The First Tuesday in October

• My mantel couldn't be cuter if it tried. No, there are no body parts coming out of it, but it is adorable, nonetheless. If my digital camera had some batteries, I'd show you.
• Please stop complaining about your rainy days and tropical storms. We would pay for some rain to fall out of the sky. We are sitting on a total outdoor water ban. I'm waiting for the indoor water ban to go into effect.
• I am tired of school. I think it has to do with this stupid testing. I'm not doing anything except keeping kids awake and I'm as bored as they are.
• The spelling part of the test was today. It was all I could do not to hit them in the backs of their heads as they didn't mark the incorrectly spelled words. I mean does larjer look right to you?
• It's only Tuesday. I'm making beef stew on Saturday - Tyler Florence or the Barefoot Contessa - they both look pretty good to me.