January 2021 - December 2021

So here we are again time for another post in our Annual Walsh Whereabouts blog... Another unpredictable, unprecedented & unexpected year! 

My Motto for the Year was "Slow and steady wins the race" and it helped to keep me focused one day at a time. Small incremental daily steps amounts to much at the end of a year - especially when faced with another COVID year! 

Some 2021 Highlights:

04 Jan - We started off the year on an AIM 30 day detox program. Basically the focus was eating more raw, following a vegetarian lifestyle, eliminating all preservatives and adding more delicious smoothies. It's the first time that I went vegetarian so probably the longest that I have been so healthy! Well worth it! We are still focused on what we eat, and eat healthier now but not so clean as we did in Jan!

Oh and I discovered a gem of a Supplier & she has been a game changer for us: Gisele's Healthy Kitchen. We order her salads &/ meals weekly for delivery. In fact, we hardly ever cook - do yourself a favour and check her out here: www.giseleshealthykitchen.co.za.

23 Jan - Grace has built her first model aeroplane, a spitfire. Mike has taken the model aeroplane building hobby quite seriously this year and Grace seems to have taken an interest in it too, either as his assistant or with building a model of her own.

27 Jan - First day of Grade R for Grace at Panorama Primary with Teacher Ansune & Teacher Nolene. It has been an interesting 'school' year as the first half of the year, the kids went back to school on alternate days so it was quite something to keep track of. Luckily, they are now back to going every day.

6 Feb - Grace turns 6 years old and had a Unicorn Party at home with a water slide and a few of her besties to celebrate & make it a day to remember!

12 - 14 Feb - Friends camping weekend at Panorama Witzenberg (other side of Ceres). It's always such a special time to camp with our besties! It's just such a pity that we don't do so as often as we used to! Grace loves the outdoors so we need to make more of an effort going forward.

18 Mar - We started a Monthly Mom's Night Out for some of the Mom's of Grace's friends. This is a much needed breath of fresh air and so cool to keep on the same page especially for our girls as they grow up together and share in many playdates. Thanks to Sasha for starting this up!

20 Mar - We attended Carla-Anne & Gareth's wedding at Simondium. What an amazing wedding and so privileged to share in their special day!

16 May - My Mom's 80th Birthday celebrations at Neighbourhood Cafe at Ramasibi. So blessed to be able to celebrate with her and family & friends.

17 - 20 Jun - Scrapbook & Hobby Ladies Weekend away at Nicole's place in Yzerfontein. Much needed food for the soul!

2 - 16 Aug - Jordan arrived home for a 2 week holiday. So good to have him home again! Love & miss you lots xx

22 Aug - Went to our first Theatre show in a very long time: The Unlikely secret Agent at the Drama Factory in Somerset West. So good to get out and watch a live show again and our friend, Erika Marais, was brilliant as always!

8 Sep - Happy 50th Birthday to Mike. He was away flying for a month so we celebrated a month later.

16 - 30 Sep - I had to take some 'use it or lose it' leave so although Mike was away, I used the opportunity to do a few day trips with some besties so all worked out well and most enjoyable to explore a few local spots.

Ana Rita joined me for a day trip to  Riebeek Kasteel & we found a lovely spot for lunch called Eve's Eatery. Fabulous mussels & bubbly at this spot!

Janine joined Grace & I for a visit to the Ostrich Farm off the N7, the one that has the 'No hooting, ostriches getting laid' sign. We also did another day trip to Wellington Wines for a cupcake & wine pairing, Redemption Leather is a definite stop if you are in the area for leather footwear / slippers & then a stop at the Stone kitchen where we had lunch at a table under the guava trees!

Liezel joined me for a trip to Muratie for chocolate & wine pairing & Delheim for cupcake & wine pairing followed by a delicious lunch!

9 Oct - Happy 50th Birthday party for Mike at Neighbourhood Cafe at Ramasibi. Awesome party with live music. Axe played some of Mike's best & heaviest music!

Note: This is also the day that we rehomed Stony. He is a cross toy pom & maltese, such a loveable & good natured 'old' dog. He is 13 years old and is quite at home with us already. 

3 Nov - Tia Adelina passed away. This is my Mom's sister in America.

7 Nov - Tia Maria Jose passed away. This is my Mom's sister in Canada.

12 - 14 Nov - My birthday weekend, so we took time out and went to Langebaan and stayed at Poseidon Guesthouse with Robyn & Rebecca. Grace & Rebecca loved all the swimming. Thanks to Vaalie for the accommodation & bubbly and Thanks to Robyn for the magnificent food and best lemon meringue ever!

We found 2 new spots in Langebaan that are well worth the visit: Kokomos restaurant on the beach front and Shark Bay Coffee bar for drinks & ice creams & a magnificent view!

18 Dec - Thanks to Linda & Shawn for hosting our Friends Christmas dinner. Always great fun with our awesome friends!  

19 Dec - Visit to the Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm. Thanks Janine for organising this trip!

General:

Grace continued with Teddies this year and has graduated & moving to Brownies next year.

Grace also continued with her swimming lessons as well as gymnastics and is doing a great job on both of these too!

We have continued with our Monthly Dinners which we have now settled on Monthly Lunches and on outdoor venues... and although over COVID times we have not been able to go monthly, we have still managed to get to a few great lunches, the last one being Ayama Wines. The wine tasting and food was fabulous!

I have continued with a stall at the monthly Edgemead boostales as we still have lots to 'declutter' and sell... will continue to do so &/ donate what doesn't sell to charity. I have connected with such a great bunch of friends at the bootsales too. Love it!

... So here we go into 2022, my motto for the year "You're never too old for anything" - Betty White. She was 99 when she passed so there are no excuses, live your life with no limits... Live and treasure each moment, for one day these will be your treasured memories! 

Much love & blessings to all of you. May 2022 be good to all of us!