WOMEN'S NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 291, 6 November 1934, Page 9

WOMEN'S NOTES

THE HOAIE

(By Miss Mary Tallis.) Modern face-cloths. —Modern laeeclotlis, like nearly all other toilet accessories nowadays, are decorative as well as useful. Those plain white towelling squares buttonholed round the edge in coloured cotton are things of the past. Now we buy cloths in pretty pastel shades to match the bathroom scheme, or our pet bathrobe. Not only are face-clotlis available in plain colours, but they can be had in charming printed designs—lloral or modernist, geometrical ones. The materials of the new face-clotlis are delightful, too. In addition to soft Tjjr nsh towelling with floral borders worked in chenille, there are coloured face-cloths with a soft chenille finish which are as attractive to look at as they are pleasant to use. The modern face-cloth varies, too, in shape; oblong ones are available as well as the ordinary square or glove. It seems such a pity that things with such decorative possibilities should be banished to the bathroom, and I am going to suggest some new uses for' these dainty toilet accessories. Face-cloths can be used to make pretty: cushions. For these, two oblong cloths with an all-over design should | be chosen to make the case or, if youj prefer it, one square cloth can be, used to make either side of the cushion, bordered with crash or oil-! baise. If the latter, the cushion is ideal for garden or nursery use. A chenille face-clotli with a suitable design makes a splendid baby’s bib. The top of the square is hollowed out in the centre for the neck, and this is then bound with coloured baise binding to match the buttonholed edging. Sufficient binding should lie left on each side to form the strings, which are neatened by folding over the binding in half and stitching the edges together. A useful sponge-bag for travelling is mafle from one of the oblong-shaped cloths and a piece of oil-baise. All you have to do is to make the oil-baise into a bag, and stitch it to one end of the cloth, which is then folded round it for packing. When taking children on a train journey, put a damp sponge'in the bag. Sticky little fingers can then be sponged and wiped dry on the face-clotli, or on a small towel. Face-clotbs can look most attractive as chair-backs. A pair of washing gloves to match will make attractive _ arm-reists. The chairback is used just as bought, and the gloves are cut up the centre at the back, across the top, and then hemmed, to make the arm rests. Three matching chenille squares joined together in a strip make nn excellent runner for a dressing-table, or chest of drawers. Squares placed under plate-glass make the most attractive original luncheon mats, and for this purpose an all-over geometrical design is the best choice. Small squares with a good pattern make splendid mats for vases of flowers placed on

polished tables or piano—they prevent scratches and absorb any spilt water. HEALTH. AVhat about your diet?—Acquire the fruit habit without delay. AVe should acquire good habits—and this is a particularly good one. AVhite teeth, bright eyes, and a clear complexion without make-up. Are not these particularly desirable things ? A clean blood stream and a well-working digestion, a tonic system and an everpresent feeling of joie-vivre—upon these beauty and radiant health depend, and all of us can find them and possess them in fruit. AVhy all this fuss over a very ordinary article of ; food? I will tell you. In the first; place, because fruit, generally speak- j ing, isn’t a “food” at all. Apart; from nuts, bananas, figs, dates, raisins, i and the avocade pear, which contains ! about 10 per cent, of fat, fruits are mostly without direct nutritive value. That is to say, they do not provide our personal house with flesh-forming “bricks.” The protein and fat content is negligible, so we cannot expect a very great deal in a different kind of way. Fruit is a rich storehouse of valuable acids, salts, and vitamins, which will preserve a healthy alkaline balance in our blood, keep our interior clean, and help us to; fight infection and to maintain our health. The waste material —the cellulose fibre—is quite important, too. This acts as roughage to the bowel, stimulating its muscle to more efficient movement. Indeed, fruits, especially all small-seeded fruit, such as figs, currants, raspberries, blackberries, with, in addition, the pear, are natural laxatives. They do not harm as so many irritating purges do.

COOKING. Old-fashioned mint cakes. —First, make a good flaky pastry. Use half a pound of flour, six ounces of butter and*lard mixed, a pinch of salt, a squeeze of lemon juice and a little water. But one-third of the fat in the flour with the salt and rub with the tips of the fingers. Mix to a stiff dough with cold water and roll out. Divide the butter and lard into four lots and place one lot at a time on the rolled-out paste, sprinkling with flour, roll up and then roll out again. This process is repeated until all the fat is used up. Then roll out ’the pastry and cut into rounds. Next make the filling for the pastry. Chop up finely two ounces of candied peel, aud four ounces of sugar and two ounces of creamed butter, six' ounces of washed currants and one tablespoonful of finely chopped mint. Alix well together and put about a spoonful of the mixture m the centre of each round. Pinch up the edges, turn over and work into round, fiat cakes. Brush over with beaten egg, dust with sugar, and bake in a quick oven for about fifteen minutes.

Parkins.—Alix together three teacupsful of flour, three teacupsful of meal, two and a-quarter teacupsful of sugar, two and a-quarter teaspoonsful of baking soda, half teaspoonful of ginger, half teaspoonful of cinnamon, half teaspoonful mixed spice. Rub in half-pound of lard. Add-two eggs and two tablespoonsful of syrup. AUx all together thoroughly and roll into small halls. Bake in moderate oven until golden brown.