A springform with style

The Starfrit springform pan elevates the serving of tortes or cheesecakes too delicate to be moved from the base they’re baked on. The pan has a white ceramic bottom with a lip to which a nonstick springform side attaches; it’s more stylish than a traditional metal base, so you can use it as a serving plate. The pan comes in 8-inch ($24) and 10-inch ($28) sizes, at Amazon.com.

Fat-free gravy

Traditional grease separators make it impossible to get all the flavor-packed drippings without letting some fat down the spout. The Swing-A-Way separator tackles the problem by putting the spout on the bottom. Pour your pan drippings through the plastic strainer lid and then squeeze the handle to unplug the hole in the bottom; the clear sides let you see when to release your grip and plug the hole. It costs $15 at Solutions.com.

Silicone mitt, improved

Since they appeared on the market several years ago, silicone oven mitts have been our choice for the awkward job of flipping the turkey—they go right into the dishwasher, cutting down on concerns about bacteria from handling raw poultry. But the mitts were never ideal, since they couldn’t withstand heat for very long and they made for sweaty hands. Trudeau’s cloth-lined silicone mitt update solves these problems. The comfy cotton liner, which removes easily and can go in the washing machine, makes it more heat resistant. The lined mitt costs $24 at Entertainingluxury.com.

Photos: Scott Phillips

Mom, are you spending way too much time sorting, washing, and folding laundry?  Here are some quick easy tips to help get you out of the laundry room!

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There’s a pattern in American households that’s been emerging and it’s harmful for kids. Kids have essentially gone from being contributors to the household, to being waited on hand and foot. Too many moms see household duties as being outside the realm of their child’s responsibilities – and their ability. It’s not only sad, it’s also untrue.
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Of course we all love our children dearly, but who knew they’d be so messy? When you have children, you can never count on how long your house will actually stay clean after you’ve cleaned it. A day? An hour? Less? Cleaning up after your kids does not have to take on a life of its own. By making a clean and organized home a priority for the entire family and by setting and sticking to household standards, you can avoid feeling more like Maid than Mom.
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Spring cleaning is a "must", so it is always nice to have a
few short cuts to get the cleaning done a little faster in
order to get back to the sewing room!
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Need a few tips to get going with Spring Cleaning?
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Spring cleaning goes beyond normal everyday cleaning. It’s a
major project of home revitalization: to make everything new
by removing dust and dirt, to make sure everything is in
good repair, and to put things in order, so that you will
have everything in your household in working condition for
the coming year.
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Here are ten money and time saving tips to help you in your kitchen.

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Ah Yes! The house is a mess…again! Why do I even bother attempting the impossible? I’ll tell you why I do it. For one thing, I don’t like living in a mess. Another reason is that people tend to show up unexpectedly.
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Remember the days when Spring meant cleaning the house from top to bottom?  Well, actually, I don’t either, but I have read about it and seen it done in old movies!

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