Tag: household tip

Hostess Hint: Setting The Table For Guests

I spoke to a group of my friends about planning ahead for entertaining. One easy way to take some stress off is to set the table ahead of time. Years ago a kind older lady gave me this tip and I have used it each time I’ve had guests.

Set your complete table the day before you will be entertaining. Lay out your serving dishes on the sideboard, also. Take new and clean clear shower curtains or other clear plastic sheeting and lay it over the settings and dishes. Keeps dirt and dust off and then you merely remove right before the guests arrive.

Incidentally, if you have eager young table setters, a cute way to have them remember where the silverware is to be placed on the table is thus:

Spoon and Knife….5 letters same as RIGHT

Fork…4 letters same as LEFT.

I hope that the youth of the world will be interested in good table settings. It is a nicety that we should all revisit in the civilized world.

Best Table Wishes,

The Lady Hooper-Brackett

Household Tip: The Dirty Top O’The Fridge

I am all about helping to make others’ lives easier, so here is a short tip that has worked for several of my friends for keeping a clean kitchen.

I’m not ignorant to the fact that kitchens become grimy and yucky. And without household help, it almost becomes impossible to keep the top of the fridge clean. So what do I do to solve this problem? Voila…this tip was passed on to me years ago and it has never failed me.

A simple and inexpensive solution is found by using plastic wrap. Put rows of the plastic wrap over the top of your refrigerator and when it is time to clean, remove, discard, and lay new pieces back down.

I can only say: Easy Peasy!

Best Tidy Wishes,

The Lady Hooper-Brackett

Household Tip: Help, An Oafish Guest Spilled Wine on My Tablecloth!

I’ve no doubt that in the course of entertaining friends and family, there has been an instance where someone with a bit of clumsiness knocked over a glass of ‘something’ onto your table linens. One hopes that it was only water…but if it was wine…here is something that may help. *

Firstly, never show by word or action that you are peeved at your esteemed guest. Though your teeth may be clenched so hard you are cracking your crowns, smile and tell your guest that all is well.

When your guests have left, you may then feel free to scream and curse and cry over your Great-Great-Great Aunt Catherine’s linen tablecloth that she sailed across the Atlantic with when she emigrated to our fine country.

Fair warning: This tip is for fabrics that are a bit stronger, so please do not use on flimsy fabrics. Boil water, preferably in a kettle for ease of pouring. Cover the stain with salt and set your timer for five minutes. When your timer dings…fasten the stained area over a large sieve or bowl with a rubber band. I would use as large a bowl as you can find. Put in sink or tub (can be messy!) and cautiously pour the boiling water over stained fabric from about a foot above the bowl. Please do not burn yourself and be careful. The key is in slowly and safely pouring the water.

*This tip has worked for The Lady Hooper-Brackett and her friends. No guarantee that it will work for you is implied. You assume all risk in trying. And again…take care not to burn yourself*

Best tidy wishes,

The Lady Hooper-Brackett