As a book nerd, I have been to a lot of author events in my life. Jeff Kinney's book tour for his latest "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" book is like NONE OTHER.

• Everyone got a signed copy of his latest book right when they walked in the door. No waiting 3 hours in line afterward for an autograph. Brilliant.
• He's not just reading a book at a podium, he's running a game show! Now that's showbiz.
• All the prize money ($7,000+) was donated to libraries. Everybody wins!
• TONS of audience participation. He also lined up a superstar local children's author (Corinna Luyken) and librarian to pull onto the stage. Nice touch.

The incredibly talented guy who built a mini Rosebud Motel in front of his house is back with a "Stranger Things" set for Halloween. My story and photos are in the metro section of The Seattle Times today!

Yesterday's windstorm made for a very pretty (and slippery!) walk to school.

Voted! Election Day is next Tuesday, Nov. 7. Get your ballots in!

Happy Halloween!

T minus 1 til my favorite day of the year...

Jeff Kinney says parents and teachers rave about how his Wimpy Kid series got their "reluctant readers" hooked on books. "Reluctant readers," it turns out, is code for "boys." As a boy mom, I will tell you this is 100 percent true. Thank you, Greg!

Scoring Jeff Kinney tickets was tougher than scoring Taylor Swift tickets, but King's Books came through for me. (He's swinging through the Seattle area on a book tour Nov. 5-8.)

We made the spookiest little Halloween clay project at Gather Pottery, a new pottery studio right by the Magnolia Bridge (next to Champion Party Supply).

Gather offers classes for adults and camps for kids, and now I'm seriously eyeing the wheel throwing class...

Really well planned, and easy enough for all ages. I was impressed.

People are intimidated by interior design, but it doesn't have to cost buckets and buckets of money. Using nature as decor — pine cones, driftwood, shells — is beautiful AND budget-friendly.

I wrote the cover story for this week's At Home section in The Seattle Times about design inspired by nature.

• Remix Design Co., whom I love talking to because she is smart and she keeps it real
• MAPLE & PLUM, whose design is absolutely dreamy (paired with the ultimate work ethic — she called me from Berlin!)
• Conservatory Coastal Home, whose shop I always visit when I'm on Bainbridge because I wish my house could look exactly like that

If you know me, you know I am a person who loves good food. Here are The Best Asian restaurants in Seattle, for ParentMap.

Many thanks to the foodie friends helped me put this list together. Let's eat!

Final Queen Anne Farmer's Market of the season.