This week’s small pleasures #476

Thistles and Kiwis

I can’t really believe it is almost the end of January already and only 5 weeks until we head to the other side of the world. Before that, there is a lot going on from the theatre, to a visitor next month to a couple of dinners out. Karl was in Sydney this week at a conference, so I had a couple of quiet evenings to myself.

Some of you may well be aware of the tragedy of the slip at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park and the dreadful flooding on the east coast around Gisborne and further north. Wellington has escaped the worst of the weather, though it has hardly been very summery here – this was me waiting at the bus stop on Saturday morning on my way to Pilates. Actually, it has been a bit of a Scottish summer for those who know what I mean!

Eating

Last Monday, I had a go at making Hasselback potatoes. Not that these are exactly difficult, just it takes a little time to cut the potatoes. I did the trick of putting each potato between wooden spoons to stop cutting all the way through, which worked perfectly. So easy, so pretty to look at, so good to eat.

On Wednesday, I had a very good smoked salmon bagel, with massive amount of salad and a pesto dressing at Atrium, a nice cafe with friendly staff tucked away on Victoria Street. At home I made a salad with brown lentils, roasted beetroot and carrot, feta and some seeds which I ate with some salad leaves for dinner on Wednesday and had the leftovers for lunch on Friday. I am slowly getting to like beetroot, but only well roasted in tiny bits!

We didn’t get a Wonky Box on Friday, so picked up some carrots, green beans, sweet corn and radishes, along with nectarines, raspberries and blueberries, chicken, beef mince and sausages. I forgot, if you can believe, lemons, garlic and cucumber, so picked those up on Sunday.

Going out

On Saturday, we went to the cinema again – this is the third time this year and we haven’t even reached the end of January. This time it was Nouvelle Vague, which follows the shooting of Breathless one of the first feature films of the nouvelle vague or new wave of French cinema. You can read more about it here. We really enjoyed it and highly recommend it for something just a little different. The next film I want to see is Blue Moon.

Simple things

  • Catching up with the work book club – good fun!
  • Visiting the dentist and just having a check up and polish, nothing else needing done.
  • Having Karl back home safely from his trip.
  • Enjoying Pilates.
  • Reading and nearly forgetting to get off the bus.
  • Spotting this flag outside a shop on Cuba Street (and yes the sign does say ‘nothing you need but everything you want’ which I love).

What were your small pleasures this week? Here are some other blog posts from a few fellow bloggers looking at the good things in life. 

  • Travels Through My Lens tells us more about a recent trip to Mexico.
  • And Fred shares six things from his garden.
  • While Anne spots olive thrushes.
  • Meanwhile, Debbie  goes to Jamberoo Action Park.
  • The Travel Sketcher shares the week in The Pearl including some excellent looking pizza.
  • While Mr Tootlepedal spots lots of birds.
  • The Glasgow Gallivanter takes us to Craster and Dunstanburgh.
  • Maria of Green Dreams says than you for the little things.
  • And Ilze sees the Northern Lights for the third time.
  • Still Restlessjo shares a book of letters from Mozambique.
  • And Jo makes some shortbread from a favourite cook book of mine,
  • ..…and all the other lovely bloggers out there. Sorry if I have missed anyone…..

Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.

Unknown's avatar

Published by Thistles and Kiwis

Loves summer, sunshine and cats. Beginner gardener, likes eating, cooking and reading about food

40 Comments

  3. That Header photo is beautiful, Barbara. Everywhere seems to be suffering with weather related problems. A sad start to the year for many. Thanks for the inclusion. It’s an interesting book xx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. We’ve heard some terrible news of your weather. I am happy that you are safe and not too affected by it. Are you starting to look froward to your big trip?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. That slip at Mount Maunganui was just horrific. Your hasselback potatoes, on the other hand, are not. And, as an aside, I’m a massive beetroot fan.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. What a pretty hebe. I love the colour. It’s been an awful January here, so much rain and awful storms causing o much damage to the Cornish gardens. I do hope we have a good spring. And your weather improves too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Put the potato between the handles of two wooden spoons. Then, when you slice down, you ‘hit’ the handles which stops you cutting all the way through. I am sure you can find someone doing it on YouTube!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. We’ve had a scorcher of a summer so far, but while it’s still roasting hot in the southern states, here today is cool and overcast which is a welcome change. We could do with some of your rain though.

    Like

    Reply
  14. Pingback: sweeties – Touring My Backyard
  15. Pingback: If we were having coffee

  16. Those potatoes look great Barbara, well done and thanks for the wooden spoon tip. Time is already flying by and soon you’ll be on your way! How exciting for you. Thanks for sharing my post, I always appreciate the mention!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Fun. I would like to try joining a book club this year, but I’m unsure which option to try (in-person or online). Maybe I will try both . . .

        Thank you for the virtual coffee.

        Like

        Reply

        2. Yes, I have two towns I can access. I reached out to see what the closer club was reading, so I can prep and attend. But between schedule and weather, I do wonder what a virtual book club would be like. We shall see. I will share about the meeting in Coffee Share before the end of the month. Happy Friday!

          Liked by 1 person

  18. I love your header and food photos. I can’t believe January is done and we’re now in the 2nd month of the year. Your Big Trip sounds very exciting. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Sounds like a solid week all around but those potatoes look so perfect! What is it about potatoes?! 😉 I’m always glad to hear that you’re doing well.

    I hadn’t heard about the slip and I’m so sorry to learn of it now. Scary, indeed.

    I hope the week ahead offers up lovely opportunities for all the things that fill your heart!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.