WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 8, 18 August 1939, Page 11

WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

Dear Friends, A greeting to you all through our Woman’s Pagé of The New Zealand Listener! I like to think that every one of our women readers will enjoy these pages. If, also, we can be of service to you, then our efforts will be doubly repaid. Did the sun shine all over New Zealand last week? Here in Wellington it brought the first touch of Spring. Spring is blamed for lots of things. For Spring cleaning-Spring fever-Hay fever-even "a young man’s fancy lightly turning to thoughts of love!" But that is by the way. Spring is a grand season. In the country it means the sowing and growth of new crops-a new world and a new promise. To the city-dweller it means the end of cold days; of coughmixtures, gamps, goloshes and macintoshes. We can pack away our furs in moth-balls, and turn our thoughts to the engrossing choice of a Spring wardrobe. Even the male bird is preening his plumage and turning his eye to summer tweeds and the like. But Spring is essentially feminine. When we talk of Spring we think of Spring hats and summery clothing and all those delightful etceteras that claim a feminine gender. Hats are to be as saucy as ever. They are of the small pancake variety, worn well forward over the eye, lavishly trimmed, and banded across the back with flowers, ribbon, or what have you? The veil still holds pride of place. A veil is flattering to all women, and it can transform an ordinary chapeau into a thing of distinction and charm. This is to be a jacket season, bolero and the cardigan variety. They are being featured in lovely coloured linens and airy woollen fabrics. This style suits every type of figure. A jacket hides a multitude of sins. Worn over a plain dark frock it transforms it into an attractive ensemble. Its charity goes deeper still. A jacket will help to disguise a too full bust and that spare tyre about your middles. I suppose most of you have done your share of reading during these winter months. A cheery fire and a book are the natural accompaniments to a lively gale blowing outside and a ripe frost on its way. One of the best novels I have read lately is Pearl Buck’s "The Patriot.’ The story deals with the present-day struggle between China and Japan, and is unfolded through the lives of a young married couple, one a Chinese and the other a Japanese. This intensely human and moving tale is Pearl Buck at her finest-and best. Those interested in autobiographies should read Netta Syrett’s "The Sheltering Tree." It is a fascinating progress among well-known people and places-told in a delightful style with a cheerful optimism. It is a far call from a book to the kitchen, yet both of these have their compensations. I have a recipe here for American Plum Sago Pudding and Hard Sauce which the whole family will enjoy. You’ll enjoy cooking it, too: Beat 114 teaspoonfuls of butter and 1 cup of sugar to a cream. Add 4 tablespoonfuls of sago, previously soaked overnight in a-cup of milk; 1 cup of breadcrumbs, a pinch of salt, 1 large cup of mixed fruit, 4 teaspoonful of mixed spice, and vanilla essence. To this mixture add 14 teaspoonful of baking soda dissolved in a little milk. Steam in a buttered basin for two and a-half hours, Hard Sauce-Beat 2 tablespoonfuls of butter to a cream. Add gradually 1 cup of icing sugar and 1 tablespoonful of brandy or sherry. Whip till sauce is stiff. Serve with hot pudding. Yours cordially, Se

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