Dear Heloise: Portion sizes used to get out of hand in my kitchen until I put a muffin tin to use in a new way. Instead of guessing or overfilling bowls, I now divide snacks into each cup, which creates instant portion control without any measuring tools. Nuts, cut fruit, crackers and ...

Dear Annie: Hopefully you can help me. I've read your column for years. My two kids are adults and have kids of their own, and they have always gotten along. However, last Thanksgiving, my son and his family decided not to stay when they found out my granddaughter was there. My granddaughter ...

Dear Heloise: I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I received a copy of your book “In The Kitchen with Heloise” at my bridal shower, and I’ve tried some of your ideas for cooking. You mentioned using beer as a substitute for wine in stews to get a delicious, rich sauce. I ...

Dear Annie: I have a neighbor whom I used to enjoy very much. We would chat at the mailbox, exchange holiday cookies and occasionally sit on each other's porch for a friendly visit. She was the kind of neighbor everyone hopes to have close by. Lately, though, things have changed. She now drops ...

Dear Heloise: After wasting too many bags of wilted lettuce, I finally found a simple way to keep it fresh for much longer. I now place a dry paper towel inside the container or bag as soon as I open it, then store the container or bag in the refrigerator. The towel absorbs excess moisture, ...

Dear Annie: I am wondering if I am the only one who feels this way, though I suspect I am not. From the outside, my life looks full. I have family, friends, responsibilities and a calendar that rarely seems empty. Yet somehow, I often feel lonely right in the middle of it all. I spend so much ...