Heather says: It’s time once again to play every family’s favorite game, Locate the Dining Room Table. If you have fallen into the habit of using your table as a dumping ground or project center, today is the day to clear it off. I know Thanksgiving is nearly a month away, but in some cases …
Heather says: In just a few short weeks the holiday season kicks off and Thanksgiving is hands down my favorite holiday of the year. I love the cooking (and eating) and Ivy loves to entertain (and eat). Ivy and I will spend the next few weeks focusing on tips and recipes for the big day. …
Ivy says: No, I’m not dead, or even undead! Just getting ready for the scariest Halloween ever in which my in-laws are coming from California to visit. Heather and I are busy taking out our little ghouls and goblins for trick or treating tonight. Tomorrow, look for our fabulous annual Countdown to Turkey Day! Have …
Heather says: We are swimming in apple cider at my house. While almost everyone I know enjoys hot cider simmered with cinnamon, my children were rather unimpressed. I refuse to drink the entire gallon solo. Rather than letting it go to waste I began experimenting. Monday morning we tried apple cinnamon oatmeal, substituting 1/2 of …
Dear Home Ec 101, My cookies keep ending up flat, hard and chewy, what can I do? I have tried 5 different recipes and my cookies all come out the same, flat. I watch them in the oven and they puff all up and then it is like bubbles popping and they flatten out before …
Dear Home Ec 101: My dishwasher just isn’t doing as great a job anymore. I haven’t changed anything: same soap, I scrape the plates, I still use a rinsing agent. What could be going on? Signed, My Dishwasher is a Dud Heather says: Did you know your dishwasher requires regular maintenance to provide consistently clean …
Ivy says: My inability to cook is legendary. Want a cake or a pie? I’m good at that- I can bake. But if you want some fried chicken, I am not your girl. That said, I have three kids and I’m on a budget. I have to cook. And in order to save money and …
Ivy says: Yesterday Mr. Ivy made a divine potato soup for lunch. It was thick and creamy and rich and fabulous. And no, you can’t have the recipe, because he won’t even give the recipe to me. But there was cheese and celery and fabulous and win in there, I can tell you that much. …
Dear Home Ec 101, I am perplexed. I have never had a good answer to the question: how should I dispose of cooking grease (that is, grease from hamburger, bacon, etc.)? I’ve used several methods, but it’s all pretty disgusting and probably not environmentally friendly. I’ve poured it off into old glass containers and tossed …
Dear Home Ec 101, I received a duck down comforter as a gift last Christmas. The tag says to have it taken to the dry cleaners, but not only would it be a pain, it wouldn’t be easy on the wallet. Now, I love my comforter. But I’m so terrified to wash it on my …