When my grandmother died she left us an old book with recipes, hints and gardening projects filling the pages.  In the book she posted many of the helpful hints she used to make her life a little easier.  I return to that book whenever I need an old fashioned answer to a question.  Posted here you will find  four of her favorite hints.

Coffee to serve 100 people

1 1/2 pounds coffee

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp mustard

5 gallons of water

Combine first 3 ingredients and tie loosely in cheesecloth.  Drop in boiling water.  Boil for 15 to 20 minutes.

Modelling Clay

1 cup salt

1/2 cup flour

3/4 cup water

food coloring

Mix ingredients and cook slowly to a stiff paste.  As the mixture cools it may be colored by working in food coloring.

Wrapping Packages

When wrapping a package with string wet the string first.  As the string dries it will shrink leaving a more tightly wrapped package

Silver Cleaner

aluminum foil

1 tsp baking soda

1 quart water

Cover the bottom of a pan with aluminum foil.  Add soda and water and heat to boiling.  Immerse silverware so that each piece touches the foil.  The tarnish on the silverware will disappear quickly.  When the silver is clean and shiny rinse and dry it with a soft cloth.