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!