Evening star. [volume], August 12, 1947, Page B-12, Image 33

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
Over the Back Fence
By Isabel Hackett *
The former tomato patch is a billowing green sea of weeds and
grass. The lady who lived in our house while the family was on
vacation called up to say she had left half a ham Jn the refrigerator
for us, but hadn’t done much in the garden. She couldn’t, she said,
always tell weeds from flowers and vegetables, so she didn’t pull any
thing.
This made us sorry we hadn’t told her about the test we use. You
transplant the specimen. If it grows right along without even wilting
briefly, it’s a weed. It droops for several days and has to be coddled
it’s a vegetable.
The Family Provider, standing shoulder to shoulder with us
as he always does in a crisis, toe* a philosophical attitude about the
submerged vegetables. He was not the one, however, who with infinite
care and tenderness, with fertilizer, plant tonic and hormones, set
out the little tomato plants in May. He has always been a bit sniffy
a S'#* -v ———_
About the meticulous care we give our tomato plants; tying, pruning,
fertilizing, spraying, weeding. But a suburban gardener’s reputation
stands or falls on his tomatoes. Also we get much satisfaction from
presenting a basket of whopping, perfect tomatoes to a lady down
the street who acts superior because she usually has a crop of garden
peas by April. Her tomatoes are often warty.
No chance for gloating over our tomatoes this summer. No lovely
summer salads, with two big tomatoes in each, which is the way a
tomato salad ought to be. No row of ruby-red canned tomatoes,
stored on the shelf for winter. You couldn’t even see any tomato
plants. All you could see were rows of stakes the P. P. had put in and
weeds left undisturbed through a month of damp, warm weather.
The P. P. looked admiringly at three or four fine specimens, shoulder
high. There were some magnificent trailers, too.
"At least,” said the P. P„ “we’ve got the tallest weeds in the
W m_i. 1.1_a _ X_ft
1UUU1/ <UliUU) IA/V.
We peered hopelessly through the weedy green depths and spied
the branch of a tomato plant.
“Cheer up,” said the P. P., “perhaps all Is not lost.”
He yanked up an armful of burgeoning weeds, disclosed a lanky,
attenuated tomato plant, sprawled weakly, in a crazy arabesque, on
crab grass and more weeds. We started and the P. P. let out a whoop.
There nestling under the vigorous weeds as coyly as the first spring
arbutus, were six of the finest tomatoes we ever saw; smooth, per
fectly rounded, enormous, already faintly pink.
"Look like the best tomatoes we ever raised,” said the P. P.
We went charging through the tomato patch, brushing aside
weeds, disbelieving. But there they were. Every plant we uncovered
had clusters of fine fruit, though it was like looking for Easter eggs to
find them.
The P. P„ like any man, likes to see his theories justified. He be
longs to the trust-Nature school of home gardeners. He might have
pointed out that the miraculous survival and fruitfulness of the tomato
plants, against almost hopeless odds, was due to the trouble we took
planting and starting them right. He might have said it Just shows
what these new-fangled plant vltimins and hormones con do. He
didn’t, though.
“I always said you didn’t need to fuss over ’em so much,” said
the P. P. smugly.
He has often said this before; but referring to the teen-agers,
rather than the tomatoes.
* * *
Day after we got home, a vivacious friend of the youngest teen
ager came over to swap personal experiences, of a cultural or ro
mantic nature, during the past month. With a practised eye, we saw
she was feeling gloomy and subdued. This was puzzling. We had
learned, from the home end of a phone conversation, that her
steady date hadn’t looked at another girl all month. What’s more,
he had, after many months of hard and dirty work, got his 1933 model
ear passed by the inspectors, on the fourth try. They’d seemed doubt
ful, on previous tests, that it would go after being stopped, or stop
after being started. Took him only three tries to get his driver’s
license, though. The young couple had planned many a pleasant drive
for August evenings; not in much style, but with impressive sound
•fleets.
The Youngest One said the girl was simply SUNK at the moment;
one of those bad breaks you can’t even blame on your parents . Seems
she’d been working on them steadily, ever since school got out, to ex
tend her regular 11:30 deadline till 12. She said she was always care
ful to say 12 o’clock when discussing the subject, it sounded so much
earlier than midnight. She reasoned the whole thing out calmly
with her parents: no, they needn’t even discuss next winter, this
was Just for vacation, and with these hot nights, you can’t go to
sleep till the house cools off anyway. The family wouldn't want the
boy to get arrested for speeding, after a movie, just to get her home
by 11:30, would they? You simply can’t do a movie, a drive some
place for a milkshake and conversation afterward, and get home at
_i ji._l_i_
■ UV11 B iiUiVUtUUt) UUlUi
The family reached such a high pitch of exhaustion from con
stant discussion that they finally saw reason. They said O. K., she
could stay out with her date till 12 o’clock, but not one minute
later and no fiat-tire excuses.
Two days later the boy unexpectedly landed a vacation job
with a construction company and has to report for work every
morning at, 7. His mother, a woman of sense and firmness, said no
arguing, If he Insisted on taking the job so he’d have more money to
spend on milkshakes and movies he’d have to get to bed every night
at 10:30, date or no date.
With Needle and Thread
By Barbara Bell
This soft, feminine afternooh
dress is created to flatter the slightly
larger woman. Pattern provides two
lovely sleeve versions. Choose a be
coming flower print and edge with
narrow lace or ruffling.
Barbara Bell Pattern No. 1669 is
designed for sizes 36, 38, 40, 42, 44,
46, 48, 50 and 52. Size 38, cape sleeve,
requires 4% yards of 35 or 39-inch
fabric.
For this pattern, send 25 cents in
•oins, your name, address, pattern
number and size wanted to Barbara
Bell, The Washington Star, P. O.
Box 99, Station a, New York 19, N.Y.
Send 25 cents today for your copy
•f the new fall and winter Fashion.
BHmful of sewing information for
home sewers. Free pati*rn printed
16 bode.
oy r eggy nuueris
Slip covers have adapted them
selves to all-year-’round use. The
smart home-maker changes her
color scheme with the seasons.
They are inexpensive and easy to
make if you follow today’s pattern
which is brimful of suggestions.
Pattern envelope No. R2413 con
tains directions for making slip
covers and many helpful hints.
Our new 60-page multicolored
“Book of Needle Arts” containing
five free patterns, and many other
suggestions for dressing up your
home and yourself, is a home
maker’s treasure. Send your re
quest for this book to the address
listed below, enclosing 20 cents in
coin to cover the cost and mailing
charges.
To otbain this pattern, send IS
cents in coins, giving pattern num
ber, your name, address and zone
number to Peggy Roberts. The
Washington Star, P. O. Box 100,
Station O, New York 19, N. Y.
Footnotes to Fashion, Fall 1947
Dramatic use of two
toned suede is shown at the
right. This is the "covered
up" look with a fragile and
feminine air.
Directly below, newest of
the new—a shoe down to
there in front and 'way up
to here in back.
Lower right, Teschon of
fers a shoe >n suede and
patent that gives the closed
look 'over the instep but
permits open toe and heel.
~ -== Readers1 Clearing House
LINE IN PRAYER?
(From Mrs. R. B. P„ Washington.)
Could one of your good readers
please help me? In the child’s prayer
“Now I lay me down to sleep” I
have never liked the line “If I
should die before I wake, I pray the
Lord my soul to take.” I have read
somewhere a line td take the place
of that one. Could some one help
me, as I want to use it for my grand
son?
Your paper is a MUST for me
and I get lots of help even if I am
a grandmother.
* • • *
CHILD FOOD PROBLEM.
(From Mrs. H. L. W., Washington.)
For the reader whose three-year
old daughter Is uninterested in eat
ing: Dr. Charles Anderson Aldrich
has written a most helpful little
book entitled “Cultivating the
Child’s Appetite.” It contains many
concrete suggestions of ways to in
terest a child in food as well as
methods for overcoming poor eating
habits. Moreover, it is very readable
and not full of technical details.
Copies may be procured from the
Public Library.
* * * *
BOOK EXCHANGE?
, (From. M. F. T„ Falls Church.)
I love to read (especially mystery
stories) but do not live near library.
I was wondering if any one would
like to exchange books with me, as
the postage rate on books is lower
than bus rate. If so, I will send a
list of books to any one sending
me a list of what they have.
£ * * £
WHAT IS THIS FROM?
(From Mrs. E. S. R„ Washington.)
Maybe you can tell me from
whence comes the following. This
has been worrying me for ages. I
think it is properly quoted:
"Think well, too, what his religion Is
For yours soon will be of the same.”
(If I remember correctly it is to a
woman about to be married.)
CARAMEL ICING.
(From Miss P. W., Washington.)
In answer to Mrs. M. E. H.’s re
quest for a caramel icing made with
evaporated milk, may I suggest the
following recipe which first made
its appearance in thfe RCH several
years ago:
Foolproof Caramel Icing—2 cups
brown sugar, % cup evaporated
milk, % cup confectioner’s sugar.
Boil brown sugar and milk to soft
ball stage. Sift in 4 X sugar and
beat until smooth and creamy. More
milk may be added to keep icing
soft. Add one teaspoon vanilla.
Not only does this icing live up to
its name by being “foolproof,” but
tends to harden so quickly that it
must be put on the cake immedi
ately. It is really delicious, and
many thanks to RCH for printing it
originally.
* * * *
HOUSE PLANTS IN SOUTH?
THANKS TO MR. J. C. L.!
(From. Mrs. E. W. S„ Washington.)
I have a daughter (a northern
girl) now living in Mississippi who
asks the RCH what kind of house
plants she can expect to grow there.
Thanks to Mr. J. C. L., Wash
ington, for his “Meal in a Tomato,”
which will be used for a large
medical meeting in a few days.
Please write again!
• • • •
(From. Mrs. R. P. A„ jr., Washington.)
I noticed a request in your July
23 column for out-of-print books
by Mrs. L. L. T. of Alexandria. She
requested especially books by Mrs.
E. D. E. N. Southworth. I should
like to add my request to hers.
About 10 years ago I read a book
called “Ishmael,” or “In the Depths”
and another book “Out of the
Depths” by Mrs. Southworth. Since
that time I have hunted in vain for
either or both copies of this book.
I vaguely remember reading that
Mrs. Southworth lived in the middle
of the 19th century. Also that she
Contributions and requests
must be accompanied by the
sender’s full name and address.
We will withhold both and ase
only initials. Please address
mall to the Readers’ Clearing
House, Woman’s Page, The
Evening Star, Washington 4.
Views expressed in the Clear
ing House are not necessarily
those of The Star and, as it
is obviously impossible for us
to test all recipes submitted, we
cannot assume responsibility for
them. Betsy Caswell
was a Southerner. In spite of the
many books I have read since, that
book stood out as one of my favor
ites. I believe reading that Mrs.
Southworth’s books were rather
drippily sentimental, perhaps It was
so, but the books conveyed a beau
tiful story. I certainly would thank
any one who could tell me where I
might get a copy.
* * * *
POEM FURNISHED.
(From N. F., Washington.)
Think this is the poem requested
by Mrs. B. A. S„ of Macon, Ga.
be the best of whatever you are.
By Douglas Malloch.
If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill*
Be a scrub in the valley, but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.
If you can’t be a bush be a bit of grass.
And some highway happier make:
If you can’t be a muskie. then Just be a bass
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be
crew,
There’s something for all of us here.
There’s big work to do and there s lesser
to do,
And the task we must do Is the near.
If you can’t be a highway then Just be a
trail.
If you can’t be the sun, be a star;
It isn’t by sire that you win or you fall
Be the best of whatever you are!
* * * *
ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
Information and requests sent
in by the following have been
forwarded to those for whom they
were intended:
Mrs. H. E. P„ Sterling; Mrs. A.
T., Gaithersburg; Mrs. C. S. M.,
Kensington; Mrs. G. D. H., jr.,
Luray; Miss C. McE. A., Hume;
Miss P. D. P., Dr. W. D. F., Mrs.
M. V. A., Silver Spring; Miss L.
W., M. Z., Takoma Park; Mrs.
F. J., Chevy Chase; Mrs. J. N. T.,
Bethesda; Mrs. R. M. W., Mrs.
J. O., Mrs. G. H. M„ Mrs. S. C. S..
Arlington; M. E., I. H., E. L. McK.,
Mrs. R. A. F., Mrs. B. R., L. M.
G. , Mrs. P. W. B., Mrs. C. B. McA.,
Mrs. L. K. P., Mrs. D. DeF., E.
E. C„ Mrs. F. C. M., Mrs. F. A. F.,
Mrs. M. M., Washington.
Our thanks to these readers,
whose contributions were similar
to others previously received:
Mrs. A. E. B., Mrs. J. E. M.,
Miss A. M. C., Arlington; E. M. B.,
Bethesda; Mrs. M. E. McD., Mrs.
J. E. D., E. C. F„ Washington.
* * * *
\utttismnt ruuuinuf
(From Mrs. G. C. P., Washington.)
Will some one please give me the
approximate depth, width and
length of a pan to be used for a
Yorkshire pudding when the recipe
calls for: 1 cup flour. Hi cups milk,
2 eggs, 14-inch depth of hot fat in
pan.
Each time I’ve prepared it the
pudding humps and bumps thorough
out the center (bubble fashion).
Perhaps it’s my recipe, can some one
advise me?
* * * '*
“SNEEZE ON MONDAY.”
FIELp POEM?
(From Miss S. Y., Hyattsville.)
Here is another poem that you
readers might lilke:
Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for danger.
Sneeze on Tuesday, kies a stranger;
Sneeze on Wednesday, sneeze for a letter;
Sneeze on Thursday, something better;
Sneeze on Friday, sneeze for sorrow.
Sneeze on Saturday, Joy for tomorrow.
Can any one give me the poem,
“Little Boy Blue,” written by Eugene
Field? He wrote it when his little
boy died.
* * * *
“THE SHIP THAT NEVER
RETURNED’?
(From. B. J. C, Fairfax.)
Would any of you readers happen
to know the words to “The Ship
That Never Returned"?
*****
‘MATTHEW AND MARK*
QUERY?
(From. Mrs. L. A. D., Washington.)
Here is another cute poem tor a
child tb memorize:
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Bless the bed that I lie on!
All lour corners round about.
When I get In, when I get out.
Pour corners to my bed.
Pour angels round my head;
One to watch and one to pray.
And two to bear my soul away.
And now I would like to know if
any of the readers of RCH can tell
me with what to wash the outside of
an electric refrigerator. Mine has
turned yellow from being stored.
• • • • /
GUMDROP CAKE.
(From Mrs. D. J. D., Washington.)
To Mrs. D. W. M., Washington,
who inquired about gumdrop cake,
I have tried several recipes, and
while I cannot make any comment
on gumdrop sponge cake, I have
found that a good rich pound cake
makes an excellent foundation. Take
any standard recipe (the 10 or 12
egg type) and divide It in about
one-third, and you would have
about the size suitable for two. Cut
the gumdrops into moderately
small pieces, roll well In flour, mak
ing sure that all the cut sides are
covered and fold quickly into the
pound cake batter. Bake in an oven
about 5 degrees cooler than the
recipe states, and the resultant cake
should meet with your entire ap
proval. Incidentally, if this is baked,
in a small loaf pan and cut in thin,
tall slices, you will like it much
better than if you cook it in an
8 by 8 pan.
I enjoyed the recipes for cheeze
blintzes from the many contributors
and have appropriated them all for
future use. Thank you!
(From S. L. R., Washington.)
Use two sheets (pans): Four eggs
(separate), 2 cups brown sugar, 1
tablespoon water, 2 cups flour, 1
teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking
powder. Add 1 cup of gumdrops cut
and Va cup nuts (if you like them).
Mix the last two ingredients with
% cup flour. Add beaten egg whites.
Flavor with vanilla and lemon or
brandy extract. Bake slowly.
Frosting—One tablespoon grated
orange rind, 2 tablespoons butter, 2
tablespoons orange juice. Powdered
sugar or 4 X. This is very moist and
a very novel cake.
* * • •
BUILT-IN IRONING BOARD?
KEEPING YEAST? HINTS.
(From Mrs. A. M. H., Riverdale.)
We are making plans for building
a home very soon and I am in
terested to know about experiences
with a built-in ironing board. The
laundry will be in one end of the
kitchen and I wonder if this type of
ironing space is preferable to an
extra broom closet to store the
board. *
Also, I would like to know if any
one can tell me how long you can
keep an yeast cake in the refrig
erator and still use it.
I find a little minced raw onion
added to mashed potatoes improves
the meal, especially with veal,
chicken or beef gravy. Also mix
flour and water in a jar, it’s so easy.
* * * *
CHERRY DILI, PICKLES.
(From Mrs. L. B. H„ Cheverly.)
For Mrs. W. H. W., Bethesda,
who wants a recipe for a sweet
pickle, the following is a favorite of
mine and is called Cherry Dill
Pickles. Boil and cool lt4 gallons
water. 1 cup salt and % cup vine
gar. 1 peck cucumbers. Wash and
place in a large jar alternating
with dill and cherfy leaves (anv
kind of cherry leaves). Pour over
the above liquid and let stand two
weeks. After two weeks wash and
slice cucumbers about 1 inch thick.
Make a sirup of twice as much
sugar as vinegar (12 cups sugar and
6 cups vinegar) add 1 tablespoon
whole cloves, 14 ounce stick cin
namon. Boil and pour over cucum
bers wnue not. Maxes «> quarts.
• * • •
LONGER SKIRTS.
(From E. W. S., Washington.),
If a dress has large patch pockets,
or large pockets Inserted In the side
seams, rip out carefully, press out
(sew up your sideseams again), and
you will have enough goods to make
a two-inch false fold at the bottom
of your skirt. Also, if your dress has
a dickey, rip, press and by careful
cutting you will get a strip wide
enough for a false fold. Always
press, baste and press again. For
the girl with two suits hanging up,
if your skirts are ample enough to
slip down on your hips two Riches,
your side seams earn be let out, and
you can wear your jacket buttoned
all the time as so many do, make
a inch yoke of the same weight
and color material, reattach the
belt, and your skirt will thus be
lengthened. For teenagers buy
enough of the already made ruf
fling, and set at bottom and sleeves,
or bottom and neck line, and you
have a cute new dress. Another way
is to buy contrasting material and
make a fold for the bottom of your
skirt, or insert the desired length
to make a band, and make buttons
and belt of the same contrasting
material, thus tying it all together.
Another way is to buy contrasting
material and make a jacket or top,
rip off the waist, and use the waist
of the dress to lengthen the skirt,
make a new belt for the skirt, and
make pocket or trimming or but
tons for your new top. I have done
all these, and will not h%ve to buy
anything new for next winter or
spring, i am o root 7 incnes ran.
I have three daughters.
(From Mrs. W. A. B., Washington.)
I was so very glad to read Mrs.
J. W. M.’s comments In regard to
the longer skirts. I, too, am definite
ly against throwing out my entire
wardrobe in order to satisfy the
clothing manufacturers. Perhaps it
would encourage Mrs. J. W. M. if
she knew that when I was down
town today, I noticed a very small
percentage of women with the
longer skirt lengths. However, why
don’t we all get together in a move
ment to boycott the longer skirts?
Ask your Consumer Groups and
Women’s Organizations to come out
naninst it.
0 0 0 0
CONCERNING hair ribbons.
(From Mrs. B. R. E., Silver Spring.)
For Mrs. W. E. R., concerning hair
ribbons. On the inside of the closet
door in my daughter’s room, I put
a row of very tiny nails. After my
daughter’s ribbons are ironed, they
are assorted as to color, length so
forth (they are usually worn in
pairs). I put a safety pin through
the pointed end of each ribbon,
close the pin and hang the group on
its own little nail. When the closet
is opened, there are the neat little
rows of ribbons, blues together,
reds together, pinks, yellows, whites.
In the morning when they select
their dresses, it is easy for them to
bring down the set of ribbons that
goes with the dress of the day.
The ribbons are never worn a sec
ond time without a pressing and,
if they are soiled they are washed
and ironed.
(From V. R., Washington.)
To Mrs. A. E. W., regarding a
place to keep hair ribbons. I use
one of dad’s old tie racks and have
it*hanging On the back of my closet
door. Ribbons are always handy
and never become mussed.
(From Mrs. O. A. V., Arlington.)
I have a large embroidery hoop,
tie a loop from each side and hang
near where child’s clothes are kept.
Put ribbons through hoop in pairs,
very satisfactory.
Shoes
Shine
By Eleni
Fashion Editor
NEW YORK, N. Y.—The longer
skirt lengths are placing a lot ol
emphasis on shoes this Pall. Shoes
may be “accessories,” but a shoe
that does not flatter may ruin an
otherwise attractive costume.
In shoes you may choose between
either a high-riding-up-the-foot
model or a downward line. The
“pretty” look is the thing. As a lead
ing shoe man told us several days
ago, “Regardless of what fashions
predominate, it is a ‘pretty’ shoe
that will always sell to the Ameri
can woman."
Earl Teschon Is a leading footwear
designer In New York. So is another
young man named Evins. They are
both agreed that the shoe fashion
cycle has found Itself repeating the
era after the first World War. They
are also agreed that America has
the finest skins in the world with
which to make shoes. Nowhere, for
example, is there suede to match
ours. Ihls, plus advanced machinery
and prophetic young designers such
as Evins and Teschon, has made
American women the best-shod in
the world.
Silhouette is probably the mo6t
important theme for shoes this year.
High-cut models will have simple
lines and fragile ornamentation.
They will be restrained, ladylike
and designed for the longer, be they
fuller or slimmer, skirts. They'll
flftt.tAf snfrlM ftnH • *r«oAfii1
instep.
Straps will be handled In a little
different manner. Some will be
double ankle straps; others will be
two straps interlaced or braided to
achieve the new high-riding lode.
Closed-up shoes, such as. the opera
pump, are another of fall’s smartest
styles.
Heels will be thinner and a hand
made custom look is to be found in
many of the new shoes. Detailing,
such as scallops, draping and as
symetric lines, are in the shoe pic
ture. Platforms continue in the
line-up, but are greatly modified
from last year’s.
This fall's shoes, as are the new
fall fashions, are Individual, femin
ine and boast of a lot of variety.
They depend, as do the fashions, on
eye appeal. A shoe wardrobe will
include both the closed-up and
opened-up downward-moving shoe
silhouettes.
Whafe Cookin'
WEDNESDAY.
City Chicken Legs Mashed Potatoes
Boiled Tomatoes Cauliflower
Cantaloupe
City Chicken Legs.
*4 pound veal steak 14 cup fine, dry bread crumbs
% pound pork steak 1 tablespoon fat
1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon flour
teaspoon pepper 1 cup stock or milk
1 ^8 1 teaspoon minced onion
Dash of mace
Cut the meat in pieces about an inch in size. Salt and pepper
Insert wooden skewers in the center of pieces of meat, alternating the
veal and pork and using five or six pieces on each skewer. With the
fingers mold the meat into drumstick shape, dip in beaten egg
then In fine bread crumbs. Carefully brown the drumsticks in hot
fat and place in baking dish. Add the flour to the fat in the pan
then add milk or stock and stir until thickened. Add seasonings and
pour gravy over the meat. A can of mushroom soup may be used in
place of the gravy for excellent flavor. Cover and bake in a moderate
oven (350 degrees F.) for one hour. —By “Vi.”
Use All-Purpose Wash
ington Flour for baking
everything; Self - Rising
for making biscuits,
short cakes, etc., with
out adding baking pow
der. Ask for them by
name at
YOUR FOOD STORE
mm*
liHr
GUARANTEED
to give you better satisfaction with every ;
baking than any other Flour you have ever
used—or MONEY BACK!
WRITE FOR OUR FREE COOK B06k
»
WILKINS-ROGERS MILLING CO., Inc.. Dopt. S, Washington, D. C.
Sequins light up the black
ness of figure following
rayon crepe, curved long
and languid in a tunic
dress for juniors. Sizes 9
to 15.
$29.95
me M JL
1303 F Street