Here are my answers to this week’s SYW from Di

 Do you have a keepsake box (where you retain special cards, pictures, letters, things that are special to you)?
Yes, I have a few keepsake boxes, though I haven’t added to them recently. Inside are cards our children gave to my husband and me, which are such fun to revisit and relive the cuteness of those moments. I’ve also kept photos, cards, and mementos from my teaching days. More than any gift, I truly treasure the heartfelt messages I’ve received.

2.  What has made you smile lately?
There’s been plenty to smile about lately. I Airbnb my spare rooms, and November has been my busiest month since I started three years ago—that alone made me smile. But even more so, the guests themselves have brought joy. It’s been wonderful meeting such a variety of people: a cyclist from Switzerland, a biker from Nelspruit, an ex-Gautenger who has just moved to the Cape and is finding it’s like another planet, a quiet yet adventurous German girl who now calls Grahamstown home, and an expat South African from Luxembourg who is building a holiday home here in Struisbaai. On top of that, I’ve had a long-term guest (Skiboat Mobile Man) who is like a brother to me. He has just returned to England, though he’ll be back in January.

3.  Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I used to be a morning person when I was working and raising kids. My husband and I were perfectly in sync with our routines—early to rise and early to bed. These days, though, I’m not quite sure what I am. I don’t mind waking up early, but in winter I tend to linger, and I rarely go to sleep before 11 p.m. or later. I often wake during the night and end up reading or playing games on my phone until fatigue finally wins.

Still, I’m content with the arrangement because when I do sleep, it feels refreshing, and I don’t walk around exhausted. That said, I suspect I average less than six hours of sleep in a 24-hour period—unless I’m unwell, in which case I sleep endlessly! My husband, on the other hand, has no trouble at all drifting off. He’s in bed early, sleeps late, and even manages two naps a day.

4.  Do you prefer to be hosts or guests at a dinner party or family event?
I’ve definitely hosted more dinner parties and gatherings than I’ve ever attended as a guest. Luckily, my hubby and I both enjoy cooking, so the kitchen duties are always a team effort. They still are, but I tend to do more now that he is getting older. I have in the past been very spoilt, and I appreciate just what an amazing man I married.

Now, don’t get the wrong idea—this isn’t MasterChef territory. At my place, it’s potluck style: take it or leave it! Nothing fancy, no exotic ingredients, and you won’t find fine china anywhere near the table. What you will find is wholesome, tasty food—because if you’re looking for junk, you’ve knocked on the wrong door. I’m a bit of a health nut, so everything is free of additives and sugar.

But don’t worry, dessert is still on the menu. It’ll be sugar-free, gluten-free, and if you’re very lucky, there might even be ice cream… served with something virtuous like strawberries, just to keep me honest!