I read her book after this thread was initially posted. It’s a gripping but difficult read which needs to come with every possible trigger warning. Robert Hale was a horrible, horrible man. 

Elishaba is beyond courageous for getting out of a terrible situation, writing about it as openly as she did, and retaining her faith after all the horrendous things she’s experienced. I can understand why some of the siblings might be upset with her for speaking out, but hopefully they will eventually come to understand. I also hope that some of them will be able to reconcile and stand by her during the health crisis. 

21 hours ago, theotherelise said:

There might be a trend on the rise with influencers to have these kitchen Part 2s. Audrey Roloff just redid their house and they have something they are calling a butler's pantry but it's just a second kitchen caddy corner to their main kitchen. I feel like Abbie's is that kind of attempt too. I can just picture looking for a box of macaroni and having to open a bunch of upper cabinets to try and find it and then reach up on your tip toes to grab. 

I read last year or so that the new trend for kitchens is to have a messy kitchen next door. For the things that make a kitchen messy, like cooking food. So that your expensive shiny open kitchen with the expensive stone counter tops stay presentable when you entertain or something. I can't wrap my mind around something like that.

I started reading it, but I don't know if I will finish it I got as far as the part where

and then said "I think I need to take a break from reading this." I know it's going to get worse from there, and it will be a hard read!

I can afford stuff a lot easier these days, but the home parties would still never suit me.

Tupperware is great but I like a variety of different brand containers. I recently bought clear Pyrex bowls of different sizes with lids and use them all the time. Rubbermaid containers work well for me, too, and I like their dark red lids. I know people who love the Pampered Chef knives. I used a Victorinox chef’s knife for awhile and loved it, still have it, but these days I tend to grab smaller serrated knives in the drawer. I only buy Baggallini or Kipling purses; they’re the only ones that meet my multi-criteria list of must-haves in a purse. Pricey but worth it to me. The collection of vendors under one roof is a good idea, but still not my preferred method of shopping. Even tho there’s no pressure, I don’t really like someone staring at me behind a booth while I peruse merchandise. I have a hard time going to craft fairs and flea markets for this reason, too. My own personal hang up. 

I’m really glad a couple of her siblings visited her after brain surgery. I hope a few more can get back in contact with her before she dies. I’m sure Joseph and Joshua won’t. They seem to be the most angry about the book. But a lot of the younger siblings might be less resentful. I hope they reconnect.