ESL Thanksgiving...

Our church hosted the annual ESL Thanksgiving dinner the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It was a special time to eat a meal with the students. The church provided turkey, but the students brought dishes to share from their own nations. What was particularly encouraging was when students shared things for which they were thankful. So many Muslim students told us that they are most thankful for the ESL ministry at the church - and the friendships that they have built with teachers and church members. :) It was a lovely afternoon!

So much food from so many different cultures!

Childlike Joy...

 A really light dusting of snow brought such joy to these two children. I pray that we may discover such joy in our daily lives!

Lavender Skies...

A recent sunset brought out a beautiful shade of purple in the low-hanging clouds. :)

Greenfield Village on Remembrance Sunday...

We joined some friends in visiting historic Greenfield Village on Remembrance Sunday. Henry Ford created Greenfield Village in Dearborn in 1929 as a way to preserve history in an American village. He relocated historic buildings from all over America - and even as far afield as the UK! 

We strolled around the village for several hours, but you would need days to see everything at this amazing place!

Anya and I ride the historic carousel, dating from 1913.

It was so much fun for children and adults!

I visited the Detroit, Toledo and Milwaukee roundhouse, a replica of an 1884 roundhouse. It was packed full of old locomotives.

The railway turntable in front of the roundhouse.

Glassblowing to create goblets.

Inside the Weaving Shop, originally built in Georgia in 1840.

The 1830 Loranger Gristmill from Monroe, Michigan.

The large barn at the farming exhibition.

Beautiful merino sheep.

Shorthorn cattle.

Feeding time for the pigs.

The old farmhouse.

The Port Huron steam engine, similar to what Candace's grandpa used to own.

Brick-built hermitage slave quarters from Savannah, Georgia, 1820.

Ackley Covered Bridge, built in 1832 in West Finley, Pennsylvania. 

Sir John Bennett Jewellery Shop, from London, England.

Wright Cycle Shop, where the Wright brothers worked on the first aeroplane. This was originally located in Dayton, Ohio.

Beautiful skies in the early evening.

Eliza and Riaan wish you a Merry Christmas!

November Cycles...

It's the first time in a few years that I have ventured out on my bike in November - at least during my time north of the equator. In previous years, it has been far too cold. But this year's unseasonably warm autumn has continued, allowing us to do some favourite outdoor activities, including lots of walking and cycling. :)

Interesting pattern in the clouds. My thought is that it is the shadow of a jet's contrail being cast onto the clouds far below.

Donning my winter cycling kit as this past Saturday morning was a little chilly.

Detroit City FC...

Riaan and I joined some church friends in watching Detroit's professional soccer team, Detroit City FC, take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the USL Eastern Conference Championship quarterfinal. It was a fun game with an energetic atmosphere. The game ended as a 1-1 draw after full-time, and then went to extra-time and penalties. Unfortunately, Detroit lost 3-1 in the penalty shootout. 

The opposite stands were packed with excited fans.

Corner kick view.

Riaan and I and our church friends. :)

Another Trip to Canada...

A couple of weeks ago, we spent another day across the border in Ontario, Canada. We visited Willistead Manor in Windsor, a lovely manor house with a country estate. It reminded me of the large parks that are dotted around London.

We also drove across to Belle River, where we visited the Saffa Shop. Here we enjoyed delicious lamb bunny chows, a traditional South African dish. It was also good to stock up on some South African groceries. 

On our way back to the USA we visited the Windsor Riverfront. A Royal Canadian naval ship, HMCS Harry DeWolf, was docked and open for tours - but we didn't have time to join the line. It was great to see a large naval vessel, though!

Family selfie in front of Willistead Manor.

The Saffa Shop sign in Belle River, Ontario.

With Steve, the friendly manager.

Eliza explores some South African gifts.

My delicious lamb bunny chow.

We drove to Belle River Marina. It was a beautiful, albeit chilly, day!

Riaan took this photo of Candace and I. :)

Our three beautiful children.

We swung by the Canadian Legion, so that I could pick up my poppy for Remembrance Day.

A very colourful Canadian house!

Really cool mural on this comfort station along the river.

The Detroit skyline, as seen from Windsor, Ontario.

Another family selfie with our hometown in the background. :)

School Year 2024-25

We were a bit late this year in taking our annual school photo, but here it is! All three of our children are getting so big. You can see the change from last year's photo here.

Cotton Wool Skies...

More glorious clouds drift overhead. :)

Household Projects...

It's amazing how completing a really tiny home improvement project can feel so rewarding. We recently managed to do two of these small projects. 

Firstly, I organized my braai/bbq equipment in the garage. Candace also found a lovely metal cabinet for stacking our wood. That same day we put up a quilt display rack above our stairs. It looks lovely!

It may not look like much, but this made me quite happy!