HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: How can I spend my summer abroad so I can soak up the culture of other countries? — Kelly in Shawnee, Okla. DEAR READER: A lot depends on where you are going and how long you plan to stay. Some European countries only allow a 90-day stay, while others, such as France, allow six months.
Do you want to work while you spend time in another country? If so, you will need to contact the embassy of that country and find out what the requirements HELOISE are.
DEAR HELOISE: What is the busiest month for getting married?
— Hailey B., Florida DEAR READER: We asked several bridal consultants and found out that June still ranks as No. 1, with August second, September third and October a close fourth. In the southern part of the country, April is popular because it is warm but not too hot.
And why do so many girls get married in June? It’s an old tradition that comes from several sources. One is the taking of the annual bath, back in days when bathing was done once a year, usually in late May or June. The couple were as clean as they would be for the rest of the year. Also, June is named after Juno, who is the goddess of marriage, children and home. To marry in June was to honor her.
DEAR HELOISE: Which is better: sugar or honey? — Betty V., Livonia, Mich. DEAR READER: Honey and sugar are comprised of glucose and fructose, though honey contains less of each. Honey has been used as a sweetener and a medicine. It has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids and enzymes. Sugar does not. Sugar has about 49 calories per tablespoon while honey has 64. Honey is sweeter than sugar, which means you could probably use less. It is not recommended to give honey to children under 12 months due to a risk of infant botulism.
DEAR HELOISE: A couple of years ago, I was given a beautiful, decorative box. It was fairly large but empty. One day, I decided to store my perfume bottles inside. This reduced clutter on my dresser, kept sunlight off the bottles and kept all of my perfume at about the same temperature. People tell me that I’m hiding the pretty bottles, but what good are the bottles if the perfume has lost its fragrance or evaporated?
— Bianca W., Kingston, R.I.