Dear Home Ec 101, I can’t get to the store today and this recipe calls for buttermilk, do you have an easy substitution? Signed, Sour Sue Heather says: Most recipes that call for buttermilk do so for the acidity it brings to a recipe. Sometimes the acidity is used to help tenderize meat such as …
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: I have struggled with the proper way to set the table my entire life. I finally learned what order to put the knife, fork, and spoon in when my dad said to set the table alphabetically. In other words- fork (plate), knife, spoon. Prior to that tip, I’d just slap down the silverware …
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, …
Heather says: There is only one week left until Thanksgiving. Today we have a few items to cover. First, your mission is to create a cooking schedule. Look at your menu and recipes. What dishes can be made the night or even a few days before? Write clearly and post the schedule in a prominent …
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 …
Dear Home Ec 101, My two year old has started potty training. She’s very good at taking off her clothes and getting naked, not so good yet at actually making it to the potty on time. So, I was wondering if you had any brilliant tips for cleaning toddler poop out of carpet? I do …
Heather says: This week we’ve discussed our favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Now it’s time to ‘fess up and share the worst thing you’ve ever tasted at the Turkey Day table. I’m not sure if the dish that immediately springs to mind was ill-prepared or simply a travesty to start, but I will never forget a dressing …