This week’s small pleasures #202

I know I am not the only one to be startled to find we are already in August. 2020 has been such an odd year, and it doesn’t look like it is going to change any time soon. I enjoy doing these small pleasures posts as it takes my thoughts away from viruses, elections and hatred and makes me focus on those little things that bring us joy.

I bought some lovely yellow tulips to brighten up our downstairs space. Nothing beats some fresh flowers to bring joy.

This week’s food pleasures range from enjoying ciabatta with hummus while working at home, to pizza on Thursday, and to going out for a curry with friends on Saturday night, something we haven’t done for ages. Saturday’s shopping included cavolo nero and parsnips, some black truffle brie and spaghetti for the next time I make meatballs. I also picked up three sorts of mushrooms – shiitake and little brown ones for a vincisgrassi, and some enoki because they look so pretty (and I will cook and eat them too of course!).

The New Zealand Film Festival is sort of on at the moment. I say sort of on, as apart from a few films being shown in selected cinemas around the country, the majority are for streaming at home only. At NZ$10 per film, it is certainly a good bargain, even though the experience is not the same as being in the cinema. We have seen The Truth starring both Catherine Deneuve and Juliette Binoche which we enjoyed, the interesting documentary about designer Martin Margiela Martin Margiela In His Own Words and Charter a powerful and beautifully filmed drama from Swedish director Amanda Kernell.

Still on watching as an activity, I was able to catch The Paris End: Fashion and Photography in 1950s Melbourne, a live and free talk organised by National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. Obviously because of the strict lockdown in that city, the speakers were all at home on Zoom, but it was great to see such an event being organised. There was a lovely story of the dress you see below. The owner of the original garment saw the photograph in an exhibition, and donated the dress to the museum. She was a singer, and wore the dress at performances. After restoration, the dress went on display as you can see below. Such a great story and interesting talk in general.

Finally, at the bottom of the stairs to our house, at street level, is this beautiful rhododendron. The flowers are quite stunning and are such a small pleasure to see.

Check out what is making Notes from the Hinterland happy too.

Thanks to Mani over at A New Life Wandering for the original idea.

So that is it for this week. Wherever you are, take care and look out for those little things that bring you joy. What were your small pleasures of the week just past? 

You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram@thistleandkiwis.  As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days.  If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com