SOME CHRISTMAS PLANS
"CHRISTMAS is in the air today, I believe," said Charlotte as she took
off her hat and warmed her cold hands at Bettina's open fire. "You ought
to see the children around the toys downtown--swarming like flies at the
molasses! Still, we ought to think about Thanksgiving before we begin
our Christmas plans, I suppose."
"I try to get all my Christmas packages ready by Thanksgiving," said
Bettina. "Of course, I don't always succeed, but it is a splendid aim to
have! There is always so much to do at the last minute--baking and
company and candy making! This year we plan to give very few gifts--but
to send a card at least to each of our friends. We're racking our brains
now to think of something that will be individual--really ours, you
know. I think a tiny snapshot of yourself or your home, or your baby or
your dog--or even a sprig of holly or a bit of evergreen on a card with
a few written words of greeting means more to a friend than all the
lovely engraved cards in the world! Of course, some people can draw or
paint and make their own--Alice will, I'm sure. One girl I know makes
wonderful fruit cake, and she always sends a piece of it, in a little
box tied with holly ribbon, to each of her friends. Aren't the little
gifts that aren't too hard on one's purse the best after all--especially
when they really come straight from the giver, and not merely from the
store?"
"Bettina, I'll be afraid to send you anything after such an eloquent
sermon as this!"
"Oh, Charlotte, how you talk! I'm telling you my idea of what a
Christmas gift should be, but I'll probably fall far below it myself!
Luncheon is ready, dear."
For luncheon Bettina and Mrs. Dixon had:
Mutton in Ramekins Rice
Peanut Bread Butter
Apple Sauce
Tokay Grapes Coffee
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
=Mutton in Ramekins= (Three portions)
1-1/2 C-cold mutton
2/3 C-brown gravy
1/2 t-salt
1 t-chopped mint
1 egg-yolk
1 egg-white, beaten stiff
Mix the mutton, gravy, salt, mint and egg-yolk thoroughly. Add the
egg-white. Turn into well-buttered ramekins or china baking dishes. Bake
in a moderate oven in a pan of hot water for twenty-five minutes. Serve
in the ramekins.
=Rice= (Three portions)
1/2 C-rice
2 qts. boiling water
1 t-salt
1 T-butter
Wash the rice, add slowly to the boiling salted water. Boil twenty
minutes. Pour the rice in a strainer and rinse with cold water. Place in
the oven for five minutes to dry. Serve warm, dotted with butter.
=Peanut Bread= (Twelve slices)
2 C-flour
4 t-baking powder
1/2 t-salt
4 T-"C" sugar
1 egg
1/2 C-chopped peanuts
3/4 C-milk
Mix thoroughly the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and peanuts. Add
the egg and milk. Stir vigorously two minutes. Place in a well-buttered
bread pan, and bake thirty-five minutes in a moderate oven.