Spice up meal with new recipes

DEAR HELOISE ❯❯ In response to the husband who wished he had more of a variety during dinnertime, we solved that problem about 10 years ago.

Every week, my husband and I try one new recipe. Often these are recipes that my husband finds, or we're inspired by his comments about a main dish or certain ingredient that he wants to try.

I also ask my friends and family to share their favorite recipes with me. And, Heloise, I always appreciate it when you print one of your recipes.

I keep each new recipe and make notes regarding how much (or little) we liked it and changes to try the next time we make it. Ten years later, I have two thick three-ring binders full of recipes. On one of our least-favorite recipes that we tried, I made the note: “Had to take husband out for ice cream.” But most recipes are good, and we continue to enjoy them. — Kathy

DEAR READERS ❯❯ If you have mice inside your house, try this easy way to stop them from entering: Stuff lots of steel wool in all the cracks around water or gas pipes and any other small openings that they could sneak into. Make sure that your doors are always secure and kept closed.

DEAR HELOISE ❯❯ Regarding the food-scrap-gathering tip that involves making bags with newspaper and staples, metals of any kind are not allowed in the green waste collection. Imaging having all these staples end up in the compost or mulch! Sure, you can use newspapers, but don't staple them together. Better yet, buy compostable plastic-like bags that are designed for this purpose and are made from plant materials.

— E.B., Bakersfield

DEAR READERS ❯❯ If you have a wood-burning fireplace, store the logs you are going to use outside and away from your home. Don't bring the logs inside until you are ready to start a fire because bugs may be living under the stacks. Also, store logs off the ground and keep them in a dry bin or under a cover.

DEAR HELOISE ❯❯ My 84-year-old mother, Shirley Evensen, reads your column in The Reader in Duluth, Minnesota. She asked me to send you the attached photo of her dog, Jake, and the following description:

Jake is my 10-year-old Min-Pin companion. My vet recommended against me keeping Jake when my granddaughter gave him to me 10 years ago, after the death of my Yorkie, Kirby Puckett.

The vet said a Min-Pin would be too rambunctious for me, but Jake has been my perfect companion. I'm glad I didn't listen to the vet. The photo I sent in of Jake has his usually pointed ears tucked down.

— Shirley Evensen, in Duluth, Minnesota Readers, to see Jake and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@Heloise.com.