Helpful, handy tips

“”A great way to use smaller pumpkins for outdoor decorations for Halloween is to get a small one for each letter in your family’s last name. Carve one letter into each pumpkin. Set them up with candles and line them up in front of your house. Then you can light them and make a fun message. Also, you could use Halloween-themed words, like ‘Boo’ and ‘Spooky,’ etc.” — V.S. in Wisconsin

“”Tired of waiting for that frothy head on your beer or root beer to go down? Stick your finger in it and watch it disappear like magic.” — K.E. in Idaho

“R.N.W. in Washington suggests boiling corn with holders inserted. “Remove, roll over the butter square, salt and enjoy.” Also, be sure not to boil corn too long, he cautions, as it will cause the corn to lose flavor.

“”I always buy ingredients for one nutritious meal a week that can be thrown together and shoved in the oven in less than five minutes. Usually it’s something like enchiladas or spaghetti with veggies. I never know when I will have to work late, and if we haven’t used it by then, we eat it on Friday night, when we decompress from the hectic week. It’s been a lifesaver more than once.” — D.K. in Georgia