So, I got my first question...

Q. Can you recommend a nice, clean family breakfast place thats away from the norm of an IHOP?

A. Actually, I can recommend 2. Locally, I have a great choice. As Good As It Gets at 35 Lowell Street, Wilmington is awesome. The portions are hugh and the prices are good. The atmosphere is fun. The one downside is that it is small inside and fills up very fast on the weekends, so get there early. My other recommendation is Maddies at 240 North Broadway in Salem NH. in the Mckinnons parking lot. This place is a true hidden gem. The menu is large and offers many choices, and the variety of sides and options is mind boggling. It is really clean and family friendly. Take a Saturday drive and experience something new!

I have a question for you. What do you think is an appropriate gift to bring to my boyfriends home for my first time meeting his parents? We are having dinner. His parents don't drink, and his father is a florist so I don't want to bring a plant or flowers. Thanks.

Hi Kerry, thanks for the question. I think its great that you want to bring a gift. Not many people think like that any more.

I would do one of two things, being from a family of cooking and baking women, I would bring dessert. I would bring either a beautiful fruit trifle, or a tray of chocolate chip cheesecake bars. ( let me know if you need a recipe) If cooking is not your thing, you could bring a decorative tin of popcorn, or an Edible Arrangement of fruit. My second thought is to take a walk around Home Goods. You can pick up a nice decorative wreath, or some pretty coffee mugs and a bag of flavored coffee. Enjoy your dinner!

I am trying to get a raise at my job and have worked really hard all year. Reviews are coming up in October and want to ask for one, what is the best way to approach this?

Hi Mark, thanks for asking my advice.

I think that its great that you want to ask for a raise. I also think that knowing reviews are coming in October is an advantage on your part giving you time to make a list of all your accomplishments, credits, and contributions over the past year, or since your last review. Highlight a few really positive ones, I don't mean the ones where you "fixed the copy machine", and use them to your advantage at the time of the review. Know what you want to say before the review and always remember to share credit where its do too. Employers like team players alot more than high horse individuals. Don't be afraid to come right out and ask for that raise. If you don't ask, they may not offer. Like Nana used to say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Good Luck!

Hi Hollie,

Can you suggest a great way to make spicy chicken cutlets? I need to make them for a party. Thanks

Hi Donna,

MMMmmm.. Cutlets are my sons favorite. Here is an easy recipe.

2 cups all purpose flour
3 eggs beaten
2 cups of golden breadcrumbs
1 2-3 pound pack of boneless chicken breast
1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper
1 tbl of paprika
1 tbl of cajun spice (mccormick makes a nice one)
2 cups of vegetable oil
small bottle of Franks Red Hot

Cut chicken into small pieces, I like to flatten them with a mallet. Mix salt, pepper and cajun spice into the flour. In a seperate bowl mix the paprika and eggs. In the last bowl just the breadcrumbs. Dredge cutlets in flour mix, then egg mix and then coat with the breadcrumbs. Heat the oil and cook cutlets for 1-2 minutes on each side. When golden brown place on dish with paper towel on it to absorb the oil. Serve with Franks Red Hot Sauce on the side.

Another Idea-- you can also cut the chicken into bite size pieces and cook the same way, except you can serve it appetizer style by adding toothpicks. Enjoy!

That sounds awesome. How about a recipe for "non-crock pot" meatballs?

Here you go..

1-2 lbs 85% ground beef
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp bbq sauce
1 egg beaten
1/2 tsp salt & pepper
pinch of oregano
2 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese

mix all ingredients together in a bowl with your hands. Making sure to squeeze the meat. Squeezing the ingredients and meat helps the meatballs stick together when you roll them. Form balls a little bigger than golf balls. Place on cookie sheet and cook in preheated oven (350 degrees) for 20 minutes. Add to your favorite gravy or sub bread and enjoy!

Hi Hollie,

Can you help me? I need to let my mother in law know that it is not ok to come into my home and tell me that I am not a good cook, or a great cleaner, etc. She does this all the time and my husband says to ignore it, but it is really bothering me. Thanks.

Hi Joyce,

This is a sensitive issue. First I think you need to have a real heart to heart with your husband and tell him how you feel. Explain to him that his mother's behavior is really upsetting you and that you would appreciate it if he can speak to her with you present. I say you present, so you can be there as well to voice any concerns while both of them are there. Get everything out in the open and let your mother in law know that these comments are bothering you. Be sincere to her. She may not know just how rude she is being. I know it may be hard to bite your tongue and not say what you really want to....believe me I know. But I can assure you that you get more with honey than vinegar.

Hi Hollie,

Great answer to Joyce. I had a similar situation with my wife and that would have worked better than what my wife did, which was to yell at my mother. They haven't spoken in 4 years. Kudos to you and your great advice, love the blog.

Joe D.

I Agree, good blog. Also, I have a question. My neighbor's son's friends are always littering on our street. We find food wrappers, coffee cups, beer bottles, soda bottles, etc...We have caught them numerous times and asked our neighbor to speak to his sons friends, but they continue to do it. I doubt he ever spoke to them...Any ideas?

Well besides the obvious of wanting to pick up all the trash and go dump it on your neighbors front steps, which you should not do...yet. I would ask a few of your neighbors, whom I assume this is bothering too, to take a walk over to this persons house and politely ask the family if they could speak to their son again. Express the pride you take in keeping your yards and neighborhood clean. You could even maybe have a color car or license plate that you may have jotted down from the "litterbug" with you so that their son can approach that person directly. I'd say if this doesn't work, you could go to the police dept and ask for extra patrols in your nieghborhood, maybe they will catch them, or at least their presence may deter someone from tossing trash out of their cars.

Hi Hollie,

Love the advice to non litter bug. Can you recommend a good bakery in the area? Mirabella's is soooooo boring, and Market Basket is pretty limited. There are no other options in this town. Thanks.

Love your tag name...

I can't think of another bakery in Tewksbury, but in North Andover there is a bakery called Tripoli. It is at 542 Turnpike Street, across from Merrimack College. They also have another location in Lawrence. Their strawberry shortcake is delicious, and they have a great selection of pastries and breads. Also, they have great pizza, and even offer a gluten free variety. Otherwise, road trip to the North End...Mike's Pastries, Modern and Bova's are all fabulous choices! Try the lobster tail at Mikes!

Any ideas on how to remove candle wax from my daughters wooden bureau? I tried to scrape some of it off but it seems to be removing the finish too. It is alot of wax. She let a 3 tart burner burn until it went out and the wax went everywhere. Thank you,

I would like to know what makes you an expert in giving advice ? How are you qualified to be writing on the Tewksbury Patch? I see you sending someone to NH for breakfast when our town has a few great places to eat other than IHOP ???? Why would u want to take business away from our local merchants ? Doesnt seem right !!

Sorry you feel that way. What other places in Tewksbury are great for breakfast? Please feel free to let everyone know, I am sure they will appreciate it. I suggested NH for a road trip, which many people like to do on the weekends. But like I said, please let us know where you would suggest. Thank you.

Hi Marie,

I am an avid candle collector and have had my share of "wax accidents". This is one tip that I learned that should do the trick. Reheat the wax using a blowdryer on a low setting. Once you see it start to melt again, use a credit card or rewards card or something similar and slide it under the wax. Wipe it off of the card with a rag. Do this a few times until all of the wax is gone. There will be some flakes of wax left, so something like Murphys Oil will get the rest off and shine the furniture nicely. Good luck.

I think you are great at this Hollie. Look foward to the blog every day. I think Kristin M. must have nothing better to do, or she must know or own one of those other crappy places in Tewksbury. I mean come on...blah blah.. Great Job!!!

Hi Hollie,
Enjoying your blog. Do you have a recipe for a delicious chocolate trifle?? Thanks!