HELOISE Mapping out your grocery experience

Dear Heloise: The key to my quick, easy and successful grocery shopping is the manner in which I fill out my grocery list.
One time only, I took a stroll down the aisles, in succession, of my grocery store, making a list denoting the products I use that are found in each aisle.
From there, I typed up the list and made copies, leaving space between each row in order to fill in the items I need to purchase. I listed two or three of the main items found in each aisle as a heading.
On a daily basis, I fill in the empty spaces in the appropriate aisle. If I have coupons to use, I list those items, also.
Now when I do my weekly shopping, my list is ready, and I simply head to the first aisle and proceed through the store, stopping only in the aisles that contain the items I need. Ron from Maryland
Dear Heloise: I read with interest the letter about the mother who recycled her wedding dress into a christening gown for her new baby. I love to sew, so when I went to buy the fabric for my wedding dress, I chose fabric that I could wash and make over easily. When my daughter was 7 and ready to make her first communion, I remade the wedding dress into a first-communion dress. It was very pretty, and she wore it many times. We still have it, and now that her daughter is 3, I hope she can wear it when she makes her first communion. Connie Cook, Hills, Iowa
Dear Heloise: I was doing one of my many crafts and thought I would send this search-saving hint to you. I always had trouble finding my small needles and straight pins while doing my crafts. I glued a piece of felt to my sewing machine and craft box so I can stick the needles and pins in it instead of laying them on the table.
Another hint: You can use empty CD holders to store small items like sewing-machine needles, decals and anything flat. The best part is you can see at a glance what is inside, and you can store them in a CD stand to save space. Joann Steiner, Morrisdale, Pa.
Dear Heloise: An easy, quick and delightful way to get the greens into veggie haters is to shred a couple of carrots and saut & eacute; them in a little olive oil for two minutes. Slice brussels sprouts thin and toss them in with the carrots. Stir-fry another two minutes, mixing them well. Use salt and pepper to taste, top with toasted nuts and watch them wolf it down! Barbara Corin, Monroe Township, N.J.
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate