DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m hoping you can help me find a recipe for salt ornaments. I’ve lost my copy and want to make some with the grandchildren.

— Mary, no town

ANSWER: It just so happens that I know this one by heart because we’ve made these naturally sparkly ornaments so many times over the years. After they dry, I like to add just a soft stroke of watercolors but you can decorate them in so many ways and even add food coloring to the soft dough that is so pliable and pleasant to work with. This is a very inexpensive, fun activity and great to make for everyone on your gift list. You’ll want to be sure to not roll them out too thin, be sure they completely dry, and wrap them in tissue paper. Make the holes for inserting ribbon, filament, wire or heavy-duty thread after cutting them out. These aren’t made to last forever but with a little care, they will last for several years as long as they are wrapped and stored in a very dry, cool place.

Now for the recipe: Mix 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water, and food coloring (if using) in a medium saucepan. Cook gently for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup cornstarch and an additional ½ cup of water. Combine well. Cool and roll out to desired thickness on a surface dusted with more cornstarch. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do you love Moxie and also enjoy organizing, planning and seeing fun things happen? The Moxie Festival Committee will hold its first meeting of 2019 at 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at the MTM Center in Lisbon Falls (Room 10) at 18 School St. All are welcome to attend.

We need many volunteers to make this festival happen. If you can donate any time in the planning processing, sponsoring, running an event or volunteering for an hour or two the weekend of the festival (July 12-14), we would love to have you on board. Are you new to town and have ideas for the festival? Are you a past volunteer who wants to share your experience?

There is a Moxie Festival Facebook page with more information.

— No name, Lisbon Falls

ANSWER: Who wouldn’t want to get involved with the signature festival of Lisbon Falls? There are so many ways to be part of the excitement! Come to this meeting and get the details.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for a book I read many years ago about three ladies in their 70s who ran away from a retirement home together and started a new life in the South. I cannot remember the title or the author.

— Lee, no town

ANSWER: I believe you are referring to Joan Medlicott’s wonderfully relevant and readable “Ladies of Covington” series. I highly recommend these nine works of contemporary women’s fiction. The first one is titled “The Ladies of Covington Send Their Love.” By the way, Joan is 86 and lives in North Carolina. She wrote this series from 2000-2007. She has also written other novels that aren’t part of this series. You would love them, too!

Of course, you are always welcome to write to Sun Spots about books, but please remember that your local librarian is an amazing resource.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

(countryliving.com photo)