DIFFICULT DAYS.

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3485, 6 September 1937, Page 2

DIFFICULT DAYS.

- -- - There are days, as every housewife knows, when everything seems to go wrong, when tires will not burn properly, when the wrong meat or vegetables arrive by messenger boy, when some treasured dish gets broken, and when meals are late in spite of all efforts. One thing seems to lead to another, and the only way to break this run of mischance, in fact, is to pause as soon as possible and take time to correct the mistakes. If the lire is being obstinate, spend a little time nursing it. Sprinkle it with all used matches and some unuse i ones, a little sugar, or push in tiny pieces of paper wrapped round small pieces of candle or grease. Loosen the coal and sticks at the foot of the grate, to create a draught, and then leave it alone, instead of continually prodding it, until it has had time to burn. When there is not time to change meat or vegetables, turn up the cookery book for some interesting way of preparing what has been sent, instead of complaining over it. You may stumble on some delightful new dish this way, or at least provide a surprise item in the menu, which is nearly always an agreeable change. When time is against you, don’t try to cook all the dishes intended. It is better to have one or tw-o well-cooked courses than three or four poor ones. There are always any number of last-minute sweets which you can make, or for a change you might omit sweets entirely and serve fresh fruit or biscuits and cheese, or a savory.

A tiny curl of bacon on a piece of toast makes a good “wind-up” to the meal when you haven't time for dumplings or milk puddings. Wien days start by being awkward the only thing to do is to refuse to allow yourself to become worried or flustered, to “cut your losses,” as they say in business, make the best of w r hat you have. Difficulties have a habit of smoothing themselves out when faced firmly and squarely.