Date Night at Pangea Kitchen...

Candace and I managed to sneak away for a date night on Tuesday, November 11th. It was our first date together since before the pandemic began. We went down to Pangea Kitchen in Evansville, where we enjoyed delicious Thai food followed by yummy dessert. We ended the evening at Hobby Lobby, one of our favourite craft shops to explore! :)

My yummy meal.

The dessert section!

Final State Park visit before Baby!

Baby Number Three is just three days away as of today! (Tuesday, 24th November.) It's an exciting, albeit stressful time, with COVID-19 numbers spiking all over the place. But we were able to get away to McCormick's Creek State Park for an afternoon out in nature several weeks ago.

We visited this special place on Saturday, 8th November. It was our final state park visit before Anya Joy arrives in the outside world. We had a wonderful time exploring the creek bed and visiting the Nature Centre. Our kiddos have such hearts for nature and we are excited to introduce Anya to the beauty of God's creation! :)

Here are some more photos from our lovely time at McCormick's Creek!

Hiking along leaf-covered trails on a mild autumn day.

The creek bed.

Towering cliffs on either side of the stream.

Pregnant beauty!

Our sweet kiddos.

Looking down at the waterfall at McCormick's Creek.

We love our Indiana State Parks!

Our two park rangers!

Riaan meets a copperhead snake...

While Eliza meets the black rat snake!

Masked photo bomber behind!

Canyon Inn at McCormick's Creek State Park.

Tree Planting...

We planted a couple of white willow oaks earlier this month. We're excited to have trees in our front garden in a few years time! After planting the trees, we relaxed by having a nice family bonfire in our back garden. :)

Nothing quite like a bonfire on a crisp autumn evening.

Hope on the Horizon...

I noticed beautiful colours in the sky the other evening. And so I went outside and captured the sunset on my phone - and our front yard sign seemed to be a fitting addition to the photo. There is hope in dark times. :)

We will get through this together!

Professor Potts Meets the Animals...

One of my favourite books growing up was Professor Potts Meets the Animals, written by Kit Wright and Peter Spence, and illustrated by Gillian Chapman. I always loved the colourful images and the rhythmic prose. It tells the tale of Professor Potts journeys through Africa, North America, and Asia - and the interesting animals he meets along the way. It was wonderful finding it on eBay and sharing this special book with my kiddos. They loved it! :) 

The kiddos enjoyed reading it at bedtime. :)

Shakamak Adventure with Riaan...

Riaan and I had a boy's day out at Shakamak State Park on Saturday, 31st October. It was a chilly day, but with beautiful sunshine. Here we are wrapped up warm by one of the lakes. Riaan's eagle, Hunter, which he borrowed from our babysitter, came along too. :)

We played at a couple of playgrounds, hiked a scenic trail around one of the lakes, watched for birds and eagles, and pretended we were the brothers Faramir and Boromir from The Lord of The Rings - and, while in character, "cut down" multiple Brandywine Bridges to prevent the pursuing orcs and Black Riders from catching us! 

We also grabbed hamburgers for lunch at a locally-owned drive-through business and then enjoyed our drive back home. It was a special time with my favourite boytjie!

View towards our car from the first playground we visited.

Lake Shakamak is so beautiful.

Canada geese coming in for a water landing.

Splash-down!

Pretty pink leaf.

 Chicken of the Woods, an edible fungi, growing by the water's edge.

 Pretty moss.

 Turtles were out sunning themselves.

Riaan enjoying a rest on a bench.

Scenic view of the dam wall from Lake Kickapoo.

Southwest Airlines plane soars high overhead.

We bought a yummy lunch at this restaurant in Jasonville.

Remembrance Day...

Remembrance Day (or Veterans Day in the USA) is held on the 11th November each year. It marks the cessation of hostilities during World War I, "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918. This year, I remember my grandfathers. Both served during WWII and have special stories.  

Grandad-in-England (Crawford) served with the South African Air Force as a meteorologist in the South Atlantic Ocean during WWII. He was instrumental in forming the Tristan Defence Volunteers on the Island of Tristan da Cunha, and provided crucial weather reports to Allied forces in the area. He is pictured above. Grandad-in-Pinelands (White) served with the South African Eighth Army (The Desert Rats) and pushed through North Africa and into Italy during WWII. He took his camera with him and made a photo album that chronicles his travels during WWII. It is an amazing pictorial journey! He is pictured at right here.

I am thankful for their service during the Second World War!

Leaf Battles...

It's nice to have the leaves raked up for the first time in a while... Until the very next morning, that is! It's one battle that we're happy to lose. We're actually leaving (see what I did there?!) our leaves in the garden this year, to encourage natural mulching and ground cover. Allowing leaves to sit also allows the lifecycles of various insects and bugs to carry on undisturbed. :)

The leaves raked to the sides before heavy rain - so that the storm drain isn't clogged.

The next morning. Leaves everywhere!

Wall Shelves...

Candace and I put up some new wall shelves in our living room recently. They add so much to the room! It was quite an effort getting them up, though, as we had some struggles with the process. But we got there, eventually, and are so pleased with the result! :)

The shelves above the couch.

Another Autumn Cycle...

Cycling past the lake at the East Side Park.

A diesel locomotive on the railway line that runs through town.

Beautiful colours of autumn.

Storm clouds slide south of Washington as I returned home.