Heather says: I’m out of town, getting my geek on at a the Type-A Mom Blog Conference. Patrick Stuckart, an excellent photographer and all around cool guy (don’t let him say otherwise), volunteered to write this post on his meringue making adventure. As I occasionally try to engage the brain cells I still have, I …
Dear Home Ec 101, Lately I’ve noticed a greasy ring around the top of my machine, a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II which is a top loader. I know my clothes are *clean* but the washing machine grosses me out. I have tried scrubbing with vinegar, but it came back. Onto problem #2, which is connected. …
Heather says: Some of you may have noticed that there has been a change in the formula of your Automatic Dishwashing Detergent, others may have just picked up a new box as usual, without paying much attention. Sixteen states including: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, …
Dear Home Ec 101,I really need help. I found an awesome chocolate cake recipe and can keep the cake from sticking to the pan with the parchment paper/oiled/flour method. However, once the cake is on the wire rack, that’s another story. It sinks into the wires and sticks to the rack. When I try to remove it, it rips and breaks …
Heather says: This portion of Home Ec is just a place to get it off your chest. It’s all too easy for me just to share the best parts of life, the Internet Snapshot, if you will. This is a skewed version of life and it’s not really what I want to portray, especially to …
Heather says: If you like the chore post-it note here on Home Ec 101, I have good news. I’ve added, thanks to the design talent of Janet Edens, a printable version of the weekly chore schedule. Print out the chore chart and voilà you’re set. If you’re the type that loves to cross things off, …
Dear Home Ec 101, I’m moving to Virginia in about a month, and in my visits I discovered a wonderful little farm nearby that sells free-range, organic chickens. But, the only way to buy them is whole and frozen. Generally, that’s wonderful! I love cooking with whole chicken. But, there are only going to be …
Fall is just around the corner. –Try telling that to the marketing people in our inbox. They keep sending emails that say, “Fall is officially here.” Um, no, not until next week; try again.– That said, in most areas of the country, the triple-digit days are over, and it’s time to head outside and check …
Dear Home Ec 101, I would like to know why we have to leave the pot uncovered when we are making stock or broth? Is there any particular reason? Signed, Lidsy Lohan Heather says: It’s all about ease and evaporation in the case of making stock with the French method. During the first hour of …
Dear Home Ec 101, Every time I have tried composting, it gets full of ants, and I freak out and spray the compost pile. That’s probably not so good, eh? Is it okay for a compost pile or bin to be full of ants? Signed, Scared There’ll be Ants in My Pants¹ Heather says: I …