MCT
When watering a potted plant check the moisture of the soil to determine if it needs more water.
QUESTION: I am in Grade 5 and this year I am planning to display a beautiful potted plant on my mom’s deck. How much should I water it? I have heard that overwatering is not good for the plant.
— Mason
Answer: Oh how exciting that someone so young has a green thumb! You’re correct, you want to be careful not to overwater the plant, doing so may cause diseases in your plant. Water the plant when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Water until some of the water seeps out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Question: I would appreciate your advice on cleaning 40-year-old wooden Roman shades, neutral colour, interwoven with vertical fabric the entire width of the blind.
— Dorothy
Answer: Secure the dust attachment onto the nozzle of your vacuum and dust the blinds. Make your own furniture polish spray. In a spray bottle, combine 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup vinegar and 20 drops of lemon essential oil. Spray blinds and wipe with a good quality microfibre cloth. Or spray blinds with furniture polish and wipe. If you ever purchase separated vertical blinds, be sure to also purchase a microfibre blind duster. This little tool makes the job so much faster.
Feedback from a friendly Manitoban
Re: Homemade French Fries
I read your advice on making delicious homemade French fries and I just have a couple of ideas to add because I make the best French fries I have ever tasted. I used to own a restaurant and we were famous for our fries.
Here are my secrets: use a V-Slicer to cut perfectly shaped French fries. After cutting the potato, soak the French fries in water for five minutes. Place the fries into an empty casserole dish. Rinse out the first casserole dish and pour in two cups of boiling water, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/4 cup corn syrup. Dissolve solution. Soak French fries in the solution for eight minutes. Drain and dry the potatoes. Put the French fries into the freezer for 15 minutes. Fry them in hot canola oil for two minutes. Drain and cool for 10 minutes. Put French fries back into hot oil to cook for seven minutes. Drain and season with salt. Crispy and tasty, it’s worth the effort.
— Sam
Crunchy Fried Chicken:
• Combine one egg and 1 cup milk. Put eight chicken pieces into egg wash and then into flour mixture (see below). Repeat this process once again (egg wash and then flour mixture).
• For really crispy chicken, use 1 cup flour and 1 cup cornstarch, along with a mixture of 1 tbsp. salt and 2 tsp. pepper, 1 tbsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. onion powder and 1 tsp. paprika and add half teaspoon of baking powder. Fry in canola oil for 12-15 minutes.
• Do not cover the chicken once it has finished cooking, because covering it will cause the coating to lose its crispness.
• Optional: Flavour the oil for cooking your chicken by placing two halves of an onion into the oil.
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website, reena.ca. Ask a question or share a tip at reena.ca.
