Tag Archives: holidays

Share Your World Monday 5 January 2026 Striding into 2026

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

The illustrations in this post are AI-generated

 1. How long did it take you to get back into the normal swing of things after the holidays?
It took me a little while to get back into the normal swing of things. We let our house out on Airbnb over the holidays, which meant quite a bit of preparation beforehand and then just as much sorting out afterwards. My cleaner came in the day before we returned, so we walked into a lovely clean house, but there was still plenty to do. The beds had been remade, but all the used linen still needed washing and ironing. Things we’d packed away for guests had to be unpacked again, sorted, and put back in their proper places.
All those little chores added up, but today I’m happy to say the house is finally back to normal — and I feel like I’m back in my routine again.



2.  Are you looking forward to 2026 with
optimism?
I usually look on the bright side, so yes — I am optimistic about 2026. There will be quite a few changes to our lifestyle, and some of them have already begun. Our camping days are behind us now, and we won’t be doing any major travelling anymore. But there are new projects on the horizon, and I’m hopeful that I’ll find real fulfilment in those. It feels like a different season of life, but a good one.

Looking forward to an interesting 2026

3.  Are you taking part in any of the January WP challenges/prompts?
I hadn’t planned to, but maybe I will change my mind.

4. 


If I could wish one thing for 2026, it would be that everything works out well for each member of our family. Everyone seems to be facing some kind of change this year. Our oldest daughter is in a new relationship, the youngest is navigating changes at work, and the middle one is adjusting to an empty nest while her youngest steps into new career plans. One grandson is preparing to leave the country, while his brother abroad is planning a move to yet another foreign destination. Our married granddaughter has just completed her teaching degree, and although she’s currently working in her husband’s family business, she may decide to pursue a teaching post.
So yes — 2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year, and my wish is simply that each of them finds stability, happiness, and a sense of direction in all these new beginnings.

Gratitude:

I am grateful that everyone in my family is in good health and ready to embrace 2026 with optimism and hope.

Share Your World Easter Monday

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

Have you had any Easter Eggs this weekend?
We are spending the Easter Weekend with our family in Plettenberg Bay—a lovely time, though these days we’ve traded egg hunts for a more laid-back celebration. Small children aren’t in the picture anymore, so no frenzied races for hidden treasures. Or so I thought.

Easter Sunday, bright and early, 7:30 a.m.—a casual bathroom trip turned into the ultimate plot twist: the bunny had struck! There, glistening in their glory, were two Lindt Easter Eggs just waiting to be discovered. I mean, avoiding chocolate is one thing, but on Easter Sunday? That’s sacrilege.

 Is today a holiday in your country?
Yes, Easter Monday is now called ‘Family Day’. This change was made in 1994 to create a more inclusive holiday that could be celebrated by everyone, regardless of religious beliefs

Are you familiar with Cadbury Creme Eggs, and if so, which is your favourite?
These eggs are available in South Africa, and although I would kill to try them, they do not make their way into my shopping basket. I am a recovering chocoholic so I limit myself to Lindt dark chocolate only. My favourite flavours are ‘touch of salt, ‘chilly’ and ‘mint’.

Do you prefer a bar of chocolate, a box of chocolates, or something with chocolate flavouring (ice cream, cake, etc).
All of the above in my chocoholic days. Breakfast? That was often a slab of chocolate, paired with coffee for balance. Bad day? Chocolate to the rescue! Hungry? Chocolate! Not hungry? Still chocolate. Supermarket queues were a nightmare with those chocolates begging to be popped into the shopping basket. Many a time I couldn’t resist and one would be half-eaten by the time I reached the check-out.

Chocolate-coated peanuts became my therapist—every packet a session, every bite a revelation. And when I found myself neck-deep in peanuts for three months, I decided drastic action was required. I quit my job. A bold move, but hey, a chocoholic knows when to take a stand (and when to sit back with some chocolate cake).

Now that I am older, wiser, and digestively humbled my chocolate cravings have been tamed. I now enjoy petite, polite portions of dark Lindt chocolate —just a square or two to enjoy with that cup of Nespresso. This maintains a semblance of sanity and provides a sweeter life without overdoing the sweetness.

Gratitude:-

On this Family Day, I am grateful that I am part of an awesome extended family. Even though we are scattered around the country and the world, we are always there for each other and always have a fabulous time when we are together.

Enjoying Braaied Yellow-tail with our Plett Family

Share Your World Monday 2 December 2024

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Here are my answers to this week’s SYW from pensitivity101

1.  What is your favourite Christmas (or traditional) memory?
I have two special memories – one from my childhood and one more recent. As a child, on Christmas Eve, my mother would read ‘The Night Before Christmas’ by Clement C. Moore to us. Afterward, we’d attend midnight mass, and upon returning, we’d enjoy a warm drink and a mince pie, with the special treat of opening one present before bed. My second precious memory was reading ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ by Dr. Seuss to my grandchildren when they were younger.

Grandpa enjoyed the story too,

2.  Do you think merchandise is sold too early for these celebrations?
It is always a surprise to see Christmas stuff in the shops so early in the year but it’s probably a good thing to be prepared. You don’t have to buy if you don’t want to.

The very first Christmas shoppers


3.  Do you decorate your house with ribbons, streamers, tinsel etc?
Certainly, I did when our children were growing up and I hosted Christmas dinners. For many years, we spent Christmas with relatives on the farm, and these gatherings were grand, with tables beautifully decorated. There would always be a kids’ table and an adult table, both festively adorned. Now, that our daughter has moved to Plettenberg Bay we spend the holidays with her. It is a smaller affair with usually just ten of us compared to the twenty or more on the farm, and she decorates splendidly.

The Kids’ table many years ago

4.  What is your least favourite Christmas song?
I don’t particularly have a least favourite. I find pleasure in listening to Christmas songs in the shops during the festive season, and I adore carols.

Gratitude

The grand celebrations of Christmas past have given way to more intimate festivities. Nowadays, we cherish the holidays by spending time together, embarking on enjoyable outings, and enjoying each other’s company. On Christmas morning, we exchange gifts from our Secret Santa, and come lunchtime, we partake in a sumptuous Christmas feast to which everyone contributes. Reflecting on the various ways we’ve spent the holidays over the years fills me with gratitude, especially for having a family that embraces the true spirit of Christmas.

Christmas Share Your World

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Here is my contribution to this week’s special SYW challenge from pensitivity101

Message from Di:-

“Welcome to a special Share your World.

It’s Christmas Day and many readers will be celebrating with friends and family. However, some of my readers don’t celebrate this Christian holiday, so this week, I am Sharing My World and asking you to share your day.“

What will you be eating today?
We are celebrating with our three daughters and two of our grandsons. Everybody contributed to the preparation of our Christmas lunch. We had Gammon, Leg of lamb, roast sweet potato and veggies, tzatziki and for dessert Malva Pudding and custard. It was all delicious.

2. What was your favourite gift?
Soon after arriving to spend the holidays with our kids, we did a challenging hike. My son-in-law was concerned that I was wearing a rather inadequate pair of sneakers. It turned out that he was my Secret Santa and that gave him a great idea – Get Gran some decent hiking shoes! Best gift ever!

3. What is the worst bit, if any, about celebrating (Christmas or otherwise)
We were expecting rain on Christmas day but it did not arrive until today so nothing spoiled the day for us at all.



4. Do your pets get to join in with the fun?
The dog, Lucy, was delighted to receive lots of bones and leftovers. Grandpa shared his biltong with the cat.

Gratitude:
I am so grateful that we can enjoy time with our family not only at Christmas time but often during the year too. I am also grateful that I have had the privilege of watching my grandchildren grow up.