Frugality is often about the little things. Even if you think you don’t have time to focus on details, minimal effort can have a big impact. Maybe you always meant to make those heart-shaped pancakes or bake a spectacular pie, but you got too busy. It can be discouraging to think about those lost moments. But you can take control of small blocks of time and claim them for the good stuff — like creating memories. We tend to reserve mini-luxuries for special occasions or for guests. Why wait? One opportunity is during meals. Who doesn’t have fond memories of an often-used mixing bowl, cookie jar or salt and pepper shakers? These little things matter. It’s never too late to incorporate special touches.
BEVERAGES: Break out the nice glasses and use them. If your family drinks water, try a twist of lemon or lime. Not into citrus? How about flavored ice? Use up that last bit of juice by freezing it in ice-cube trays.
LINENS: Paper napkins are convenient, but cloth is a frugal luxury. A table setting looks much more inviting with cloth napkins and napkin rings. A cloth tablecloth adds simple elegance, too.
AMBIENCE: Use your taper candles on a regular basis. They can be bought cheaply at thrift stores or during post-holiday sales. Place them in the refrigerator so they burn longer and cleaner. Arrange inexpensive cut flowers into vases. Wildflowers can be found for free outside. Cut blooming branches and bring them indoors to enjoy.
TABLEWARE: Instead of placing bread on a flat plate, have a basket handy. Line it with a cloth napkin for a pretty display. Invest in a bread-warming stone to keep bread warm during dinner. You can also heat your plates so they can be served warm. Simply preheat your electric oven to 150 F, and heat your plates for about five minutes. Don’t bring the plastic tub of margarine or sticks of butter to the table. Use a glass or ceramic butter dish. Another option, if you have a little extra time, is to make molded butter. Using a rubber spatula, spread softened butter into candy or butter molds. Chill and release. If you have nice serving pieces, use them. Place fruit in a pedestal bowl or mixed nuts in a compote dish for a new look.
FLAIR: Use fresh herbs. They’re simple to grow in your kitchen. Relish trays are back and better than ever, and they’re not just for olives, pickles and vegetables. Use wooden skewers to spear bite-sized pieces of fruit such as strawberries, pineapple, grapes and melons. Display them on a relish tray. Offer jellies, compound butters and chocolate-hazelnut spreads for a change. A quick garnish can be achieved by slicing citrus and twisting it, and simple sprigs of parsley can make a plate go from drab to fab. Instead of ice cream in a bowl, try serving sorbet or sherbet in sherbet glasses. Lastly, keep chocolate-covered mints on hand for after dinner.
译文:
小细节也能铸就温暖回忆
节俭总让人联想到那些鸡毛蒜皮的小事。即使你不认为你有大把的时间耗在细节上，但是极小的努力却会产生巨大的影响。也许你总打算做些心型的烙饼或烤个诱人的馅饼，可你老被繁忙缠身。想到这些错过的时刻，总让人感到沮丧。但是，你可以控制小块的时间，利用起来做点不错的事情——像创造回忆。我们往往把小奢侈保留给特殊场合或客人。为什么等到那个时候呢？ 吃饭的时候就是一个绝佳的机会。一个常用的混合东西的碗，饼干罐，放盐或胡椒的瓶，谁没有对这些有过美好的回忆？这些细小的事才是至关重要的。添加些特别的尝试为时不晚。
饮料：拿出那些精致漂亮的杯子，使用它们。如果你的家人喝白开水，那就挤一两滴酸橙或柠檬上去。不喜欢柑橘？那就来点调味过的冰块，怎么样？用尽最后一丁点儿的果汁，冰镇在冰格里。
桌布：纸巾是很方便的，但是布料是一种看似节俭的奢华。有了桌布和餐巾环，桌子的布置则会看上去更吸引人。一块桌布也能增加了一丝简洁的优雅感。
情调：经常性的使用锥形蜡烛。你可以在二手店或节后促销中很便宜的购买得到。把它们放置于冰箱中，这样它们能烧的更长久也更无污染。在花瓶里插些不昂贵的切花。野花可以在外面随处找到。切掉正盛开的枝干，带回家，慢慢欣赏。
餐具：把面包放在一个容易拿的篮子里，而不是放在一个扁平的盘子上。为了美观起见，在篮子里铺上一层餐巾纸。买个面包暖化石，这样晚饭期间就能保证面包一直是热的。你也可以加热你的盘子，这样的话它们端出来的时候也是暖暖的。简单地将你的电炉预热到150华氏度，将你的盘子加热五分钟左右。千万别把纸杯代黄油或很多块白脱放到桌上。用一个玻璃杯或放黄油的瓷器小碟子。如果你有一点多余的时间，另外的选择就是用模子做些有造型的黄油。使用一个橡胶抹刀，在糖果或黄油的模子上撒些软化的黄油。冷静，放轻松。如果你有些漂亮的餐具，那就别吝啬使用。将水果置于有底座的碗里，或将混合的各种坚果放在一个果盘里，呈现出一番新的景象。
特别招数：使用新鲜的蔬菜。蔬菜很容易在你的厨房生长。调味盘又重回到人们视线，而且比以往更好用了，它们现在不仅仅是用来放橄榄，泡菜，和蔬菜了。用木串插那种一口大小的水果，诸如草莓，菠萝，葡萄和西瓜之类的。将它们展示在调味盘上。可提供果酱，混合的黄油，具有榛子的巧克力以做改变。将柠檬切成片或挤几滴柠檬汁就可完成食物的装饰，简单地摆放几枝欧芹也可以使菜色从单调沉闷变的丰富美观。不要再提供放在碗里的冰淇淋了，试着在果汁杯里提供一些冰冻果汁水。最后，不忘在晚饭后准备有巧克力覆盖的薄荷点心。