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Show Makes Cents KJUS by vi Ik ' ' linn i ML WM Dear Readers: It's been years since I last made watermelon rind pickles, but last week a huge, juicy melon with a thick, crisp rind we bought inspired me to make some again. They're so good and inexpensive I can't understand why I haven't been making some every season. They're easy to make too: After enjoying the fruit, slice the rinds into inch strips and trim off the tough, outer peel. Cut the strips into inch cubes (the size is optional) and simmer them in mild salt water until fork tender, drain and dump them in a glass bowl or jar. For about nine cups of cubes, you'll need a syrup of one cup of white vinegar, four cups of sugar and about a heaping tablespoon of pickling spices tied up in a square of cheescloth or nylon-hosiery fabric. Bring the syrup to a rolling boil and pour it over the cubes. Cover and let stand overnight. For two more days, drain off the syrup, heat to boiling, and pour it over the cubes. The next day, heat all to a good rolling boil, pack pickles in hot sterilized jars and seal. (Or process in hot water bath for about twenty minutes.) For a lively green color, add some food color. I did, and was so pleased with the results, I'm going to make some red pickles, with Christmas entertaining in mind. They'll make a colorful garnish for any party table. Have you priced a small jar of sweet pickles lately? This recipe, which costs little more than four cups of sugar, makes about two quarts of delicious pickle chunks. That MAKES CENTS, don't you agree? Dear Vi: To keep fragile chains and necklaces from tangling in a drawer or jewel case, thread them through a drinking straw, then hook the clasps. I use strong, water-resistant paper towels in the kitchen. True, they cost a little more than the flimsy ones, but I find that I can rinse them out and when they are dry use them again. I also save used paper napkins (if they aren't too used) for wiping up spills, cleaning my artist's easle and brushes, etc. Hope Frehning, Rexburg, Idaho I hope you faithful readers who have followed this feature for years won't think I'm in a rut when I once more suggest cooking up that Halloween Jack-O-Lantern the very next day instead of tossing it in the trash. The meat will still be firm and unspoiled if you settle for a painted-on-face until Halloween day, then cut out the eyes, nose, and mouth. And if you don't use a too-large candle or leave it burning too long. If your family likes cooked squash, they'll like pumpkin just as well. Cut up what is left, steam until tender, and scoop it away from the rind. It can then be mashed or pureed in the blender to use in pies, cookies, cakes, nut bread, etc. I like to make up a large batch of pumpkin pie filling to freeze in pie-size portions and use when I need a quick dessert. With a supply of frozen, uncooked shells on hand, serving hot, spicy pumpkin pie requires little more effort than remembering to take the filling out of the freezer ahead of time so that it will be thawed by the time you want to pop your pie into the oven. An average Jack-O-Lantern will yield several quarts of pumpkin. Have you priced canned pumpkin lately? Dear Vi: Whenever I notice a wallpaper sale of discontinued patterns, I look for designs suitable for gift wrapping. In the past I have found single rolls for only fifty cents, but even if you have to pay two or three times that much, you get a !t of packages out of one roll.. It's more durable, too, so that it can be used again and again. Erma Dillingham, Cedar City, Utah Dear Vi: Add a little pine oil to your rug shampoo solution for a clean, fresh scent. I also add about four tablespoons of chlorine bleach when shampooing my off-white bedroom carpet. Mrs. D.M.W. I'd try this in an inconspicuous area first just to be sure., Readers: This is your feature. Send your good idea or ideas to IT MAKES CENTS, P.O. Box 122, St. George, Utah 84770, or in care of this newspaper. If your letter is used here, I'll send you my personal check for $2.00. My new book, IT MAKES CENTS, by Vi Judge, contains hundreds of ideas I've collected from all of you. Get a copy at your library, or you can buy one at your local bookstore or directly from me at the above address. Ask for IT MAKES CENTS, by Vi Judge. Price, $7.95. |