HINTS FROM HELOISE

Dear Heloise: I take one of those single socks and an old plastic pill bottle and add some pebbles and close it up. I tie the bottle up in the sock tightly.

My dog loves it, it even smells like me. We have fun and use up those lone socks. Shake, rattle and roll!

— Judee H. In Ventura, Calif.

Dear Readers: For this week’s Pet Pal, we are revisiting KeKe, Leo and Létta’s precocious Siamese cat, in Culbertson, Mont. Leo was working at home and Ke-Ke just had to jump up on the desk and chase the cursor on the screen, such a silly girl!

To see Ke-Ke and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week” Do you have a furry and funny friend? Email a picture and description to Heloise@Heloise.com.

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: Three parts baking soda to one part regular FOAM — not gel — shaving cream mixed together by hand makes fun snow!

Kids love to do this, and it will make the house smell fresh and clean!

— Mary J. in Tennessee

Mary, snow much fun! A couple of caveats: supervise young kids. The “snow” will smell fresh and minty, but it DOES NOT go in the mouth! And clear off the breakfast table and pack your patience — things are about to get messy.

Baking soda should be in everyone’s home; it’s a workhorse! Nontoxic, safe, cheap and readily available, I keep boxes on hand. I’ve compiled a collection of my favorite baking soda hints, hacks, recipes and helps into a handy pamphlet. Would you like to receive one? It’s easy. Visit www. Heloise.com to order, or send a long, stamped (70 cents) envelope along with $5 to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.

Dear Heloise:

— Heloise

Because I have “mature skin,” I’ve found that a cream blush works great, and not just on my cheeks.

A smear goes on my lips, where I can blend it out for a light lip color.

A darker cream can work as a cheek contour to give the face more dimension.

To highlight the browbone, I daub a lighter shade here.

The bridge of my nose gets a light shade too, blended in well.

And if we go out fancy, a highlight on my collarbone and decolletage looks pretty.

As for cheek placement: on my natural cheek, right below my irises.

Cream blush is a versatile tool in my makeup bag. I recommend it to your readers!