LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: My husband thought we should share a family tradition with your readers because he loves it. Our family lives all around the U.S., and we are always trying to find time to visit. Before we leave after a visit, we hide little folded (and dated)notes around their homes with messages about our stay, our love of them, wishing we could see them again soon, and silly thoughts about little things that will mean something to them.
We put them in their car glove box, cereal boxes, taped to the back of bottles, between their DVDs, in linen closets between towels, in the freezer, in bathroom drawers, in winter boots (leave these in summer so they will find them months down the road), in pockets of coats and under lamp bottoms.
The notes are warm reminders of the visit and usually bring smiles. I found one recently in my home that was 12 years old. My sisters started this for our mother when she would feel sad as we were all about to leave. She loved it!
- Skeeter Gurzick, Omaha, Neb.
DEAR READER: Charming! I sometimes slip notes into my husband’s luggage when he leaves for a trip.
DEAR HELOISE: I often buy large containers of snacks (chips, pretzels, etc.). When home, I divide the contents into smaller “snack size” bags. Whenever I need a snack, I just grab a bag and go. No more eating straight out of the bag or overeating.
- Linda in Texas
DEAR HELOISE: When I’m cooking a meal, not everything is ready at the same time. First is the baked potatoes. I keep them hot by putting them in an oven mitt.
- Ken Leach, The Villages, Fla.
DEAR READERS: Other uses for a plastic gum container that fits in a cup holder:
Decorate and use as a small vase.
Add water, freeze and use in an ice chest.
Keep in a car to hold change.
Use as a water cup for small pets.
Use as a pencil-and-pen cup.
Do you recycle plastic gum containers, or any plastic containers? Write and tell me what you do with them.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio,Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail Heloise@Heloise.com
HomeStyle, Pages 34 on 12/29/2012