Around the house* Buy several yards of nylon netting and...

Around the house

* Buy several yards of nylon netting and drape over an opened garden umbrella. Beverages and food set up buffet-style will be protected from insects by the netting.

* Decorate desserts. Place a paper doily over a slice of ice cream and sprinkle dry cocoa on top. Remove doily and discover a lacey design. Will work as well on pancakes, French toast and cakes.

* When preparing potatoes for a large crowd, wash spuds in dishwasher. Fill both trays with potatoes. Do not use detergent or soap. Set dial for short cycle and turn on machine. When cycle is complete, potatoes are ready to be cooked.

In the garden

* Check cantaloupes for ripeness. The fruit should have an aroma. The background color should be beige with tan ridges. The stem end of melon will be attached to a circle of fibrous tissue. Apply slight pressure. If disc slips off, melon is ripe.