Heather Solos Heather says: Have you been laying out good money for boxes of croutons? Look what you’re getting in a box of Marie Calendar’s Classic Seasoned Croutons: How about making your own croutons for a fraction of the cost and without all the unpronounceable ingredients from leftover bread? This is a wonderful use for day-old or, …
Dear Home Ec 101: How long will butter last in the freezer? ~Freezing my Assets Heather says: It depends, at 0°F butter will last 6 – 9 months and still retain its quality. I have frozen it for much longer with no noticeable change, but our deep freeze is only used for long term storage. …
Heather says: Now is the time to start watching the flyers for good sales on items you may need for fall baking. This week butter is on sale at my local grocer; I’ll be loading up my freezer. With the corn crop suffering and being diverted to ethanol production, the price of dairy products may …
Dear Home Ec 101: I’m in need of a cake icing recipe. One like you would see on a birthday or wedding cake from a bakery. One that can be smoothed fairly well and does not drip, run, or otherwise need refrigeration to keep it on the cake, it’s pretty sticky around here. I also …
Heather says: What is your most dreaded regular household chore? For me, it’s the biweekly stripping, washing, drying, and reassembling of mattress pads. However, if I avoid this chore I pay for it twice over with sneezing and itchy eyes.
Heather says: Time and again I hear people lamenting their inability to cook. It’s a skill that takes practice; start with a basic, forgiving item like today’s French toast If you have children, involve them in the process, it will help them become comfortable in the kitchen. This is a great way to use up …
Dear Home Ec 101: I have several faux wood white blinds that I have stored in the garage. I want to use these now and they have -needless to say- their share of spider webs, dust and other weird things on them. What is the best way to clean them? Thanks! ~Dust in the Windows …
Dear Home Ec 101: Recently my son spilled a bottle of Downy on the wood floor in our den. Now, no one in our family can go in that room because of the smell. What can we do? ~Fumin’ in Fullingham Heather says: What a headache! The perfumes responsible for your odor problem are suspended …
Dear Home Ec 101:So, uh, how bad is it if I add a little liquid dish detergent when I’m running out of laundry detergent? I swear my momma didn’t raise me this way.~Bubbling in Beaumont Heather says: Chances are if you have some laundry detergent to add to a load of laundry you probably have …
Heather says: Apparently we’re having an unofficial week of Laundry Lovin’, here at Home Ec 101. Have you ever looked at the care label on your shirt only to find it covered in mysterious hieroglyphics? Well never fear, I have the Rosetta Stone for decoding those pictograms. Now you can wash with confidence.