Many people do not seem to know of the effectiveness of banana skins in cleaning tan leather suit cases and similar articles. Rub the leather well with the inside of the skin, then wipe off any excess of moisture with a dry cloth, finishing with a good polishing with the same.
I had read of kerosene being a splendid remedy for burns, but had never tried it. A short time ago, however, I found the soda can empty when most needed, and had to resort to the kerosene. On immersing my finger in the liquid, so that the burned portion was submerged, I found the pain quickly disappeared. Not a sign of a blister arose, and the burn healed much more quickly than those treated in the other way had done. Now we use kerosene exclusively for this purpose.
In these days of high prices, when home-makers are striving to feed their families well, at as low cost as possible, it is often the saving of little things that keeps down the provision bill. One should know how to combine left overs so they may realize the best results both in the amount of money saved and the amount of nourishment given. Save the liquor in which a ham has been cooked. The fat from the top may be used for sautéing potatoes or pressed sliced cereals, or with scrambled eggs, and lends a delicious flavor when so used. The cooled liquor forms a "jelly" rich in extractives. There are frequently pieces of bread left that are in good condition. These pieces of bread, also left-over buttered toast, may be used to thicken pea soup; and the bone from the ham, cracked so that the marrow may slip out, and also the "jelly" from the cold ham liquor may be used to flavor the soup. If the ham is very salt, care must be taken not to add too much "jelly." It is best to add the "jelly" about one-half an hour before the soup is done.
Some exquisite centerpieces from outdoor flowers are made of marsh marigolds and ferns, or buttercups and ferns, in cut glass or carved Parian marble; of violets, purple and white, in a silver bowl, and apple blossoms, in polished copper.
Following is a dessert recipe much enjoyed in my own family:
Clean and cut in one-half inch pieces one pound of rose rhubarb. Do not remove the skin. Stew until quite tender in one-fourth a cup of boiling water, just enough to start the steam. Soften one ounce of granulated gelatine in one-third a cup of cold water. Strain the cooked rhubarb, pressing out all the juice, and add enough boiling water, if necessary, to make three cups. Mix one and three-fourths cups of sugar and one-half a teaspoonful of ground ginger. Stir in the rhubarb juice, and add to the gelatine, stirring until the gelatine and sugar are dissolved. Add the grated rind and strained juice of one lemon and set the mixture to chill. When it begins to thicken, add the stiff-beaten whites of three eggs and beat till stiff. Mold. Serve with beaten and sweetened cream. Cut nuts or macaroon crumbs may be passed with this dessert. M. T. R.