Heloise

Dear Heloise: Facial-blotting tissues are expensive, but it’s easy to make them at home. I purchase a package of good-quality white wrapping tissue and cut it into 5-inch squares. I keep several in a zippered bag in my purse for a quick shine-absorbing blot on the go, and I store the rest in my bathroom. I use the shiny side; it’s more absorbent. — Sharon, in the Midwest

BACKPACKING ESSENTIALS

Dear Heloise: A lot of people will be taking a backpacking trip this summer, and as a veteran of many backpacking trips over a number of years, I have a few hints for backpackers:

— Invest in a good compass, a GPS device that is designed for outdoor travel, and a personal locator beacon. If things go wrong on your trip, you’ll be glad you have these items because they work where a cellphone might not.

— Always pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat of some kind to protect your face. Sunburn or snow blindness is a serious problem for backpackers.

— Buy a good-quality knife. You’ll use this tool more than you know.

— Take a small first-aid kit. Make certain it has disinfecting ointment, bandages of various sizes, disposable plastic gloves, over-the-counter painkillers, and hand sanitizer.

— Take a headlamp, lighter and/or matches in a waterproof container.

Believe it or not, these are things that so many backpackers forget to include when they are hiking through the backcountry. — Jacob, in Colorado

MY PET PEEVE

Dear Heloise: My “pet” peeve is people driving with a pooch on their lap or hanging out the driver’s side window. This is dangerous for the driver, other drivers and the dog! Animals are unpredictable and get excited easily. — Bev, via email

Bev, I agree completely. If the air bag were to deploy, disaster would ensue. The dog should ride in the back seat on the floor in a carrier or on a seat that is fastened with a special doggie seat belt. — Heloise

WRAP IT UP

Dear Heloise: Here are various substitutes for wrapping paper:

— Calendar pages, which come in so many sizes and are colorful.

— Larger packages can be wrapped in posters. Some card shops/bookstores give away posters that haven’t been sold.

— Larger packages can also be wrapped in bulletin board paper, which comes in beautiful colors. There’s usually a bin of remnants. This paper is found in art supply shops, school supply stores, bookstores that cater to teachers, etc. It looks amazing with ribbon.

All of these use quality paper and, in most cases, are recycled! — An Avid Reader, in Kentucky

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: My pup is pictured here saying, “Hurry! Fix my lammy!” — Janis Tilton, via email

Readers, to see Janis’ dog and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

EMERGENCY ICE PACK

Dear Heloise: Ever need an ice pack and found that you didn’t have one? When a large lump began to form on my husband’s forehead from a fall, I used a frozen bag of peas. We arrived in the emergency room with my husband still holding the frozen bag against his head, but the swelling was going down. — Keegan S., in Florida

LEVERAGING YOUR BAKING

Dear Heloise: My hint, which I have done for years when stirring cookie dough and other mixtures, is that I put the bowl in my sink. With the leverage of it being positioned lower than my countertop, it makes it easier to stir with not as much effort.

An aside: If I’m adding something and it spills over the side of the bowl, it is also easier to clean up. — Sue W., via email

REFRIGERATOR ORGANIZATION

Dear Readers: Who has a messy refrigerator? If this sounds like you, it’s time to get organized. First take everything out and put it on the counter. Now you can see what you have. Then turn back to the fridge; it’s time for a deep clean!

Spray the shelving, drawers and walls with a solution of 4 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with water. Wipe down with a clean cloth. Get in all the tight places; cotton swabs may come in handy. Wipe dry with paper towels.

Throw away anything you don’t need or recognize. (This means anything fuzzy.) Combine items like two open jars of pickles or vegetables that can be grouped together.

Now it’s time to restock. Avoid overstocking the fridge; the cold air needs to circulate. Keep milk and juices up front for easy access. Store tiny fruits like strawberries in a basket inside the fridge.

P.S. Where is the best place to store eggs? According to the American Egg Board (IncredibleEgg.org), you should keep eggs in their original container on a shelf in the fridge, not in the door. This keeps them insulated and protects them from cracking or absorbing other flavors. — 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.