Heart Quilt...

 Candace is working on another quilt for a friend. This one is beautiful, and quite fitting for February. :)

Croquet Afternoon...

The weather throughout the winter months has been quite unusual. Two weeks ago, the weather was sunny and relatively warm. We spent lots of family time outside, relaxing and playing croquet together. 

Croquet is often played on Sunday afternoons in my parents' back garden in Cape Town. It is quite fitting that we can continue this tradition here in the USA. :)

Anya enjoying the swing.

Eliza playing croquet.

Riaan whacks the ball with his mallet.

The croquet set was acquired from Candace's grandpa who recently passed away.

Eliza's Fifth Birthday...

Our sweet Eliza Lucy celebrated her fifth birthday on Wednesday, 8th February. She enjoyed breakfast in bed, this year, and then opened her presents out in the living room. She also received phone calls from family here in Indiana, as well as video calls from Auntie Shirley in Scotland, and Granny and Grandad in Cape Town.

I was able to step away from work and treat her to a Cherry Ghost coffee date in the afternoon, which is a birthday tradition we have with our children here. As always, you can see how far Eliza has come since her birthday last year. :)

Breakfast in bed for the birthday girl.

Opening her card from Granny and Grandad.

Video-chatting with Auntie Shirley. Shirl sent Eliza a lovely book for her birthday.

Opening her main present...

An amazing scooter! 

Decorating her birthday cake.

A cupcake rainbow cake.

Happy birthday, sweet Eliza!

My 39th Birthday...

I celebrated my 39th birthday on Sunday, 5th February. It was a pretty quiet day, largely spent at home. We enjoyed lots of family time with cards and presents, several games, cups of tea with a Christmas cake for my birthday cake, and a yummy English breakfast for supper.

I am so thankful for my 39 years and the adventure that I have lived. I have been blessed to have travelled to so many special places. I am so excited for all that the Lord has in store in this the last year of my 30s!

Presents and cards.

Christmas cake for my birthday!

Breakfast for a delicious supper - yum!

USS LST-325...

We drove down to Evansville, on the Ohio River, on the afternoon of Saturday, 4th February. Here we visited the USS LST-325, the last operating LST (Landing Ship, Tank) preserved in wartime configuration in the United States. 

This museum ship is absolutely fascinating. We walked her decks and imagined what it must have been like for those soldiers who stepped off her onto the beaches of Normandy in June 1944. We really enjoyed the tour and being on a large sea-going vessel again was quite rejuvenating for my soul!

The museum and small gift shop for the LST-325.

Coal barge working its way along the Ohio River.

Walking across the gangway to the ship.

WWII Jeep parked on the deck of the ship.

Walking through the narrow accommodation area was like stepping back in time.

The tank deck of the ship. This is the view looking aft...

And this is the view forward to the bow doors.

Tank cutout in the ship.

There was a fantastic Lego LST on display.

The detail was amazing!

Eliza and Riaan. :)

Looking at the radio operator display.

Stretcher access hatch on the side of the ship.

There was even a small post office onboard. 

Our kiddos loved the big anti-aircraft gun!

View looking south-west down the Ohio River.

The original navigation bridge - complete with the ship's wheel and engine-room telegraph.

View looking forward from the bridge deck.

Looking at the ship's superstructure and bridge, as well as the pair of Higgins boats on either side.

Bow area of the ship.

First Cycle of 2023...

Saturday, 28th January, dawned sunny and mild in Southwest Indiana, although a fresh breeze materialised later in the day. Despite the gusty conditions, I shook the winter cobwebs off my bike and pedalled a quick 20 kilometres that afternoon. A dark line of clouds was moving in from the southwest, and I just made it home before the rain. I was able to capture this lovely photo at the park on my way home. :)

Tie Quilt...

Candace created a memory quilt for a friend recently. This individual had lost a family member, and she wanted a quilt made out of his old ties. My wife did a wonderful job on what was a rather complex and challenging work of art. :)

Winter Bonfire...

There have been ample opportunities to take time outside and enjoy God's creation this winter. We built a lovely bonfire in our back garden recently. Candace also made fresh bread, which made for a simple, tasty supper around the fire. :)

A rather blurry selfie in the fading light.