Cruise collage provides daily reminder of wonderful vacation

Dear Heloise: We recently went on a cruise for my husband’s 50th birthday and came back with lots of photos and mementos. I was going to scrapbook the items, and then thought I wouldn’t look through the book very often. So, I decided to buy a large picture frame and did a “scrapbook page” on it. It came out wonderful, and I hung it up in our bedroom. Now, we are reminded often, and it looks great! F. Smith, via e-mail

Wonderful idea, especially for those who might not have the talent or time to do a whole scrapbook. Plus, you get to see it daily rather than not so often. Heloise

Dear Heloise: It is much easier and safer, if you are drinking coffee (or another beverage) while driving, to put a plastic straw into the hole in the sipper-mug lid. With the straw in place, you can get to the last drop without lifting the mug in front of your face — a no-no if you are driving. I always enjoy your columns in The Palm Beach (Fla.) Post and usually learn something useful. Many thanks. Beverlee Schiff, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Fast facts

Dear Heloise: The following are a couple of uses for fragrant dryer sheets:

UWhen the car needs a little freshening up, I tuck a few sheets under the seats.

UI place them on our boat in closets, cabinets and storage spaces. Pat DeLong, Hamburg, Pa.

Dear Heloise: I purchased salt and pepper shakers with different amounts of holes in each. Which should be salt, and which should be pepper? Help! Jean N., via e-mail

Jean, this is a great debate for dinner-table conversation! Since it’s your home, it’s your call! A traditional saltshaker had only one hole, and a pepper shaker had more than three. Salt grains are larger, and they come out faster than pepper.

While we’re on the subject, did you know that there is a Museum of Salt and Pepper Shakers in Gatlinburg, Tenn.? According to the staff there, “The shaker with the least amount of holes is for salt ... and the shaker with more holes is for pepper.”

Some folks are on a reduced-sodium diet, so you might want to make sure you are using the shaker with the least amount of holes or the one with smaller holes. An old Heloise hint is to add a little pepper to the salt, and you can see how much salt is being used. Heloise

P.S.: There is no “salt versus pepper” shaker law that I know of!

Sound off

Dear Heloise: A recent column concerned loud music played in many businesses. My concern is why the temperature is set so low. It is uncomfortable in many businesses. Have they not heard about conservation? We would save a lot of resources if thermostats would be set properly. Rolando, via e-mail

• Send 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