General Hints

[Texasmujer]

Set for the Day---I empty the dishwasher in the morning after breakfast, while the kids ae getting ready for school. But instead of putting the dishes away, I set the table for dinner that evening. This way have one less thing to do when I get home.---C.R., Henderson, Maryland

TOP THIS---I like the glaze on the top crust of my homemade pies, so before baking I brush the crust with milk---which is less expensive than using a beaten egg white---then sprinkle the crust with sugar.---N.T., Leesburg, FL.

Rainwater Fresh---I hate the smell of a wet umbrella stand. So i put a small bag of potpourri at the bottom of my stand to keep it---and the wet umbrellas---from smelling musty.---J.I., Deltona, FL


52-Card Pickup---I was having trouble getting my teenagers to do simple chores around the house, like washing and drying the dinner dishes. Here's how I solved the dish wars: At the end of dinner one of us shuffles a standard deck of playing cards and each family member---including mom and dad---is dealt one card. High and low card have dish duty, with the recipient of the high card choosing "Wash' or "dry." The best part of this plan is that when a parent and child are teamed up, the two get to spend some quality one-on-one time together.P.H., Phoenix, AZ

Vim and Vinegar---If you love a good,robust salad dressing, here's a great way to use up the last bit of mustard in those handy squeeze bottles to make a delicious vairation: Unscrew the cap, add a half cup of olive oil and a quarter cup of vinegar (red-wine vinegar is my favorite) and shke well. Presto! A healthy and delicious vinaigrette.---C.S., Highstown, New Jersey


Treat Treaty---To avoid a mother/child power struggle at the supermarket, I let my son pick one snack coupon from my coupon file before we leave the house. This way, once we're in the store, he doesn't beg for this treat or that because he already knows what he's getting.---J.H., Tooele, Utah


Pita Power---One night at dinner my eight-year-old son said he was full just so I'd excuse him to go out and play. So I came up with this idea: I cut up the remainder of his meal, including the salad, and placed it in a pita pocket. He gobbled it up. Now I'm never without pita bread!---L.A.,Mahwah, New Jersey


Dispense with it---I recently purchased a new shampoo, which I ended up not liking. Instead of throwing it out, I put it in an empty soap dispenser and let the kids wash their hands with it.---A.C., Shippensburg, PA


Stylin' 'stands---I cover the tops of my nightstands with placemats. They're just the right size to protect the wood and come in so many colors and fabrics that I can change them as often as I want to coincide with the seasons.---C.E., Magalis, CA