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Show Wednesday. March 25, 1998, THE DAILY HERALD, Table is a setting for the best of all possible worlds cpr By BO MLES Universal Press Syndicaie . z t ocuoc ui yuui- and feelWs nf W11. munity , Q peing in convivial surroundings 'have been part of the sharing of fbod and drink forever, be it ffround a fire, at a picnic ground 0 of beach, in the kitchen or, of "ttturee, at the table. "The pleasures of the- table should be a blending of satisfy- ing food, friendship, gracious-Hnes- s and warmth, all sparked with the glow of fine conversa-j- . tion and lots of laughter," writes Milo Ohrbach, impaBarbara 9 ssioned gardener, accomplished t cook and author of "Tabletops" f (Clarkson Potter, $24) as well as e14 other books on home and -- i - dating hassle. At the old carriage house that she shares with her hus-- j band, Mel, the table is always set at least in her heart, soul and spirit. With a collection of an dinnerware, i t enthusiasm for exploring local , fields, farm stands and flea markets, finely honed organiza-- . tional skills (from having run a successful shop and r business i called, appropriately, Cherchez, which is French for "to find"), and ready accomplices in her nieces and nephews, t Barbara Ohrbach anticipates every occasion to entertain and create a tablescape with joy. As "Tabletops" explains, it all boils down to taking time and paying attention to the details; improvisation may be crucial to the selection of objects, but careful planning, and an intuitive I concern for the comfort of one's I guest, govern the ultimate dis-- i 'AT V . 1 i Written in the easy conversational tone that distinguishes i the best cookbooks, Ohrbach presents general rules that will J John Hall Set for success: The low pineapple centerpiece lets guests at author Barbara Ohrbach's table trate her points. guide any tabletop design: "Color unifies everything. The tablecloth will determine the overall mood. Centerpieces should come to either below or above eye level." And, when in doubt, use white plates they go with everything. In format, the book, like a cookbook, first presents the basic ingredients that appear on Centerpieces, for example, might be created from the seasonal bounty of the garden in which case, she advises moderating the overall theme of the table, "to let the textures, colors and shapes carry the day." Holiday centerpieces, which might run riot, are reined in. At Thanksgiving, for instance, linens, china, flat- Ohrbach marches a collection of any table ware and glass then add3 pumpkins from one end of her spice with suggestions for acces- table to the other, accented only sorizing the individual settings with trailing vines and colorful and the tabletop as a whole. leaves plucked from trees in her Like a cookbook, too, Ohrbach yard. At book's end, Ohrbach liberally peppers her text with tips and hints, seasons it with imparts one final soupcon of recipes and how-to- s advice: "Don't be afraid to be and garnishes it with more original." After all, when everydecora than 275 photographs to illus thing comes together host-friend- ly tions, food, friends and good talk no one wants to leave the table. And that's what hospitality is all about. Bookmarks Let the tabletop itself set the tone. A rustic farm table exhibiting the patina of its original paint might anchor settings whose only linens are dishtow-el- s used as napkins. In contrast, a heirloom table appears most refined when dressed with a crisp damask cloth or lacy mats and best porcelain. Be flexible. Mixing and matching dinnerware gives you the freedom to explore unexbuffed-to-a-shee- photo enjoy one another's company. n pected options for accessorizing, such as using a coffee can to hold a bouquet of flowers or a artichoke "planted" scooped-ou- t in a flowerpot as a candleholder. "To make a table look fuller," Ohrbach says, "place flowers at individual settings in lieu of or in addition to your centerpiece. These are less expensive, as the smaller containers hold fewer flowers, and they take less time to make." Depending on the occasion, consider setting tables in other rooms in the house, such as the and living room or library outdoors as well. Celebrations, such as holiday buffets, feel more magical when guests clus- ter at several intimate tables. Let them trade places between courses. 'Gardener beware: The outdoors can be dangerous to your health -- If you go out in the garden Ka in fnt a Kirr uurrtvnaci mor Kt, Alt Iwl M JJl pi medical problems associated with routine contact with nature. Jeffrey Erinoff, clinical assistant professor of medicine at Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia offers these tips: If you are bitten by rabies carriers such as skunks, raccoons, mice, rats and squirrels, wash the area thoroughly (CNS) & rA nr irnn 1 1 with soap and water as soon as possible and seek medical attention. Notify the local health department and animal warden. Do not attempt to capture the animal 13 by yourself. Smaller garden dwellers such as ants, mosquitoes, spiders, ticks and some snakes can bite. Deer ticks carry Lyme disease. Erinoff suggests brushing off and checking for ticks each time you Ihmamimmnm 9 9 8 PARADE All 50-fo- well-love- d play. heating system. piping materials contract with temand expand perature changes. A length of copper pipe, any diameter, will expand in length when more than the water inside is raised from 70 degrees Fahrenheit to 170 degrees Fahrenheit (typical for a baseboard heater). This expansion can strain joints and cause leaks. It can also make elements bind against radiator covers and jam risers against floorholes, causing noise. Even when provisions are made during installation to absorb this expansion, some noise may still come from the baseboard units. The noise is probably caused by the heat distribution pipes or connecting fins rubbing on their support brackets as the pipes expand when the heat is coming up and as they contract when the heat is going down. This noise can usually be eliminated or reduced by inserting foam rubber pads between the baseboard support brackets and the connector fins or distribution pipe, whichever is being supported. When inserting the pads, gently lift the heating pipes or fins. If you apply too much pressure, you can strain pipe joints and possibly crack them. Q: Every winter the north slope of my cathedral ceiling leaks when the snow starts melting. It doesn't leak in the rain. My ceiling gets ruined and has to be retaped and painted. Do you have any sugAi , mail-orde- er two-lev- el i ") can causa noisy problems hot-wat- . 1 Expanding plpas baseQ: We have board heat and we get a constant knocking at both ends of the baseboard units when the heat is coming up and also when it's going down. Our house has upper and lower levels and a ,i io wnroacn, tne laDietop is a microcosm , of the best of all dos- sible worlds, a place where peo-- . pie are welcome and made to e:feel utterly at home. tj(1.- "How the table is decorated sends an unspoken message of r. hospitality" she says. And deco-- , and should be a rating can i relaxed endeavor, not an intimi-- 1 1 Page For AP Special Features - TV - By POPULAR MECHANICS T lifestyle subjects. Home Expo. Provo. Uuh July leave the garden. If you think you've immediately with cold water and wash been bitten by a tick and develop a local- your clothes. e Herbicides and insecticides can pose ized, rash, fatigue and muscle aches, contact your doctor; you a threat to health if improperly used. Prolonged exposure to herbicides can may have Lyme disease. Try to prevent poison oak,;ivy and bring on allergic rhinitis andor asthma attacks. Symptoms of acute exposure to sumac by wearing long pants, shirts, garden gloves and boots insecticides include blurred vision, tearto eliminate direct contact with skin. If ing, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, you think you have been exposed to any labored breathing, salivation, vomiting of these plants, rinse affected areas and excessive perspiration. bull's-eye-shap- long-sleev- Mama B?$m$' ZQQQ Noon to 8:00 p.m. over-insulati- ceilings and ventilating the attic profusely, the temperature will be lowered to the point where snow won't melt. 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