Hodge Podge Day

In character, in manners, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. ~Henry Longsworth Longfellow

Today I have tips sent in by our talented and wise readers!

I made the Black-Eyed Pea Soup recipe for New Year's Day, adding boiled chicken pieces to the cooked soup. Wonderful! I doubled the recipe, and took some to my mom, brother, my children, and their spouses. Everyone loved it! Thank you for helping me start 2009 in such a delicious way. ~Linda Lee

POPPING BACON GREASE
When I was in Germany I learned that if you add just a pinch of flour to your bacon that while it is cooking it will not pop hot grease. Remember--just a LITTLE PINCH! Too much flour will cause the bacon to taste like flour. ~Lindy

A SOFT HAND REMEDY
I found this in a book called Grandma's Remedies: Put 1/2 teaspoon sugar in the palm of your hand and cover the sugar with baby oil and rub in for 3 or 4 minutes. Rinse your hands with warm soapy water. Don't forget to take your rings off before you do this. It does work and your hands are nice and soft afterwards. ~Thanks again, francorrine

POLISHING SILVER
If you have a small job, the best silver polish is white tooth paste. Dab some on your finger, and rub into the tarnish. For bigger pieces, use baking soda and a clean, damp sponge. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Scoop the paste onto the sponge, and rub the paste into the silver. Rinse with hot water and polish dry with a soft, clean cloth. For badly tarnished silver, leave the baking soda paste on the silver for an hour or so, before cleaning off with the help of the sponge and hot water. ~Jeanieb

On OFL we have tips for storage organization:
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/storage3.html