How to handle your candles
Dear Readers: Here are some candle safety hints from the National Candle Association. Please take a moment to read these reminders:
Place candles on heat-resistant candleholders that are large enough to catch wax. Make sure the candleholders are placed on a sturdy surface in a well-ventilated area, but not in the direct path of drafts, etc.
Trim down the wick before burning. It should be 1/4 inch long. Long wicks can cause uneven burning. DO NOT burn a candle all the way down. Discard when there is 2 inches of wax left.
NEVER leave a burning candle unattended. Be sure the candle is completely extinguished before leaving the room or house.— Heloise
P.S.: Candles are lovely to look at and can add a wonderful aroma, but without correct cautions, they can cause a deadly fire!
TRAVEL HINT Dear Heloise: Whenever I travel, I program the hotel’s phone number into my cellphone. Then it is easily accessible if I need to call the hotel to get directions, say I am running late, etc. It also has come in handy when my luggage was misplaced and I needed to give the airport my hotel information. I simply called the front desk, and the hotel provided the airport with the info needed.— A Reader in Washington COOKIES FROM CAKE Dear Heloise: You had a recipe for making cookies from a boxed cake mix. My friend has lost his copy. He is diabetic and wanted to know if this recipe would work with the sugar-free cake mixes.—Connie, via fax
Connie, here you go! This recipe should work with the sugar-free cake mixes, too! Use your favorite flavor cake mix and add 1/4 cup of chopped nuts, raisins or chocolate chips. Here are the basic ingredients:
1 (18.25 ounces) box cake mix 2 eggs 1/2 cup vegetable oil Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix only the above ingredients until blended in a mixing bowl. Drop spoonfuls of batter onto a baking sheet (ungreased) about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes. They brown quickly, so watch them very carefully. Ovens vary, so place the baking sheet on the middle rack and stand by for the first batch. These are quick and easy treats that go great with coffee. Want to know some of my other favorite (family and friends) cake recipes? Order my pamphlet by sending $3 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (65 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Cake Recipes, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. To easily release a cake from the pan, be sure it’s cool, then run a knife around the edges.—Heloise SECURE SOFTWARE Dear Heloise: I recently purchased a new printer. It included a CD of software that needed to be installed on my computer. Afterward, I taped the CD to the back of the printer. I always know where it is if I need it again. This hint can be used with other devices, too.—Katie in Des Moines, Iowa