Hot Stuff

Leftover loots: Here are some suggestions to get rid of leftover Halloween candy:

Use it to decorate gingerbread houses.

Take it to work.

Chop it up to use as mix-ins for homemade Blizzards.

Freeze leftover chocolate to use in holiday baking. Most will keep in a well-sealed bag for up to three months.

Knight-Ridder News Service

Advice

Tootsie help: Comfort is a key factor in choosing any pair of shoes, but when choosing shoes for children, there are specific comfort factors that can affect foot development.

First-walker shoemaker Ecco offers these guidelines to make sure a child's shoe fits well:

A shoe should feel snug in the instep and loose in the forefoot.

The general rule is that there should be an extra 3/4 inch between the tip of the toe and the end of the shoe.

When the child is walking, the foot automatically extends in the shoe, so leave about 1/4 inch for toes to spread.

A low heel height distributes the body weight evenly over the sole.

Until a child is 2 years old, shoes should be checked for fit every two months. Check every three months for ages 3-6 and every four months for children 7 and older.

The Associated Press

Family Fun

Giving thanks: Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather and give thanks. The November issue of Family Fun magazine gives step-by-step directions for turkey napkin rings, Mayflower hats, a pilgrim hat centerpiece and more. Also included are Turkey Hot Line cooking tips.

Shauna Scott Rhone

Birthday greetings: Every single person on the planet has a kaarawan each year. In the United States, it's called a birthday; in a Spanish-speaking country it's "cumpleanos."

And when you wake up on your birthday in the Philippines, someone is sure to wish you "maligayang kaarawan."

Birthdays Around the World by Mary Lankford (HarperCollins; $15.99) offers a global perspective on birthday customs and celebrations. For instance, in the Netherlands partygoers play "koekhappen," a game in which children are blindfolded and try to eat soft cookies hanging from a string.

The Associated Press

Family pet

Patches, a k a Brother Hilaritas of Shangrila, brings much joy to his large family of sisters at the Convent of the Transfiguration and Bethany School in Glendale.

Contact Shauna Scott Rhone by phone at 768-8511; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: srhone@enquirer.com.