Long Icicle...

One of the last icicles hanging on for dear life from the roof of our porch. This one was over a metre in length!

The large icicle hanging above our stoep.

Patriotic Snowman...

I built a little snowman before all the snow melted away with the warmer temperatures on the 19th of January. I don't think Riaan was too impressed with my snowman though! Indeed, the last snowman I built back in February 2015 was far more impressive!

 My patriotic little snowman.

Riaan was not too happy with it, though! :)

Snow Day...

We received more snow a few days after the events of my last post, and these snow showers added several inches of snow to the existing snow-pack. I was working at the Pharmacy at the time, and was able to snap the following photos with my phone. Our parking lot (at left) was completely covered with snow!

 View looking towards the Odon Library.

 The car I'm currently driving was frozen...

 As was the down-pipes for the gutters.

 View looking over the frozen pond.

Winter Storm...

We had our first proper winter storm of 2018 earlier this month. We had windy conditions with freezing rain and sleet throughout the night, and then it snowed the next day, creating a beautiful winter's atmosphere. It did also create a bit of a mess on the local roads, I might add.

 Odon Main Street looking west. That's ice and sleet - not snow.

 The Odon Pharmacy, where I work.

A skid-steer loader clearing the front parking lot, after the snow had started.

 Our gravel road is barely visible in this photo looking east.

 A large tractor with a snow plough rumbles past.

 Riaan enjoying a ride in his little sledge.

Amazing ice crystals on frozen blades of grass.

Corn Field Photos...

Over the course of several months last year, I would walk outside to the same spot at the same time every week. Here I would take a few photos to show the progression of the corn (mielie) field as it grew soon after being planted (May) right through to harvest-time. (November.) It's interesting to see how the field and surrounding scenery progressed as the seasons changed.

 View looking west.

View looking south from the road.

Walking on the Pond...

We walked out onto the frozen pond recently. It was sunset after a cold day and it was fun to get outside as a family. We didn't stay too long outside, however!

 Walking along the edge of the pond.

 Family selfie.

 Frozen bubbles in the ice.

The frozen pond after sunset.

Ice Fishing on the Pond...

Riaan and I bundled up and went outside this past Saturday, 6th January. We went and watched our neighbours ice fish on the frozen pond. We both enjoyed seeing the fish being caught through the hole in the ice. :) And if you were wondering, the ice was a solid eight inches (or twenty centimetres) thick!

 Riaan investigates the hole in the ice.

 Bluegill fish lying on the ice.

Fishing through the frozen pond.

Christmas Day...

We joined Candace's family for a Christmas brunch on Christmas Day. We enjoyed a lovely meal together and then opened presents and stockings in the lounge. It was great to celebrate Jesus' birth as a family together.

 Candace's dad reading Luke's account of the Nativity.

 Waiting to open presents.

 Uncle Matt hanging out with Riaan.

 Riaan opening his stocking.

 Riaan having fun with Uncle Joe.

Cousins together. :)

Christmas Eve...

We continued our tradition, started last year, by having a family Christmas meal together. It was a cold, snowy Christmas eve, and it was really nice to be inside cooking a meal. We had a lovely roast chicken complete with stuffing, roast vegetables and peas. And, of course, we had (fruit) mince pies with brandy butter to complete the meal. It was delicious!

 Cold and snowy outside.

 Yummy mince pies inside!

 Riaan enjoying his mince pie.

 Candace reads the Christmas story before dinner.

 Riaan playing with his presents.

Our Christmas dinner spread. :)

West Baden Springs Christmas Tree...

We went to West Baden Springs Hotel for the afternoon of Saturday, 23rd December. We wanted to show Riaan their large Christmas tree and see what else was happening down there. We enjoyed relaxing in the large hotel foyer and listening to real carollers singing Christmas songs. It was lovely!

 Family photo in front of the beautiful tree.

 Christmas carollers.

 Grand piano.

 Candace and Riaan in front of the tree.

 The foyer's large fireplace.

Looking up at the massive dome over the foyer.