Dear Home Ec 101, I just had a kitchen fiasco and you ladies were the first people I thought of after it happened! I burned carrots… how do you burn carrots? Anyway, while dumping the carrots in the trash the plastic bag that the carrots came in, that was in the trash can, jumped up …
Hi Ivy and Heather, Long time reader, 2nd time emailer. 😉 I was squealing with delight when I saw Barkeeper’s Friend at my local Bed Bath and Beyond. I know in many of your posts, you recommend using it for cleaning various things. Of course, now that I have it, I can’t think of one …
Dear Home Ec 101,An old roommate of mine borrowed a dresser from me and used it while we lived together. After she gave it back, the drawers had a musty smell that I couldn’t get rid of. If I put any clothes in the drawers, they come out smelling funky and musty too. What should …
Dear Home Ec 101, We scored a great deal on a 7 cubic ft freezer. Since our family gardens and we have a teenager, it’s great to have the extra storage space, but the storage part of that is a problem. It only has one lone basket on the top where I keep bread. Otherwise, …
Dear Home Ec 101, I just found out that I am pregnant (starting my 6th week) and have been unable to eat most everything. Luckily my cravings have been running mostly to fruit and chicken, but it is difficult to know what I will or won’t be able to eat on a given day. And …
Dear Home Ec 101, My husband loves it when I make mac & cheese from scratch, but so far I’ve yet to find a recipe that I like. It always just seems bland. The thing is, I don’t think it was the recipes, I think maybe it’s the cheese I’m using. I get a large …
Dear Home Ec 101, HELP! My husband put a pen in his pocket today and I forgot to check the jeans before I washed them, then I dried them unknowingly, along with the destroyed pen. Somewhat luckily, the clothes were mostly the kids comfy stay home play clothes and jammies, but one of my fave …
Dear Home Ec 101,  I have a wee problem, and you’re the only people I could think of to ask for advice. We just moved into a new house; we’re renting, but the place didn’t come with appliances. Given the fact that we’re currently getting by with a shelfless mini-fridge, an electric kettle and a …
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. …
Dear ladies, Please forgive my lack of experience, but I am staring down a rock solid 25 pounder and I MUST thaw it by Wednesday night. My mother in law is cooking it her special way which is a slow overnight roast. So, lead me! I just found out that usually, you thaw for 24 …