Introducing the Jellypus

The jellypus.  My youngest nephew is turning one just after Christmas, and I wanted to make him a cute animal.  I got a pattern from an etsy shop (https://www.etsy.com/listing/720417175/mini-octopus-crochet-pattern-pdf?ref=hp_rv-2)  for an octopus.  

We decided that it looks kinda like a jellyfish, so we named it the Jellypus.

I think this is the cutest thing I've ever crocheted, and I have a strange and sudden desire to make lots of jellypuses.  Before I go down that rabbit hole, though, I've got to make a Batman cape, Christmas cookies, help Lydia with a couple of sewing projects, and finish Christmas preparations.  But I do so love this jellypus!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/720417175/mini-octopus-crochet-pattern-pdf?ref=hp_rv-2

Greenhouse Dreaming

Have I mentioned lately how incredible my husband is?  I mentioned that I wanted more shelving to expand my seed tray options in the sunroom, and he bought me this:

I only had two shelves before, so the bottom four shelves here will mean I can triple the amount of seedlings I start this year.  (The top shelf will not get enough sun, so it will just be for storage.)

Do you see the tree in the blue pot?  It's actually an almond tree.  I have no idea if it will continue to grow in the sunroom, but so far, it looks pretty good.  It was an accidental tree planting, and I can't plant it outside due to our cold winters, but it may be able to survive indoors.  We will see.

Family Time

Saturday, we went to a church that had 300 nativities from around the world on display.  It was a fundraiser for clean water in various other countries.  After seeing the nativities and trying some filtered water, we headed to the playground for a few minutes.

This wheel thing spins around.  Nathaniel decided to show them how it's done.

And today, our living room is a Christmas card explosion.  

These two have been making all of the cards.  Yes, we are very late.  I hope to mail them tomorrow, and I'm certain we've forgot some people.

Fun Things

Here's a few fun things from our house lately.  First, Lydia was excited that these carrots were about the length of her arm:

(They are from the grocery; we didn't grow them.)

Next, Gyunay had a great day yesterday, when he had 3 friends over to play while Lydia went to practice her latest skit.  They had a ball.

And finally, today I made a wreath for our front door.  Like last year, I went to the History Center and made a fresh wreath. 

River Cane

So, it was about 50 degrees and drizzly today.  I had ordered the Kentucky River Cane (Arundinaria gigantea), and it arrived and needed to be planted.  I have tried to find info on best planting practices, but ended up just planting most of it outside today. 

Lydia was an enthusiastic helper.  We planted it mostly by the pond, because that is where it traditionally grew.  We did plant one plant in a pot in the playroom, and we will see if any of the 10 plants grow.  I don't think we'll know until spring, in any case.  While we were out planting, we noticed that something (probably a squirrel?) has dug up some of our tulip and daffodil bulbs that we planted a while ago.  It looks like most are undisturbed at this point, but we definitely lost some.  It can be hard to wait until spring to see what will come up!

Busy Day

We went to Nathaniels' work dinner last night.  As you can see, they had a type of photo booth there.  It didn't print out pictures, but sent these electronically.  So we had some pictures done around the time the younger kids were heading to bed.  It's nice now that we can leave Elijah in charge at home (and a lot cheaper).  The kids had a good time, and no complaints there, so it went well.  

Around the house, a lot got done yesterday.  We got most of the Christmas decorations up, but we still have a few things to finish.  Elijah hung the Christmas lights outside, with some help from Malachi and Dad.  Inside, I hung up the Virgin of Guadalupe tapestry that Nathaniel just bought for me:

So that's in place before her feast day on the 12th.  It really is lovely.  Nathaniel bought it during Thanksgiving at this little Catholic bookstore in his parents' town. 

So we had a pretty packed Saturday, with work around the house, driving with Elijah, and the dinner.  Today, we had Mass, and then Nathaniel headed out of town.  Lydia's catching up with her friend, and right now the boys are playing Super Smash Bros on the Wii.  Now I really need to figure out the rest of the Christmas presents....

Curls and Chickens

Do you notice anything about Lydia here?

My mother-in-law tightly french-braided her hair.  She left it in for two days, and yesterday, she let it out and had curls.  I never realized quite how much she favors me, especially from the side.

Gyunay wanted in on the pictures. This one was right before bed, and as you can see, his eye still turns when his glasses are off, especially when he's tired.

And lastly, my Mamaw made this towel!  It matches my kitchen perfectly, and the kids and I are so excited to see it hanging off of the stove.

November Harvest Totals

Arugula - 2 cups
Carrots - 40
Eggs - 72
Radishes - 2

Miscalculations

As the chicks have been getting bigger, I have been noticing a lot of signs that three of the four are most likely cockerels instead of pullets.  

They have shiny, pretty feathers, and their tail feathers are just starting to not only have some green feathers, but are starting to drop over instead of stand upright.  I'm not sure about one of them, but I am pretty sure that two are cockerels.  None have started crowing yet, but I think it's pretty safe to say that they aren't all going to be hens, as we had previously thought.  I mentioned it to Lydia, and she admitted that she had noticed, too.  So maybe we'll have some chicken dinners in a few weeks.  

Also, getting dirt delivered to cover my hugelkulturish berm in the front yard has been harder than expected, so nothing can be planted there yet.  I had hoped to have bulbs in the ground by now, but no such luck.  

On the plus side, Nathaniel has been busily chopping up the firewood, and we have had nice, cozy fires to warm the house.  I've been baking up some pumpkins for pies and other things, and school has been going pretty smoothly lately.  Lydia and I are both really enjoying her new art/art history program, Ever Ancient, Ever New, and Gyunay and I have been doing the art projects alongside her.  It's a nice break from math and language.  We've also been doing mini science units with Mystery Science online, to supplement Nathaniel's science lessons.  And I've always got some history project going for them.  Right now, Lydia is on ancient history, and Gyunay is learning some basic American history, in addition to our monthly classes at the history center.

Slug Pumpkin

I baked one of the Long Island Cheese pumpkins that I grew this year, and Lydia was delighted to see that it looked like a giant slug:

Looks aside, it was packed full of bright orange pulp that I will be putting into muffins later (and sneaking into various sauces, like the spaghetti sauce we had last night).

Lydia also took a picture of Midnight on her "throne":

This is the extra booster seat, which stays in the garage when not needed, so Midnight has pretty well claimed it for her own.  

And here is a spot of bright beauty on this cold morning:

We still have snow in our yard, but it should melt today.  Gyunay loved the snow, but it would be nice to have a bit more fall...

Book Review - Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters

Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters is the second book in her Harbored Secrets series, but it is a stand-alone novel.  It is set in the same town as the first, but no prior knowledge of the characters is needed to follow the story.  Main characters Vivian and Ryan both have issues trusting others, and both had bad experiences with their fathers during childhood.  The author does a good job of writing realistic fiction, and the main characters are certainly believable.  The mystery itself is very intriguing, with a good amount of plot twists woven into the story.  I also like that it is supposed to unfold over weeks, not days, which makes the romance blossoming between Ryan and Vivian more realistic.  I would warn sensitive readers that some of the crime involved is especially heartbreaking, but the writer does not use graphic details to portray the serious subject.  The overarching themes of forgiveness and not letting the past dictate who people are today are very well handled.  The plot moves forward at a good pace, building suspense while giving time to get to know the characters.  Overall, this is solid romantic suspense.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher, Revell, for the purpose of writing a review, but all opinions are my own.

Book Review - 100 Words of Affirmation Your Husband Needs to Hear by Lisa Jacobson

100 Words of Affirmation Your Husband Needs to Hear by Lisa Jacobson is a great reminder of the power of everyday words.  The book is simple and easy to pick up, with each phrase followed by a little story.  The vignettes are mostly about the author's own family, but some examples include other couples she has known, which gives it a more universal quality.   This book would make a great gift for a bridal shower, or given out as a way to strengthen existing marriages.  The writing is conversational, and it's easy to just read a bit at a time.  The book constantly reminds the reader that actually saying the words is important and stresses Christian values.  The author's husband has written a companion book for husbands, too.

I received this book from the publisher, Revell, for the purpose of writing a review, but all opinions are my own.

Pancake Lunch

We don't typically eat meat on Fridays, and lunches are usually leftovers or eggs, but today, Lydia decided to make pancakes.

Gyunay was particularly happy with this decision, as he loves to eat pancakes.

Lydia is getting more capable in the kitchen.  She has now nearly mastered flipping pancakes!

Slow Progress

I've been creating a walkway through the new "cottage" garden in the front yard, basically halfway between the new hugelkulturish berm and the front flower beds.  It's going to be a meandering path, probably with stepping stones over clover.  I'm still debating that part.  Fortunately, my husband doesn't seem to mind me tearing up the yard and other projects.

October Harvest Totals

Arugula - 2 c
Beans, crescent - 1.68 lbs
Beans, dragon tongue - .65 lbs
Carrots - 48
Eggs - 89
Jalapenos - 4
Kale - 1 c
Peppers, sweet Bulgarian - 3
Radish - 2
Sweet potatoes - 5.9 oz
Tomatillos - 2 lbs
Tomatoes, ripe:
    Black Krim - 2 oz
    Emmy - 3.1 oz
    Jennifer - 10.5 oz
    Roma - 3.5 oz
Tomatoes, green - 15.6 lbs

plus basil, lemon balm, mint, oregano, and sage

I have been slowly ripening those green tomatoes inside.  That has been going really well, as most of them have ripened, and I've only had to toss one!

This was at the trunk or treat Sunday, when the weather was wonderful.  Last night was frigid and very windy, but these two and Malachi still trick-or-treated for an hour!

Happy All Saints Day!

Fall Break

Not only did we have family camping the first weekend of fall break, but Nathaniel left for Germany that Monday, so we headed to see my parents and family on Tuesday. 

The jaguar was considering eating my children.  Luckily, the cage is strong.  Lydia also caught a blue-tailed lizard:

And we had some cousin farm fun:

Family Reunion Camping Trip 2019

We just had our yearly family reunion with Nathaniel's side of the family.

We had the best continuous weather we've ever had.  It was really beautiful and perfect camping weather.

The lows were in the upper 30s, and the highs around 60, and NO RAIN!

Our new camper was a better fit for us, and we stayed plenty warm at night with a small heater on low.  We also set up a play tent, which Gyunay and some nieces and nephews played inside.

Lydia also found a salamander, which she showed off and then returned to where she found it:

Fort Harrodsburg

As promised, these are from our visit to the fort in Harrodsburg, which was founded in 1774 and is the oldest European settlement west of the Alleghenies.

They have a cane break of Kentucky River Cane, which Lydia and Gyunay loved walking (running) through multiple times.

At the blacksmith, the kids got to pump the bellows:

Lydia went last, and consequently had the longest turn.  The blacksmith gave her the hook he made while she was pumping.  

And here's the tree again.  First, we played on the tree.  Then, we explored the fort and fed the sheep.  After walking through the cemetery, we went back to the tree.  Then we visited the mansion museum and the cabin where Abe Lincoln's parents got married, and we finished up the visit back on the tree.  The weather was fabulous, and we had a great day!