Heather Solos Dear Home-Ec 101, I’ve scoured your site and haven’t found a post about cleaning an oven. Can you give me some pointers? I am 30 years old and NEVER cleaned an oven a day in my life, and now I am nervous. Signed,It’s Gotten Smoky in Here You don’t need to be nervous, You will …
Heather says; This week’s organizational challenge may arrive just a little too late to prevent some hassle. Was there a scramble this morning? Today go through your home and change all of your clocks to the correct time. No, you don’t have to play along if you’re in Arizona or another country that doesn’t participate …
Dear Home Ec 101, I just read your desperate help post. I see some great things with it. I need help badly. It is my daughter. She is 21 and has 2 children ages 3 and 7 months. Her husband left them about 2 months ago. She is struggling so badly with everything. She is …
How are those counters looking after last week? Do they need a quick re-visit? It’s absolutely okay if they do. Getting your home organized is a process, and it takes time. This week we’re organizing the junk or catch-all drawer. I like to browse Reddit TikTok (the world has changed a bit since I first wrote …
Dear Home Ec 101, I’m embarrassed to actually ask this, but what is the difference between boiling and simmering? A lot of your recipes say to bring it to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. What does that mean, and why does it matter? Signed, Baffled Beginner Heather says: Basic questions like …
Remember when we tackled the entryway in January, week 3, to be precise? Any free counter space quickly attracts all kinds of clutter if you are anything like me. What I quit stashing by the front door is likely to find a home on the kitchen counters. It’s a curse… If you are neurospicy, there’s …
The last couple of clean-out challenges may have freed up some leftover containers. Today your mission is to pull out all your storage containers and ensure each one has a lid. The lid should actually fit and create a seal. If not? Into the recycling bin or trash, it goes I’ve found using a plastic …
Heather says Are you saving the menu plans you’ve been creating? If you have a 3 hole punch and a binder, save your weekly menu plans. As you prepare your meal plans, make notes on what people enjoyed. Over time you’ll build a great resource for yourself and your family. If you’re just getting started …
Last week the pantry. This week the fridge. Go ahead and empty the trash before you start, as if your home is anything like ours, you’ll need the room. I know I say you should clean the refrigerator each week, but do you do a thorough job? I don’t always. I generally grab the produce …
Heather says: Of all the recipes in all the world, never did I think the kids would like this one for tuna cakes. Crab is a bit on the spendy side for a herd of finicky kids, so I figured I’d give budget-friendly tuna a try. I expected turned up noses and arguing about at …