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 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 ...

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 Heloise: I cannot go without responding to Bob, in Santa Ana, California, who said that not thanking someone for a gift is somehow acceptable. I feel confident that most people don't give gifts to receive a thank-you note, as he implies. Gifts are defined with the caveat of "not expecting ...

Dear Annie: I am writing about a friendship that has weighed on my heart for quite some time. I have known this woman for more than 20 years, and in many ways, she has been a loyal and lively part of my life. We have celebrated happy occasions together, seen one another through disappointments ...