Mother's Down-home Country Lore

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

While we're on the subject of storing perishables, did you know that fresh raw eggs can be frozen? Mrs. Charles Bowman, who lives in McHenry, Maryland, reports success using the following method: Rinse (but don't dry) two ice cube trays and two cups. Separate one egg at a time, placing the yolk In one cup and the white in the other. Pour the white into an ice cube compartment in the first tray, and the yolk into one of the second tray's compartments.

After all the eggs have been separated and the trays filled, cover each yolk with cold water (leave the whites as is) and place both trays in the freezer. Once the liquids are well frozen, remove the cubed eggs from the trays and store them in freezer boxes or bags. Then you can thaw yolks and whites as needed.

"Flashlights that are kept in backpacks, saddlebags, or auto glove compartments will often accidentally 'turn on', leaving the batteries to die a premature death," writes Cynthia Burns of Puyallup, Washington. "Not only can this be annoying ...it can also leave you without light in an emergency situation.

"A simple solution to the problem is to reverse the top battery so it can't make contact. Then just turn the cell around whenever you need the light."

If you're ever in need of a large, sturdy container, try asking some of your local fast-food restaurants for a pickle bucket. Jan Gervais of Le Mars, Iowa reports that many places use up pickles quickly and are more than happy to give the tubs away. Most of the pails sport strong, comfortable handles ...but if you want one with a lid—she warns—you'll have to ask the manager in advance, since the tops are often broken and discarded.

"When my daughter was learning to walk last winter, our floors were too cold for her bare feet, but her young legs couldn't stay upright if she wore slippery socks or booties," wrote Christina Liggitt—Eicholtz from Billings, Montana. "And—especially at $14 a pair—I didn't care to put her into hard shoes at such an early age. So I rummaged through my yam and scrap bags and found about two ounces of soft gray worsted and an old leather elbow patch.

"I knitted my baby a pair of socks—any bootie pattern will work—and then, using a suede punch to make the holes before stitching, sewed ovals of leather to the soles. A bit of elastic, fastened loosely at the ankle, completed my little girl's warm, woolly, nonskid shoes."

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print