Heloise

Dear Heloise: My dog loves cinnamon applesauce. Is it OK to give him a taste? – Karen in Utah

Karen, while a steady diet of cinnamon applesauce is not recommended, cinnamon is not poisonous to dogs. So, a small bite should be OK. Always check with your veterinarian about giving your dog people food. – Heloise

—

PET PAL

Dear Readers: Meet Mr. Kitty, Becky in San Antonio’s long-haired, orange tabby, having a snooze on the bright white bed in the summer sun.

To see Mr. Kitty and our other Pet Pals, visit www.Heloise.com, and click on “Pet of the Week.” Do you have a funny and furry friend? Send a picture and description to: Heloise@Heloise.com. – Heloise

—

HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?

Dear Readers: We’re home more these days, so let’s tend to our gardens! Shrubs that bloom in the springtime should be ready to be pruned back. Freshen any hanging baskets by pulling off dead blooms and leaves, then water thoroughly.

In the vegetable garden, lettuce, radishes and potatoes should be ready to harvest. Make sure tomatoes are staked, and remove the “side shoots.”

Finally, pour yourself a glass of iced tea, put your feet up in the hammock and enjoy being outside. Unplug for a little bit; listen to the birds and feel the breeze. – Heloise

—

IT’S IN THE BAG

Dear Heloise: I discovered that my kids’ beanbag chairs are a great place to store stuffed animals and soft things like clothes, etc. There’s lots of room in there, and it makes for a firmer chair when it’s used as storage! – Nancy in Ohio

—

BABY BOTTLE BRUSH

Dear Heloise: I don’t have a dishwasher, so I have to hand-wash everything. I found that a baby bottle brush works great for cleaning glasses, vases and any long-neck glassware. – Carol in New Mexico

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.