Look ghoulishly gorgeous

How to...
do ghost makeup

A ghost may be a scary thing, but being one for Halloween doesn't have to be! Try this SheKnows spin for a look that will take your costume from ghostly to glamorous.

Step 1: Prep your face

Before you begin, clean off any makeup, dirt or oil that may already be on your face. Because the look relies heavily on white makeup, a clean slate will work the best.

More Halloween tips

Halloween costumes & makeup ideas
How to create perfect animal whiskers
How to create a fake scar and stitches

What you'll need:

What you'll do:

Use your scissors to cut out the center of the plate.

Use your hole punch to cut out holes along the rim of the plate.

Cut about 6 feet of yarn, then feed the end of the yarn through one of the holes. Use the tape to secure it in place to the back of the plate.

Feed the other end of the yarn through another hole, then continue weaving the yarn back and forth to form the web. Secure the end on the back with tape.

Cut a slit in the spider ring and slide it onto the yarn.

Cut another 6-inch length of yarn and thread it through two holes at the top of the plate. Secure it in place with tape.

Grab a piece of tape and hang the spider web in the window.

More Halloween fun

3 Fun and easy Halloween crafts for kids
Fun and scary crafts for kids
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Getting the kiddies to eat their fish is a little like pulling teeth. They see the fish and automatically think blech... at least my son does. It seems that unless I grind it up and either fry it into sticks or turn it into little patties, my son will never eat one of the healthiest proteins out there. It's not just your standard bass or salmon either. He feels the same way about all shellfish. And while I do like crab cakes, every so often I want something a little more elite, something like lobster. But I still have the issue of getting my son to eat it. Thankfully, Food & Wine magazine suggested taking that lobster and turning it into little doughy fritters. Not only were they easy to make, my son, who hates fish, gobbled down two of them, and anytime my son eats his fish, that's a success in my house.

Lobster and corn fritters

Serves 10

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg, separated
• 1/2 pound lobster meat
• 1 ear of corn, kernels cut from the cob
• 2 tablespoons chives, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Directions:

1. Place the basil and mayonnaise in a food processor and puree until smooth. Transfer the basil mayonnaise to a bowl and chill.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and one-half teaspoon of salt in a large bowl.
3. Whisk together the buttermilk and egg yolk in a small bowl. Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the lobster, corn, chives and melted butter and set aside.
4. Beat the egg white until soft peaks form. Fold the egg white into the lobster batter.
5. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Drop dollops of the batter into the hot oil and fry, turning once, until golden brown, about two minutes. Transfer the fritters to a paper towel to drain and season with salt. Repeat with the rest of the batter. Serve immediately with the basil mayonnaise.

More Tonight's Dinner recipes >>

Other fritter recipes

Classic corn fritters with salsa
Oyster fritters
Veggie fritters

Watch: Wild style

Project Runway's Michael Costello breaks down what makes up wild style.

More style tips and trends

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Trendspotting with Jill Laine: Fall blouses
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Rebecca Eckler, a writer and mother from Canada, recently admitted she hired someone to teach her child to ride a bike. We decided to ask moms what mommy duties they'd outsource if they could.

Hire someone to do your "mommy duties"

From potty training to bath time, what would you hire someone to do for you?

Mother of two Rebecca Eckler said hiring someone to teach her child to ride a bicycle was no different than signing her little one up for swim or music lessons. Her reasoning? She said she didn't want to watch her fall why she learned. Seems understandable enough and begs the question: What else could we hire someone to do for us?

Homework

What mom hasn't scratched her head as she's stared blankly at her child's homework sheet trying to recount the name of an eight-sided geometrical shape or remember the difference between a mean and a median and wondered if Googling the answer would be wildly inappropriate Mom blogger Ellen Grossman admits she'd happily pay someone to help her kids with their math homework. "I haven't understood it since they were in the third grade!" she laughs.

Homework help tips for every age >>

Dispense medicine

Trying to get a little one to take medicine can be one of the hardest things a mother will have to do. Think flinging arms and legs, screaming and tears so it's not surprising that some moms would hire out this duty. "Right now I would hire someone to get my son to take his cold medicine," says Meredith Zolty. "It might involve a team of two or more and martial arts experience."

Clean those pearly whites

Freelance writer and blogger Robin Farr says, "Can I have someone come over twice a day for about five minutes each time to brush my kid's teeth? Not having to deal with the spitting and toothpaste trails would significantly reduce my stress level."

Bedtime

Bedtime, more often than not, can be the antithesis of lullabies and soft lighting. Shara from Maryland says about her kids' bedtime, "Usually it's a straight-up disaster! You would think that I'm announcing the end of the world when it's time to get ready for bed. Oh the screams of horror and dismay, usually all from the 3-year-old! I know there is someone out there who is so much more capable of running a smooth and peaceful bedtime routine, but it is clearly not me."

The importance of bedtime routines >>

Everything

Michelle Morton, mother of three boys from North Carolina, has no qualms about the fact that she'd hire someone to do just about, well, everything:

• Scrub baseball pants
• Drive them around to their sports
• Take pictures at the boys' games
• Then put all the pictures in a scrapbook
• Clean the garage
• Grocery shop
• Cook dinner

Read more about mom support systems

8 Ways moms can find support
Why all moms need good mom friends
Chasing the Dream: How this mom helps other moms

Still very beautiful and very blond, Up All Night actress Christina Applegate is a married mom who isn't missing anything since her cancer diagnosis — anything, that is, except the breasts that got their own mention in Anchorman.

In an interview with More magazine, Applegate talks about the lingering effects breast cancer has had on her life.

"I had two lumpectomies, and I was supposed to start radiation," she explained to the mag. "Then I found out I had the gene [the BRCA1 gene mutation that increases risk and recurrence of breast and ovarian cancers], and my decision was to undergo the prophylactic double mastectomy."

5 Stars who've battled breast cancer >>

"I miss my exquisite breasts sometimes," she said, referencing a line from her funny flick with Will Ferrell.

The actress said she didn't have time to process grief for her breasts at first because of how quickly the news got out.

Doctor made her "start walking right away. I was walking with my little IV drip thing, in my little robe. My friend said he saw someone take a picture of me. The next day I got a call from my publicist, who said, 'It's out.'"

A short statement was quickly released, reading, "Christina Applegate was diagnosed with an early form of breast cancer. Benefiting from early detection through a doctor ordered MRI, the cancer is not life threatening. Christina is following the recommended treatment of her doctors and will have a full recovery."

"The good thing is that we got the information out, but talking about the facts of the disease, I didn't have to see what was going on with me. I think when it slowed down, all of that came crashing down."

Now Applegate is flying high again, with the help of friends, family and husband Martyn LeNoble, with whom she has a daughter, Sadie Grace.

Read the complete interview with Christina Applegate in the November 2012 issue of More magazine.

Image courtesy FayesVision/WENN.com

Whether you love the season for its abundance of apples, seasonal beers or for the colors of the upcoming Halloween fun, these milkshakes have a little something for everyone! Give one — or all — a try this season for a special treat to remember all year long!

Creamy candy corn "milkshake"

Sweet and colorful, just like candy corn, this "shake" is layered in colors. Not exactly a shake, but close enough that you won't notice a difference!

Yields 2 "milkshakes"

Ingredients:

• 8 scoops of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt, divided
• Yellow and red food coloring
• Whipped topping
• Brown, orange and yellow sprinkles for garnish

Directions:

1. Divide the ice cream or frozen yogurt evenly between two bowls, one for the yellow layer and one for the orange layer of the milkshake.
2. Add three drops of yellow food coloring to the first bowl, more if you'd like a brighter shade.
3. With a spoon, mix the food coloring into the ice cream until you reach your desired shade, and the ice cream is softened.
4. Do the same for the orange layer of ice cream, but combine a few drops of yellow and a few drops of red to create orange.
5. Once you've reached the colors you like, carefully layer the softened ice cream into two clear, 16-ounce glasses, first with the yellow, then the orange.
6. For the white layer, use whipped topping, adding it to the top of the orange layer, then garnish with the colored sprinkles.

Sip on this candy corn cocktail >>

Caramel apple milkshake

This shake tastes like a favorite fall treat, caramel-coated apples, but it won't lead to a sticky situation! This shake is super-simple to whip up and enjoy.

Yields 2 shakes

Ingredients:

• 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and cut into chunks
• 3 cups vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup prepared caramel sauce, plus extra to drizzle on top

Directions:

1. Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Drizzle with caramel sauce and enjoy.

Bite into this recipe for vampire caramel apples >>

Harvest ale milkshake

Beer in a milkshake? Definitely not something you see every day, but you'll enjoy this combo. The selection of fall ales and beer is bountiful. Pick up your favorite to make this delightful adult milkshake!

Yields 2 milkshakes

Ingredients:

• 6 scoops of vanilla ice cream
• 1 bottle of your favorite harvest ale or beer
• 2 tablespoons prepared caramel sauce, plus extra for drizzling
• Whipped topping for garnish

Directions:

1. Add the ice cream and caramel sauce to a blender. Slowly add the beer.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into two 16-ounce glasses, add some whipped topping and drizzle with caramel sauce.

This season, enjoy a special milkshake!

More seasonal treats

Warm, wonderful autumn cocktails
Candy corn kiss cookies
Wine cocktails for fall

It's thinning season and that means a turbulent time is ahead for anyone involved with television. We're seeing major cancellations and a couple additional season pickups across all of the stations. Are your favorite shows sticking around?

Following the weekend, a major cancellation was announced — this one causing quite the stir and a bit of an outrage from some of the more loyal fans.

Private Practice, from ABC darling, Shonda Rhimes announced this will be the final season. It seemed inevitable, though, as viewership continued to fall and its star actress, Kate Walsh, already said she was leaving.

That's not the only cancellation so far this season. Last week, we announced the cancellation of NBC's Animal Practice. CBS's Made in Jersey also recently got the ax, much to the chagrin of... no one.

What shows have survived so far?

Showtime just announced that Homeland will be picked up for a third season. They won't say what's in store yet. With one actor's scheduling conflict and Season 2's major plot wrap-up, I'd wager it's partly because they've yet to figure it out. But the national security thriller led by Claire Danes picked up all kinds of Emmy nominations and continues to gain viewers.

According to Entertainment Weekly, a few other shows have received a full season order. They may not make it to Season 2, but The New Normal and Go On both have full seasons ahead. So does Revolution, of course.

Not at all shockingly, rumors are already circulating that The CW's new hit, Arrow, will be around for at least the entirety of this season. Meanwhile, execs have also ordered up the back nine for The Mindy Project and Ben and Kate.

As more shows are canceled and renewed, there's one question on many minds that has yet to be answered:

How many shows must be cut to bring Community back sooner?

Photos courtesy of WENN.com

More stories

The laughs stop here: NBC cancels Animal Practice
Canceled: Private Practice is a goner
Catch up on The New Normal

The first trailer for Iron Man 3 has finally arrived. On Tuesday, Disney and Marvel released all new footage from the upcoming sequel. Once again, Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the hero, who's up against a new threat.

Iron Man 3 releases teaser poster >>

Following the events of The Avengers, Tony Stark is fried. The trailer reveals a man who's emotionally torn about his double life. This isn't a world of secret identities. Stark is Iron Man and everyone knows it. That knowledge brings serious danger into his life.

Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World 3D plots >>

According to the official synopsis:

"When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him."

The film begs the question: Does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man? It's a touchy subject that was also addressed in The Avengers. When Stark and Steve Rogers exchanged heated words Rogers asked, "Big man in a suit of armor. Take that off, what are you?"

Judging from this trailer, we'll soon find out!

Iron Man 3 is directed by Shane Black and co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Stephanie Szostak, James Badge Dale with Jon Favreau and Ben Kingsley. The film opens in theaters nationwide May 3, 2013.

Photo credit: Disney/Marvel

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.

It was a simple and staggering fact like this accompanied by the compelling personal stories of hundreds of breast cancer survivors that made country singer Martina McBride realize she needed to use her voice for more than an album. She wanted to use it to raise awareness of the courageous battle all women are fighting together, every day.

McBride has done just that by partnering with General Mills’ Save Lids to Save Lives campaign, which has extended to more than just yogurt. She is spreading word that the pink lids will now be on more than 20 General Mills brands, including Green Giant, Nature Valley, Honey Nut Cheerios and Fiber One.

“I'm grateful to be able to reach so many people both through my celebrity and my music,” McBride says.” I feel like it's my responsibility to speak about things that are important to me.”

The country music star hopes with more visibility on everyday products, more people will be inspired to send in their lids and trigger donations from General Mills to help in the fight against breast cancer.

“With breast cancer statistics as staggering as they are, it’s important that the message of breast cancer awareness reach as many people as possible.”

McBride voiced that message in the breast cancer anthem “I’m Gonna Love You Through It," the perfect harmony to the painful hope every heart feels when fighting breast cancer—a battle fought by loved ones as well.

She knows that the people loving women through breast cancer are in the battle as well, the ones who encourage us to keep swinging at the seeming darkness.

When McBride’s husband heard the chorus to her song, she remembers him saying if she ever had cancer, that’s what he would say to her.

“That meant the world,” she told us.

Through her experience over the past year of touring the country and singing this anthem, McBride has had the opportunity to meet hundreds of women affected by breast cancer. She was compelled to find a way to contribute to General Mills’ cause while engaging with fans at the same time.

“As a woman who has spent a lot of time at the grocery store over the years, I have always been amazed at General Mills’ commitment to give back and support causes that are so important to families,” she says. "It's so easy for us to participate just by purchasing the brands and products we love.”

McBride believes it’s the little things that add up and anyone can make a difference when it comes to breast cancer. Regardless if it’s your sister undergoing radiation therapy or a neighbor, if you know someone in your community with breast cancer, support them. Whether it’s volunteering at a local hospital, participating in a charity walk or mailing in those pink lids, there are countless ways to join the fight.

Select Yoplait products can be mailed in and entered online by redeeming the six-digit code found on lids and stickers at savelidstosavelives.com. General Mills donates 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for every led received and code entered by June 30, 2013. Up to $2 million more will be donated based on submissions, all going toward efforts to end breast cancer. Forever.

 “I hope that my daughters and all children can grow up and be a part of a world where there is a cure for breast cancer,” McBride says. “If we work together, I have faith that one day we will find a cure.”

More ways to fight breast cancer

Foods that fight breast cancer
Breast cancer: New findings and treatment options
Five stars who've battled breast cancer

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We know you love Nicholas Sparks.

From trailers, to an upcoming exclusive interview from the author himself, to this exclusive inside look at the enhanced eBook releasing Dec. 18, SheKnows is doing everything in our power to ease your anxiety until the big premiere in February.

Now, we can't deny that a Sparks novel may best be enjoyed in its purest form — cue cozy chair, crackling fireplace, tissues and the scent of intimacy still in the ink or perhaps, beach-worn recliner, toes swimming through the white sand, evening mist dampening your every turning page — but then again, electronic reading has its perks.

In this case the Safe Haven eBook has a lot of 'em.

Set to release just in time for your holiday wish list, the new eBook will include video clips, b-roll, interviews with Sparks, the cast and more.

Talk about a story coming to life!

And you know it's going to be even better with Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough starring as Alex Wheatley and Katie Feldman.

Safe Haven will surely shine among its family of Sparks' books-gone-movies.

Remember to check back in with SheKnows for continuing coverage of your favorite authors, movies and everything Sparks.

What's your favorite Sparks-inspired film: A Walk to Remember, Dear John, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, The Lucky One or The Last Song?

Image courtesy Relativity Media

Sparks talks style & Safe Haven

Interview: Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks is an accomplished, busy writer, but he's never lost sight of the importance of connecting with his readers in an honest way. We asked for an exclusive interview with the author and he delivered. Join us as we talk about his literary journey and the birth of his latest work-turned-movie.

I have to be honest.

Before this assignment, I knew little of Nicholas Sparks.

I mean I respected him for his craft; I write a grand total of, say 1,500 words a day and this guy gets paid to write novels by the pound.

I can't say I didn't like the guy or that I intentionally avoided his work; it's just been awhile since I had a girl on my side, begging me to sit down and watch the next Sparks book-turned-movie.

So, when I got the chance to draft some questions for the big guy, I figured I'd test him. You know, see if the author of modern love had the character to back up his stories.

I wasn't on a mission to drill him. I just wanted to dig a little deeper than the traditional interview and see what how he responded.

I was pleasantly surprised, and am thankful for his time.

The characters you read about and take to heart are but a thread of the man who dreams them up.

Sparks hasn't let the fame go to his head.

He's honest, humble and sincere. And this legitimacy is a testimony to his work.

Without further ado, I'd like to share Sparks' thoughts on style, inspiration and Safe Haven.

SheKnows: How much of yourself, your personal experiences, your dilemmas and successes inspire the characters in your work, specifically Safe Haven? Do your characters show shades of you or are they unique creations for each project?

Sparks: The Notebook was inspired by my wife’s grandparents, who had a very special relationship for more than six decades, and so the durability of that love informed Noah and Allie’s story. My wife also inspires many of the female leads in my books — she’s an inevitable influence as I think about love and family. Others, like Message in a Bottle and A Walk to Remember, were also inspired by family, but Safe Haven is fictional.

SheKnows: How vital is environment and sense of place — both from a cultural and natural standpoint? And, where does Safe Haven take its audience?

Sparks: Setting is a major aspect in writing all of my books, both in terms of natural and cultural environments. One of the main reasons I set my books in North Carolina is the same reason I live there myself: It feels like home. I love the community, the pace of life, the languid summers and slow-moving rivers, and the beautiful small towns of North Carolina offer a richness that helps to make the stories come alive. Safe Haven is set in Southport, North Carolina, and while fate may send Katie to Southport, it, too, begins to feel like home.

SheKnows: What themes and lessons are weaved throughout this plot, explicit, and perhaps, subconscious?

Sparks: Safe Haven is a story about second chances and the redemptive power of love. Katie has a troubled past and, after fleeing Boston and finding herself in Southport, she is offered another chance at love and life.

SheKnows: When you sit down to write today, having had your share of works-turned-films, is the process any different from the years you began writing? Has this dynamic and interaction with 'Hollywood' changed your approach to imagery or dialogue for the novel’s sake?

Sparks: At this point in my career, I'm cognizant of the fact that the novel I’m writing might be made into a movie. I’ve had eight novels adapted into films, including Safe Haven, and I find that I conceive a novel with the hope and intention that will happen. I try to formulate a story that would be interesting as both a novel and a film. Once I start writing, however, it's entirely about creating the best novel that I possibly can.

SheKnows: Which authors and real-life inspirations do you consider to have been especially crucial to developing your trademark?

Sparks: I read a lot — a hundred books a year, easily — and as a writer, I think every book I read leaves its mark. Early on, I read deliberately to see how authors crafted their characters, their stories, and their sentences. I like to think part of my trademark is the quality of the storytelling, and that skill is owed in large part to reading everyone from Stephen King and John Grisham to Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck.

SheKnows: I’ve read you’re excited to command an element of danger once again. Can you please expand on this element in the context of its film portrayal and its emphasis on the plot of Safe Haven? What relationship does danger play in a novel?

Sparks: Much of the “danger” element of Safe Haven is exploring how Katie’s past is continually dragged into the present. I don’t want to give too much away for those who aren’t already familiar with the story, but the danger element drives the story and will keep people on the edge of their seats.

SheKnows: Tell us about the decision-making process for roles in the upcoming film. Are you satisfied with the actors and actresses who will bring your characters to life?

Sparks: I am not just satisfied — my expectations have been exceeded. Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel have such a wonderful and singular chemistry on set and on camera. I shouldn’t be surprised: I’ve worked with Lasse Hallström before, and I know how talented he is. But still, as an author I think I’m always curious and anxious to see whether the actors will be able to capture the nuances I’ve imagined for my characters. They have.

SheKnows: Are you happy with the film adaption of Safe Haven?

Sparks: Yes. It’s a hit. Lasse Hallström is a supremely talented director, and he’s again crafted an excellent film.

SheKnows: Some people argue that books are always better than the film adaptions. Agreed?

Sparks: This always makes me laugh. It’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges. Film adaptations can’t be better or worse, because the medium is so inherently different. A book is maybe about 350 pages, and the prose allows for readers to get a glimpse into the internal lives of the characters. A screenplay is 120 pages, and it’s all dialogue and action. The pacing of films is different, the structure is often different, and the internal lives of the characters must come across through the acting. Movies are just a different experience than reading — so it just depends on what an individual prefers.

SheKnows: Finally, what else in on the horizon in the world of Nicholas Sparks? What can fans expect in the near future?

Sparks: I am currently working on my next novel, which I’m really excited about, and which is set to be released in the fall of 2013. Warner Bros. is developing my most recent book, The Best of Me, into a film. I’m also busy with my production company, Nicholas Sparks Productions, developing several projects, though I can’t talk about them in any detail yet. It’s been really great to work across different mediums and to see how these different ways of storytelling engage each other in a dialogue.

More on Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks brought Miley and Liam to love
Man Candy Mondays: Nicholas Sparks
5 Nicholas Sparks books to movies we love

Photo credit: Johnny Louis/WENN.com, Relativity Media, PNP/WENN.com

How to... make pizza in
a hurry

It's safe to say that most kids love pizza. But moms have busy schedules and baking a homemade pizza is not always in the cards. Luckily, we've come up with a quick and easy way to satisfy your children's pizza cravings.

More on quick meals

Quick and healthy one-pot meals
Quick meal ideas
Make a quick and energizing breakfast

This episode of Parenthood could have been a real sob fest. They played it cool, though. They brought you to the heart of the issue without being overly sentimental. It was almost as if viewers were left to peer in through a window, instead of being welcomed into the home. The people aren't real, but the situation is one that millions of people face and Parenthood handled it with class.

Here's what I mean...

Most important, the number of tears was minimal. A few damp eyes and a quivering lip was the total summation of drama. That's not to say there may not have been a bit of sobbing on the toilet, just that it was left to be assumed rather than witnessed.

The show also kept in all the accidental smiles that happen even during life's most difficult times. When all the Bravermans are chipping in to help out Christina and Adam, Crosby sulks that he got the kid-job of taking the new puppy, Otis, for a walk. He swears he's an adult and asks to help more.

Naturally, on the walk, Otis breaks loose and is practically maimed by another huge dog at the park. Not only does Crosby show up at Adam's with a very late dinner, but he also has to return Otis to his owners with the poor pup wearing a cone of shame.

They showed the very heart of a mother. Upon waking up in the recovery room, Christina's first words weren't of complaint. Instead, she immediately wanted to know how Max's speech for class president went. She'd spent the previous few days stressed about the fact that she was missing such a big moment for her kid. As soon as she woke up, she demanded to know about the election. The writers for Parenthood summed up motherhood in a sentence. It was perfection.

Life went on — the world didn't stop when one Braverman became ill. First, Sarah and Drew moved into Mark's apartment and Drew reacted like a typical teenage boy. Then, Max still had to give his speech, still focused on winning the election. Even bigger than that, his sister Haddie was there to help him see other great qualities in himself. In the end, he lengthened the speech he'd planned on making. He talked about having Asperger syndrome. And, amazingly, Max won the election.

Also, Grandpa Zeek's young veteran friend, Ryan, showed up to ask Amber on a date. That date, by the way, was awkward, but adorable. For the first time, it looks like Amber may be treated with heaps of respect.

In typical Braverman style, though, they all end up together at the hospital. Despite Julia's best efforts to keep the siblings on a schedule, none of them could bear to leave Adam. In the end, they all were in the waiting room together. They may have all been dealing with their own lives and their individual family dramas, but for one long morning and afternoon, their lives revolved around their big brother.

Parenthood took the horrors of cancer and used them to show the beauty of family. Once again, I'm reminded: I want to be a Braverman.

Images courtesy of NBC

More stories

Parenthood hints at cheating and battles cancer
Parenthood sneak peek: More tears ahead
Cast updates: Parenthood adds Ray Romano

A Dangerous Inheritance — Alison Weir
The Sisters Who Would Be Queen: Mary, Katherine, and Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Tragedy — Leanda De Lisle

A Dangerous Inheritance is acclaimed historian Alison Weir's latest foray into historical fiction, centering on Lady Katherine Grey, sister to Jane Grey who was the queen of England for just nine days after the son of King Henry VIII died. If you're interested in learning more about her story, Leanda De Lisle has written an excellent biography of the Grey sisters, Mary, Katherine, and Jane, and how the tragic fate of Jane affected her sisters.

The Four Ms. Bradwells — Meg Waite Clayton
Friendkeeping: A Field Guide to the People You Love, Hate, and Can't Live Without — Julie Klam

Any woman can tell you that friendships between women are incredibly complicated and difficult to describe. There are such strong and conflicting emotions, but above all that, there's an overwhelming sense of love and connection. Meg Waite Clayton depicts women's friendships incredibly well in The Four Ms. Bradwells, a novel about four women who have been friends since their law school days. If you're in a nostalgic mood and would like a memoir about friends, Julie Klam has expanded from writing about dogs in her two previous hit books, and is now tackling that ever-complicated world of friendships.

Song of Kali — Dan Simmons
The Age of Kali — William Dalrymple

It's October, so if you're looking for a novel to scare you, Dan Simmons' classic horror novel Song of Kali should do it. Set in Calcutta, it's about a poet who continually churns out new material, despite the fact that he's supposed to have been dead for eight years. Simmons creates exceptional sense of place with his descriptions, and the novel centers on the cult worship of the goddess Kali. William Dalrymple writes about the age of Kali, a time of darkness that is supposedly coming, in his newly reissued travel memoir The Age of Kali, which is a great way to learn more about India in the 1990s.

The Bird House — Kelly Simmons
Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer's My Mother, and Me — Sarah Leavitt

The Bird House is, above all, a book about mothers and daughters, and it's told from the point of view of a woman suffering from dementia. It's an incredibly difficult thing to write about, and Simmons portrays very well the frustration of knowing your memories are slipping away from you. If, after reading The Bird House, you want to know what it's like to live with someone with dementia, or perhaps you're trying to find a resource to help you through such a situation, Sarah Leavitt's graphic memoir is poignant and moving. She portrays her mother's battle with Alzheimer's, and the emotions come across well in the black and white drawings that tell the story.

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September Fiction meets non-fiction: A mashup
Fiction meets TV: A Modern Family mashup

On Oct. 26, the world is going to learn about the true life tale of Jay Moriarity, who, at the age of 17, chased his dreams and made surfing history by tackling some of the biggest waves up at Half Moon Bay in Northern California.

The film, Chasing Mavericks, starring Gerard Butler and newcomer Jonny Weston offers a story of inspiration and heart for a boy who was always the underdog in his Santa Cruz neighborhood.

Weston, in his first big studio film, was inspired by playing the title role of Moriarity, who died in 2001 at age 22 after drowning in an apparent diving accident in the Indian Ocean.

"Personally, when I was working on the film I took away going after your dreams as hard as you possibly can and bowling down everything in your way," he said.

Butler, who plays Moriarity's gruff mentor, Frosty Hesson, also executive-produced the film, so the story was a very personal one for him.

"It's a beautiful tale for following your heart and having something in your mind and… really going for it," Butler said.

Even though the film has a lot of soul, the set was not without its own challenges because the actors had to do some of their own stunts. In fact, Butler was injured and hospitalized after a falling into the rough surf.

The Scottish actor says, "It was pretty dangerous. It's not a movie just about surfing, it's a movie about big wave riding."

While the accident did give him a scare, Butler was back on set the next day.

However, the set wasn't always so serious because the two clearly developed a genuine friendship throughout filming. When SheKnows asked Weston one little secret about the handsome Butler, he said, "Gerard secretly wears his wet suit to bed."

Now, that's what we call Method Acting.

Chasing Mavericks opens nationwide on Friday, Oct. 26.

Image courtesy of Rob Rich/WENN.com

Winter wonderland vacations

Photo credit: Sean Boggs/Beaver Creek

Best ski resorts

After surviving a long, hot summer, winter is finally just around the corner. It's time to put away the tanks and flip-flops and pull out the cozy sweaters and fuzzy boots.

Winter vacations are some of the most beautiful and adventurous out there. Outstanding views, snow-covered mountains, warm fires and steamy hot cocoa are just some of the luxuries. In addition to this, winter provides the ultimate outdoor adventure — skiing.

Glide down the smooth, never-ending slopes and check out this guide to the best resorts out there!

Up next: More ski resorts >>

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Winter wonderland vacations

Photo credit: Vail Resorts

Best ski resorts

After surviving a long, hot summer, winter is finally just around the corner. It's time to put away the tanks and flip-flops and pull out the cozy sweaters and fuzzy boots.

Winter vacations are some of the most beautiful and adventurous out there. Outstanding views, snow-covered mountains, warm fires and steamy hot cocoa are just some of the luxuries. In addition to this, winter provides the ultimate outdoor adventure — skiing.

Check out the top three U.S. cities for skiing and snowboarding >>

More on winter vacations

Best winter getaways on a budget
5 Dreamy winter vacations
4 Fun winter getaways to take with your man

How to... get the spooky party started

Halloween's one of the most exciting holidays of the year. It involves a lot of costumes, candy, drinks and one big opportunity for you to go as over-the-top as you want. If you're throwing a party this year, here are a few tips on how to make it fun, successful and festive!

Step 1: Monster Mash Menu

Food and drinks can really make or break a party, and Halloween is all about being creative -- and this applies to your menu choice as well. Serve drinks that are orange and black or give your beverages a scary Halloween name. Try calling your ordinary bloody Mary "Dracula’s Bloody Mary," or if you plan on having a cooler of beer or a keg you can call it "Witches' Brew." This may sound silly, but it's festive and your guests will have a good laugh. Check out Martha Stewart's list of spooky Halloween spirits for a few ideas.

Try this: DIY pumpkin keg and harvest sangria recipe >>

Finger foods are the wisest choice for your party, since they allow for a wide variety of food. You'll also want a little solid food to balance the alcoholic drinks.

Party munch: Fresh corn cakes with avocado salsa recipe >>

Pinterest is a great place to get recipe ideas for your Halloween party. It provides some of the most creative recipes and a variety of ways to make your dishes look festive. Serving veggie dip or salsa in a miniature pumpkin or making pigs in a blanket look like mummies are just a few of the fun ideas Pinterest shares.

Step 2: Dracula’s decorations

Decorating may be the most time-consuming part of throwing a Halloween party, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. If you're throwing a Halloween party, you want it to be memorable and the decor has a lot to do with it! But don't fret, especially when you have places like Target selling fun Halloween decor and sites like Pinterest for decorating ideas.

Spooky, stylish Halloween decor ideas >>

As a host, you want to catch your guests' attention right as they walk into your spooky party. A good way to welcome your party guests to your Halloween festivities is to embellish your front door with an orange and black Halloween wreath and swap out your regular doormat with a Halloween-inspired mat. And as most of us know, a fake cobweb around the house is always a sign that it's October. Spread the cobwebs on the mantel and drape them from the candles mounted on your wall, on the chandelier in the living room and scatter them on the top of the coffee table.

Try this: DIY Halloween painted pumpkins >>

Carved pumpkins are one Halloween decoration that will never go out of style. Another classic look: Wrap your fake skeleton around the big jug of the drink of choice for the night for more spooky flair. Little touches like this will really add some life to the Halloween theme.

More Halloween tips

A pumpkin carving alternative: Painted pumpkins
Sabrina Soto shares her Halloween home decor ideas
Decorating Diva: Spooky but stylish decor ideas