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Dear Heloise: My mother froze a lot of corn, and she used these two easy tricks: After she blanched the corn, she would set the ear of corn on an angel food cake pan and use an electric knife to cut off the kernels. This made cutting off the kernels quicker and easier. And the pan caught the kernels, so there was less mess. -- Michelle R., via email
CLOTHESLINE HINT
Dear Heloise: I read Casey's concern about faded laundry in a recent edition of the Press-Enterprise. As a lifelong clothesline user, I'll share my hint: I do laundry in the evening when electricity is less expensive and leave it on the line overnight to dry. The clothes are dry by morning, and there’s no worry of them fading. -- Emily, in Hemet, California
CLEAN THE DRYER VENT
Dear Heloise: Regarding the recent letter about leaving the dryer on, it's most likely the lint-clogged vent that caused the fire, not leaving the house with the dryer going. Follow the instructions, clean the lint filter after every use, and clean the vent pipe annually. Don't use a flexible vent pipe, except for very short runs that connect the rigid vent pipe to the machine. -- Scott R., in Northampton, Massachusetts
Scott, personally, I'm obsessed with cleaning the lint in my dryer. However, from time to time, many people forget to clean out the dryer lint that collects over repeated use. I wish manufacturers would put a warning on dryers to help the public remember how dangerous collected lint can be. -- Heloise
ONLINE AUCTION SERVICE
Dear Heloise: Clearing out a house with an online auction service was so much easier than hauling everything to a charity. Also, the fees that we paid employed the photographers and stagers, and we still made a little money. The funny part was when the auctioneer came to meet us; he literally brought stuff back in the house from the trash bin, telling us that these items would sell. -- M.A., via email
M.A., what a clever idea! I hadn't heard of an online auction for clearing out a house before, but I can already see the advantages. -- Heloise
A SPECIAL KEEPSAKE
Dear Heloise: I received a save-the-date card for the wedding of a great-nephew by marriage (whom I haven't seen in 15 years). The bride's from a wealthy family, and the wedding will be a luxurious affair. I'm elderly and on a fixed income, and I live many states away. So, I'll be replying with regrets to the invitation when it comes.
All of that said, what's the protocol regarding wedding gifts? Would a nice card with handwritten good wishes be acceptable? Do I check the bridal registry and try to come up with something that’s suitable for my budget? Things have changed so much over the years that I don't know anymore if the old Emily Post rules still apply. Thank you for all your hints over the years! -- Linda C., via email
Linda, a handwritten letter would make such a wonderful gift. I've kept a handwritten letter from both my mother and grandmother that I take out and read once in a while. They'll receive many wedding gifts, but a handwritten letter will be a keepsake that they can enjoy long after the other gifts have worn out. -- Heloise
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.