Hello! I've come here today to wish you happiness over the Christmas season. Whatever you're doing, I hope you enjoy yourself, take time to review the year you've just had, and plan for the year ahead. Something has changed in me over the year, I'm not sure what but I've changed and I think I've come out of my period of grief. I can't remember the past two Christmases although my photos tell me I spent it with my family. This year, I'm much more settled and I have a sense of acceptance and joy as I look to the future.
I've kept doing my daily housework because that makes me who I am. We improve our lives with housework by creating a space that suits us, and changes when we change. When you do something everyday, it becomes part of you and over time it changes you. I've been working in this home doing daily chores for 27 years and while it was definitely more of a way of getting everything I needed to get done, now it's a habit, a charming, productive habit. It gives structure to my days and as I'm in my late 70s, I know that if I follow what I've done in the past, I'll do all the work necessary to allow me to live the way I want to live in this gorgeous home of mine. My home is not fancy by any stretch of the imagination but it's warm, comfortable, safe and most importantly, simply beautiful.
Thank you for taking time to visit me here. I appreciate the comments you leave, they show me that plugging away on the keyboard is a very effective way of connecting with people all over the world. I'll be spending time working on ways of living sustainably and continue to provide a clean and easy place to live on this land with the wildlife I share it with. I hope you have the chance to rest, relax and enjoy the holidays with your family and friends. Stay safe. xx
Happy Christmas Rhonda
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happiest of New Year’s to you Rhonda and your family❤️
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda, I don’t post a comment very often however I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog and I have learnt so much from you and I would love to wish you a safe and very merry Christmas and a very prosperous New year. Take care Lynn WA
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Rhonda to you and your family. Wishing you a joyous end to the new year and a simply happy and healthy 2025.
ReplyDeleteThank you for continuing with your blog. It is always something I very much look forward to as I continue my ongoing journey of living a simple and fulfilled life.
Enjoy the holidays & your family Ronda, and the peace & joy they offer. Merry Christmas! ~TxH~
ReplyDeleteMerry Xmas Rhonda and to your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your informative blogs I love reading what you are up to & find your tips and recipes very useful. 🌺
Christmas blessings to you Rhonda. Thank you for continuing your blog through the years. It's a point of reference and inspiration for us all and also a sense of like minded community of support and encouragement which is so precious. NZ Ingrid
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that the internet allows me to connect with women of your mindset. Women who have put in the work on themselves and have grown into an example to others. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Rhonda, may you have a holiday filled with Joy, I hope you and your family are all well, stay safe, look forward to hearing from you in the New Year. Judi.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours all the best for Christmas and a calm, healthy and happy new year. xx
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Rhonda Gracie & family. Wishing you all the best in 2025. Julie
ReplyDeleteHello Rhonda, thank you for your blogs,I enjoy reading them.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your Family a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Looking forward to your blogs in 2025
Angelika
Rhonda, thank you for continuing to write your blog. I have learned so much from it, not just recipes but the general mindset which helps me in my daily life.
ReplyDeleteI wish you Christmas days full of joy and peace, and a good year 2025.
Hilde in Germany
Merry Christmas! Wishing the year ends well and the new one brings even better days!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Rhonda & Gracie! I so enjoy each & every blog post. Wishing you peace, love, and joy in the new year. All my best - Cindy in Wisconsin, USA
ReplyDeleteGood luck planning for the year ahead, economic collapse and WW3 make for some tough events to plan around.
ReplyDeleteMerriest of Christmases!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Rhonda and Gracie!
ReplyDeleteI don't comment often but always look forward to a new blog post.
Thank you for taking the time to do it. The way you live is inspiring and it's heartening to know that despite all the bad news, there are other people across the world who are like-minded.
Sophie, England xx
Wishing you a very merry Christmas Rhonda. Thank you for your wonderful blog, I've really appreciated it over the years.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Rhonda, I hope you enjoy peaceful and happy times with your family. Thank you for your blog posts and photos on Instagram, you encourage and support people all over the world and your uplifting words can be a bright light on a gloomy day for many.
ReplyDeleteSee you in 2025.
Penny in the UK
Happy Christmas and wishing you a new year filled with good health and joy. Lesley
ReplyDeleteIt's always so calming to visit your online space, and I appreciate it. Merry Christmas to you and Gracie and all the family, from a wild and windy County Sligo.
ReplyDelete- Diane Mason
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Rhonda. Thank you for inviting us into your home and your life. I have been stopping by for many years and always come away feeling calm and inspired. Here's to 2025!
ReplyDeleteHave a very Merry Christmas dear Rhonda. It's nice to look to the season with joy. I plan on getting a good rest. Penny from Canada
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Rhonda! Thank you for your thoughtful writing - I really enjoy reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteMerry christmas to you as well and a happy and healthy new year! Kate from Norway
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Rhonda! Keep plugging away on your keyboard because your posts are helpful!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the beautiful and interesting posts on your blog. You are a role model for many.
May you also be well next year!
I look forward to reading from you again.
Best wishes from Germany,
Sibylle
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I cannot adequately express the sense of calm and gentleness that comes from reading your posts. A ray of sunshine in this often times chaotic world.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! I am so grateful for all the wisdom and good advice you share with all of us!! Wishing you a very Happy 2025!!
ReplyDeletefeliz navidad, eres una inspiracion para mi .gracias
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Rhonda. So wonderful to hear that something has shifted within you and you are feeling good. I really appreciate that you are still blogging as you bring such joy, wisdom and simplicity to people's lives. I have been following along for years and have your books. I remember when I came to see you in person at the Beerwah CWA to talk about a simple life. You have inspired me over the years. Thank you x
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you Rhonda and thank you for keeping me inspired to live simply.
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas to you and your family Rhonda!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Rhonda
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and a joyous New Year. Thank you for your insights and wisdom over the year, you probably don't realise how much you help with your words. Looking forward to 2025🥳
All the best Bernie (still battling my google login🤬)
Merry Christmas Rhonda I'm glad you are still doing a little bit of writing/blog posts when you feel up to it as it's always a joy to read. Also glad to here that you feel like life is somewhat normal for you now after the passing of Hanno. Grief is a hard road and we miss our loved ones. Enjoy your family time. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Rhonda and Gracie. Thank you for all your blogposts over the years. Sending hugs and best wishes, Jeanette in Tassie
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Rhonda. Feeling settled and joyful sounds like a wonderful place to be. Many thanks for continuing your blog and instagram, they are a comfort and reassuring to me, and many others I'm sure. May 2025 be a lovely year for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you Rhonda, your family and Gracie. Always comforting and inspiring reading your blog posts. May your holidays be restful and relaxing and hope 2025 is joyful! Helena C.xx
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas from England! xx
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely Christmas with your family Rhonda & I hope Santa brings Gracie a special treat. Jenny M from Melbourne
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your blog posts. I really enjoy reading about you and your part of the world. Merry Christmas to you and your family! Terry
ReplyDeleteI'm glad for you that change has finally came. I too feel it this year. 2.5 years after my husband passed away. It has taken a while but I am just now feeling contentment as well. For the first time in a while, I look forward to the coming new year and the changes I feel in my life. Prayers for you.
ReplyDeleteWishing you joy in 2025. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
ReplyDeleteSarah in Kansas
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Rhonda. Thank you for continuing to publish your blog and showing us all that life can still be wonderful in spite of adversity.
ReplyDeleteMay your Christmas be blessed, Rhonda, and the new year ahead be full of wonder, contentment and peace. xx
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear of Hanno’s passing, hope you are doing okay. Thank you so much for your lovely, encouraging books and this blog - they are so very helpful! Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful new year. Love from across the big pond! EmmaXxx
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas from Canada, Rhonda.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see you doing well. Merriest of Christmases and Happy New Year! Lana in SC, USA
ReplyDeleteKindest regards and warmest wishes to you and other posters who comment over the years. Today I was looking up books on Amazon and found the reviews on your books. I have the two hard cover going to buy the little book for my handbag and I’ll pass it on to someone after. I still recommend your blog especially the earlier posts to some who I come across on Facebook now and then. I was in Melbourne when I found your blog, my son was an infant, he is now soon to graduate high school, we move to Moggill near Brisbane then Gladstone near Rockhampton and now have been in Houston Texas in Montgomery the past 6 years. I am getting closer to an empty nest and trying to plan how I want my next 30 years to look and feel. Using your books as my guides. Xxx
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda, Katrina from Gippsland Victoria here, wishing you, Gracie and your family a very happy christmas and new year, I rarely comment but read your blog religiously, such an inspiration to live the simple and satisfying life, which I am, thankyou for all that you share, best wishes Katrina
ReplyDeleteHello, from the Netherlands. I wish you nice holidays and a steady and calm 2025. I hardly ever comment but always enjoy reading your posts. I hope you do keep on writing a post every now and then. Geetings Tanja
ReplyDeleteHappy Christmas Rhonda and thank you for the continued inspiration to live simply and well.
ReplyDeleteFeliz Natal amiga virtual e obrigada por partilhar connosco esse seu modo tão simples e tão bom!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Rhonda! Your blog and writing has been an inspiration to me and a balm to my soul over the years and it is wonderful to see you posting regularly. Wishing you a wonderful festive season xxx
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a peaceful, happy Christmas and New Year, Rhonda.
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing this place of connection, inspiration and learning!
Kellie
Rhonda, I love your calm perspective, your wisdom, and your advice. I have learned so much from you over the years. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Lisa in Maryland, USA
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and happiest of New Year's to you from Texas! I will be following you with great interest to see what you accomplish this coming year! Its so comforting to read your blog. (: By the way, the Chili Jam came out great!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, all the way from Romania! Thank you for the inspiring posts!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas from France Rhonda. Thank you for everything you share on this blog. I never miss an article. It's like visiting a friend.
ReplyDeleteI wish you happy end-of-year holidays with your family, and I have a little thought for Hanno.
good morning and Merriest of holiday time... have been popping in almost daily to read and re-read
ReplyDeleteyour blog info, enjoy it so much!am not for sure if I am sending this correctly, but wanted to say how
totally adorable Gracie is! that face! those eyes!!!! wishing you the best of 2025! fondly Mary P
Good for you, Rhonda. I hope you have a relaxed, comfortable, and Happy Christmas this year.
ReplyDeleteGrateful you are feeling more joy and hope after a difficult time. I learn so much from your blog. Love your attitude of making do and being content in our own home.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and happy new year Rhonda :) thank you for your writing, its so encouraging !!
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda. Merry Christmas season to you as well, from southern Indiana, USA. I received your book, Down to Earth. As a Christmas present yesterday and can't wait to start reading it. I've read your blog off and on and always feel refreshed when I do.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a lovely Christmas Rhonda, Gracie and family. I have loved your blog forever! I am truly grateful for all you do, in such a kind, calm and purposeful manner. I call you Nanny Rhonda when I speak of you at home. My son thinks it's funny when I say " I wonder what nanny Rhonda would do?' ? Then go check out your books or blog!
ReplyDeleteHappiest of new years to you and your beautiful family and thank you for another year of inspiration.
Much love, Angela from NSW.
Blessed Christmas & Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteFrom Patricia, Singapore
We hope you had a lovely Christmas with your family. Wishing you all a happy 2025. Cheers MOR and KOR
ReplyDeleteDear Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful Christmas. Here's hoping 2025 will be a fantastic, healthy, happy year for you and yours. Lots of hugs from The Netherlands ❤️
Monique ~Elisabeth
@under_the__rowan_tree
Boldog Új Évet! Jó egészséget kÃvánok!
ReplyDeleteNagyon szeretek Nálad olvasgatni, ötleteket merÃteni.
Marika (Magyarország)
I wish you all the best and blessings for 2025.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours from Edinburgh, Scotland.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a very good end to the new year and a simply happy year 2025 from south of France
ReplyDeleteGood advice regarding connecting the self to our labour and creativity. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year Rhonda, thank you so much for your blog, it is so inspiring. I love your ideas and life routines. Such a great reminder that a simple life is so good! Thanks again, Michele from WA.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings to you Rhonda and I'm so glad that you continue to share and write about your life, sustainability and thrifty ways of living, it really is appreciated xx
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Rhonda. Enjoy your posts. Elfriede from Ontario, Canada
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Rhonda. I always enjoy your blog posts, thank you.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and wisdom in your books and blog. I have both your books and am very inspired to live on my own terms, rather than buying what Woolies/Coles and other retailers can sell me. I am aiming to make more things from scratch and am starting with making my own rotis as this is a staple for our house. First batch was a success! Thank you so much for sharing, I feel your books have set up with a good mindset in my 30s. Best wishes for you in 2025.
ReplyDeleteHello Rhonda, I'm new here. I live in Nelson New Zealand. I found you when searching for a ginger cordial recipe so thank you for having one on your blog as I now have a new interest...your blogs and comments on life. I too try to be self sufficient. I hanker for a simpler life but I'm an artist and somehow that makes things very busy. Perhaps I can learn some simpler ways of living now I have found your site. Thank you... Marilyn
ReplyDeleteHappy new year. You inspire me. (Central VA, USA fyi)
ReplyDeleteHello Rhonda , I was delighted to see this post and then to realise that you have been back posting for quite some time, I can't wait to catch up on all I have missed . I love your posts - full of gentle wisdom and encourgement. I am glad to hear that you are happy and contented in your lovely home and enjoying the comfortable rythms of life there. Thank you for the time and effort you put into your posts - it is appreciated by many I can see,
ReplyDelete