INSIDE & OUT

* Store coffee beans in an airtight container in the freezer up to three months. Refrigerated beans can be stored three to four weeks.

* Paint ends of curtain rods with colorless nail polish. This will avoid snagging sheer curtains when threading them onto the rods.

* To clean a high chair, take it outside and wash off food spots with a soapy sponge; rinse with garden hose.

* Make a quick sand box for your toddler. Buy a baby-size plastic pool. Pour two 50-pound bags of play sand into pool and add a bucket and shovel. Another, somewhat larger, pool can be used as a lid to keep out rain and cats.