20 December 2024

Enjoying the end of year and what's on the 2025 horizon



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



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82 comments

  1. Happy Christmas Rhonda

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  2. Merry Christmas and Happiest of New Year’s to you Rhonda and your family❤️

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  3. Hi 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

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  4. Merry Christmas Rhonda to you and your family. Wishing you a joyous end to the new year and a simply happy and healthy 2025.
    Thank 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.

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  5. Enjoy the holidays & your family Ronda, and the peace & joy they offer. Merry Christmas! ~TxH~

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  6. Merry Xmas Rhonda and to your family.
    Thank you for your informative blogs I love reading what you are up to & find your tips and recipes very useful. 🌺

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  7. 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

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  8. I 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.

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  9. Happy 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.

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  10. Wishing you and yours all the best for Christmas and a calm, healthy and happy new year. xx

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  11. Merry Christmas Rhonda Gracie & family. Wishing you all the best in 2025. Julie

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  12. Hello Rhonda, thank you for your blogs,I enjoy reading them.
    Wishing you and your Family a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Looking forward to your blogs in 2025
    Angelika

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  13. 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.
    I wish you Christmas days full of joy and peace, and a good year 2025.
    Hilde in Germany

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  14. Merry Christmas! Wishing the year ends well and the new one brings even better days!

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  15. Merry 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

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  16. Good luck planning for the year ahead, economic collapse and WW3 make for some tough events to plan around.

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  17. Merry Christmas Rhonda and Gracie!
    I 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

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  18. Wishing you a very merry Christmas Rhonda. Thank you for your wonderful blog, I've really appreciated it over the years.

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  19. Happy 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.
    See you in 2025.
    Penny in the UK

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  20. Happy Christmas and wishing you a new year filled with good health and joy. Lesley

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  21. It'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.

    - Diane Mason

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  22. 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!

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  23. Have 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

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  24. Merry Christmas Rhonda! Thank you for your thoughtful writing - I really enjoy reading your posts.

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  25. Merry christmas to you as well and a happy and healthy new year! Kate from Norway

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  26. Merry Christmas, Rhonda! Keep plugging away on your keyboard because your posts are helpful!

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  27. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
    Thank 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

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  28. 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.

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  29. Merry Christmas! I am so grateful for all the wisdom and good advice you share with all of us!! Wishing you a very Happy 2025!!

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  30. feliz navidad, eres una inspiracion para mi .gracias

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  31. Merry 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

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  32. Happy Christmas to you Rhonda and thank you for keeping me inspired to live simply.

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  33. Happy Christmas to you and your family Rhonda!

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  34. Merry Christmas Rhonda
    I 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🤬)

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  35. 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

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  36. Happy Christmas Rhonda and Gracie. Thank you for all your blogposts over the years. Sending hugs and best wishes, Jeanette in Tassie

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  37. Merry 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.

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  38. Merry 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

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  39. Merry Christmas from England! xx

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  40. Wishing you a lovely Christmas with your family Rhonda & I hope Santa brings Gracie a special treat. Jenny M from Melbourne

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  41. Thank 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

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  42. I'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.

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  43. Wishing you joy in 2025. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
    Sarah in Kansas

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  44. 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.

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  45. May your Christmas be blessed, Rhonda, and the new year ahead be full of wonder, contentment and peace. xx

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  46. I 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

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  47. Happy Christmas from Canada, Rhonda.

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  48. It's good to see you doing well. Merriest of Christmases and Happy New Year! Lana in SC, USA

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  49. Kindest 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

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  50. Hi 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

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  51. Hello, 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

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  52. Happy Christmas Rhonda and thank you for the continued inspiration to live simply and well.

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  53. Feliz Natal amiga virtual e obrigada por partilhar connosco esse seu modo tão simples e tão bom!

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  54. Merry 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

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  55. Best wishes for a peaceful, happy Christmas and New Year, Rhonda.
    Thank you for providing this place of connection, inspiration and learning!
    Kellie

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  56. 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

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  57. Merry 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!

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  58. Merry Christmas, all the way from Romania! Thank you for the inspiring posts!

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  59. Merry Christmas from France Rhonda. Thank you for everything you share on this blog. I never miss an article. It's like visiting a friend.
    I wish you happy end-of-year holidays with your family, and I have a little thought for Hanno.

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  60. good morning and Merriest of holiday time... have been popping in almost daily to read and re-read
    your 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

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  61. Good for you, Rhonda. I hope you have a relaxed, comfortable, and Happy Christmas this year.

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  62. Grateful 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.

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  63. Merry Christmas and happy new year Rhonda :) thank you for your writing, its so encouraging !!

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  64. Hi 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.

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  65. Hope 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!
    Happiest of new years to you and your beautiful family and thank you for another year of inspiration.
    Much love, Angela from NSW.

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  66. Blessed Christmas & Happy New Year!
    From Patricia, Singapore

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  67. Maureen O’RourkeDecember 28, 2024 10:53 am

    We hope you had a lovely Christmas with your family. Wishing you all a happy 2025. Cheers MOR and KOR

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  68. Dear Rhonda,
    I 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

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  69. Boldog Új Évet! Jó egészséget kívánok!
    Nagyon szeretek Nálad olvasgatni, ötleteket meríteni.
    Marika (Magyarország)

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  70. I wish you all the best and blessings for 2025.

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  71. Merry Christmas to you and yours from Edinburgh, Scotland.

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  72. I wish you a very good end to the new year and a simply happy year 2025 from south of France

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  73. Good advice regarding connecting the self to our labour and creativity. Happy New Year.

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  74. Happy 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.

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  75. Many 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

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  76. Happy New Year, Rhonda. Enjoy your posts. Elfriede from Ontario, Canada

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  77. Happy New Year Rhonda. I always enjoy your blog posts, thank you.

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  78. Happy 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.

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  79. Hello 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

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  80. Happy new year. You inspire me. (Central VA, USA fyi)

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  81. Hello 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,

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