Just a Memo. Book.

The Andersons are coming to dinner! What shall you have? A plain roast is always nice, but then—how about something different?

It won't do to experiment for an “occasion.” You ransack recipe books. You've been cooking all these years— and yet you're stuck! Whatever have you served in the past? There was that mutton en casserole the night the Webbs stayed over on their way south. And you had soup. Somehow that dinner went well. What soup was it? And a steamed pudding—or was it a cold sweet? You're getting more and more muddled, and you'll probably end by having the usual roast. The guests will enjoy it, for you can cook a dinner, but that little glow of satisfaction at having served an appetising and unusual meal, will be missing.

Try keeping a memorandum book! Try it on the dog—if the family won't eat it—I mean, of course, any experiment that isn't a success. But if it is a success, note it in the memobook.

Index the book to suit yourself—successful menus, quickly-prepared dinners, luncheon dishes, summer drinks—table decorations—just those things you find difficulty in thinking up when a special occasion arises.

You'll find yourself, too, turning to the memo, book for suggestions on ordinary days—when you think a bowl of soup for lunch will warm the children up (you know two or three quick soups; what are they? memo, book knows), when you simply can't think of a pudding, or when the family is going out at the week-end and you want to have something savoury and substantial ready baked. You'll bless your memo, book warmly.

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