In all honesty, I struggled a bit this week to find some small pleasures. It was just one of those weeks – bad weather, the cancellation of a foodie event and the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Venus Rising programme due to Level 2 restrictions, and feeling a bit soggy at times. But as usual, there were things to bring a smile and to remind us of the good things that are around us.
Familiar faces
On my regular walk to work through the Botanic Gardens, there are a couple of familiar strangers, walking their dogs. I also frequently see this blackbird with a few white tail feathers. He is quite distinctive, and not too scared of people either. He always brings a smile to my face.
Food treats
Amongst this week’s food treats was a loaf of sunflower and rye sourdough bread, delivered on Saturday morning by Arobake, and lovely spread with goat’s cheese and topped with pea sprouts. There was a lovely creamy gratin of smoked fish (I used hoki), tomatoes and potatoes from Diana Henry’s lovely book From the Oven to the Table for dinner one night. Sunday was a cold, grey and wet day, so a toasted cheese scone and mug of tea was a perfect counterpoint, and an excellent afghan biscuit the cure for Saturday morning blues.
Being cosy
A pot of tea, a good book, an old episode of a Miss Marple, a lit candle and a warm blanket all help to combat grey, rainy, spring weather.
Sunshine after a rainy day or two
After a few grey, gloomy days the sun came out this afternoon. The bright yellow kōwhai flowers against the bright blue skies were a real small pleasure.
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 
The kōwhai flowers are so lovely! We’ve had a lot of great weather on this side of the Tasman so have really enjoyed my walks (in between working from home).
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I think we were lulled into a false sense of security with the lovely weather we have had over the winter. The kōwhai are lovely I agree
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Those yellow flowers are like individual bursts of sunshine and joy. Then, of course, there is the food. Sorry that so much was canceled. I sure know how that feels. This is one of the quietest summers we have ever had—no kids, no film festival, no gatherings for grilled bread. No wonder I threw myself into my work.
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I think it was easier in the early stages of lockdown to deal with things when everything stopped running as normal. – now we are all just fed up with things. I will just keep looking at spring flowers!
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Yup. It has become a real slog. But…
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The Kōwhai is just fabulous- a shot of brilliance after your dull weather, and glorious against that blue sky. Your friendly blackbird is quaint…not unlike our Willie Wagtail to look at.
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I do love the kōwhai flowers too – as you say a shot of brilliance. And yes the blackbird is kind of quaint.
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You got me stopping at the Kowhai and that yummy looking afghan, those two alone would create a happy moment, eating the biscuit while viewing the tree!
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😀
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