WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 9, 25 August 1939, Page 11

WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

ear Friends, We all like to receive a pat on the back sometimes, don’t we-be it individually or collectively? An Australian visitor has just paid a charming tribute to New Zealanders. She was particularly impressed with our love of flowers. Over here, she says, everyone takes a pride in the garden. The first Sunday morning of her visit here she went for a walk, and she noticed the air was full of a gentle humming-which turned out to. be-not bees-but the soft whirr of lawn mowers! She was struck by the industry of these home-dwellers-and the really lovely gardens they achieved as a result. On the subject of dresses I am feeling remarkably pleased with myself for a smart bit of transformation. Perhaps some of my readers may find this useful. I had a green wool-de-chene frock as a foundation, Recently I unearthed an old green and white tweed cape, and from this I cut out a sleeveless waistcoat. I bound the edges with green, and got some nice nuggety brown wooden buttons to put down the front, With this outfit I wore a tan velvet cravat, tan shoes, gloves and purse-and a little felt pull-on with a jaunty green feather stuck through one side. This same effect could be copied in any other contrasting colours. A word about colours. Rust-red and henna are to be the prevailing Spring shades. Contrasted with sapphire blue, they make an attractive blend of colour. Green, too, will be popular-marine, huntsman, and all the rest of the woodland shades, "Ashes of lavender" is a newcomer in the field and suggests painted fans and old lace. Blue, of course, is always with us. It is the one colour Dame Fashion can never discard. Blue is the colour invariably preferred by our opposite sex, so perhaps that is why we cannot afford to ignore it altogether. Are there any Michael Arlen fans amongst us? If so, you will be glad to hear of his latest book "The Flying Dutchman." It is written in the typical Arlen style, brilliant, sparkling, satiric. This time the well-known author deserts London for his setting, and European Society is left more or less in shreds after his flashing scalpel has passed over it. At least, Michael Arlen is no believer in shams. I know of a lass, an ardent Arlen fan, who after reading "Lily Christine" wrote to the author in Paris, telling him how much she admired his book. In reply he sent her a photo of himself, bearing a typically Arlen inscription: To Miss . Thank you for your letter. You must be a dear, and I send you this with all my best wishes, Michael Arlen. A graceful gesture, don’t you think? I want you to step into my kitchen for a moment to view my window-box. It is painted green and white to match the kitchen, and in it I grow all my herbs; chives, sage, terragon, parsley, mint, etc. It makes such a pretty show, apart from being so handy to your need. While you are here, I'll let you have my recipe for Viennese Tomato Soup. It is delicious: Stew some chopped carrots, turnips and celery in a little butter. Pour over some tomato juice and add thickening. Now add required quantity of stock with a little sour cream and salt to flavour. Cook till ready and serve with a small mound of boiled rice. This soup can be sweetened if desired, Yours cordially,

Cynthia