as she turns it4 ,after this she must rest it a minute against the edge of a saucer--to court luck4 ,then the fortune-teller takes it and reads the fortune4 ,three small dots in a row stand for the wish4 ,if near the top it will soon be realized4 ,if at the bottom some time will elapse4 ,if the grounds are bunched together it signifies that all will be well with the fortune-seeker1 but if they are scattered it means much the reverse4 ,a small speck near the top is a letter4 ,a large speck1 a photograph1 or present of some kind1 either one depending on the shape of the speck4 ,the sticks are people--light or dark1 short or tall1 according to their color and length4 ,a small one means a child4 ,a thick one1 a woman4 ,if they lie crosswise they are enemies4 ,if straight up1 intimate friends1 or pleasant acquaintances to be made4 ,if a large speck is near them1 it means they are coming for a visit1 bringing a valise or trunk4 ,if there is a bottle shape near a stick it means a physician4 ,if a book shape1 a minister or lawyer4 ,if many fine specks1 a married man4 ,the sticks with a bunch of grounds on their backs are bearers of bad news1 or they will say things about you4 ,a long line of grounds with no openings between foretells a journey by water4 ,if openings1 by rail4 ,a large ring1 closed1 means an offer of marriage to an unmarried woman4 ,to a married one1 it means a fortunate undertaking4 ,to a man1 success in business4 ,a small ring is an invitation4 ,dust-like grounds bunched together at the bottom or side are a sum of money4 ,a triangle signifies good luck1 so does an anchor or a horseshoe4 ,a half moon or star to married people means a paying investment4 ,to unmarried1 a new lover or sweetheart4 ,a pyramid is extremely lucky4 ,a square or oblong1 new lands4 ,flowers1 a present4 ,leaves1 sickness and death4 ,fruit of any kind1 health4 ,a hand1 warning1 if the fingers are spread4 ,if closed1 an offer of friendship or marriage4 ,a cross signifies trouble4 ,any musical instrument1 a wedding4 ,bird1 suit at law4 ,cat1 deception4 ,dog1 faithful friend4 ,horse1 important news4 ,snake1 an enemy4 ,turtle1 long life4 ,rabbit1 luck4 ,house1 offer of marriage1 or a removal4 ,flag1 some surprise or a journey to another country4 ,a heart is the most propitious sign of all1 as it means happiness1 fidelity1 long life1 health and wealth4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,scotch ,,tea4 #a4 ,to give an odd function that is not a complete fizzle is a fine art4 ,easy enough it is for the hostess to plan an out-of-the-ordinary affair1 but to have the party turn out a success is1 as the ,kiplingites are eternally quoted as saying1 quite another story4 ,for music have the ,highlander's bag-pipe1 the door opened by a man in the striking garb of ,scotland4 ,for decoration use white heather and primroses4 ,in the dining-room have the words ,we'll take a cup o' kindness yet in large letters and conspicuously framed in pine4 ,presiding at the table have young girls in ,scottish costume who dispense the cup o' kindness from a silver teapot nestling-in a cosey2 7a padded cloth cover7 to keep hot the favorite feminine beverage4 ,the delectable dishes dear to the ,highlander's heart are passed for the approval of feminine palates4 ,these viands include scones1 a sort of muffin made with flour1 soda1 sugar and water4 ,these are split and filled with orange marmalade straight from ,dundee and1 as everybody knows1 the best in the whole culinary world4 ,scones are baked on griddles1 and are especially popular in the country houses of ,scotland4 ,then there is a rich pastry called shortbread1 made of butter1 sugar and flour--no water--and beaten up2 rolled out about an inch thick and baked in sheets4 ,shortbread is a great delicacy in ,scotland4 ,there are oat cakes also1 a biscuit made of oatmeal1 shortening and water4 ,two kinds of cake--black fruit cake and sultana cake1 which is a pound cake containing sultana raisins--complete the course of ,highland dainties4 ,on the walls drape the striking plaids of ,scotland1 worked with the names of the different clans4 ,in the reception-room have the words1 a wee drappie1 framed in pine4 ,the inscription should be over a table on which is served mulled wine from a silver pitcher kept in hot water4 ,even a white-ribboner would call mulled claret delicious or get a black mark from the recording angel for prevarication4 ,better lo'ed ye canna be1 ,will ye no come back again4 makes a last pleasing inscription over the entrance for the departing guest4 ,,scotch ,,tea4 #b4 ,,followed ,,by ,,supper4 ,a ,scotch day1 modeled after a genuine party in ,bonnie ,scotland1 is a pleasing idea for the entertainment of a ,lenten house party4 ,from twelve to twenty-four guests are entertained1 the ladies being asked to come at three o'clock and the gentlemen at half past six4 ,as every woman1 no matter what her condition in life1 works industriously knitting or crocheting lace or embroidering1 each guest brings her bit of handwork and the afternoon is spent in chatting while fair fingers ply the needles4 ,at five o'clock the guests are invited to the dining-room where they are seated at a large table4 ,at a typical ,scotch tea the centerpiece is an oblong piece of satin in any preferred color edged with a ruffle of white lace4 ,in the center of this is a tall vase holding a miscellaneous bouquet1 and at the corners of the centerpiece are small vases of similar design holding similar bouquets4 ,all edibles are on the table at once1 there is no removing of courses4 ,the teacups1 silver teapot with satin cosey1 silver or china hot water pitcher and sugar and cream are placed in front of the hostess4 ,the hostess asks the taste of the guest as to sugar and cream and fixes the tea herself4 ,the maid passes the tea and then retires1 and the service becomes informal1 the guests assisting4 ,at each place is a small tea plate1 knife and spoon1 but no napkins and none of the numberless dishes generally seen on ,american tables4 ,no water glasses are placed on the table4 ,instead there is a pitcher1 carafe or siphon on the side-board or serving table1 which is passed to the guest should he ask for water4 ,the table is nicely balanced by dishes in pairs1 there are two plates of butter1 one fresh and one salted at either end of the table1 two plates of bread1 two plates of fancy cakes1 two dishes of of bread1 two plates of fancy cakes1 two dishes of jelly1 etc4 ,the menu for the tea is white and graham bread and fresh and salted butter1 tea1 scones1 strawberry jam1 orange marmalade1 fancy cakes1 including macaroons1 jelly cake made in two layers and called jelly sandwiches and sometimes tiny cold pancakes4 ,the last course is fresh strawberries served on the stem with powdered sugar4 ,the men arrive at half past six o'clock and are served tea in the library1 smoking room or den4 ,preceding the supper which is served at half past nine o'clock1 the guests talk1 play cards or have music4 ,the supper table is arranged much as the tea-table save between the small vases are small candleholders with lighted candles4 ,the host and hostess are at either end of the table and each serves a meat1 the plates being passed by a maid and by the guests4 ,there is a vegetable dish at each end of the table4 ,the meats and vegetables are served on one plate1 the only extra plate being the small bread and butter plate with the bread and butter knife laid across it4 ,the maid removes the first course dishes and places a large bowl of strawberries and dessert saucers before the hostess who serves strawberries1 the maid and the guests passing the saucers4 ,the guests hand the nuts1 cheese1 fresh fruits and other edibles about1 doing away with the services of the maid4 ,the supper menu includes a hot beef-steak and onion or other meat pie1 cut by the hostess1 hot fish1 ,finnan ,haddie being a great favorite1 cold tongue1 mashed potatoes1 cauliflower1 celery1 cheese1 bottled pop1 lemonade1 white bread1 graham bread1 scones1 fresh and salted butter1 jellies and jams1 marmalade4 ,the second course is fresh strawberries1 oranges1 bananas1 ,english walnuts4 ,after supper cards1 music and chatting fill in the hours until midnight and sometimes longer for the bonnie ,scots are typical night owls4 ,a ,,gypsy ,,tea ,,out ,,of ,,doors4 ,a ,gypsy tea is the occasion of entertainment of young men by young women1 wherein the young men have nothing to do but come and be treated just as hospitably and courteously as is possible4 ,the girls must do all the hard work1 all the planning1 all the inviting and bear all the responsibilities of every kind4 ,twelve or more girls meet and appoint committees to attend to the necessary arrangements--one committee to select a picnic ground1 another to invite the young gentlemen whom they desire to attend1 another to arrange for the music1 and another to get the refreshments4 ,all the other committees work under the directions of the committee on arrangements4 ,a ,gypsy tea always begins at twilight4 ,the girls who are to select the picnic ground must exercise much judgment in deciding on a convenient and picturesque location1 and as dancing is always an attractive feature of such an outing1 they should see that there is a suitable pavilion nearby4 ,then there must be a spot well adapted for a campfire1 for a ,gypsy tea would never be a success without a campfire burning in the twilight4 ,other essentials are a kettle and tripod4 ,three rough poles are made to form a tripod and the kettle is suspended from the vertex of the angles or the crossing point of the poles4 ,music1 in which string instruments figure most conspicuously1 should be selected1 as this lends itself best to the weird effect which should be sought4 ,three or four pieces will generally be sufficient and they may consist of a violin1 guitar1 banjo and snare drum or the drum may be omitted if not convenient4 ,the committee appointed to gather the refreshments must have the assistance of all the other women of the club1 for its work is very arduous and necessitates great care and precaution and good judgment4 ,each girl must subscribe something to eat1 and care should be taken that all the girls do not contribute cakes1 pies and pickles4 ,get plenty of cold meats1 sandwiches and you might have some nuts of some kind or sweet potatoes or raw eggs or something to roast in the campfire4 ,in a ,gypsy tea the young women must all go to the grounds by themselves1 unattended by the men and the men are to arrive in a body later2 they have previously been informed of the exact location and hour when they will be expected4 ,the young women should all wear ,gypsy costumes and one must be a fortune teller or good at pretending that she can tell fortunes4 ,if suitable arrangements can be made for their reaching the grounds without appearing too conspicuous they may wear the ,gypsy costumes as outer garments en route4 ,otherwise each girl can slip on something easily divested1 over the ,gypsy dress and remove it at the picnic grounds before the young men arrive1 donning it again before time to start home4 ,arrangements should be made for a vehicle to make the round of all the girl's homes on the day of the ,gypsy tea to gather up the refreshments and take them to the picnic ground previously selected4 ,on the day of the outing all the girls gather at an appointed place and go together to the grounds by such means of transportation as they deem best suited to the conditions4 ,the vehicle containing the refreshments and other needful appendages may follow4 ,on reaching the grounds the girls all get busy making the preparations and getting everything in excellent condition for the arrival of the boys4 ,the tripods are arranged1 the kettle is hung1 the campfire is built1 and the grounds are made to look artistic4 ,when the men arrive just at the hour of sundown1 everything is in readiness4 ,the fire is burning brightly1 the fortune teller is at her post1 the kettle is steaming and the refreshments are spread on table cloths laid on the grass4 ,then the tea is made and each man enjoys a dainty but toothsome repast4 ,after tea the baskets and equipments are replaced in the wagon and the grounds cleared4 ,the remainder of the evening may be spent in dancing1 fortune telling and the like4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,a ,,japanese ,,tea4 #a4 ,in ,japan the hostess serves the tea from the table4 ,there is a charcoal burner over which the water is kept lukewarm1 not hot4 ,the tea is powdered very fine4 ,it is in the teapot or cups as the hostess chooses4 ,the water is poured over it and off quickly for the tea in the cup is very weak and only straw-colored1 not dark as we make it4 ,it is drunk without cream or sugar4 ,with it are served tiny wafer-like sweet cakes and dishes of bonbons are on the table1 no nuts1 just bonbons4 ,nothing is on the table save the tea equipment1 tiny cups and saucers and dishes of sweets4 ,as the water is only lukewarm one can easily have the five o'clock teakettle on the table 7though that is not ,japanese74 ,as fast as the water boils pour into a pitcher and keep the kettle replenished1 pouring into the cups from the pitcher4 ,or have the maids bring the water from the kitchen4 ,in ,japan the geisha girls are employed in the public teahouses to entertain men visitors so maids will be a better term by which to call the young girls who help you4 ,if one wishes to make their room ,japanese1 fill the vases with imitation peach or cherry blossoms1 hang ,japanese lanterns in doorways and ,japanese banners1 which can be made from paper napkins and bright red paper for a background4 ,the incense sticks are very inexpensive and any large department store which deals in ,japanese goods including the five and ten cent stores1 keep them4 ,serve date sandwiches cut in shape of dominoes and dotted with currants1 or nut or any sandwiches desired cut in this shape and so decorated1 chocolate with whipped cream1 strawberries arranged around a mound of powdered sugar1 a spray of strawberry leaves and blossoms laid on the plate1 or any fresh berries4 ,serve small cakes domino shape covered with white icing1 dotted with tiny chocolate candies representing the domino spots4 ,or if one wishes to serve ice cream with the berries have it moulded in a two quart can1 then turned out on a round platter1 making a column of ice cream4 ,surround with fresh berries at the base with a few large perfect berries on top4 ,a ,,japanese ,,tea4 #b4 ,instead of using the orthodox square at home cards1 write the invitations on long1 thin1 narrow slips of paper1 the lettering running from the bottom to the top and from right to left2 a few queer birds1 the suggestion of a lantern and a falling chrysanthemum splashed in carelessly in sepia1 are very effective touches4 ,the cherry-blossoms are used in decorating1 which are simply little1 round1 white paper petals with the edges dipped in red dye1 fastened to boughs and put up everywhere1 as are also the fluffy chrysanthemums1 dainty butterflies1 and a profusion of cheap little fans4 ,a huge ,japanese umbrella hangs over the tea-table1 at which four girls dressed in kimonas preside1 while two others are in the drawing room4 ,the kimonas1 which are very easily made1 are all different in color1 although a two-color scheme would1 perhaps1 be prettier--say white and yellow1 or white and mauve1 with chrysanthemums to correspond4 ,the refreshments are1 perhaps1 the most novel part of the whole idea4 ,instead of the conventional salads1 ices1 cakes1 etc41 the guests are served with delicious tea1 in the daintiest of ,japanese cups1 and hot buttered baps4 ,during the afternoon have selections from ,the ,geisha1 ,the ,mandarin1 ,the ,little ,tycoon1 and ,the ,mikado4 ,a ,,japanese ,,tea4 #c4 ,at a ,japanese ,tea1 several small tables are used1 set at intervals in the room2 these are generally presided over by the hostess and the ladies who receive with her1 each being furnished with a tea service4 ,they are laid in white damask or linen embroidered in a ,japanese design1 the center is occupied by a circular mound of red blossoms which symbolize the emblem of the ,flowery ,kingdom's flag1 combining the national colors also red and white4 ,in the middle of the mound1 slightly elevated1 there is placed a ,jinriki-sha1 which is the riding vehicle of ,japan1 a two-wheeled affair resembling our modern dog-cart2 it is drawn by a man in costume and seated in it is a woman1 also in costume1 holding above her and large enough to extend over the table1 one of those grotesque paper umbrellas1 which are as much a part of that country as its rice and tea4 ,the edges of these are festooned with red and white flowers and hung with the smaller sized1 globe shaped lanterns that are used profusely about the room also1 for decorating and lights4 ,candelabra likewise is used1 and it should be of that quaint looking black material that is decidedly ,oriental in appearance and is the latest thing in such bric-a-brac4 ,white tapers with red shades show off to advantage above this dark fancifully wrought metal1 shedding a softly subdued radiance1 at once pretty and restful to the eye4 ,the chrysanthemum1 while not the national flower1 is the imperial favorite and best beloved bloom of the people1 therefore it is the proper one for decoration1 united with potted plants1 palms1 vines1 etc4 ,all hues and kinds may be combined in the general adornment of room or rooms 7the red and white being confined to the tables alone71 for twining1 banking or bouquets1 just as fancy dictates1 and the furnishings admit4 ,the chrysanthemum1 gorgeous in itself and lavishly employed1 makes a superb decoration1 and if1 for a background1 the walls1 doors1 windows1 etc41 are draped in ,japanese tapestry goods1 with friezes of the flowers1 the result will prove singularly striking and beautiful4 ,of course1 ,japanese china is used1 and as to the things to eat there can be offered thin sardine sandwiches1 delicate wafers1 fruits1 confections4 ,this is merely a suggestion2 individuals use their own ideas1 and at different places customs change4 ,ices served should be in oblong squares with round red centers to represent the flag of ,japan4 ,souvenirs for guests1 if any are given1 ought to be small cups and saucers of the genuine ware or fac-simile in candy1 tied with red and white ribbons4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,two ,,valentine ,,teas4 ,here's to a cup of tea4 ,it holds intoxication great for me4 ,i find it makes me want to dare ,do bold things right then and there2 ,to steal a kiss from ,phyllis fair1 as she pours tea4 ,pink is the color scheme2 the invitations are written on rose-tinted cardboard1 cut heart-shape and adorned with floral love-knots4 ,the hostess can wear a pink gown and the rosy-hue effect is also carried out in the dining-room decorations4 ,on a blank space of the wall have two hearts formed of pink carnations and smilax1 and pierced by a gilded arrow4 ,beneath1 on a pink cardboard1 lettered in gold1 have this verse3 ,love always looks for love again2 ,if ever single it is twain1 ,and till it finds its counterpart ,it bears about an aching heart4 ,the long table1 covered with snowy cloth1 has the valentine idea in heart design used as much as possible in the decorations4 ,the candles are pink and the paper shades in the shape of roses2 pink bonbons bearing appropriate mottoes and tiny cakes covered with pink frosting1 are in heart-shaped dishes2 around the dishes are garlands of green1 caught in a bow-knot with a narrow pink satin ribbon4 ,in the center of the table is a large heart-shaped cake1 fringed with smilax and pink roses1 and on the top1 pink figures numbered from one to sixteen4 ,before the cake is cut1 a silver tray holding corresponding numbers is passed1 with the explanation that one of the pieces contains a tiny gold heart1 and that the finder will surely succumb to ,cupid's darts before another year4 ,in another piece is a dime which will bring the lucky possessor success1 wealth and happiness4 ,the place-cards consist of heart shaped booklets with the name of the guest in gold1 and an artistic sketch of ,cupid equipped with bow and arrow4 ,on the leaves are the following conundrums3 ,what kind of a ship has two mates and no captain8 7,courtship47 ,what is the difference between a mouse and a young woman8 7,one wishes to harm the cheese1 the other to charm the he's47 ,the souvenirs are square cards1 on which are quaint pen sketches1 and rhymes1 each peculiarly adapted to the one that receives it1 and1 of course1 more or less personal4 ,the ices are heart-shaped and the two maids who act as waitresses represent the ,queen of ,hearts1 attired in dresses bedecked with hearts1 and small crowns of hearts upon their heads4 ,have a heart hung from the chandelier1 the guests in turn being placed about eight feet from it1 then request them to hold the left hand over one eye1 raise the right arm even with the heart1 and keeping it in that position1 walk rapidly straight ahead and hit it with a finger1 striking horizontally4 ,it is declared easy to do until tried4 ,a ,,valentine ,,tea4 #b4 ,here are some contests for a valentine tea4 ,call on each one for an impromptu valentine4 ,award a book of rhymes for the best4 ,turn down the lights and require each man to propose to his partner4 ,prepare red cardboard hearts and write fortunes on them with baking powder and water4 ,ask each guest to select a heart and hold it to the fire when the writing will appear4 ,provide a fish pond with comic valentines4 ,provide a long table1 sheets of fancy paper1 flowers1 pictures1 paste1 scissors and watercolors and ask each to make an original valentine4 ,the game of hearts1 the auction of hearts and the auction of valentines are old but excellent ways of amusing a company4 ,for the auction of hearts the girls are in a separate room and a clever auctioneer calls off their charms and merits and knocks them down to the highest bidder1 who does not know who he has bought until all are sold4 ,a fancy dress party1 each girl representing a valentine1 is a delightful entertainment for the evening4 ,a small boy may be used for ,cupid and blindfolded4 ,he takes a man from one side of the room and presents him to a girl on the other side of the room4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,a ,,grandmother',s ,,tea ,,party4 ,one of the newest suggestions for an original hospitality is ,a ,grandmother's ,tea ,party4 ,if you have an at home day1 as every busy woman should1 and you want to serve tea to your guests1 offer it to them as it was offered fifty years or more ago4 ,first of all1 collect all of your antique table service4 ,every family has some dear old treasures of the kind--tea cups1 old linen1 flower vases1 silver epergns1 etc4 ,you probably have somewhere laid away a wonderful old damask cloth which dates back at least half a century4 ,cover the table with this and scatter over it a handful of carnations1 allowing them to fall at haphazard4 ,the centerpiece will be in the form of a huge cake placed on a high glass dish4 ,this confection might be resplendent in a design of blossoms and turtle-doves carried out in variously tinted icings as the old-time cakes so often were4 ,on either side of the cake dish are placed tall epergns--veritable antique pieces built high with pyramids of fruit4 ,bonbons--they should be called sugar plums in this connection--must be old-fashioned sweets quaintly wrapped in fringed papers4 ,often the tall glass lamps will also be procurable in a pattern of fifty years ago4 ,this will produce a thoroughly charming little table with a quaintness and a touch of femininity that everyone will enjoy4 ,the woman who is looking for a new way to serve tea on her day at home couldn't do better than to attempt this4 ,it is easy to do2 it costs little1 it is pretty2 it is feminine4 ,,an ,,april ,,fool ,,tea4 ,send invitations asking your guests to dress as foolish as possible4 ,the hostesses costume can be combinations of several1 as a decollete corsage1 short walking skirt1 one high-heeled slipper and one bedroom slipper1 one side of her hair braided and hanging down and the other piled up high and decorated with feathers from the duster4 ,or she can dress as ,folly with pointed black velvet bodice1 white blouse1 red and yellow striped skirts1 pointed cap and wear a small black masque covering the upper part of the face1 and carry a stick wound with red and yellow ribbon with tiny bells fastened by ribbons4 ,if you care to take the trouble and the expense 7though it need not be very great71 you can construct a maze or labyrinth by which the guests approach your door4 ,make this of frames of wood covered with sheeting1 newspapers or heavy cartridge paper1 and make as many turns in it as you choose4 ,when the front door is reached have it fly back and display the sign3 ,april ,fool4 ,try the back door4 ,if you have a side entrance you can have a similar sign and prolong the agony4 ,have a dummy hostess at the back door and direct the guests to one or two wrong rooms before they reach the right dressing room4 ,have a masked person standing at the door of the parlor as hostess4 ,when the guest starts to shake hands1 display the sign ,april ,fool1 ,i am not the hostess4 ,have two or three hostesses before the right one is reached4 ,have the room full of surprises in the way of decorations1 cabbage heads and vegetables for bouquets1 tin lanterns for lights1 a den for stuffed animals and similar fakes4 ,no talking of any kind will be permitted for the first hour1 though two or three notebooks and pencils can be displayed for those who feel they must express their thoughts4 ,the examination of the fool costumes will take place in deaf and dumb show4 ,give a bunch of onions tied with green calico for the worst costume4 ,ring a big dinner bell at six o'clock and arrange one or two childish games to be played to fill in the time before tea or ask the guests to represent some noted character in pantomime1 the others to guess which character is portrayed4 ,for the tea pass cards numbered from one to ten and have the guests call for their supper by indicating four numbers--#a1 fork2 #b1 sandwich2 #c1 plate2 #d1 pickle2 #e1 napkin2 #f1 glass of water2 #g1 cup of coffee2 #h1 cake2 #i1 spoon2 #aj1 ice cream4 ,for instance1 a guest writing on his card #a1 #c1 #e1 #f1 would receive a fork1 plate1 napkin and glass of water for his supper4 ,have several waiters and put names on the lists so that all the articles may be brought in at once4 ,after waiting until those who get articles of food try to eat them1 for of course1 the sandwiches1 cake1 pickles and ice cream must be ,april ,fool ones made of sawdust1 cotton and similar substances4 ,serve real sandwiches1 coffee1 cake and ice cream4 ,a ,,colonial ,,tea4 ,a delightful way to entertain six elderly lady friends would be to give a ,colonial tea4 ,word the invitations thus3 ,my ,dear ,madame3--,ye distinguished ,honor of your ,presence is requested ,thursday1 ye ,second of ,october1 from ,three of ye ,clock until ye early ,candlelight1 at ,four ,hundred and ,seven1 ,sheridan ,road1 ye ,city of ----1 ye ,state of ----1 to meet your most ,obedient and ,humble ,servant1 ,mistress ----4 ,light the rooms with candlelight and decorate with nosegays of garden flowers and autumn leaves4 ,seat the guests at round tables4 ,have all the viands on the table at once4 ,let the menu be cold turkey1 pressed chicken1 cold tongue1 tiny pocketbook rolls1 jellies and preserves1 gelatines1 pound cake and fruit cake1 hot tea and chocolate4 ,decorate the table with old-fashioned flowers in quaint vases4 ,women of that age generally prefer to bring their own needlework and visit1 so have a brief program of old-fashioned music1 or an interesting old-fashioned story read4 ,,pretty ,,rose ,,tea4 ,one of the most beautiful rose teas can be given if one has a rose garden4 ,hundreds of dozens of roses1 white for the drawing-room1 red for the hall and library1 yellow for the music room and pink for the dining room can be used4 ,the roses are placed in immense ,oriental bowls on polished table tops4 ,the tea table has an immense basket of pink and white roses in rare varieties and the surface of the table is covered with a smilax mat bordered with pink roses and tiny electric light bulbs looking like glow worms4 ,the ice cream is in the shape of a pink cup with green handles filled with fruit the whole being of ice cream and very delicious4 ,with this is served little pink cakes and candy roses and chocolate with whipped cream4 ,,omber ,,shades ,,of ,,rose4 ,a beautiful color effect can be secured for a tea by placing on a long table a series of ,french baskets of roses shading from ,american beauty to white4 ,the basket at the lower end of the table is in the ,american beauty shade1 the next basket of roses of a lighter shade1 the third a deep pink1 the fourth a pale pink and the fifth basket bride roses4 ,tied to these baskets are ribbons in the omber shades of rose4 ,the candles between the baskets are the same shades as the different roses and the electric lights of the chandelier are hooded in rose like shades of varying hues4 ,a ,,bouquet ,,tea4 ,let the invitations read somewhat in this way3 ,will you take tea with us under the trees ,tuesday afternoon at five o'clock8 ,please wear a bunch of roses4 ,hoping that we may have the pleasure of your company1 believe me1 ,sincerely yours1 ----4 ,the piazza is the most natural place for the guests to assemble1 and after hats have been laid aside within doors1 the four walls of the house may be left behind1 and on the shaded piazza1 made charming with a few bowls of roses1 the ,bouquet ,game can be played1 making a pleasant beginning to the party4 ,this game is most suitable for a gathering not too large1 as it somewhat taxes the memory4 ,the guests are placed at one side of the piazza in a long line and each is provided with a bouquet1 holding a few less flowers than there are guests1 that is3 ,if there are fifteen guests1 each should have a dozen flowers4 ,each person then takes the name of a flower and as the hostess calls the roll each says slowly and distinctly1 ,i am a pansy1 ,i am a rose1 a tulip1 a violet1 as the case may be4 ,the hostess writes these names down so that she may have them for reference4 ,she may call the roll once again when this is done to freshen memories1 and then until the end of the game no one1 under any circumstances1 may reveal her flower identity4 ,then one at a time1 beginning at the right hand1 each guest is called to the center facing the line to be asked one question by every one in turn in the line4 ,in her answers the one in the center must include the questioners' flower identity4 ,no4 #a1 for instance1 is ,lily and asks the person in the center4 ,what animal do you like best8 ,he answers1 ,tiger-lily and then ,lily presents him with a flower4 ,no4 #b may be ,sunflower and the one in the center cannot remember it1 so when asked a question he says to sunflower or ,no4 #b1 ,weed ,i know you not and gives ,sunflower a flower1 and so all down the line until the end when the one who has been in the center takes his place in the line and the next in turn comes out to the middle of the piazza to face the ranks and try his memory4 ,of course many of the flower names can only be brought in awkwardly1 but there is a chance for some cleverness and fun4 ,the game makes merry fun if all enter into the spirit of it4 ,if any one gets entirely out of flowers he drops out of the game4 ,at the end prizes are given to the man and the girl having the largest number of flowers in their bouquets4 ,,spring ,,planting4 ,spring ,planting is another good contest3 ,plant the days of the year and what will come up8--,dates4 ,plant a kiss and what8--7two lips7 ,tulips ,plant a girl's complexion and what8--,pinks4 ,plant tight shoes and what8--,acorn4 ,plant a millionaire and what8--7,astor7 ,aster4 ,plant a disciple of ,st4 ,paul and what8--,timothy4 ,plant a landing for boats and what8--,docks4 ,plant an unfortunate love affair and what8--,bleeding heart4 ,plant some cats and what8--,cat tails4 ,plant a government building and what8--,mint4 ,plant the author of ,the ,marble ,faun and what8--,hawthorn4 ,plant a tramp and what8--7beat7 ,beet4 ,plant a dude and what8--,coxcomb4 ,plant something black and what8--,nightshade4 ,plant a vessel for holding liquid and what8--,pitcherplant ,plant the signet of a king of ,israel and what8--,solomon's seal4 ,plant a fortune hunter and what8--7marry gold7 ,marigold4 ,plant a little puppy and what8--,dogwood4 ,plant a happy love affair and what8--,hearts-ease4 ,plant a lover's request and what8--,forget-me-not4 ,plant a wise man and what8--,sage4 ,an ,israelite with the habit of traveling and what8--,wandering ,jew4 ,plant a young lady on a foggy morning and what8--,maid-in-the-mist4 ,plant an afternoon hour and what8 ,four o'clock4 ,plant a bird in old clothes and what8--,ragged robin4 ,plant the unmarried man's bane and what8--,bachelors buttons4 ,plant something neat and what8--,spruce4 ,plant a dainty piece of china and what8--,buttercup4 ,plant a cow and what8--,milkweed4 ,plant ,solomon's sceptre and what8--,goldenrod4 ,plant a little boy and what8--,johnny-jump-up4 ,plant a young minister and what8--,jack-in-the-pulpit4 ,plant a royal lady and what8--,queen-of-the-meadow4 ,then if the hostess has even a bit of a garden1 a bell rung out under the trees calls the merry throng to partake of old-fashioned high tea at little tables set where the afternoon shadows slant restfully1 and with the birds' music about1 the charm of out-of-doors will add flavor to the dainties4 ,tea biscuit1 chicken salad and tea or chocolate1 ices or frozen custard and sponge cake are most suitable4 ,a ,,high ,,tea4 ,a ,high ,tea is one of the most complimentary entertainments to which a hostess may invite her friends in the afternoon4 ,the number of guests is limited1 but the possibilities for decoration1 daintiness and elegance are unlimited4 ,the exact hour is written on the invitation1 as ,high ,tea at #d3jj o'clock 7or #e3jj o'clock74 ,the guests may number about twenty-four1 but twelve or sixteen is a desirable number4 ,they arrive exactly at the appointed hour4 ,they are seated at small tables having places for four at each table4 ,the menu is a little more substantial than for a reception4 ,here is a typical ,high ,tea menu3 ,hot ,bouillon ,sweetbread and ,mushroom ,patties ,tiny ,pickles ,creamed ,chicken in ,green ,peppers ,cauliflower ,scalloped ,hot ,rolls ,spiced ,cherries ,asparagus ,salad ,grated ,parmesan ,cheese ,ice ,cream in form of ,fruits1 ,flowers1 or any desired form ,angel ,food ,coffee ,this menu1 of course1 may be varied4 ,clam cocktail1 grape fruit1 a fruit cup or hot fruit soup may be served for the first course1 croquettes1 any sort of salad and ice cream or gelatines4 ,an original embroidery contest to precede the tea is to secure the large pattern initials which come very inexpensive1 getting the initial of each guest4 ,prepare oblong pieces of linen or lawn which will fold into envelope shape1 six by fourteen inches4 ,give each guest a piece of the linen and the pattern for her initial4 ,she embroiders the initial in the corner or center of the flap to the envelope which is a stock and turnover case when finished4 ,each guest is given her turnover case to finish as a souvenir4 ,give prizes for the best initial1 the one completed first and for the slowest4 ,a ,,simple ,,menu ,,for ,,high ,,tea4 ,for a high tea for ladies1 serve first an oyster cocktail in glasses1 fruit punch or brandied peaches4 ,then serve sweetbread salad1 with bread and butter sandwiches4 ,frozen eggnog and fig cake are a change from the regulation ice cream4 ,follow by tea4 ,a ,,book-,,title ,,tea4 #a4 ,the latest novelty in afternoon entertainments in ,england is what is called a book-title tea4 ,of course1 this would be just as amusing in the evening1 and any refreshments may be served that the hostess prefers4 ,the guests are all expected to devise and wear some particular badge or ornament which indicates1 more or less clearly1 the title of some book1 preferably works which are well known4 ,the badges worn may be very clever and most tastefully executed4 ,dodo may be impersonated by showing a bar of music containing the two representative notes of the tonic sol-fa method4 ,little ,men is represented by a badge bearing the names of little great men1 such as ,napoleon1 ,lord ,roberts1 etc4 ,a lady may wear around her neck fragments of china tied by a ribbon4 ,this represents ,the ,break-,up of ,china1 ,lord ,charles ,beresford's book4 ,another lady1 whose name is ,alice1 may wear a necklace of little mirrors1 and this represents ,alice ,through ,a ,looking ,glass4 ,an ingenious design consists of a nickel coin1 a photo of a donkey1 another nickel coin1 and a little bee1 meaning ,nickolas ,nickleby4 ,a daisy stuck into a tiny miller's hat stands for ,daisy ,miller1 and the letters of the word olive twisted on a wire for ,oliver ,twist4 ,two little gates1 made of paste board and a jar1 represents ,gates ,ajar1 and a string of little dolls dressed as men1 ,all ,sorts and ,conditions of ,men4 ,there are many other interesting and ingenious designs4 ,a ,,book ,,title ,,tea4 #b4 ,this is an original entertainment for a few friends4 ,have amusing pen and ink sketches handed around together with a small note book and pencil for each guest4 ,explain that each sketch is supposed to represent some well-known book and each guest is given an opportunity to put on his or her thinking cap and name the volume in his note book and pass the sketch on4 ,this novel game affords no end of mirth and enjoyment and at a given time the hostess looks over the books and corrects them4 ,the ,house of ,seven ,gables is very simple and easy to guess1 it being simply a rough sketch of a house with seven gables4 ,an ,old-,fashioned ,girl is represented by a girl of ye olden time in simple and quaint costume with a school bag on her arm4 ,a small snow covered house is enough to suggest ,snow ,bound to many of the guests4 ,the ,lady and the ,tiger ought not to puzzle anyone1 it is a simple sketch of a lady's head in one corner and a tiger in the other4 ,on one card appears #aeth of ,march1 which seems more baffling than all the others4 ,it proves to be ,middlemarch4 ,a large letter ,a in vivid red of course represents ,a ,scarlet ,letter4 ,helen's ,babies is a sketch of two chubby boys in night robes4 ,heavenly ,twins is represented by twin stars in the heavens4 ,darkest ,africa needs nothing but the face of a darkey boy with mouth stretched from ear to ear4 ,one of the sketches is a moonlight scene with ships going in opposite directions and is easily guessed to represent ,ships that ,pass in the ,night4 ,anyone with originality can devise many other amusing and more difficult sketches4 ,prizes might be given to the one who guesses the largest number correctly4 ,,patriotic ,,tea4 ,while other constellations sink and fade1 ,and ,orient planets cool with dying fires1 ,columbia's brilliant star can not be stayed1 ,and1 heaven-drawn1 towards higher arcs aspires2 ,a ,star of ,destiny whose searching rays ,light all the firmament's remotest ways4 ,that force which is largely responsible for the greatness and grandeur of the ,republic is the woman behind the man behind the gun4 ,booklets with small silk flags mounted on the covers and bearing these quotations with tiny red1 white and blue pencils attached make suitable favors for the guests at a high tea4 ,for one contest give twenty minutes in which to write a list of words ending in nation as1 carnation1 condemnation1 etc4 ,for this prize give a red1 white and blue streamer on which tiny flags of all nations are fastened4 ,for a second contest allow a given length of time in which to write correctly the words of the ,american national anthem4 ,a book containing a description of national music would make a suitable prize for this contest4 ,decorate the dining room with silk flags and red1 white and blue bunting and in the center of the table have a blue vase filled with red and white hyacinths or carnations or roses4 ,have the ice cream frozen in form of a bust of ,washington on a shield in three colors4 ,,debut ,,tea4 ,the leading color in the refreshment room is yellow4 ,the table has a beautiful lace cover and in the center is a large basket of yellow roses1 the ,golden ,gate variety4 ,around the center are candles with yellow silk shades and a silver compote holding green glace grapes tied with yellow ribbon4 ,the mantel is filled with ferns and a mass of yellow roses in the center4 ,the electric lights at either side of the mantel have yellow silk shades4 ,instead of ice cream and cake1 the menu for the afternoon tea is a delicious meringue filled with whipped cream and wine jelly1 coffee and glace grapes4 ,,yellow ,,tea4 ,yellow is a pretty color for a bridal tea given in ,june4 ,use scores of yellow candles in crystal candlesticks and candelabra and yellow roses in vases1 baskets and wall pockets on window and book ledges1 plate rails1 book cases and hung in the doorways by yellow ribbons4 ,an immense basket of yellow roses and ferns with a white cupid in the center is pretty in the center of the tea-table4 ,outside this basket have a border of individual crystal candlesticks with yellow tapers and small golden hearts attached to the tapers4 ,the bonbons are yellow hearts and all the refreshments are yellow and heart shaped4 ,a ,,candlelight ,,tea4 ,illuminate the rooms with candles in different colors with shades to correspond1 green and white in the parlor1 setting a row of candles in a straight line across the mantel and banking them with masses of feathery green4 ,use pink in the dining or supper room4 ,have a round table lighted by pink candles and pink shades in flower forms1 placing the candles either in a pyramid in the center or in a wreath with ,christmas green tied with broad pink ribbon1 in the center4 ,at each plate put a tiny ,dresden candle stick 7such as come in desk sets7 with pink candles for favors4 ,serve hot bouillon1 oyster and mushroom patties1 tiny pickles1 creamed chicken in green peppers1 cauliflower au gratin1 hot rolls1 spiced cherries1 asparagus salad1 grated ,parmesan cheese1 wafers1 ice cream in form of pink candles with lighted tapers1 ,christmas cakes4 ,a ,,flower ,,tea4 ,for early ,september a flower tea is a most enjoyable affair and is easily arranged with little expense4 ,have the invitations sent out at least a week before the event4 ,the parlors should be tastefully arranged and decorated with flowers4 ,wild flowers are in abundance at this time and they are always bright and cheery4 ,let each guest1 as she arrives1 be presented with a bouquet of flowers1 no two being alike4 ,for amusement there is nothing better and more instructive than the following3 ,pass to each lady a sheet of paper with a pencil1 the paper containing typewritten questions4 ,explain to the company that the contest is to last fifteen or twenty minutes as desired4 ,the printed questions are to be answered by the name of flowers4 ,here are appropriate questions for the contest1 with correct answers3 ,what lady veils her face8 ,maid-of-the-,mist4 ,who is the sad lady8 ,ane-mone4 ,what lady weeps for her love8 ,mourning-bride4 ,who is the bell of the family8 ,bell-,flower4 ,what untruthful lady shuns the land8 ,false-,mermaid4 ,what young lady is still the baby of the family8 ,virginia ,creeper4 ,what lady comes from the land where ladies bind their feet8 ,rose-of-,china4 ,who is the neat lady8 ,prim-rose4 ,after the given time expires let each guest sign her name to the paper she holds and exchange with her nearest neighbor4 ,then the fun begins as one rises and reads the questions and answers4 ,each lady should mark the paper she holds and in rotation they rise and give the number of correct answers1 not mentioning the name on the paper4 ,when it has been decided which paper holds the greatest number of correct answers1 the contestant's name is given as winner1 and she is presented with a dainty souvenir1 such as a flower vase1 or a dainty painting of flowers4 ,other games and contests may follow1 all suggestive of flower land4 ,the afternoon-tea should be dainty and appropriate4 ,a big doll1 literally covered with flowers1 makes a pretty centerpiece for the table4 ,let ice lemonade be served1 each glass having a sweet flower floating on its surface4 ,the cakes should be in the form of flowers and the bonbons1 flower candies4 ,it is pretty to call each guest by the name of the flower given her when she arrives4 ,if there is music after tea let a song of the flowers be rendered4 ,,an ,,exchange ,,tea4 ,this style of party is intensely amusing1 and will keep a large company interested for several hours of an evening or afternoon1 as it is one continued round of mirth-provoking sells1 in which everybody is sold4 ,it is not so much in vogue for small affairs1 where only a few guests are invited1 but where a large crowd is to be entertained it is just the thing to furnish enjoyment and fun4 ,this is how it is arranged4 ,when requested to attend an exchange tea1 each person1 male and female1 picks out from his belongings1 personal or otherwise1 such an article as he or she does not want1 and after wrapping it well1 takes it to the party4 ,of course1 everybody desires to get rid of his parcel1 and the exchange business waxes warm and furious as it progresses1 for usually not one individual obtains anything which he wishes to keep1 as a pig in a poke is scarcely ever a bargain4 ,constant exchanging is not compulsory1 so that if by any lucky chance you have gotten rid of your own bundle1 and become the proud possessor of another whose hidden treasures happen to suit you1 then you are privileged to stop and hold on to your prize4 ,generally speaking1 however1 the contents of the mysterious parcels are hardly ever desirable1 which creates all the more excitement and enthusiastic bargaining1 and in the end each one will be left with something ridiculous or utterly useless1 upon his hands4 ,and that's just where the fun comes in4 ,serve this menu3 ,cold ,sliced ,chicken1 garnished with tiny ,radishes and ,hard-boiled ,eggs ,olives ,nut ,sandwiches ,orange and ,pineapple ,salad ,sweet ,wafers ,strawberry ,ice ,cream ,iced ,tea ,a ,,watermelon ,,tea4 ,ask a congenial party1 being sure that all are fond of watermelon4 ,have the fruit on ice at least twenty-four hours before serving1 and above all things give this affair when the temperature is up in the nineties if you want it fully appreciated4 ,have a sharp knife and cut the melons at the table 7for it is such a decorative fruit71 and use only white dishes and flowers4 ,let each guest count the seeds in the piece or pieces and give a souvenir to the one having the largest number4 ,a pretty prize and appropriate is to procure a very small and symmetrical melon1 cut off the end1 hollow out and line with oiled paper1 fill with bonbons and tie the end on with broad pink satin ribbon4 ,if expense is no object1 have a quartet of colored singers with banjos concealed and let them sing good old plantation songs for an hour or two1 not forgetting ,den1 oh1 dat watermelon4 ,grape juice is a good drink to serve this party4 ,have the tumblers half filled with finely cracked ice4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,unique ,,ideas ,,for ,,tea4 ,a ,,chocolatiere4 ,a chocolatiere is a pretty affair4 ,the decoration is an immense mound of bride roses in the center of the dining room table4 ,the refreshments are baskets of chocolate ice cream filled with whipped cream4 ,the cakes are chocolate squares4 ,the candies are all chocolate and cream1 and hot chocolate is served4 ,chocolatieres are very popular entertainments for young girls and for matrons4 ,they are given in the morning or afternoon4 ,as nearly every woman loves chocolate1 they are pretty certain to please the guests4 ,a ,,kaffee ,,klatch4 ,the kaffee klatsch is an afternoon affair where ladies meet and chat as they sew and are served a luncheon of ,german dishes--cold meats1 salads1 coffee-cake1 pickles1 coffee1 etc4 ,each guest is given a bit of needlework1 button-holes to work1 or a small doily to embroider and a prize is given for the best work4 ,have a number of tea towels1 cheesecloth dusters1 ,canton flannel bags for brooms1 silverware towels1 etc41 cut and ready to hem4 ,when the ladies assemble1 let them hem these as a gift for the bride 7for whom the kaffee klatsch is given7 to take home with her4 ,ask each to tell some of her first experiences in housekeeping1 and at the close of the afternoon take a vote on the funniest experience1 the cleverest in emergency and the best told4 ,to do this successfully1 you will have to lead the conversation and not let the ladies know they are talking purposely4 ,another way is to assign topics as for a conversation party1 giving such topics as3 ,my first attempt at making bread1 ,my first housecleaning1 ,unexpected guests1 ,my first pie1 etc4 ,or1 ask each guest to write her first housekeeping experience 7some funny incident7 and bring it4 ,have the papers read aloud1 but not the names4 ,let the guests guess whose the experiences are4 ,use this contest4 ,what stitch is3 ,hard to live with8 7,cross stitch47 ,a part of a cough8 7,hemstitch47 ,a part of a window8 7,blindstitch47 ,is found on a fowl8 7,featherstitch47 ,is a fish and something everyone has8 7,herring-bone47 ,is made of many links8 7,chainstitch47 ,is not forward8 7,backstitch47 ,is useless without a key8 7,lockstitch47 ,repeats itself8 7,over and over stitch47 ,for a prize for the best answers give a little leather sewing case fitted with needles and thread4 ,a ,,rushing ,,tea ,,for ,,sorority4 ,generally speaking1 one will use their sorority colors in flowers and ribbons and their insignia cut from paste-board and covered with tissue paper of the desired color4 ,a gigantic insignia would make a suitable wall decoration4 ,hang pennants of the colors everywhere1 and if it is a musical sorority1 work in the staff and notes in the decorations4 ,these can be painted on cheap white muslin or paper and tacked about the walls4 ,if one cares to learn a little musical yell1 do so as a surprise4 ,if the rushing is for new members1 one can easily plan a series of funny tableaux picturing the new member in various incidents3 ,leaving home1 or ,breaking ,home ,ties2 ,arriving at ,college2 ,crossing the ,campus2 ,meeting the ,president2 ,meeting ,her ,roommate2 ,unpacking1 etc4 ,insist upon the new members' answering each question to the tune of some college song1 or else coach the old members to answer all questions by new members in this manner4 ,have a sorority of dolls dressed in the colors1 each doll holding a pennant1 in the center of the table4 ,paint the staff and notes on the muslin table-cloth and make little paper drums to hold the salted nuts and bonbons4 ,serve grape juice1 a salad of mixed fruits1 sweet wafers and chocolate4 ,,sandwiches ,,for ,,teas4 ,the first requisite in the preparation of good sandwiches is to have perfect bread in suitable condition4 ,either white1 brown or entire wheat bread may be used1 but it should be of close1 even texture1 and at least one day old4 ,for very small1 dainty sandwiches to be served at afternoon teas or breakfasts1 the bread may be baked at home in baking-powder tins4 ,these should be only half-filled1 and allowed to rise before baking4 ,the butter should be softened by creaming1 not melting1 and spread smoothly on the bread before it is cut4 ,cut the slices as thin as possible1 and when a variety is offered it is well to keep each kind of a different shape1 as1 for instance1 circles of anchovy1 triangles of chicken1 fingers of game and squares of fruit butters4 ,flavored butters are much used in making sandwiches1 and are simply and easily prepared4 ,fresh1 unsalted butter should be used4 ,after creaming the butter1 add the flavoring material1 and beat until smooth and thoroughly blended4 ,caviare1 anchovy1 sardines1 oysters1 salmon1 lobster1 cheese1 cress1 chives1 ,chili1 ,chutney1 olives1 parsley1 cucumbers1 horseradish and paprika are all used for flavoring these various butters4 ,for afternoon teas1 fruit and flower butters make delicious sandwiches4 ,of these the most popular are strawberry1 pineapple1 red raspberry and peach4 ,lemon butter mixed with fresh grated cocoanut is also a delectable sandwich filling1 and cherry jelly with shavings of dried beef another4 ,butters flavored with rose or violet petals are very delicate and attractive1 but1 as may easily be imagined1 find little favor with the sterner sex1 who prefer their refreshments of a more substantial order4 ,anchovy ,sandwiches--,rub the yolks of hard-boiled eggs to a paste1 season to taste with anchovy essence1 and add a few olives1 stoned and chopped very fine4 ,spread this mixture on very thin slices of buttered bread and cut into dainty shapes4 ,caviare ,sandwiches--,spread thinly-buttered bread with fresh caviare seasoned with lemon juice and on top of this lay a little minced lobster4 ,finish with another piece of buttered bread4 ,olive ,sandwiches--,scald and cool twelve large olives1 stone them1 and chop very fine4 ,add one spoonful of mayonnaise dressing1 and one teaspoonful of cracker dust2 mix well1 and spread on buttered bread4 ,queen ,sandwiches--,mince finely two parts of cooked chicken or game to one part of cooked tongue1 and one part minced cooked mushrooms or truffles4 ,add seasoning and a little lemon juice1 and place between thin slices of buttered bread4 ,lobster ,sandwiches--,pound two tablespoonfuls of lobster meat fine2 add one tablespoonful of the coral1 dried and mashed smooth1 a teaspoonful of lemon juice1 a dash of nutmeg1 one-fourth of a teaspoonful of paprika1 and two tablespoonfuls of soft butter4 ,mix all to a smooth paste and spread between thin bread and butter4 ,jelly ,sandwiches--,mix a cupful of quince jelly with half a cupful of finely chopped hickory or pecan nuts1 and spread on buttered bread4 ,date ,sandwiches--,wash1 dry and stone the dates1 mash them to a pulp1 and add an equal amount of finely chopped ,english walnut or pecan meats4 ,moisten slightly with lemon juice4 ,spread smoothly on thinly-sliced brown bread4 ,fig ,sandwiches--,stem and chop very fine a sufficient number of figs4 ,add enough water to make of the consistency of marmalade1 and simmer to a smooth paste4 ,flavor with a little lemon juice1 and when cool spread on thin slices of buttered bread1 and sprinkle thickly with finely chopped nuts4 ,fruit ,sandwiches--,cut equal quantities of fine fresh figs1 raisins and blanched almonds very small4 ,moisten with orange juice and spread on white bread and butter4 ,beef ,sandwiches--,to two parts of chopped lean1 rare beef1 add one part of finely minced celery1 salt1 pepper1 and a little made mustard4 ,place on a lettuce leaf between thin slices of bread and butter4 ,ginger and ,orange ,sandwiches--,soften ,neufchatel cheese with a little butter or rich cream4 ,spread on white bread1 cut in very thin slices1 and cover with finely minced candied orange peel and preserved ginger4 ,place over another slice of bread4 ,candied lemon peel and preserved citron1 finely minced1 also make a delicious sandwich filling4 ,,novelties ,,in ,,tea ,,serving4 ,if you wish to vary the serving of your tea add three cloves to the lemon and sugar4 ,or a thin slice of apple added with sugar is delicious4 ,in ,sweden a piece of stick cinnamon is added by some to tea while it is steeping4 ,,summer ,,porch ,,tea ,,parties4 ,one of the prettiest decorations for a porch tea party is a hanger or pocket for flowers made by cutting pockets in large round pieces of bamboo1 the rods being about three feet long4 ,these pockets are filled with scarlet lilies and hung in the corners and on the posts of the porch4 ,hang ,red ,chinese lanterns in the open spaces and have red paper fans in ,chinese jars on tables and ledges4 ,the porch boxes along the railings can have their real contents almost concealed in ferns1 and scarlet lilies stuck in amid the ferns4 ,across one corner the gay striped hammock1 with its open meshes filled with wild cucumber and clematis vines fastened against the house1 makes a background for the punch bowl4 ,orange ice and cream cake can be served on plates decorated with gold and white1 with a bunch of daisies tied with pale green gauze ribbon on each plate4 ,,summer ,,porch ,,tea ,,party4 #b4 ,a porch tea party given in the summer is a most enjoyable affair4 ,the guests are seated on the porch which has immense jardinieres filled with garden flowers1 and draperies of large ,american flags4 ,the punchbowl is just inside the door in the hall4 ,the guests bring their needlework and as they sew1 one of the number reads a group of original stories4 ,following this have a little contest called ,the ,menu4 ,the prize for the correct list is a solid silver fork with a rose design4 ,the refreshments are lemon sherbet1 macaroons1 sweet wafers1 pecans and bonbons4 ,,menu4 ,soups4 ,the ,capital of ,portugal4 ,an imitation reptile4 ,roasts4 ,a gentle ,english author4 ,found in the ,orient4 ,boiled meats4 ,woman's chief weapon4 ,a son of ,noah4 ,game4 ,a ,universal crown4 ,a part of ,caesar's message and a male relative4 ,relishes4 ,a complete crush4 ,elevated felines4 ,lot's wife4 ,vegetables4 ,slang for stealing4 ,to pound4 ,pudding4 ,what we don't want our creditors to do4 ,fruits4 ,what a historian delights in4 ,must be married at home4 ,wines4 ,what a lover says to his sweetheart4 ,imitation agony4 ,a sailor's harbor4 ,answers3 ,soups3 ,lisbon1 mock turtle2 ,roasts3 lamb1 turkey2 ,boiled ,meats3 tongue1 ham2 ,game3 hare1 venison2 ,relishes3 jam1 catsup1 salt2 ,vegetables3 cabbage1 beef2 ,pudding3 suet2 ,fruits3 dates1 canteloupe2 ,wines3 ,madeira1 champagne1 ,port4