Grog's Animated Guide to Knots, in college I was tested on the bowline and clove hitch. via Dethroner.

I've put up a list of How To Carve a Turkey videos over here at Readymade so you can be prepared when you're handed the carving knife.

I managed to burn the bejeezus out of my thumb yesterday. The oven was set to 500 degrees to make (delicious broccoli, sausage and ricotta*) calzones and a wardrobe malfunction of the pot holder occurred while I was moving the oven rack, causing me to touch my thumb to the very hot metal. Owwwuch. So, here is what I've learned about what to do when you are the unfortunate recipient of a second degree burn: run under cool water for at least five minutes, after that keep a cool, wet compress on it until the pain, oh the pain, subsides. In my case I soaked a washcloth in cold water, put it in a bowl and kept my thumb on it through a few hours of Tivo. If you burn yourself and there is no pain you need to seek medical help right away, but you'll probably be aware of that.

If this second degree burning thing happens to you, and I hope it does not, know that every time you remove the affected area from the cool water it will hurt like it's burning from the inside, but this feeling goes away. This was verified by a third-party anecdote involving gray ashes concealing red hot coals!! In my case the pain slowly went away and I was able to fall asleep without having my thumb submerged in ice water (not a good idea, I'm sure). When I woke up it was just a red and sort of blistery spot.

My thumb is wrapped up like a 3M mummy and I have doctors orders to avoid putting the digit to unnecessary use, which puts a dent in my Halloween baking plans. I've been putting a lot of "error" baking sessions in and I'm close to being able to reveal my plans, but since I'm being careful with my thumb I'm not sure I'll be able to finish them. But I did have a few no-bake variations so perhaps I can just make those fabulous?

Silver lining: I have discovered that really smart people who make those silicone oven mitts have started offering them in petite versions for shorter fingers like mine. See petite versions of: OXO fabric and silicone mitt and the iSi Orka silicone mitt.

Were the calzones worth it? Yes, nearly.


* from Baking Illustrated.

Easy iBook stand at Ikea Hacker.

Making your own Pez refills at Ask Metafilter.

How to reupholster a 50's dinette chair at Craft.

Really cool rugs by Both Textile Construction at Design Sponge.

Since Tivo won't let me program in new shows until they show up in the Tivo list, here is a list of when all the shows this season start. Also see Salon's grids to the new comedies and the dramas.

PlantMinder water bulb, this is what my plant killing self needs.

Many suggestions on getting chewing gum out of jeans.

Kitchen Myths, baking soda does not absorb odors in your fridge, wow, I feel like my world has come apart a little bit.

Scott had the misfortune to sit on some gum at a concert recently - luckily it was stuck to his jeans behind one knee instead of, um, someplace more embarrassing. So I took up the task of finding out how to get it off. My research turned up these methods:

• harden with an ice cube then chip off (traditional), or use lava hand soap
• brush with egg white, then launder
• rubbing alcohol
• put a brown paper bag over it and iron it, the gum will stick to the bag
• the Martha Stewart stain treatment chart - freeze and crack off, then rub area with mineral spirits
• press down tape over the spot, pull up, repeat

Being lazy and impatient (there was no ice in the freezer) I used the tape method, and it worked nicely. I used a clear packing tape and a plastic tool. I think I'll rub the area lightly with mineral oil before I throw it in the washer.





Next up, wax on a jacket left under the candles onstage at the O Lounge.

San Francisco Apartment Therapy on the uses of white vinegar.

Super Eggplant on detergent that is good for stinky workout clothes (yay!).

at Apartment Therapy - kitchen gardening part one so you want to grow some herbs, part two supplies, and part three planting

at Ask Metafilter - manners (including some stuff about elevators I was unaware of), detailing the interior of a car, and what to do when you find an old savings bond

Playing Cat and Mouse Droid - Star Wars crafts, for you pets! Check out more geeky crafty things - Droidel (groan), making tiny santa hats for your figurines, a Dagobah terrarium, and the scary/funny Chewie tissue box cozy.

Game of Life at Ask Metafilter, getting some perspective on saving.

Angry Chicken's freezer paper stencils got mentioned on Makezine along with a round up of other stencil options.

How to keep your toilet happy, at Shelterrific. This is good for me, I've recently encountered this for the first time (and I was super glad to find it wasn't a leak).

Alright, I love Pimp My Snack. Next year I plan to use the Faberge Creme Egg as inspiration.

maze bookshelf.

Things to do in Vancouver, from Thimble.

Built By Wendy has a book coming out Sew U The Built By Wendy Guide To Making Your Own Wardrobe. Super. At tchotchke attack. Also! She has some Simplicity Patterns coming out (see the About page), wowsers.

thing to remember - DOT-it stick-on LED lights, removable, reusable. via Popgadget.

how to make a perfect bow, at simplehuman