Halloween Etiquette: Trick-Or-Treat But Be Polite

Are you ready for your Halloween Trick or Treat? Here is some good etiquette advice from Jo Bryant, etiquette adviser for Debrett's. Debrett's began in the late 18th century as a guide to England's aristocracy. It has since evolved into a source for biographical reference and an authority on modern manners and etiquette.


Britain's authority on etiquette, Debrett's, issued its first guidance Wednesday on how to behave during the uber-American holiday.

Although the holiday originated with Europe's Celtic pagans to mark the end of summer -- typically celebrated by bonfires to ward off evil spirits and children disguised as spirits of the underworld -- it has only been recently that British stores have swelled with Halloween stock and trick-or-treaters have canvassed streets for candy.

"Good manners are very important," said Jo Bryant, etiquette adviser for Debrett's. "There has been a growing presence of Halloween over the past five years and we're receiving many more queries on how to behave."

Common questions are: Is it acceptable not to open one's doors to trick-or-treaters? How many times should children be allowed to ring a door bell before moving on? And can one forego a Halloween costume at a party?

Debrett's advice to the etiquette-challenged.

"Trick-or-treat should be used as an ice-breaking formula, not a real threat. Halloween fun should never feel menacing," it says. "Children should not be too greedy -- if they are offered treats, make sure that they don't take too many and that they do say thank you."

Other advice includes respecting people's privacy -- don't repeatedly ring door bells for candy -- and if you really don't want to be bothered by trick-or-treaters, it is perfectly acceptable to leave a bowl of treats at your doorsteps so children can help themselves.

"In this day and age, people have safety concerns and there is also a feeling that trick-or-treating can be intrusive,"

Bryant said.

Source:wpxi

Halloween Etiquette: Trick-Or-Treat But Be Polite

Roast Chicken With Vegetables

For more yummilicious recipe for Halloween or thanksgiving or any occasion check out here
This is a complete meal-in-one -- chicken, vegetables, and potatoes -- roasted in one pan.

Ingredients
One 3-pound chicken
4 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 onions, peeled and quartered
4 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (basil, oregano, chives), or 2 teaspoons dried
Salt and pepper

Preparations
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place the chicken in a large roasting pan. Place 2 cloves of garlic inside the cavity. Scatter the remaining garlic, the carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes around the bird. Drizzle the olive oil over the bird's skin as well as over the vegetables and potatoes; then sprinkle with the herbs, salt, and pepper. Roast on the middle shelf for 20 minutes. Toss the vegetables and potatoes, and baste the bird with any juices accumulated at the bottom of the pan. Reduce the temperature to 375 degrees and roast another 40 to 55 minutes, or until the bird is done. To test, insert a small, sharp knife near the wing; the juices should run yellow and hot. The drumsticks should feel loose when jiggled. Carve the chicken and serve with the roasted vegetables and potatoes. (Makes 4 servings)
Variations
You can also add zucchini, eggplant, or peppers.

Roast Chicken With Vegetables

Visit Drive Time

Honestly, I don't like credits as it gives me head ache and stress. I laugh when my husband told me that having good credits in America is a good thing. How can a credit be a good thing? This kind of thing is way different in the place where I grew up because no one will let you lend money if you have credit. While here, you are in a good position if you maintain your good credit score. I know some of you are having difficulty to get financed for a vehicle when you have poor credit. You might want to check out Drivetime as they focus on getting people with bad credit into a used auto. They will find you a used car that you will be proud to drive. Drive Time is the nation's largest dealership with 77 locations specializing in selling used cars to people with credit problems. Since they are also the bank, they will take care of all the finances for you so that you don't have to worry of getting a loan, they will help to get you a car regardless of your credit history. If you are looking for Used Cars in your area just click on the link provided and see how they can help you to get one with your bad credits. Plus I heard Austin's Drive Time dealerships have a wide selection of vehicles to choose from. So, visit Drive time now and find out more information about their website.

Visit Drive Time

Blue Monday- Random Blues

Another week of Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally of course. So, you should check out more fantastic blues at Smiling Sally. As for my entry, I have random blue pictures to share that I found out in our pictures folder
My Little monster playing bubble mouth when we went to the Barns and Noble Bookstore. He was still roughly 7 months in this photo.
Last fall season at our old apartment in squirrel hills.
When we were at my sister's house in Vegas. She and her husband invited us for 1 week vacation last January '09 free ticket courtesy of my BIL who is a pilot of Southwest airlines.
My BIL grandson and my sister step grandson, Evan Dallas. A year older than Jake and a good baby.
My younger sisters Louella and Laiza dressed as bridesmaid during our cousins wedding. The motif is blue that's why its obvious they both wearing blue gowns or dress.
The big blue house across my MIL's house is for sale, but no one buying it for now probably because of the recession that is why they had it rented until it gets sold.

Blue Monday- Random Blues

Award from iTravel

One Lovely Blog Award from One lovely hot Mama Katherine author of One lovely blog iTravel. Thank you Mommy Kat for always thinking us and for this lovely award.

Rules for this award
* Post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
* Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
* Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

I will pass this award to all our friends in the bloglist. Kind the late already so, we have to go bedy bye bye for now. Feel free to grab it guys.

Award from iTravel

Baby at 2-month-old: Week 2

Justine is growing stronger every day. The last time we went to SR before she turned 2 months she already shown aggressiveness in standing when MIL held her. She can lift her head, chest, and shoulders off the ground when she's on her tummy and trying to push herself although she wasn't moving anywhere yet. SHe won't crawl until at least 6 months, but these precrawling motions are her way of developing the necessary muscles. She can lift her head if I pull her up when she's on her back.
The other day she had colds which she got it from her father. Since the weather is kind of cold around here for the past week, we let Justine sleep with us. I'm glad yesterday she was feeling fine and I was able to give her a bath today. And even if she is feeling sick or not, this lil girl always wait for me until I finished blogging at night and shut the computer down. She is my blogging partner waaaaa.

Baby at 2-month-old: Week 2

Ways in Breastfeeding in public

When Jake was 4 months old we traveled by plane to Vegas. That was our first vacation as a family of 3 and I was still breast feeding him then. Before the month of our vacay, we tried to put him on a formula or use bottle milk rather so that I don't have to nurse him if we are on the plane, but Jake was stubborn and refused to drink on a bottle so, apparently bottle feeding never work on him. Had no choice but to nurse him while we were still on the plane. I covered ourselves with his blanket, ohh boy... that was so uncomfortable for me breastfeeding in public. Different from some people or mother back home, they don't mind breastfeeding in public, such as jeepney, neighbors house or every where. Not all mothers though, only some of them especially the older ones.

From Baby Center
You can legally breastfeed anywhere you choose, and some states have additional laws protecting a woman's right to nurse in public. It's certainly more convenient (and perhaps sanitary) not to hide in a dirty restroom or your car. Of course, that doesn't mean you'll always feel comfortable doing it. Some ways to boost your comfort level:

* Wear a two-piece outfit with a loose-fitting blouse that can be pulled up from the bottom. This allows your baby to nurse underneath your blouse and lets you avoid opening your blouse from the top and taking your breast out. Nursing tops designed with discreet slits or flaps can help boost your confidence.

* Be sure to wear a nursing bra with cup flaps you can open with one hand while you hold your baby with the other.

* Consider the color and fabric of your shirts. A light color is more likely to show leaked breast milk or breast pads, and a silk or satin top is more apt to be stained or ruined by breastfeeding. Patterned tops conceal stains best.

* Wear a shawl or use your baby's blanket to cover your breast and midriff while your baby's feeding if you want to give yourself some extra coverage.

Ways in Breastfeeding in public

Blue Monday- Fun time with Raggedy Andy and Ann

Meet Raggedy Andy and Raggedy Ann! They are now the main characters in my Blue Monday hosted by Smiling Sally, so you should stop by there to see more fantastic blues from the participants.
Mary my MIL bought a Raggedy Andy or Rageddy Ann to each of her Grandkids. Jake love his Raggedy Andy, he always take him every where we go. When we went to Vegas we travel Raggedy Andy with us, and every time we visit to Slippery Rock we always take Raggedy Andy.

Justine the new member of the Ruggedy Dolls hehe just kidding.




This blue rocking chair was from my Sister in law's rocking chair when she was still a kid, and handed over to us perhaps her kids are too big to play with it now.

Blue Monday- Fun time with Raggedy Andy and Ann

baby Hiccups

My Justine gets hiccup not that often but seems like she knows how to handle her hiccups. Different with jake before that it took a while before the hiccup would go away. With Justine even if she is drifted to sleep and had an hiccup, it didn't bother her. I learned from jake Pediatrician, to get rid of hiccups just let the baby suck his finger or nurse her/him again and the hiccupwill go away.

Is it normal that baby gets hiccups all the time?

Expert Answers

The BabyCenter Editorial Team

Yes. Hiccups are particularly common in babies under a year old. Babies even hiccup in the womb, which can alarm pregnant moms but is also totally normal. Some mothers wonder how babies can hiccup in utero — after all, they're not really breathing yet. But hiccups have nothing to do with breath: They're sudden contractions of the diaphragm caused by irritation or stimulation of that muscle.

According to Lynnette Mazur, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center and the Shriner's Hospital, both in Houston, infant hiccups are usually caused by feeding (breast milk, formula, or other foods) or a drop in temperature that causes a baby to get cold.

"It's a nuisance to parents, but not so much to the baby," says Mazur. "Unless the hiccups interfere with daily activities like sleeping or eating, there's no need to see a healthcare provider."

Babies with gastroesophageal reflux disease may hiccup more frequently, according to Mazur. If your baby hiccups often, mention it to her doctor, particularly if she spits up a lot or coughs and seems very cranky.

In addition, if your child's hiccups are uncontrollable, happen very frequently, or occur often after age 1, talk to your doctor. Unusual hiccups can — in very rare cases — be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition.

As for how to stop hiccups, there are a lot of theories, but Mazur pooh-poohs them all. "There's really not much you can do, and they'll go away soon," she says. Some say to give babies sugar water or let them suck on something, which Mazur says "won't really hurt and might help, but I wouldn't bet on it."

Don't try to cure hiccups by startling your baby, pressing on her eyeballs, pushing on her fontanel, or pulling her tongue, which are common folk remedies in some cultures. There's no proof that any of these methods work, and you could hurt your baby in the process.

Source

baby Hiccups

Blue Monday- Award and Nature Beauty

Head on over at Smiling Sally to see more lovely blues photos. An Inpirational Award from a friend is the best way to start my Blue Monday.

An award handed to me by Kat of Mom's Place last week. Thanks for the lovely award Kat. You, my friends and readers gives me the inspiration to continue blogging and share things about my family and kids and information that is useful to new mom like me.

I want to pass this Inspirational Award to Smiling Sally the hostess of this fun-tastic Blue Monday meme and to Terry of At Home with Terry and Dennis and to Seiko's Diary, Azumi and Lara Angelikka.

More blues down here guys, a father and son bonding, just look up at the sky and you'll see blue.
The beauty of Nature, this was taken at Kawasan Falls in Badian Cebu, Philippines.
At Mt. Mitaki, even wild flowers adds beauty to our environment.
And of course the beach, ohh how I missed going to the beach every summer.

Have a Happy Blue Monday to ya'll!

Blue Monday- Award and Nature Beauty

About your Baby

Question;
Why are baby's hands cold sometimes?

Answer;
Generally speaking, it's nothing to be alarmed about. Just like an adult, your baby is keeping his vital organs warm by redirecting some of the blood from his hands and feet to his torso. If his hands are cold and you want to make sure he's okay, place your hand on his chest to see whether the core part of his body feels like it's a comfortable temperature, says Jason Homme, a pediatrician at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. If so, he's fine. But if his chest feels cold or his skin has a bluish tint to it, swaddle him tightly, stick a hat on his head to help him retain heat, and give his doctor a call.

About your Baby

Got Shots

Where is Justine going?

She left all bundled up....

Came home with just a dress and diaper no undies plus the air outside was kindda cool.

Well, atleast she left smiling......

and came home smiling...aint that nice hehe



Husband took Justine to her Pediatrician appointment, she gain 2lbs in one months and grow 1 inch and the exciting part was, she got 4 shots huhuhu ouch! She started now with her vaccines. According to husband she scream and cried so loud, as in louder than Jake when he had his first shots. What can we do, that is part of growing up baby and its good for your health hmmm plus there's more good stuff coming.

Got Shots

Blue Monday - Book and Toys

Visit Smiling Sally for more Blue Monday. As for my Blue Monday, How about some superhero toys, car and book that my son inherited from his older cousin. Well the spider man I got that for 8 bucks at the child wardrobe and adults too store. They sell new and used baby stuff. The spider man plays some music and do some dancing too. Happy Blue Monday everyone!

Blue Monday - Book and Toys

Baby @ 2 Months Old

By the time baby is 2 months old, she is becoming more aware of the world around her. She loves the sound of your voice and may follow it around the room. Baby may even respond with sweetly-pitched coos.
Baby can follow an objects moving in arc about 6 inches from her face. She responds to loud sounds by becoming completely silent, crying, or acting startled.
Enjoy your cuddle time together. Interact with your baby, noting what attracts her and frightens her. Try different tones of voice and songs. Don't worry about "teaching" baby or measuring growth. All baby really needs right now is lots of loving attention.




Justine just turn two months old yesterday, October 2rd. As you can see she is growing like weeds and becoming so much aware of her surroundings. She can recognised Jake, Joe and I. She always flash her sweet smile in the morning and if she sees us coming to pick her up of course if her mood is great. If she wanted to be held she never stop whinning and fussing until you picked her up. I started putting her in her tummy since she was still 4 to 6 weeks. And every now and then that we have tummy time she started scooting, although she can't move her hand nor body forward yet, atleast you can see her scooting. Looking forward to see of her milestones. Hope you all had a nice weekend!

Baby @ 2 Months Old

Bathing Your Little Angel

Having a baby is an everyday challenge. Raising them and taking care of their need in a daily basis is tiring sometimes but it’s rewarding. We want our little ones to stay healthy and clean everyday so we gave them bath and all that. Keeping the little ones clean can also be challenging. here are safety tips in cleaning your baby.

* Gather all supplies first; swirl the water with your hand to check temperature. Before undressing the baby be sure to have it ready all the things you need like the soap,sponge bath, towel, or even clean water to wash him before wrapping him with the towel.

* Never leave babies or children unsupervised in or near water for even a nanosecond. Let telephone call go into voicemail. For their safety, your children need absolute attention. Even if your child can sit up alone, always stay within arm’s reach. I heard or read news or cases like that, leaving thier baby in the bath tub to get out an answer the phone. It’s not safe leaving baby in the water he/she might drown.

* No bath seat allowed. It tips over easily unless theres a safety belt or handle with it.

* Face your toddler away from the faucet so he can’t turn on the hot water. Kids sometimes can be tricky they wanna play everything especially when the water running.

Give sponge baths to babies up to 4 weeks old. This is enough time to allow the umbilical cord to fall off and the navel to heal.

Brightly colored sponges and soaps help make bathing a fun experience

Bathing Your Little Angel

Playing Time

Newborn can hear, smell, taste, feel and see and everyday for them is a milestone. Justine just turn 8 week old last monday. Time flies by so quick. Soon she will be two months old and become more aware of her surroundings and people around her. I felt bad sometimes coz I can't take them outside everyday. There's no playground close to our house that we could walk, we have to ask hubby to drive us to any nearest playground or park. And since he always busy at work he complains a lot that he is tired and refuse to drive us off to the playground. Lately its been raining here and this week its cold. I hope you guys wiil enjoy your weel.

Playing Time