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Show Dear Vi: We read somewhere that gelatin is good for plants, so we've been experimenting with it. It does seem to make a significant difference. Dissolve one package of un-flavored gelatin in a cup of hot water than add three cups of cold water. Water plants with this monthly, This' treatment costs less than commercial indoor-plant food and we've surely been pleased with the results. Instead of packing shortening into a cup, then digging it out, I use my ice cream scoop, which holds exactly one-quarter cup. Indra Jensen, San Diego, Ca. Note: Be sure to measure your scoop so you'll be sure how much it holds. If you don't have a scroop, remember to break your eggs into the measuring cup firs.t then measure the shortening. It will slip right out. Also, when you need a fraction of a cup, a half cup, for example, fill the cup half full of water, then add shortening until water reaches the cup mark, making sure the shortening is all submerged. Pour off the water and you'll have an exact measurement. Dear Vi: In our opinion, cast iron skillets are still the best. We scour ours with table salt and vegetable oil and they stay smooth and rust free. Have you tried oil on that sticky residue left on tubs when you pull off the decals? The oil softens the guey stuff so that it can be gently scrubbed off with a wad of nylon net. This also works or. the adhesive residue left when you remove labels, tape, price stickers, on bottles. Hope Walters, Evanston, Wyo. Dear VI: As a working mother, I need all the shortcuts I can find and I find many in youf column. Here's one I use a lot: I boil up a big batch of potatoes, skins on, to use during tne week for hashbrowns, scalloped potatoes, salad, and so on. I've recently discovered, too, that boiled potatoes taste just like baked ones if you heat them in the oven until they are piping hot and) the skins are crisp. I usually do this when I'm baking muffins, rolls, a casserole (prepared in advance) cookies, or whatever. Which reminds me. Following a suggestion I read in your column a few years ago, I never mix up just one batch of cookies. As you pointed out, you can mix up three or four kinds while the mixer and everything is out with only one mess to clean up. I freeze the batter and bake a sheet or two of cookies or muffins, corn bread or biscuits almost every time the oeven is hot for something else. Somehow, the tantalizing smell of fresh bread and cookies baking seems to lessen the void children husbands, too often feel when the mother works. Please don't print my name. This may sound like I'm bragging. A Faithful Reader Dear Vi: We spray lamp shades to freshen them up or change the color. For paper lampshades, we find that brushing on an oil based paint works better. R. Halladay, Richfield, yt. Readers: This is your feature. Keep those good ideas coming. It's fun and rewarding to share Address: P.O. Box 122, St. George, Utah, 84770, or in care of this newspaper. $2.00 paid for each letter used hure. For your autographed copy of my book, IT MAKES CENIS (Author, Vi Jduge) containing hundreds of time and money-3aving ideas, send $7.95 to the above address or ask for it at your newspaper office, book store, or librcry. |