What Would Jane Austen Do?

Here is an amazing guide that not only includes movies, but also Christmas episodes of shows in re-runs. In case you missed Coach , "My True Love Gave to Me," back when it first aired. I will be setting the DVR for: Scrooged , Wednesday 11/30 at 9 pm (CST) on AMC. Santa Buddies , Thursday 12/1 at 7 pm on Disney Channel. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas , Friday 12/2 at 7 pm on ABC Family. Home Alone , Saturday 12/3 at 5:10 pm on Encore. Crazy Christmas Lights (special), Saturday 12/3 at 6 pm on TLC. The Nightmare Before Christmas , Saturday 12/3 at 11 pm on ABC Family. A Charlie Brown Christmas , Monday 12/5 at 7 pm on ABC. Disney's Prep and Landing 2 , Monday 12/5 at 7:30 pm on ABC. The Pink Panther in: A Pink Christmas, Wednesday 12/7 at 5 pm on ABC Family. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation , Wednesday 12/7 at 8 pm on ABC Family. The Muppet Christmas Carol , Friday 12/09 at 12 noon on Discovery Kids (HUB). Frosty the Snowman , Frid...

So I'm invited to this cookie swap/contest again this year, and this year it also includes a "starter smackdown." So I have TWO CHANCES to win this thing. Come on people; help me out. Your best cookie recipe and your best appetizer recipe. Or even just tell me what you would most want to see in the competition.

Thanksgiving edition Reading I have to agree with my friend Mike that this isn't my favorite of Sarah Vowell's books, but it's still a good read. Watching Listening to And now back to bed with that bottle of Nyquil.

"Don't fuck with me, son, I'll make you watch Wendy Williams."

Papi had to hurry and finish his turkey leg before the Birds of Prey show started. Man, I love the Texas Renaissance Festival. We go every year with the kids. In the interest of public service, here's my list of Best Practices for the festival.   [1:21 video from School of Sword] Buying a ticket: This year there was a pretty good offer at Urban Dealight ( sic )--something to keep in mind for next year. If you try to buy on Craigslist, you won't get much of a discount, and it's usually people selling free passes they got in a pack. I used those one year, and they worked, but they made me awfully nervous.  If you've missed getting another deal, try to buy the tickets from one of the retail outlets (HEB, Woodforest Bank) or buy them from the website (where there is a "convenience charge." GRRR.) They are more expensive at the gate. This past weekend set attendance records--something like 42,000 on Saturday and 27,000 on Sunday. The lesson here is go...

I was going to say this must be a sign of the economic times, but it may in fact be a sign of the apocalypse.

October went out with a bang: two kids with gastrointestinal distress for Halloween. Onward and upward: Movember --I love it when people come together to do stupid shit like that Renaissance Festival Nonnie's birthday My mom's birthday Thanksgiving--hellz yeah, it's pie time, y'all. Nonnie and I will be cooking again. I've already been planning it for a month. Photo via Surviving Oz