I have never been one to keep a journal.

I would always start with great enthusiasm, but would peter-out by about day ten (if I even made it that far).

But, somehow, back in 2009, I read about the ten-year “Gardener’s Journal” which I ordered from Lee Valley Tools. (that link takes you to the exact same one I ordered.)

I started this journal on October 22, 2009.

In less than one month, I will finish the book.

It has been a really fun way to keep track of what we are doing as a family. Our third child was just a few months old when I started the journal, so a lot of her firsts are in here, as of course, are my youngest’s since she was born five years into keeping the journal.

We always find it fun to look back on the last ten years as I fill out the last box in the line. I frequently have a misplaced idea of where an event falls on our family timeline and this journal is a great way to keep things straight.

It is a great record of the mundane and the significant.

For instance:

• On this day in 2011: I painted the wainscoting on the side of our stairs.

• On this day in 2012: We attended the funeral of my Uncle Roger back in Tennessee. It turned out to be a very funny day, filled with stories and laughter.

• On this day in 2014: My son read “The Cat in the Hat” all by himself.

• On this day in 2015: We watched Funny Farm for a family movie night – the kids loved it.

• On this day in 2016: We had our neighbor’s over for dinner. (menu included)

I have frequently said to my husband that if our house was on fire I would rescue this journal.

There are some caveats.

I don’t recommend the particular journal that I bought unless you really plan to use it to keep track of your garden. There are 541 pages and the journal doesn’t even start until page 172.

If the idea intrigues you, there are a lot of five year journals on the market. I’ve already got this Leuchtturm Five Year Memory Book ready to go on October 24th, but there are a lot of different journals at all different price points.

My best piece of advice would be to not overthink it. Just start small. Start with one journal for the whole family. There is enough space to talk about each person, if you want, but as a general rule I find it difficult, sometimes, to come up with anything at all.

There are amazon links above, but they are not affiliate links.