BOO!

Happy Halloween! These are the awesome pumpkins that Lee and I carved last night. Mine is the simple skull head, and Lee's is the elaborate Tiger Army logo. For those of you that don't know, my two favorite bands in the world (well, besides my brother's band) are Social Distortion and Tiger Army. Since we just went to see Tiger Army last Saturday, Lee surprised me with this masterful creation. He's so talented!!

Fall Back

Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour on Saturday night, because Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 2. Yeah, an extra hour of sleep!

Hey Mama

Some of you have heard me talk about Lee's grandma (Nana), and how she's a local celebrity in Charleston, SC. Well, here's the proof. Over the weekend, the local Charleston paper ran a great story about her, which perfectly embodies her spirit, her love of family, and her love of the community. Check it out here.

A New Twist on Pumpkin Pie

About 7+ years ago, my husband got me a really cool kitchen torch & custard cups, so I could make my own creme bruleé. Unfortunately, I've never put it all to good use, and he never lets me hear the end of it.

So, after a recent weekend trip to Paso Robles' best restaurant (Panolivo), and a decadent taste of Chef Beatrice's PUMPKIN CREME BRULEE, I'm on a mission. Albeit a maiden voyage, even for a cook/baker, such as myself, but what the heck? Who doesn't have 3.5 hours to spare on a heavenly, fire-roasted indulgence such as this? Wish me luck!

Name Brand Beauty at Discount Prices

I might have hit the proverbial jackpot with this one, ladies! As I was scouring my recent Orange County Business Journal, I ran across a blurb about a company called Beauty Encounter. The reason I go through OCBJ is to find leads for our women's networking group, Women Who Win In the Sport of Business. I decided to check-out their website, and was pleasantly surprised at all they carry...most of it at discounted prices (lower than dept. stores, ULTA & Sephora)! My Dolce & Gabbana products were marked down, and they even carry MAC, Clinique, Dermalogica, etc. Check it out! A good find in time for the holidays.

We Want the Funk

This is my all-time favorite TV commercial! They played it over a year ago, but it's now making the TV circuit again, and I couldn't be happier. I can be in the worst mood, but when I see this commercial, it cracks me up over and over. Thank goodness for YouTube and TiVo, because I can play it over and over and over and over and over....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cNDSPutas8

Think Happy Thoughts

Friends and family - please take a moment to think some happy thoughts for our niece, Christina Bonifay. Christina lives in Charleston, SC, and was in a bad hit-and-run car accident the other night in Downtown Charleston. She was in the back seat with some friends when their car was hit and then slammed into a large Oak tree. For anyone who has been to the South, you know that these trees are killers. They are so big and sturdy, and cars hit them all the time. These trees don't break. Cars do. The entire backside of their car concaved, which was where Christina was sitting. She's in the hospital, and appears to be making a good recovery, but her white blood cell count is very high, so they're keeping her for a while longer for close observation (want to make sure there isn't any internal bleeding or damage).

Bog On!

Looking forward to hanging with friends and family tomorrow night for the Bonifay Bog! Yum, yum, yum!

I'm A Readin' Fool!

I've always loved books - guess that's what happens when your Mom was a library science major, was a librarian for many years, and is on the Board of Trustees for the City of Anaheim libraries! Anyhow, I've recently discovered that I've had more time on my hands than normal (thanks to an economic recession & not spending money to go out), so I've officially become a library card holder, once again. Because of this, I've been able to enjoy some new authors I've been wanting to "test" out, and have been pleasantly surprised. One such author is Stephanie Meyer. Her books are highly acclaimed, and have a vampire theme. By no means is this a genre I would've ever explored, but now I'm hooked. I blasted my way through the 500-page book in two nights, and am looking forward to the next installment.

Other fun and light reads are from authors Mary Kay Andrews, Lauren Weisberger, Emily Giffin & Chelsea Handler.

More serious reads, but worth the time are from Khaleid Hossein and Alice Sebold.

So, if you're looking for a way to kill a couple of hours, escape from the stress of the day, and simply enrich your mind...pick up a book!

Do or Die

Tonight is do-or-die Game 4 of the ALDS between the Angels and Red Sox. The Angels rallied last night to hold the Red Sox off from moving on to the ALCS. Even if you aren't a baseball fan...or Angel fan, PLEASE wish the Angels good luck tonight - for my sake :) If they win tonight, they come back home for Game 5 - the winner moving on to the ALCS. GO ANGELS!!!!!!!!!!!

Why can't we vote for the VP separately?

If you're like me, you're having a bit of trouble nailing down your pick for the Presidential race. But, after last night's VP debate, I'm even more torn. Why can't we pick the President as one vote, and the VP as another...even if it ends up being a mixed party ticket? AARRGGHH!!!

Refreshed and Relaxed

We're back from our two-week vacation to Charleston, SC, and had a great time. The weather cooperated for the most part (a couple of days of hot humidity, followed by beautiful thunder and lightning storms). Spent a lot of time catching up with family and friends, but still didn't have a chance to get with everyone. Had a blast fishing (I caught croaker, spottail bass, black drum, a sting ray and a baby shark), crabbing, shopping, eating (mmm...BOG), drinking (sweet tea vodka made only in SC), etc. Every time I visit, it makes me want to move there more and more, but I just can't get over the weather and the damn mosquitos!