Halloween etiquette

FYI: I'm not going to turn away any trick-or-treaters. Even if their parents drive them from house to house. Even if they're clearly old enough to drive themselves. However, I'd like to go on record saying that it is rude to answer a cell phone call whilst standing on my porch asking for candy. That is all.

I love these kids.

I am SO SICK OF THIS ELECTION. But I'd be willing to let it drag out a little longer if I could see more of these kids.

Check it out

I do lots of my shopping online, especially when it comes to Christmas gifts. But shipping charges can add up quickly. Freeshipping.org makes it easy to find stores with deals on shipping--they have a listing of more than 800 stores that offer shipping discounts and give you the discount codes you need to take advantage of the deals. Check it out!

Mmm. Cake.

My friend Libby made this cake for my birthday: Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake with Mocha Frosting (from the October 2008 issue of Southern Living). Very tasty. (Mom, this would be a good one to take to your meetings.)

WARNING

Know what I love? Reading warning labels on products. I saw two funny ones today.

• (On the gas pump) Do not siphon gasoline with mouth.
• (on a commercial for Triaminic children's cough medicine) Do not use for the purpose of making your child sleepy.

Can't say they didn't warn you.

You'll be wanting one of these

I've been coveting Pottery Barn's Bedford Smart Recharge Station for a while now, and Justin got me one for my birthday. It's pretty sweet. It has a power strip inside of it, so you can plug in your cell phone, iPod, camera, etc., in one place without the cords hanging out all over the place.

In case you missed it...

Put a little Stephanie in your life

You know my friend Stephanie, right? If not (where have you been?), you should know that she has a great sense of style. You should also know that she'll monogram anything that doesn't move (check that--her car moves, and she monogrammed that too). Steph is putting together a gift club, and for a very reasonable price she'll send a little piece of her fabulous style right to your door every month. I'm signing up. Check her blog for details.

Lost Season 5 Promo

SWEET.

Things that creep me out: Madame Tussauds wax figurines

DAH!

Cry for help

Tonight I made this Shrimp Scampi and this Cheesy Garlic Bread for Justin's birthday dinner. Needless to say, there was a lot of garlic involved. Whenever I cook with garlic, my fingers smell like it for days. How can I get rid of the stank?

Try this: Italian Jambalaya

I tried this recipe for Italian Jambalaya a few weeks ago, and it's very tasty. It uses orzo instead of rice. I left out the pork chops because it just seemed like way too much meat. Justin asked that I include shrimp next time. This makes a ton of food, so you'll probably have leftovers.

The Office: Deleted Scene

Sarah Palin on SNL

Set your TIVOs. She's going to be on Saturday Night Live this weekend. I fully expect my head to explode when I see her and Tina Fey on the screen at the same time. I might not be able to tell them apart!

Check it out: Cafe Johnsonia

Head over to Cafe Johnsonia. It's a food blog with lots of recipes with step-by-step photos. I think you'll like it.

Rent it: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Disclaimer: Don't rent this if you are offended by foul language, sexual humor, and/or full-frontal male nudity. (You can't say I didn't warn you.)

Welcome back, Eli

Eli Stone returns tonight! I'm excited in spite of Katie Holmes's guest spot. Whew, my Tuesday schedule is packed.

Etsy gallery

I promised you a gallery of things I've bought on Etsy.com, so here it is. (Perhaps it's time to stage an intervention.) It may look like I'm driving my family into financial ruin, but all of these items are very inexpensive. I bought them over the course of several months, and they cost less than $100 total. Plus, it's nice to know my money is going to a real person instead of Wal-Mart or something. So don't you judge me! If you click on the picture, it should link you to the artist's Etsy store.


Mini snap wallet.


Tote bag.

Alphabet print for Luke, Owl print for my office.

Growth cart for Luke. Card for a friend.

Handpainted blocks for Luke.

Pushing Daisies

Watched it. Liked it. I added a season pass for this one.

In case you're keeping track, I've now officially picked up the following shows:

True Blood

Fringe

The Mentalist

Pushing Daisies

That seems like a lot, but in exchange I've dropped these shows:

Heroes

My Name Is Earl

CSI

The Shield

Survivor (maybe)

Blogger ornament exchange

I joined this Bloggers Ornament Exchange. Just sign up here, and you'll be assigned a partner. Then you send your partner an ornament (either homemade or store-bought) and receive one in the mail. Sounds fun to me! Visit http://pamperingbeki.blogspot.com/ for the instructions.