HALLOWEEN IS FOR THE DOGS

Do you dress your dogs up in Halloween costumes? Isn't being a dog enough of a costume? There's a company that knows how much people will shell out for their pets, so they've made costumes for Halloween time: check 'em out: http://www.baxterboo.com/Dogtober

PUMPKIN PATCH WISDOM

Farmer John Muller and his wife, Eda, grow over 100,000 pumpkins on their farm in Half Moon Bay, CA (farmerjohnspumpkins.com). Here's their advice for picking right pumpkin for your need.

• Like people, pumpkins come in almost every shape and color. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
• Never pick a pumpkin up by the stem; it may break off.
• Look for solid, non soft pumpkins.
• Best Jack-O'-Lantern picks are Chioggia, Jarrahadale, Orange Smoothie and Baby Bear varieties of pumpkins.
• For face painting on pumpkins, choose a pumpkin that can easily lie on its side so that the stem can be the nose.
• For delicious pies, select Sugar Pie, New England, Pik-a-pie, or Long Island Cheese varieties of pumpkins.
• Don't forget to bring your camera visiting a pumpkin pact is a great photo opt.