Dear Heloise: I like to use parchment paper when baking, especially when something might bubble over onto a baking pan. However, the paper is difficult to lay without it curling up. My solution is to just crumble it up a bit, straighten it out, and lay it on the baking sheet. The wrinkles don’t matter. Then after you’re done, just pick the paper up and throw it away. It’s very helpful when lining the bottoms of loaf pans. — Marlyn W., in Hedgesville, West Virginia

Marlyn, I like to use paper weights when I can to hold down curly parchment paper. — Heloise

EGG SLICER USES

Dear Heloise: My husband and I read your column everyday in our local newspaper. We love it! Last night, I was rushing to finish cooking the fixings for potato salad. I had cut the cooked and cooled potatoes as well as some onions, then reached for the manual hard-boiled egg slicer. I used it to cut six hard-boiled, peeled eggs.

Next was a can of large pitted whole black olives. I decided to try the egg cutter on the olives. I put two or even three on the slicer, and it sliced them perfectly. I sliced the whole can of olives in less than a minute. It saved me so much time! Maybe this might help others who are in a rush. — Diane C., via email

Diane, an egg slicer is also good for artichokes, cherry tomatoes, and a few other vegetables. It makes preparation faster and easier. — Heloise

ART PHOTO BOOK

Dear Heloise: I did what your hint said for showcasing children’s many pieces of artwork that come home from school, but I went one step further. When they were adults, I took photos of some art pieces from each grade and made a photo book for each of them. Then, for Christmas, I gave each grown child their photo book and their box of artwork.

They all thoroughly enjoyed looking at their book and reminiscing over the memories of creating the pieces. Now they can keep the box of art pieces or the photo book, and my husband and I do not have to store these boxes forever! Thanks for the hint! — Theresa W., Kirkwood, Missouri

Theresa, something like this is often a most cherish keepsake for adults. I’ve had people tell me that their children drew pictures of events such as their first time at the beach or at a circus, and it brought back happy memories of time spent with a parent. There comes a point in our lives when memories are all we have left of events, people and places. — Heloise

HEALTHY PLANTS

Dear Heloise: I tried your hint of placing coffee grounds in my potted plants, and it really seemed to make them grow. I used to plant catnip for my cats, but the plants struggled to stay alive. After mixing in coffee grounds, the catnip plants seemed to take root and thrive. My geraniums are doing better, and my hostas are lush, full green-leafed plants.

Many thanks for this wonderful hint and the many other hints in your column, which I read in the San Antonio Express-News! — Lisa W., in San Antonio

MISSING KEY FOB

Dear Heloise: I recently bought a nearly new car that came with only one key fob and no instruction manual. I don’t know why this was missing, but it’s something to ask about before you buy a car. I got a manual from eBay for $15, but the key fob was $350-$520 from a dealership! — Marcia Kane, via email

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.