But- since when did they become useful in the home and garden area?

Flour is something we use everyday, seriously. It's in everything; bread, bagels, cookies, pizza! We basically couldn't live comfortably without it! So guess what, much like the plastic fork, your standard cooking flour now makes a great welcome mat for your home! Observe... The light-weight, fluffy white powder makes for a great "Welcome Home!" to any family or pet!
Until you have to go outside in your pajamas and spray it off with a hose. Until the hose doesn't really do much and your whole driveway is basically stained and crusted in the dried white ooze. Until your previously-comfortable and dry pajama pants are soaked and crusted at the bottom in a standard baking ingredient, turned new foe.
So, thank you, "anonymous" prankers. Sunday morning was a real treat ;)
NOT. All I have to say is that if you're reading this- brace yourselves for extreme payback.
P.S.- the string going everywhere was a classy touch. ;)