Tips From the Old Housewives

This book is full of the humorous housewifely notions that our grandmothers and great-grandmothers most likely swore by. Relying on Foremother Beeton, Drury's collection provides a humorous glimpse into the past as well as some practical (and some not-so-practical!) household tricks for the present.

* To banish the smell of fish from silverware, add a spoonful of mustard to the washing water.* For an earache, roast an onion, take out the center and put the point of it into the ear for an hour.* Cut flowers last longer if their stems are stuck into potato.* To cure the hiccups, drink half a teaspoonful of vinegar and hold the hands above the head for a minute.

These tips provide barrels of reading fun -- and a few good ideas to boot.