It’s Monday again, so time for a round up of this week’s small pleasures, so important to look for in, to quote Jacinda Ardern, a world where 2020 has frankly been terrible. We remain at Level 2 for probably at least another couple of weeks (Level 3 in Auckland until Sunday), and from next Monday, we will have to wear masks or face coverings on public transport. But we have to remain hopeful and positive, and so let’s turn to the good things of the week.
A short vacation
Having a week off with no fixed plans was a real small pleasure. Just having time for a lot of nothing, some reading, lots of cups of tea and afternoon naps was a real joy and so necessary too.
Flowers everywhere
As you may have seen in Saturday’s post, spring is here. There are glorious flowers everywhere, such as this rhododendron in a neighbour’s garden.
Food related small pleasures
Usually when I am on holiday I treat myself to a couple of lunches out, but this week past I actually had lunch at home each day – from toasted ciabbata topped with duck liver parfait, pea shoots and cornichons, kale salad, a wonderful new sauerkraut from Forage and Ferment and classic egg mayo on with dill from the pot outside. We had dinner at our local Italian restaurant on Thursday (saffron risotto with prawns for me), pizza with friends on Saturday evening and sour dough bread delivered to our door on Saturday from Arobake for Sunday breakfast. I made a moussaka for Sunday dinner, which means leftovers for Monday.
Thinking time
Having a week away from the daily stresses of work life, also gives time to re-calibrate, to think, to rest, Just having time for nothing was such a joy, and I really felt the benefit when I returned to work today.
Anyway, that is my quick round up on some of this week’s small pleasures. Check out what is making Notes from the Hinterland happy too and 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
Thistles and Kiwis 
Enjoyed reading it,loved the photograph of the rhododendron.Thanks a lot for sharing.Take care.🌹👍🙏
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As always, the food pictures make my mouth water. Taking a break from time to time is such a good thing. I did the same thing last week. Not quite ready to return to my full schedule, but I’m getting there.
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I agree it is essential to take a quiet and peaceful break from time to time. Yours looked just perfect.
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Many thanks! It really was.
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Tea saves my life. Gardening too and reading. Life’s great distractions.
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Indeed!
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Wow those dishes look pretty darn good. Me being a foodie and culinary chef; I’m going to have to try them!
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Sounds like a good week
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It was!
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Wow, your home lunches look a lot better than mine! This sounds like a peaceful time in your life. It makes me think I should take some time off and just relax instead of trying to get a million things done. Nice blog. I found you through Laurie Graves link.
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I can highly recommend a week of resting – good for the brain and body! And time to make lunch too! Thanks for finding me through Laurie’s blog.
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Let me quess, the biggest similarity between NZ and the UK is the cups of tea? 🙂
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