Heloise, syndicated columnist

Dear Heloise: Parchment paper often doesn’t lay flat on a cookie sheet. A friend of mine, who cooks a lot like me, told me to sprinkle a little water on the bottom of the pan and even out the paper. It worked!

I enjoy all your hints and read your column in my local newspaper. I met you once many years ago at a town hall series. I’m 85 and have used many of your hints over the years. — J.B., in Ohio

PANCAKE TOPPINGS

Dear Heloise: My family complained that they were tired of maple syrup as a pancake topping and asked if I could find something a little different. I bought some applesauce (the chunky style) and some blackberry jam with chunky fruit. They loved it! Sometimes a small change of pace can pick up everyone’s appetite. — L.H., in New Jersey

COOKIE-BAKING HINT

Dear Heloise: When making cookies, I always set the bowl inside the right side of the sink. This makes it so much easier for me, since I’m a very short lady. It’s also great when letting the little kids help! It contains the mess when they accidentally hit the wrong speed. Happy days! — L., in Iowa

NO MORE LUMPY POLENTA

Dear Heloise: Use this hint to never have lumps in your polenta again! Take half of the required water and heat the polenta as recommended. Make the other half cold water. Mix the polenta in the cold water, pour this mixture in the pot of water, then continue to mix and cook.

By mixing the polenta into cold water, the air around the cornmeal is dispersed so that there are no lumps. — S.H., in California

SAVING THE LILY BUDS

Dear Heloise: We have enjoyed your column in our local newspaper and I never thought I would have a reason to write to you, until now. In our flower gardens, we have been growing various daylilies over the past few years. But the enjoyment had turned into frustration when we would come outside in the morning and find that the neighborhood deer had enjoyed our various lily buds and other flowers during the night.

We have tried sprays and powders to deter them from dining in our yard. This summer, after the first ravaging in our yard, I decided to try a different technique. I have been using our local grocery plastic bags and putting them over the tops of plants for the night. We come out the next morning and remove the bags. Presto! All is well, and we have saved the buds.

We have been thrilled with the results of enjoying our favorite lilies and flowers once again this summer and recycling the bags with a purpose. — G.M.K., in New Hampshire

ADDING MEAT TO DOG FOOD

Dear Heloise: My husband and I have a rule in our house that we always feed leftover meat to our dogs. I cut the meat into tiny pieces, then mix it up with their regular dog food. They always clean the bowl, and my vet said it was OK to do this. It offered a change of pace for the dogs.

One of our dogs recently passed away at the age of 17. The second and third dogs are 12 and 15 years old. — J.L., Lexington, Tennesseee

EDITOR’S NOTE: Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.