November Harvest Totals

 Arugula

Eggs - 192

Radishes - 7

also - thyme, sage, chives, rosemary, oregano

Book Review - Lights Out by Natalie Walters

 

Lights Out by Natalie Walters is an action-packed suspense with romance. Although I liked the sparks between the main characters, I thought their past break-up and trust issues were a weak part of the story.  It seemed that for half of the book, I wondered why they broke up, and then when it was revealed, it didn't seem very convincing.  However, the action and terroist plot was intriguing.  The action was well-written, and it keeps the reader engaged. The characters were interesting, and fairly well-drawn.  I loved secondary character Kekoa, and I am looking forward to a sequel with him.  This is the first in a series, but it is a stand-alone novel.  

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

This and That

 

We've been enjoying the nice weather today and getting some outdoor chores done.  Nathaniel and Pilot chopped wood, and Emry and Gyunay stacked.

The big project, though, is inside right now:

Nathaniel and Elijah tore out the old shower.  

I also never posted these zoo pictures from a few weeks ago.

Walls

 I've been slowly painting here, and I finally got the living room done!

I really like the color.  I don't know that it shows up quite right on the screen, but it's a bluish gray.  This wall got put back together, but most of the pictures have not been hung on the other walls yet.  I am debating on what goes where.  

Happy Halloween and Dia de los Muertos

 

Happy All Souls Day!  I finally made an ofrenda, which I've meant to do for the past few years.  I need to get some little pictures and frame them or something for next year.  And I'd love to get a calavera or momento mori (basically, skulls).  And I forgot to add a candle, but at least I finally got one up for All Saints and All Souls (Dias de los Muertos).  All of the flowers are real, and were blooming in my yard.  It's been unusually warm, and we haven't had a frost yet (which normally comes around Oct 16-20).  

Halloween was fun.  The youngest three and Nathaniel and I joined some friends for a picnic dinner and trick or treating.

Captain Hook and Count Dracula were very enthusiastic.  

You can't tell from the group picture, but Lydia was covered in fake blood and wound tattoos.  

October Harvest Totals

 Beans, Dragon     3.9 oz

Beans, Golden Crescent   - 1.7 lbs

Beans, KY blue - 2.6 oz

Beans, Provider - 8 oz

Cantaloupe - 1

Carrots - 6

Eggs - 231

Pepper, nadapeno - 2

Pepper, orange - 1

Radishes - 5

Sweet Potatoes - 9.1 lbs

Swiss Chard - 2 bunches

Tomatoes - total 5.1 lbs

        Better boy - 1.8 lbs

        Black Krim - 11.1 oz

        Orange - 3 oz

        San Marzano - 2 oz

        St. Pierre - 2.4 lbs

Watermelon - 1

October Recap

 I haven't blogged a lot this month, but there has been a lot of activity around here.  Malachi had a mini concert, and for the first time, his orchestra accompanied a live song and dance performance.  They did a great job.

The chickens have been enjoying greens from the gardens.  These are mostly sweet potato leaves.  I dug up a good crop of sweet potatoes yesterday.

Malachi turned 17.  

And I never posted many pictures from camping:

I was amused by how fascinating checkers were.  Every game had observers!

Also, we took the younger 5 to Holiday World for the day, along with my brother's and sister's families.  My sister got a few good pictures: