Home-Ec Guest Hey ladies! I’m planning on baking some cookies and shipping them as Christmas gifts. I’m thinking I’ll make some chocolate cookies, chocolate no-bakes, and snickerdoodles. Do you think these will travel well? If not, can you give me some suggestions? Thanks! Signed, Cookie Monster’s Sister Ivy says: It’s true, some cookies travel better than others. …
Ivy says: Let’s hear how your Thanksgiving went! Was it fabulous, or were there some mishaps? Mine was fab, since I went to my mom’s and all was taken care of. We brought a pie, which my cousin had brought down from Indianapolis (sugar cream pie, apparently you can only get them in Indy, unless …
Ivy says: Well, it’s the big day! I hope we’ve helped you prepare for it. I hope you all have a wonderful day, whether you’re cooking for a houseful of people or you’re enjoying the day with just your immediate family. And if you’re not an American, happy Thursday! Heather and I are thankful today …
Ivy says: A Twitter buddy of mine was wondering how to avoid the buildup of shoes, coats, mail, etc. from when you walk in the door. I think most people struggle with this, since it’s really easy just to toss down your stuff and sack out in a chair the second you get home. The …
Howdy, ladies! I checked the archives and found the cure for musty towels and musty jeans, but have you got any advice on de-musting things that can’t be washed? How do I de-stink the unwashable? We’ve inherited some German Christmas decorations from my husband’s family, some of which are handmade dolls constructed of fabric and …
Ivy says: As regular readers of Home Ec 101 know, my inability to cook is legendary. I have to give my family credit, though, they keep on letting me try to cook things. Hence, The Great Turkey Debacle of 2002. I was totally unware of how long you have to let turkey thaw in the …
Ivy says: There’s something really special about Fridays, isn’t there? People in the olden days thought it was an unlucky day and advised not to get married or do practically anything else on a Friday. But all my life, Friday has been a good day- all the promise of the upcoming weekend, and at most …
Dear Home Ec 101, I have a dresser that my mother gave me. She had a doily thing on it with a plastic backing. When I removed the doily, there where sticky spots in a lacy pattern from the doily. What can I use to remove this without damaging the stain on the dresser? Thanks, …
Ivy says: It’s the world’s oldest meme, I’m sure. You know, the question about, if you could invite anyone living or dead to dinner at your house, who are the three people you’d invite? Invariably most people end up saying Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, and Oprah. Or, some combination including one of those three people. So, …
Ivy says: So far this morning, I’ve been a hairstylist, a garbage (wo)man, a pharmacist, a taxi service, and a waitress. Welcome to mornings at Chez Ivy. I can’t even tell you what I would give for kids who knew how to straighten their own darn hair. This all got me to thinking, however. When …