Try painting as a birthday party craft

Dear Heloise: Iwanted to share this really cute idea that my daughter did when shewas planning my granddaughter’s birthday party.

She decided to have a painting party for several little girls. Shewent to a crafts store and bought small, individual canvases for each child. Then she covered the outside patio table with some newspaper and set up each little girl at the table with a canvas in front of her.

Whenthe little girls were done, my daughter had them sign the back of the canvas. Then my daughter kept all the canvases. When they were dry, she framed them, and on the back of each masterpiece she wrote when itwas painted and that itwas formy granddaughter’s party.— Judy Malik, Seguin, Texas

Darling! This is a fun idea for folks of any age.— Heloise Dear Readers: Cathy Schmidt of San Antonio sent a photo of her “large,” brown, 7-year-old tabby cat, Chooch, casually sitting (legs wide apart and tummy roll showing) and waiting for some attention. To see Chooch, go toHeloise.com and click on “Pets.”— Heloise Dear Heloise: I received this hint from a friend of mine several years ago, and it really works well. To keep strawberries fresh for a fewdays longer, place in an airtight container with pieces of paper towel between each layer, being sure not to squeeze them close together. Place in the refrigerator. It does give them extra life.— E.G. in Connecticut

Strawberries are a favorite of mine, especially when in season.

Dear Heloise: To make lid removal easier, I use a leather glove onmy hand so the lid can’t slip.— James in Oregon

And don’t forget the old hint of tapping the side of the lid with awooden spoon to help break the air seal.— Heloise