LXXI Bob Makes Popcorn Balls

"We had the greatest fun finding and arranging these decorations! And now I must tell you about the luncheon itself. I'm even enclosing our recipes, for I know you'll be interested...." "Hello, there, Bettina!" called Bob at this moment, coming in with a rush, "is dinner ready? What do you suppose I've done? I've absolutely forgotten to send a Christmas gift to Aunt Elizabeth, and I know she'll feel hurt. Will you go with me after dinner to get it?"

Polly's luncheon menu was as follows:

A CHRISTMAS SHOWER

Grapefruit with Maraschino Cherries Chicken Croquettes Candied Sweet Potatoes Creamed Peas Light Rolls Butter Cranberry Jelly Vegetable Salad Salad Dressing Santa Claus Sandwiches Chocolate Ice Cream a la Tannenbaum Christmas White Cake Salted Nuts Coffee Candy Canes "I wish, Bettina," Polly's letter continued, "that you might have seen the cunning sandwiches that we served with the salad. They were cut with a star-shaped cooky cutter, and on each one was perched a tiny Santa Claus. The sandwiches were arranged on a tray decorated with Christmas tree branches. "And now comes the dessert. The chocolate ice cream was served in small flower pots lined with waxed paper, and in each flower pot grew a miniature Christmas tree. Around the base of the tree, whipped cream was heaped to represent snow. They were really very cunning. "Served with the ice cream was a large round white cake decorated very elaborately with icing bells and holly. On the top was placed a real candy bell, large and red. This cake was carried in to Angeline to cut. Around the base, inside the cake, were twenty tiny favors wrapped in waxed paper. They were of all sorts: pipes, canoes, flat irons, animals, birds, many things, but all very tiny. Narrow white bows tied on each favor indicated its position in the cake so that the pieces could be cut to give each guest a favor. Angeline cut her piece first and drew her favor by pulling the little white ribbon. It was really great fun drawing and unwrapping the favors, and the girls tried to interpret the meaning of each. Mary Katherine, Angeline's younger sister, drew the ring, and delightedly proclaimed that she would be the next bride. At this the girls looked a little doubtful, for at the table were no less than six engaged girls besides Angeline. Mary Katherine may fool them—who knows?—but I hope not, for she is far too young and silly to 'settle down' for many years. "With the coffee we served striped candy canes.

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"Well, Betty, I believe I've told you everything about our Christmas luncheon. Do write me soon again, for I love to get your letters. Stir Bob up to write occasionally; he has forgotten his sister—now that he has a wife. "Yours always,

"Polly."

BETTINA'S RECIPES

(All measurements are level) Chicken Croquettes (Twenty-five croquettes) A 3-lb. chicken, cooked and cut fine 1 lb. lean veal, cooked and cut fine 4 T-chopped green pepper ½ t-paprika 2 t-salt 1 C-chicken fat ½ C-flour 1 T-salt 2 C-milk 2 eggs 3 T-water 3 C-cracker crumbs

Melt the chicken fat. Add the flour and salt and mix well. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly. When the mixture gets thick and creamy, allow it to cook, with an asbestos mat under the pan, for five minutes. This cooks the flour thoroughly. Beat one minute to make it creamy. Add the chicken, veal, green pepper, paprika and salt. Allow the mixture to cool. Take one tablespoon of the cooled mixture, and dip in the beaten egg to which the water has been added. Dip in the crumbs and shape any desired shape, preferably conical. Allow the croquettes to stand at least one hour before frying. Fry in deep fat and drain on brown paper. Keep hot in the oven until serving. Vegetable Salad (Twenty portions) 10 tomatoes 2 t-salt 1 t-paprika 1 C-cottage cheese 1 C-pimentoes, cut in strips ½ C-green pepper, cut in strips 20 pieces of lettuce 2 C-salad dressing ½ C-oil from the canned pimento ½ C-whipped cream

Arrange the lettuce leaves (washed) on salad plates. Place one slice of tomato, two slices of pimento and two slices of green pepper on each. Sprinkle the

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