HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: A rectangular-shaped metal cake pan with a lid makes an excellent travel desk for writing or drawing. You can store paper, crayons, markers and more inside the pan, and can use the top as a desk for kids to lay paper on and color or draw pictures of passing scenes. — Simone in Bethlehem, Pa.

DEAR HELOISE: I inherited my great-grandmother’s beautiful grapefruit spoon, but we use it only when we have grapefruit. The rest of the time it just sits in a drawer. Are there other ways to use this lovely spoon?

— Maxine R., Pratt, Kan. DEAR READER: Grapefruit spoons can really come in handy when you want to core tomatoes or apples.

DEAR HELOISE: How can I prevent my three young boys from constantly having chapped lips all winter?

— Rae-Ann S., Cambridge, Mass. DEAR READER: Put petroleum jelly on their lips when they go outside. Get them each a lip balm, and have them use it during the day.

DEAR HELOISE: How do bakers get that shiny crust on their pies? — Norma L., Florence, Ore. DEAR READER: They use vinegar. They take the pie crust out of the oven a little before it finishes baking, brush the crust with white vinegar, then return it to the oven to finish baking.

DEAR HELOISE: While cooking a couple of potatoes in my microwave, one of them exploded. Why did that happen?

— Pam C., Michigan DEAR READER: Always take a fork and poke holes in the potatoes before cooking in the microwave. This lets the steam out and prevents an exploding problem.

DEAR HELOISE: Just a reminder to your many readers to mulch their gardens in October. We all get busy and sometimes forget these things, but your plants will survive harsh winter storms with a nice, thick coat of mulch. It will retain not only warmth, but moisture as well.

— Wendy L., Elk River, Minn.

DEAR READERS: A profiterole is a pastry or cream puff filled with custard and drizzled with chocolate sauce — super sweet.

HELOISE