HRH's resident domestic expert,
Nanny,
demonstrating her flawless technique for wielding a number ten skillet.
(Art by Doreen.)
So, you're looking for some handy hints, huh? Well, how about this one...
"Don't take a bath with an alligator."
Not what you were looking for, you say? Okay, below you can find some hints from Nanny, Hunk and Princess Allura. Maybe those are more your style ~.^
Kitchen Hints from Nanny:
Never beat fudge as soon as it's taken from the stove; set saucepan in water until cooled, then beat.
If butter is rubbed around the top of the pan when making fudge, it will not boil over.
Leftover Rolls: Place a pan of water in the bottom of the oven when you re-heat rolls or biscuits, The steam from the water will rise and make the bread taste as fresh and soft as the day it was baked.
Use milk instead of water when making piecrust. It makes the crust more tender and browns nicely.
If you keep birthday candles in the refrigerator for a day before using them, they will burn slowly and evenly.
Sliced bananas that have been dipped in pineapple or grapefruit juice for 15 to 30 seconds will keep their natural color for several hours.
Cast iron skillets: Clean the outside of the pan with commercial oven cleaner. Let set for two hours and the accumulated black stains can be removed with vinegar and water.
Heating the frying pan before adding oil or butter will keep things from sticking to the pan.
Club soda will shine up stainless steel sinks!! Also works for Formica counter tops!
When moving furniture on a wood floor, put thick old socks over the legs of the piece.
Putting half an apple in a cake box will keep the cake moist.
Place crushes tissue paper at the bottom of your cookie jar; cookies will not break when placed inside.
Store cartons of cottage cheese upside down; it will keep twice as long.
Popcorn should always be kept in the freezer; it stays fresh and the freezing helps eliminate 'old maids'.
Use dental floss to slice cleanly through cakes.
Hunk's Handyman Hints:
Put a large, strong rubber band lengthwise around paint can to so that it forms a bridge' across the top; you can use it to wipe excess paint off the brush. Top and sides of the can will stay clean.
Rubbing Vaseline on your hands before painting will help the paint wash off easily when you are through.
A small quantity of green sage on the shelves will keep red ants out of a pantry.
Use a lemon rind to remove rust on linoleum.
A bent pipe cleaner is useful in removing dirt from inside a camera.
New bobby pins make excellent substitutes for paper clips.
To keep tools from rusting, put 3 or 4 moth balls in toolbox.
Keep a screwdriver tip from slipping by putting chalk on the blade.
Use clear cement glue to repair a small hole in wire screening.
Apply a cloth soaked in any carbonated soda to loosen rusted bolts.
When painting, to cut down on the fumes, add two drops of vanilla extract to the paint (if the paint is white or off white, add lemon juice.) Setting out a bowl filled with vinegar will also help absorb paint fumes.
Put a strip of masking tape at the point of the plywood where you plan to begin sawing to keep it from splitting.
Flower and gardening hints from Allura:
To nourish a fern place two raw oysters under the soil near the roots and the plant will grow like magic.
Use paper based egg cartons for starting plants, because you can replant without disturbing the seedling; just separate the compartments and plant them with the seedling, they will quickly degrade under the soil.
When painting flowerpots, tip them upside down over a paint can; you can reach all parts and keep your hands clean too.
Save the green top from a fresh pineapple for an unusual houseplant. Root it in water, then plant in sand or a sand/soil mixture.
To make Geraniums bloom water with bloody chicken water.
Use a pipe cleaner to tie up a tall houseplant; it's easier on the plant than strings or twist ties.
Evergreen shrubs and rose bushes can be protected from dogs by throwing mothballs on the ground around them.
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