Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: Your note about making houseguests feel welcome with a basket of travel goodies jogged my memory about a visit of my sister’s family.

I live in a two-story house. Three bedrooms and a bath are upstairs and are used only by guests. I stocked the medicine cabinet when I knew I was having guests. During their visit, my sister expressed appreciation for my thoughtfulness. Her teenage daughter agreed, saying she had forgotten her toothbrush and was using the one I had provided. Imagine our surprise when my sister replied, “I forgot my toothbrush, and I’m using it!” I quickly got a second toothbrush of a different color! – Christine B., via e-mail

Dear Readers: Here are four handy ways to reuse leftover yarn: Make a pretty afghan out of your scraps; use as a ribbon to tie around a gift; give to a school to use in its art classes; or braid and use as a zipper extender. - Heloise