Nonfat soup mix is recipe for gratitude

Dear Readers: Here's a creative idea for a heartfelt hostess gift for that holiday party or overnight visit. First, let's mix up a batch of my nonfat cream soup recipe by combining the following:
1 cup of nonfat dried milk powder
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons chicken (or beef) bouillon powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Mix well and store in a pretty, airtight jar. Decorate the container with colorful ribbon and put in a basket (I love to recycle these) lined with a cloth holiday napkin. You can add other items to the basket that would be useful in making or serving the soup. Some suggestions: a mixing spoon, soup ladle, pot holder or soup mug, and the directions for preparing the cream soup, which are listed below. This recipe and other favorites like Quickie French Onion Soup can be found in my six-page pamphlet Heloise's Spectacular Soups. You can have one by sending $4 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (60 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Soup, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Prepare this cream-soup recipe in a saucepan by adding 2 cups (11/2 if you want it thicker) of cold water to the dry soup mix, stir well and cook over medium heat until thickened -- you must stir continuously or it will scorch on the bottom. Once thickened, it's time to add the zing to the base. For instance, adding broccoli will make a yummy cream of broccoli soup, or add mushrooms or chicken, or chop up some of those leftovers in the fridge. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I really enjoy your articles, and I am so excited that I can share a hint with the world.
After helping my father move, I brought him several boxes of soap. In all the excitement, I left the soap in my car, and the next day I was met with the best smell on my way to work. I removed all but one box and poked holes in the top of it to allow air to circulate. It has been a week, and I still have a great smell in my car. Not only is it cheaper than marketed car air sanitizers, it lasts longer and comes in an array of scents. Becca McClure, Cleveland, Tenn.
Dear Heloise: I have been doing this for years. I know a lot of people don't iron much anymore, but for those who do, I have a suggestion to prolong the life of the ironing-board cover. I usually buy silicone ones, and I iron on a large patch in the area where I put the iron to rest. This reinforces the area, and it doesn't get worn out so soon. Betty Conty, Mount Pleasant, Pa.
Dear Heloise: I love candles and found that if I put several votive candles on a china plate [not plastic -- Heloise], they are quite attractive. I also sprinkle some nuts in their shells on the plate -- it really looks quite good, and the nuts can be eaten later. Kathy Henderson, via fax
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate