Several methods for softening brown sugar that's gone hard

Q. I received a bunch of brown sugar from my kitchen-inept brother, and it's all dry and hard as concrete. I tried blending some in the blender, but it became very powdery. Any ideas on how I can soften it to its regular soft consistency?L.N., CanadaA. There are quite a few ways to soften brown sugar. You can use a hand grater and grate it. You can place the brown sugar in a zipper baggie and add a cut apple, a piece of bread or a small, water-soaked clay saucer. Leave it for a couple of days in the sealed baggie so it regains moisture. You can place the amount of brown sugar that you need in a bowl. Place the bowl and a mug of water in your microwave. Run your microwave for every 30 to 40 seconds, and keep checking your brown sugar until it softens.Q. One of my friends is expecting her first child. She has a family-heirloom crib she would like to use. However, she knows that the bars are too far across to be considered safe now. Are there kits or plans somewhere that she/her husband could use to add bars or whatever can be done? The crib is metal, if that makes a difference.Kita, New JerseyA. I understand the sentiment of heirloom pieces, but this is a case where you want the safest product you can get. In my opinion, an old crib that doesn't pass regulation should be destroyed. Here's the Consumer Product Safety Commission crib safety guide: cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/regsumcrib.pdf.Q. What are some things you can't go back to buying, now that you make them from scratch?Kelly, FloridaA. have plenty of items that I prefer homemade, but sometimes I still buy things at the store, such as salad dressing, laundry detergent, bread, cleaners and spaghetti sauce, to name a few. The top two items that I can't go back to buying because I make them from scratch are pancakes and waffles. I can't believe I ever bought frozen waffles.Q. What can I do with egg whites, and please don't say "omelettes." I made lemon curd, and I have egg whites leftover in the fridge. With the price of eggs lately, I hate to throw them out.D.D., KansasA. You can freeze them in ice cube trays until you're ready to use them. Or try making angel food cake, meringue cookies or macaroons. bull; Sara Noel owns Frugal Village (frugalvillage.com), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. Send tips, comments or questions to Sara Noel, c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10016, or sara@frugalvillage.com.