15 April 2020

Yet another birthday

It's my birthday today, number 72. I usually make a song and dance about my birthday, both here and in real life, but this year I'm much more laid back. This year I'll make a short note here, we'll have a grazing lunch of entrees from the local pub - Mooloolaba coconut prawns, crispy pork belly pieces with chilli sauce, chicken satay and Thai fish cakes and then spend much of the afternoon outside. There'll be the usual phone calls, no gifts as per my wish and I'll go to bed a happy woman.


Hanno and I have spent the past few weeks here alone. We have our groceries delivered and Sunny and Jens are checking in to see if we need anything else, which they get for us. We're content, there are no appointments to go to, no visitors to prepare for and life is flowing along gently. Outside, the birds are singing, the weather is gloriously cool, everything is relaxed and calm. We've talked a lot about the viral happenings in the world and we're keeping up to date with the news.  We're looking forward to a time when the restrictions are lifted but most of all, we are both grateful to be living in a country that hasn't been hit as hard as many others, and the borders have been closed on our island and our State.

I hope you're faring well and have not contracted the virus. I hope your family is safe and well too. There will be a time when all this will be in the past and I hope all of us reach that point with few difficulties.  Much love to you all.  xx
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83 comments

  1. Sending you much love on your birthday. I so appreciate your blog.
    Stay safe, and well.
    Cheers,
    Patricia/USA

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  2. Rhonda, Happy Birthday! I just sat down to write you an email and saw your post so will wish you all the best here. Have a wonderful day. Yes, I look forward to the restrictions being lifted too but I don't think that will happen for a while if we want to avoid what is happening overseas.

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  3. Happy Birthday... I loved the picture of you and Hanno. So glad you both are feeling better.

    Wishing you many more happy birthdays.

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  4. Happy Birthday and many, many happy returns! Stay safe!

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  5. Happy Birthday your lunch sounds wonderful and the Autumn weather will be lovely and not to hot to spend time outside in the afternoon.

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  6. Happy Birthday Rhonda, enjoy your delicious lunch and have a lovely day.
    I hope you have been enjoying time out in the garden with our wonderful weather.

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  7. Happiest of Birthdays!

    Coleen

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  8. Happy birthday dear Rhonda! I'm glad you are having something delicious for lunch. The weather is glorious here in Armidale, I hope it's the same there for you both.

    Big hugs,

    Madeleine.xx

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  9. Wishing you a happy birthday - one that will be remembered and I am sure the family will be looking forward to having a belated birthday get together soon. Love Leanne

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  10. Happy Birthday! A wonderful picture of you both!

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  11. wishing you peace and happiness on your birthday Rhonda, enjoy your lunch with Hanno, wow the menu is fantastic, yum, happy birthday from Kat
    and thankyou for the blog, your present to all of us.

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  12. Happy birthday may the day be the start of a wonderful next 12 months.

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  13. Happy Birthday Rhonda! The lunch really sounds tasty and I'm sure you and Hanno enjoyed it. Both of you stay safe.

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  14. Happy birthday to you! I was looking for a recipe on your blog a few days ago and it was near an 'old' birthday post,so I thought your special day wasn't far away. We have sunshine (always good here),laundry detergent to make,yoghurt and knitting to do and I will think of your delicious lunch. Glad you are both feeling better,nice photo.🎂🌞

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  15. Happy birthday Rhonda and many more to come. I also feel very fortunate to be living in our beautiful state of Queensland. Have a wonderful day. Cheers,Pauline

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  16. Enjoy the prawns!!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday.

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  17. Happy birthday Rhonda. Sounds like a lovely day planned.
    I celebrated my birthday yesterday in a similar understated fashion - morning tea in the garden with my little people and a grazing platter shared by the whole family for dinner followed by a simple lemon tart. Content in the simplicity and grateful for many things.
    Stay safe and well. Enjoy your day.
    Cheers Laura

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  18. Happy birthday Rhonda. That lunch sounds yummy. Simple days bring a simple life which I agree we should embrwce to the fullest. Lovely picture of you both. Stay safe xo

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  19. Happy Birthday Rhonda. Your plans for the day sound wonderful! Here in NZ we can't get any takeaways (not that I ever get any!) under our Level 4 lockdown. Liwe you, my days are pretty much the same anyway. Enjoy your day, stay well, sending care and huggles,
    Michelle in Wellington, NZ

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  20. Happy birthday Rhonda, may be all that you hope for. Lunch sounds delicious enjoy. Take care.
    Cheers Kate

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  21. Happy birthday, dear Rhonda. It sounds like you have a quiet and gentle day planned with Hanno, sharing a delicious lunch, time in the garden and calls from family and friends. Enjoy your special day! MegXx

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  22. Happy Birthday, Rhonda! I think of you often and today I will think of you in a more celebratory and birthday-ish way! Have a wonderful, quiet and snack-y day. x

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  23. I hope that your birthday was peaceful and happy. Happy, happy birthday. Robin and I are home in our woods and spending our days preparing food, caring for pets, walking the woods, cutting wood for next winter, reading and enjoying face time calls with our young grandsons. Grateful that we are able to isolate and stay healthy and well and enjoy the time in our woods.

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  24. Have the happiest of birthdays.

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  25. Happy Birthday, dear Rhonda! Hope it's one of the best ever with the tasty lunch and gorgeous weather. Wishes for health and happiness.

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  26. Birthday blessings to you. You are a gift to us via your blog. It is always of interest and your promotion of the simple life is very uplifting.

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  27. Happy Birthday Rhonda! Sounds like a lovely birthday lunch..and a relaxing way to spend your day..enjoy ☺

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  28. Happy Birthday Rhonda! Each Birthday is a gift. Sounds like you are having the most perfect day. Great to see a photo of you both 🌺🌼🌺🌼🌺🌼

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  29. Happy birthday! Greetings from Belgium

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  30. Happy birthday Rhonda. Warms hugs from Iris from the Netherlands. Stay save

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  31. A Belated Happy Birthday to you!

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  32. Happy happy birthday 🎂🎉🎈 Rhonda.
    What a beautiful picture your words created if life in your bubble. So uplifting.
    Karen NZ

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  33. Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag, Rhonda!
    May you and Hanno both stay safe and healthy!
    Thank you for your blog - it taught me so much.
    Greetings from Germany - MeliB

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  34. Happy Birthday Enjoy your day!

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  35. Hope you had a wonderful birthday Rhonda and you and Hanno enjoy your quiet days at home. The illness and deaths are heartbreaking around the world but the slowing down of life has many benefits. Love to all.

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  36. Happy Birthday Rhonda! It’s a lovely photo of you and Hanno. Keep safe x

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  37. Happy Birthday Rhonda! Hope you enjoyed your special day. Krista

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  38. Many happy returns, Rhonda! 72 is worth celebrating (well, actually, every year is!)

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  39. Glad you had a lovely day. The day was full of lovely - lovely photo- lovely lunch - lovely time in the garden!
    Take Care xx

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  40. Sounds like the perfect way to spend your special day.
    Birthday Blessings!

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  41. Happy Birthday Rhonda !
    Here in France, our president has announced the end of confinement for may 11...
    Your blog helps me a lot during this period.
    Much love.

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  42. Happy Birthday, Rhonda! Those Mooloolaba Coconut Prawns sound absolutely wonderful! So far so good here.

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  43. Happy Birthday Rhonda! Glad to hear you and Hanno are doing well.

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  44. Happy Birthday Rhonda, enjoy your lovely peace and quiet. I know I am, I must be one of the few people who actually LIKE being locked down! I dread the day it ends because I suspect everyone will go mad, like a herd of cows being let onto their field after a winter indoors and our peaceful village will be invaded by the chattering hordes again!

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  45. I wish I could give you as much joy as your posts to me do . Wishing you much happiness today and everyday.!!Happy Birthday 🎂

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  46. Happy Birthday Rhonda! It sounds as if you are having the kind of birthday I have always loved!

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  47. Happy, happy birthday! My husband turned 72 just a few days ago. Enjoy the delicious food you mentioned and your quiet day with Hanno.

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  48. Happy Happy Birthday, Ms. Rhonda!
    I’ve never written to you before, but I love birthdays and wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. I especially like your links to other websites to such a diverse set of subjects. You never know what you will be looking at! I also really enjoy all your Simple Living tips. I’ve been doing this for years, but always interesting to see what others are doing, too.

    Best Wishes,
    Rebecca Hammond
    Berea, Kentucky, USA

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  49. Happy Birthday Rhonda! It sounds like you had a lovely day. I'm glad you and Hanno are finally feeling better too - it seems you've had an exhausting time of it. It's hard to believe what is going on in the world at this point - so many things seem surreal. So far I'm healthy and so is my network of family and friends. I'm very thankful for that, knowing how many people are sick or have lost loved ones and are suffering. Beth in MN

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  50. Happy Birthday, Rhonda! We're enjoying a beautiful spring here in Maryland, USA. I've been thinking of you and Hanno often as my husband and I have shifted away from our normal schedules and obligations, towards tackling home and garden projects. I have some edibles potted up on our full-sun deck (lettuce, arugula, strawberries, dwarf blueberries, parsley). We built a hoophouse together over a raised bed that will let us start some zinnias a few weeks early. My kids and I make batches of homemade snacks together, we've all worked together to repaint their bedroom, and they have their own flower garden beds in the front. Many of my friends in similar situations to mine seem anxious about these times, but I just feel lucky. And I think one of the big differences in our perspectives is that I read your blog and they don't. Which is all to say, thank you for the gift of your blog, and for the gift of the Skype tea-time months ago. And warmest wishes for a delightful birthday. <3

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  51. Happy birthday week to you Miss Rhonda from Missouri USA, smack dab in the center!
    I am glad you are safe and secluded. We have a stay-at-home order from our state and country, but there are many exceptions. I do go out to work at a chiropractor's office a few days a week. My children are adults now, and I have been working for a few weeks after being at home for 29 years. It's a change. It was perfect timing though, because we have a bit better cash flow when my husband is trying to keep his business going from home.

    I'm busy making masks for family and neighbors and those who ask. It's a great way to clear out my fabric stash. I've used up some things already. I am trying to do this by purchasing as little as possible. It's amazing what can be done with a little creativity! When this is all done, I may need to purchase fabric for my next non-Covid project!

    Thank you for inspiring us ladies to be can-do gals.
    Be blessed by the LORD Jesus Christ and be safe,
    Laura Lane
    Harvestlanecottage.com

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  52. Happy Birthday. I read your blog all the time but rarely comment. I am in Scotland and we are in lockdown too. It is a very scary time but like you we are content at home with the odd rare shopping trip. Stay safe and well. xx

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  53. Have a wonderfully day! Happy Birthday.
    Stay well!

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  54. Happy birthday! I am new to your blog -- found it through a gardening blog I read -- and looking forward to reading more of your posts. Stay safe and healthy!

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  55. Happy Birthday young lady...have a fabulous day. Your lunch sounds delicious.

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  56. Dear Rhonda I wish you a happy belated happy birthday , same day as my daughter Fiona who was 56 ! We too are trying to stay away from the virus . Our family are all on the mainland so we have only us to get things . My neighbours are aged 77 and 88 so we are all in the same boat ! Lovely photo of you and Hanno and I trust you too will see this time through . Take good care of each other x

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  57. Happy Birthday Rhonda. I moved from Gladstone Qld to Houston Texas USA. My second son, my baby turns 13 in one month. I have followed your blog through his whole life!! Best wishes and kindest regards. xxx Kas

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  58. Happy Birthday Rhonda, from NZ💐. Grateful that my social isolation is in pleasant surroundings, and not facing the concerns that other countries have. Try and stay safe everyone.

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  59. Best wishes on your special day enjoy

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  60. Happy Birthday Rhonda! Sounds like a good day. so glad that you and Hanno are feeling better. In spite of all the worry and difficulties that are a part of life today, Don and I have been working in our garden and we have several little tomatoes. Yea! I planted a few bush beans and some climbing pole beans, Also some zinnias, holly hocks, lettuce and caladiums. A few more things to plant. Makes us feel better to be outside in nature. Our 19 year old grandson who is an EMT and works here at home in Florida, volunteered to go to New York for 2 weeks to help and he met some great and caring people there. Now he is safely home and staying away in seclusion for 2 weeks. Says that he feels fine, just really tired. My prayers are reaching out to all the people and counties around the world. Blessings to you and your family. Carolyn in Florida

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    1. What a kind and caring man your grandson is. You must be very proud of him. Stay safe and well, Carolyn. xx

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  61. Happy Birthday Rhonda! & your Lunch sounds wonderful! I hope you have had a lovely Day?💕😗

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  62. Happy Birthday Rhonda Jean. The weather is beautiful in South East Queensland at the moment and I am sure you are relaxing and enjoying your home and garden. The birthday lunch sounds wonderful, a great choice and a treat for you and Hanno. Keep well and safe. Love, KJ

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  63. Happy Birthday Rhonda 😊
    Remember me ??

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    1. Of course, Jenster. I remember you. I hope you've been well.

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  64. Happy Birthday Rhonda and I hope you have a lovely day.

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  65. Happy Birthday from Ohio, USA. 🥳🎈🎉

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  66. Sending a belated birthday greeting Rhonda - at least here on your blog. Love your photo. I am even "richer in years" than you so I know that the best presents in our lives at this time are good health and serenity. I wish you both from the bottom of my heart!
    Hugs from Sweden
    Ramona

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  67. Happy Birthday Rhonda! Your lunch sounds lovely. I don’t comment often but read each post. I too especially like the weekend reads. We are in the Uk and I am enjoying making an allotment area in the garden and have planted carrots and leeks yesterday. The kids and I have been baking and my next job is to try making some laundry liquid. I’m happy at home. Thank you for sharing how happy simple life can be. Blessings to you x Nia

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  68. Happy Birthday Gorgeous Rhonda! Your lunch sounds absolutely delish!!

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  69. Happy Birthday, Rhonda! So wonderful to see the picture of you & Hanno!! Challenging times. Time to go back to archives for inspiration. Take care!

    Debbie
    Central Illinois

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  70. A very happy birthday to you from Maine! I have been reading your blog for many, many years, and it has been a source of comfort and inspiration. May you have many more birthdays and write many more posts.

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  71. Happy Birthday from Naperville, IL, USA! Best wishes for a healthy and happy year!

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  72. Happy birthday Rhonda. Best wishes from NW Tas.

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  73. Happy Birthday from me too ! :) xxx

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  74. Happy Birthday, it sounds like you will have had a lovely day.

    Julie

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  75. A belated happy birthday Rhonda! It's sounds like a wonderful relaxing day xoxo Liz

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  76. I think I started following your blog adventures around uour 60th birthday. We've only corresponded briefly over the years, but you have been a very bug influence on me and I have much fondness and admiration for you.

    So a belated happy birthday Rhonda. Much love to you and Hanno.

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  77. A belated Happy Birthday!!! I am 6 months behind you but catching up! LOL! Your lunch sounded delicious. I am still reading your archives and I have 2 of your books. I was living this lifestyle as best I could all by myself and among people who were at the opposite end of the spectrum and still are. I'm sure they think I'm strange and to them I probably am!LOL! But when this virus hit I had a stockpile that has helped. I'm not allowed chickens here which is ridiculous as we have no sidewalks and no street lights and barely a road but you can't fight city hall....at least here you can't! Stay safe and stay well!

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