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Dear Heloise: A simple way to use up leftover pie dough is to just take the odd-shaped pieces, lay them on an ungreased cookie sheet, and sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar. Place them in an oven along with the pie and bake until they're lightly browned, or for about 5 minutes. They make a quick and tasty snack. -- Marlene K., in Regent, North Dakota
ADIOS, GREASE!
Dear Heloise: For catching food grease, I take an empty glass jar with a wide mouth and put the grease in there with a spoon. If the grease is hot, it could melt plastic, so I have a glass jelly jar that I bought. A pickle or canning jar works, too. Keep the lid on it to keep flies out. When it's full, secure the lid and toss it in the trash.
If you don’t have a second glass jar, I’ve poured some cooled grease into a used zipclose bag, zipped it up, and taken it to the trash can for the dump. -- Terry, in Upper Virginia
Terry, I like to pour cooled grease into a plastic bag that has lost its usefulness from having been used so many times. I always keep a stack of them in an old facial tissue box on the lower shelf of my pantry. -- Heloise
MOTOR OIL STAINS
Dear Heloise: I devised this effective way to eliminate a fresh motor oil stain on your clean concrete driveway. The best results happen if you treat it as soon as you notice it. Use the cheapest cat litter (without color crystals and such). Pour just enough to cover the stain and pound it into a powder using a mallet or hammer.
Then, using a piece of flexible styrofoam and rubbing in circular motions, grind the powdered litter into the stain for 1-2 minutes. Brush the litter into a dust pan, and voila, the stain is gone! -- Bob, in Green Valley, Arizona
A SPARKLING BOUQUET
Dear Heloise: I got married in June, and about six months ahead of my wedding, I wrote to all my aunts, first cousins and close friends, as well as my hairdresser, and I asked them if they'd send me one brooch that they no longer wore. When all the brooches arrived, I took a medium-size styrofoam ball and attached the brooches to it with a handle at the back so that I could hold it. There were a few white ribbon streamers hanging down at the bottom.
It turned out beautifully, and this was what I carried down the aisle instead of a floral bouquet. It was a way to take my family (whom I love dearly) with me on this very important day. It now sits under a glass dome in the master bedroom.
I love your column. When my dad taught me how to read, he used your column and had me sound out the words that I didn't know. -- Kelly S., in Odessa, Texas
Kelly, this is a clever hint and a beautiful way to recycle jewelry that was once worn by someone whom you care about. Thanks so much for sharing and being a longtime reader! -- 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.