HINTS FROM HELOISE

PRACTICAL, DEPENDABLE TIPS FOR TODAY’S BUSY CONSUMERS

Dear Readers: Lots of holiday celebrating can mean lots of

pretty plants around. They are pretty, yes, but some are pretty POISONOUS. Here’s the lowdown:

These plants are poisonous and should never be ingested: chrysanthemum daffodil holly hyacinth ivy mistletoe mountain laurel

If your pet chews on any of these plants, contact your vet

erinarian immediately. Remove any remaining residue from the mouth, and rinse with water. You can also call the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Animal Poison Control Center (www.ASPCA.org/poison).

— Heloise

Dear Readers: Meet Madison. Madison is a frosty-faced, 12-year-old female golden retriever.

She enjoys hanging out (and drinking water) in the backyard with her owner, Bruce A.

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

— Heloise

Dear Heloise: My family has saved all of our baby rattles, blocks, shoes and socks, and they actually make really cute tree ornaments. We jazz them up with a water-based sealer, glitter, confetti, beads, etc. We have

fun decorating them each year. We have a big family.

— Becky T., Harrisburg, Pa.

Dear Heloise: I ran out of plastic bags for my kitchen trash basket, so I’m using plastic bread bags and putting them into a 2-gallon plastic pitcher and placing it into the trash basket.

— John B., Long Beach, Calif.

Dear Heloise: Tons of pie baking is going on this weekend at my house. We have borrowed a couple of hints from my dear grandma. She had the flakiest crusts because she brushed the pastry (pre-baking) lightly with, get this, MILK! Also, to make a prettier pie, a garnish is in order: a handful of blueberries, raspberries, apple slices or a twirl of lemon rind all increase the pie’s looks!

— Susan S. In Florida

Send your hints to Heloise@ Heloise.com or mail them to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000.