WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 1, Issue 14, 29 September 1939, Page 13

WHILE THE KETTLE BOILS

Dear Friends, Last week. the promoters of the Centennial Ex. hibition announced their intention of keeping faith with the public and carrying on with the Exhibition in November. We can do our part by entering into it with the same spirit -- endeavouring to discover the bright side that always exists behind the darkest cloud. I must tell you of an amusing story I heard the other day — which happens to be true. Brown had invited his friend, Jones, to come out for the week-end. Before retiring on Saturday night, Jones inquired the hour for family breakfast. " Oh, any old time,’ was: the airy reply. Jones awoke at eight o’clock the following morning and crept to the: door to listen for any sound of activity in the household. Everything was silent, and, presuming the family were still asleep, Jones did a few physical jerks, wandered round the room, admired the view, then sat down on the bed to await events. Meanwhile Brown, who rose at 7.30, was executing a similar manoeuvre. Creeping to his friend’s door, and, hearing no sound, he stole back and issued strict orders for silence so their guest would not be awakened,.The clock crept round to 10 o'clock, each man a reluctant prisoner in his room, till on one of their cautious investigations they happened to collide in the hall.. Explanations were in order, and the two men had a hearty laugh over the morning’s happening. This story has a moral. Don’t embarrass your guests with a vague time-schedule. If you breakfast at eight, tell him so, and he will be grateful for your consideration. If you have one of those informal family breakfasts that progress like Noah’s Ark, you will save yourself a lot of worry by bringing your guest a breakfast tray. Don’t be an over-anxious hostess. Your good intentions may be appreciated, but you will not succeed in making your guest feel at home. The best way to entertain is to let your friends entertain themselves. It is the secret of a successful hostess. During the Centennial Celebrations, you will be called on to exercise this gift. Outdoor entertaining, particularly if you own a car, is ideal. Most people love the outdoors, and days in the open, in any of the lovely bush retreats that surround us, will make it enjoyable for everyone concerned. You can concentrate on your bush picnic. What is more delicious than chops or steak cooked over an open fire and potatoes roasted in the ashes --to say nothing of billy tea? We have spoken before of renovating the home. Below are a few suggestions which I hope you may find useful: For cleaning tapestry or upholstered furniture: Warm bran rubbed well in and wiped off with a soft brush will work wonders. To remove heat or other stains from polished trays or tables: Apply a thin paste of salad oil and salt. Leave for half an hour, then rub "off witha soft cloth. Another excellent method is to rub in some spirits of camphor, then polish with a duster. For removing stale odour of tobacco in room: Place a lump of crystal ammonia in a jar with a few drops of lavender. Add a few tablespoonfuls of boiling water and leave overnight. To remove scratch marks and renew silver: A little putty powder mixed to a paste with olive oil is an excellent cleanser, Polish with a soft chamois. A spring cleaning for your china: Rub china with a cloth dipped in powdered borax. It will remove all discoloration and scratch marks. Yours Cordially,

Cynthia