By Reena Nerbas
Frozen Car Doors
Dear Reena,
I become very frustrated in the winter when I wash my car. After it sits for a while in freezing temperatures, the doors are stuck and seem impossible to open. Any advice? Lorne
Dear Lorne,
After the car is clean and dry, spray non-stick cooking spray on the inside frame and the inside door. The doors should no longer stick. Be careful not to spray the coating on your upholstery.
Storing Plastic Lids
Dear Reena,
I need an easy way to store plastic lids for containers. My cupboard is a mess and I spend way too much time, trying to match the container with the lid. I am also looking for a way to store plastic grocery bags so that they don’t take up so much room. Jess
Dear Jess,
Have you considered placing a dish rack with separators (used for drying dishes) or a C.D. rack inside the cupboard? Put the lids between the slots and stack the containers nearby. Another option is to purchase a vertical plastic drawer system; they often go on-sale in January. They are usually available with wheels, making it easy to wheel the drawer system to the dishwasher when unloading the machine. Put the smallest lids in the top drawer and bigger lids further down. It is also smart to remove any mismatched or broken containers. Try not to collect a multitude of container sizes, to make stacking easier. Or set a container in your cupboard with the corresponding lid underneath; you will no longer need to search.
To store plastic bags, cut a rectangle shape in the lid of an empty coffee can. Push plastic bags inside the container. Through the slot pull out one bag at a time.
Grandma’s Secrets Revealed!
My grandma used to make pancakes in the shape of gingerbread men, every Christmas morning. I couldn’t figure out how she did it until one year, I got up early and spied on her. She placed a gingerbread cookie cutter onto the frying pan; and poured the pancake batter inside. When the batter set, she took the cutter off and flipped the perfectly shaped pancake. Submitted By: Henry
Instead of purchasing all kinds of stuff to prevent area rugs from slipping, my Grandma caulked the boarder on the underside of her area rugs, after the acrylic-latex caulk dried, she flipped the carpet over and this stopped the rug from moving. The texture of caulk holds carpets in place. Submitted By: Abraham
My Grandma is the world’s smartest lady! She uses Glad Press and Seal paper to line the shelves in her fridge. When they become dirty, she tosses them. No wiping and no mess! Submitted By: Justine
Make Ahead Dessert
Melt in Your Mouth Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs
6 tbsp. melted butter or margarine
3 (8 oz.) pkgs. Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup chocolate chips
2 cups whipping cream
1 (4 oz.) chocolate bar
Chocolate shavings
Combine wafer crumbs and butter. Press into the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a greased 9 inch springform pan. Chill for 10 mins. In a large mixing bowl, combine Cream Cheese, sugar, vanilla and eggs until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into crust. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 50-55 mins. or until center is almost set. Cool for 10 mins. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen; cool 1 hour.
Frosting: Melt chocolate bar; cool. Whip cream and add melted chocolate. Stir. Remove sides of springform pan. Frost with whipped cream mixture. Sprinkle with shaved chocolate. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Yum!
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
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