Rugby with Ronald...

As I pulled up to the post office on Monday, July 11th, I saw the unmistakable blue and white hoops of a Stormers rugby jersey! (The Stormers are the team from my hometown, Cape Town!) It turned out that Ronald is a missionary from South Africa and, like me, is married to an American. He was visiting from South Africa and we connected and watched the SA-Wales rugby game together live from Cape Town on Saturday, July 16th. It was so good to watch the Springboks win together. I'm thankful to make connections and share in community here!

With Ronald in our matching Western Province//Stormers rugby jerseys. :)

Charles C. Deam Wilderness...

I met up with some friends in Bloomington on Friday, 15th July, and from there we drove in convoy to the Charles C. Deam Wilderness area, part of the Hoosier National Forest. They were camping there, but I was just joining for the day and driving back later in the night. 

We cooked yummy hobos (ground beef, potatoes, carrots and cabbage wrapped up in tin foil) on the fire. They were delicious and we enjoyed fantastic fellowship around the flames. It's lovely having so many special, natural places to visit here in Indiana.

Hawk silhouetted against moody skies in Bloomington.

Driving across the causeway with Monroe Lake on either side of the road.

Entering the Charles C. Deam Wilderness area.

Brook's Cabin, which now serves as an information centre.

Entering the Blackwell Horse Camp.

Pretty blue jay.

Starting the fire and putting up the tents.

Yummy supper.

Deeply wooded area.

There is lots of open space at the campground.

McCormick's Creek on the 4th July...

We went to McCormick's Creek State Park on Monday, 4th of July. It was America's Independence Day and we always enjoy state parks on public holidays! Here we are hiking through the lush forest on the way down to Wolf Cave. :)

We hiked the trail to Wolf Cave and our two eldest kiddos were brave and both scrambled through the cave for their first time ever. They went through with me and enjoyed it so much that Candace took them through a second time, while I waited outside with Anya. Here they are about to crawl through the cave system.

On the trail to Wolf Cave, we followed a little stream through the forest - pictured here. We also climbed down to the creek bed by the Stone Arch Bridge, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. The kiddos loved paddling and splashing in the serene waters. :)

Interesting spider. They were all over the plants by the side of the path...

As were these strange growths on the leaves.

Pretty flowers.

Carrion beetle.

Camouflaged spider.

Some type of earwig.

Siblings photo in this cool tree.

Family selfie as we hike along.

Wolf Cave.

Eastern black swallowtail.

Stone Arch Bridge.

Luminescent dragonfly.

Eliza and Riaan on the rocks!

Brick Path...

We had wanted to pave the area around the side of our house for a while. (It gets really muddy after rain and nothing grows there.) We finally had the opportunity when I spotted a post on Facebook advertising free used bricks. We picked them up and spent the last days of June and the first days of July working on this project. We were really happy with the end product. Here is a selection of photos showing our progress from start to finish! :)

The trial version at left. The finished product at right.

Lamb Braais...

We've had a couple of lovely lamb braais over the past few months. Lamb is such a clean, healthier meat alternative to beef or pork. We are all huge fans of summer braais - although it can be quite hot for the individual braaiing the meat!

 

Eliza loves her ribbetjies!

Lamb ribs, potato salad, and fresh cucumber from our garden. Yum!

Full Throttle Monster Trucks...

I took Riaan to watch some real-life monster trucks at the local Daviess County Fair in late June. He loves Hot Wheels monster trucks and although monster trucks aren't my favourite activity, I decided it was time to introduce him to these machines. It was great father-son bonding time watching these impressive, excessively noisy monster trucks! Riaan loved it!

Riaan and I before the monster truck event.

The monster trucks lined up and waiting.

And here they come!

One of the monster trucks does some destruction.

Another one leaps through the air!

The mini monster trucks were lots of fun.

An older 1980s monster truck was also part of the show.

Eliza's Drawings...

Eliza has discovered her artistic side recently. She loves drawing on her dry erase board and has started to draw cute little people. Here's one of our favourites. :)

Pileated Woodpecker at the Park...

I was cycling in the park late last month and saw not one but two pileated woodpeckers on a tree damaged during the recent severe storms. It was the first time that I'd seen the largest species of woodpecker within city limits. They're usually more often seen in state parks and heavily forested areas. It was an exciting spot. I was sad that I didn't have a better camera with me, but I was on a cycle ride, after all! :)

A wider view of the tree with its damage. The woodpecker is to the right near the big hole.

Plants and Pollinators...

Here are a few photos from our flower garden this year. We have sunflowers, common milkweed, and other beautiful plants. They have attracted many bees, insects, and a couple of butterflies (monarch pictured here) this season. Hopefully we get more as summer progresses and turns into autumn!

Common milkweed in full bloom - with a monarch butterfly in attendance.

Male monarch butterfly.

Rattlesnake master plant.

Red-legged buprestis beetle.

Bumblebee (left) and a striking alianthus webworm moth both enjoying this milkweed flower.

A close-up view of the colourful moth.

Red milkweed beetle.

Another sunflower growing out of a sunflower!

Lovely yellow sunflower.

A darker variety of sunflower with four pollen-laden bees!