Forever Flowers A Coating Of Sugar And Egg Whites Will Keep Blossoms Around For Quite A While

Q. Some years ago I saw a recipe in an old cookbook for preserving rose petals. I know it involved dipping petals in egg white and then sugar and letting them dry. I tried this but it didn’t work.

Do you know the proper method? - Annette Witherington, Saint John, New Brunswick

A: Crystallized petals and whole flowers make beautiful cake decorations. They’re easy to make, but it does take a little practice.

The flowers are sealed in a thin coating of egg white and sugar, which keeps them from fading or rotting. Always use untreated, edible flowers, such as pansies, violets, roses, forget-me-nots and scented geranium leaves.

For best results, the flowers must be firm and fresh. If possible, cut them just before you sugar them. Immerse the stems in cool water while you prepare your supplies.

In a small bowl, gradually mix a few teaspoons of water into one egg white, whisking with a fork until the mixture reaches a thin consistency. (If you’re concerned about consuming raw eggs - they should not be used in food prepared for pregnant women, small children, the elderly or anyone whose health is compromised - you can use pasteurized powdered egg whites instead. Look for them at baking-supply stores.)

Fill another small bowl with superfine sugar.

Line a tray or plate with waxed paper. Cut the flower stems to just below the base. Holding one flower at its base with tweezers, use a clean watercolor paintbrush to give the entire flower a coating of the egg-white mixture. Make sure you cover the surface completely.

Then use a spoon to sprinkle sugar over the flower so it adheres to the egg white. Knock the tweezers gently with a spoon to shake off any excess sugar.

Carefully transfer the flowers to the waxed paper. As they start to dry, lift and turn the flowers gently so they don’t stick.

Set aside in a warm, dry spot for two to four days, until the petals feel crisp. Large flowers, such as pansies, should be turned occasionally so they dry evenly.

The finished flowers are quite fragile, so it’s a good idea to make more than you need. Stored in a dry place, extras will keep for several months.

Q: We have a beautiful 6-month-old daughter, and I want to save everything of hers. I am worried about how to store her dresses and other clothing so they will still be beautiful 20 years from now. - Vicky Young, Linwood, N.C.

A: To keep your daughter’s dresses for the next generation, they need to be stored in a safe, stable environment. A damp basement or hot attic is not the place to keep clothing. Mildew loves moisture, and high temperatures aren’t good for fabrics.

Instead, make room in a closet that you use regularly. The clothes will be safer and you’ll be able to check on them occasionally.

Before you store clothing, wash it and remove stains. Then rinse the items in fresh or distilled water to remove any excess detergent, which can be tough on fabric over time. Dry and iron the clothes.

Natural fibers need ventilation, so clothing shouldn’t be kept in airtight plastic containers. Everyday packing supplies, such as tissue paper and cardboard, can cause fabric to yellow over time.

For long-term storage, use buffered acid-free tissue paper and acid-free boxes. They are available from archival and conservation suppliers. If you can’t find a source in your area, contact Talas (212-219-0770) in New York City for mail orders.

Cedar chests or clean trunks are also fine for storage. Lay each dress between two sheets of tissue paper before folding to avoid creases. Store whites and colors separately.

Tuck a few mothballs into the box if you have problems with insects, but never let mothballs come into contact with fabric. Change mothballs once they lose their scent.

Date and label the boxes so you won’t have to search through each one to find what you’re looking for years from now.

Q: Is is possible to remove cloudiness from clear glass goblets? Mine were used only a few times and were placed in the dishwasher.

I really like them and hope to use them often if I can make them look clean and clear again. - Marjorie Jackson, Birmingham, Ala.

A: The cloudiness is most likely a condition known as sick glass, caused by mineral deposits etched into the surface of the glass. This can happen after just a few washings in the dishwasher.

Unfortunately, I’ve never been able to find a cure for sick glass. I contacted a good glass-restoring company for an opinion, and it hasn’t found a solution either.

One home remedy you might try is soaking the glasses in plain white distilled vinegar, which may or may not help.

To keep other glasses from developing the white, hazy film, wash them by hand with mild soap and always rinse thoroughly and dry immediately.

MEMO: Questions should be addressed to Martha Stewart, c/o The New York Times Syndication Sales Corp., 122 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10168. Questions may also be sent to Stewart by electronic mail. Her address is: mstewart@msl.timeinc.com.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Martha Stewart New York Times Syndicate