Dear Heloise: First, I loved your hint about chocolate bloom! I was working at a Veterans Affairs building that day and took the paper with me. I was there all day in the reception area and had the paper folded, so your heading was at the top. Everybody kept asking, “What is chocolate bloom?” It was a wonderful conversation-starter that made my day run smoothly, so I wanted to personally thank you!

Next, I have three great hints from the mother of a rambunctious autistic adolescent with developmental disabilities:

1. How to safely remove a lightbulb that has broken while it’s still in the socket: Make sure the light is off and use a potato to safely unscrew it.

2. My second hint is for beef stroganoff. Use 2 bouillon cubes and sour cream. Pour this over the strips of beef noodles for added flavor.

3. Granulated sugar can turn into powdered sugar through the coffee grinder.

Have a great day! Regards! — Heather Cross, via email

“SHELL TO SHELL”

Dear Heloise: I just read E.F.’s letter in the Ventura County Star. Mischievous eggshells can easily be tolerated if you remember: “Shell to shell.” I taught my granddaughter this when she started baking, and she still uses it.

If you get a piece of eggshell in your dish, gently take a larger piece of shell, and the two pieces will seek each other, almost like a magnet. Then just gently lift the piece out.

It works every time. Happy baking! — Nancy Lukunich, Simi Valley, California