photo by lucyfrench123
DEAR SARA: I wanted to know if you have any suggestions for frugal beauty supplies. I use the foam makeup triangles to apply foundation and concealer and have been wondering if you had any other suggestions. I usually end up using those sponges way too long, and I am sure there must be something better for the environment as well. — Emily, e-mail
DEAR EMILY: There are eco-friendly makeup …

photo by scholastica_ees
DEAR SARA: I bought two large containers of Folgers a while back when the product was on sale. I recently opened one and found it is a very mild flavor. Can I get a stronger coffee and mix with the mild? Will it improve the flavor, or would I be wasting my time and money trying to fix this? I hate not to use what I got on …

photo by g~
DEAR SARA: Help! What can I do with a lot of apricots? I was expecting a bumper crop of apricots from my tree. We picked them, and we have about 25 pounds in varying degrees of ripeness. Except for jam, what else can I make with them? By the way, I don’t have a dehydrator. Thanks! — Dutchie, e-mail
DEAR DUTCHIE: You can freeze or home-can them. Visit the …

photo by Rex Roof
DEAR SARA: I’m searching for pies that use half-and-half. I was given five quarts of half-and-half yesterday. I’ve got some piecrust dough to use up. Do you have a pie recipe that uses half-and-half? — Laurie, Florida
DEAR LAURIE: You can use some of the half-and-half in French toast, cream soup, scrambled eggs or homemade iced coffee, to name a few. Here are a couple of pie recipes, …