Party of 8

 We are adjusting quite well to being a larger household.  The youngest two boys became fast friends, and the three teens have adapted to sharing an increasingly crowded bedroom.  Lydia hid a lot at first, but she is emerging from her room more and adjusting to being the only girl with five brothers.  We were all shell-shocked at first, but we seem to be settling in.

Book Review - Burden of Proof by Davis Bunn

 

I ended up getting into this story and enjoying it, but I did spend the first part rather mad at it.  I hadn't expected a sci-fi element in this story, so I was annoyed to find an odd version of time-travel to be the premise.  I also don't think the title fits the book.  I kept reading, though, and ended up enjoying the book overall.  In some parts, the reader has to be willing to overlook some unlikely elements.  I did like how the main character developed.  I was kept increasingly interested in the main characters, and in Sonya's research.  Overall, I liked the book, but it also ended abruptly, and it seemed a bit unfinished.  

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

River Walk

 My nephew had open-heart surgery last week, so I went to stay with his sisters for the weekend, and Lydia and Gyunay came with me.  We all needed a bit of a pick-me-up on Saturday afternoon, so I suggested going to walk along the river.  They always love to go there, and it was cloudy and between the morning rain and evening rain, so we set off.

Do you see what they are collecting?

Yes, dried mud clods.  They had the best time skipping them like stones, throwing them, stacking them, kicking them. 

Dried mud is a neverending amusement.  I was glad to see them having such a good time.

We ended up staying until the sunset, and then we picked up Mexican food, so I had a carload of happy kids.  

Book Review - Nothing Short of Wondrous by Regina Scott

 

Nothing Short of Wondrous is the second in a collection of books about national landmarks, but it is a completely stand-alone novel, with no overlapping characters.  The author does a great job of describing Yellowstone.  I've never been there, but I felt that I could see the park through her eyes.  The main characters were well-drawn, and I enjoyed them.  Parts of the novel seemed a bit long, but overall, I enjoyed this read.  It is a solid historical romance.  The faith aspect was woven into the story well.  I will say that the description on the back of the novel I was given has a spoiler in the second paragraph.  I do not see this spoiler on the online descriptions, so I would say don't read the back of the book when you receive it!  

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

Fun Around the House

 This owl outfit was originally worn by Elijah back around 10 years ago.  Then, Malachi, Lydia, and one of my nieces all wore it different years.  This year, Gyunay chose it for Halloween.  Aunt Sherri's costumes have gotten a lot of mileage!

The kids have broken out the playdough for a battle.  It isn't often that all 4 sit down and enjoy an activity together, and this is something they used to play years ago.  They build up playdough armies and then smash each other's.

Here is Lydia's turkey army.  She and Gyunay really like it when their big brothers take time to play with them.

October Harvest Totals

 Arugula - 2c

beans, crescent - 13 oz

beans, KY Wonder - 1 lb 3 oz

carrots - 11

cucumber, Edmondson - 3

cucumber, picking - 1

cushaw - 1 (2 lbs)

eggs - 18

peppers, Bulgarian - 5

pumpkins, Long Island Cheese - 9 (total 104.3 lbs!)

radishes - 22

sweet potatoes, purple Molakai - 9 lbs

tomatillos - 10.2 lbs

tomato, Balck Krim - 2 (9.4oz)

tomato, St. Pierre - 4 (1.2lbs)

turnips -3

Plus, basil, cherry tomatoes, chives, cilantro, dill, mint, parsley, sage, thyme 

Also, I haven't weighed out the peanuts yet.  There were a couple of cups of those, but not much.