Here we are with the first small pleasures post of October. Spring is well and truly here, with lighter evenings, flowers everywhere and the promise of warmer days to come. There has been time for a little reading, for enjoying laughter with friends, and best of all, having a long chat with my niece in Maryland.
Of course, a small pleasures post would not be complete without some mention of food. Whether it was a trip to the little market on Wednesday at lunch time, or having some wonderful dining experiences (check Thursday’s post about our visit to Daisy’s and Sunday’s post about the amazing vegetarian dinner at Hillside Kitchen), food as usual has been a small pleasure. I picked up asparagus, grapefruit and lemonade fruit along with that staple, onions from the market and a loaf of wonderful olive and rosemary bread from the Shelley Bay Bakery stall. Avocado toast is back at Squirrel too for a Saturday morning treat. On Sunday, we enjoyed beer and pie matching for lunch (see tomorrow’s post for more on that), followed by a much needed nap and the joy of sitting outside and reading – yes warmer days are here.
There was Pilates, there were cuddles from Charlie and there were supermarket tulips to brighten up our downstairs room. Oh yes…and we voted in the general election. This time around the polling stations are open for two weeks before the day itself (17 October) to spread out people visiting due to Covid-19. It wasn’t really a small pleasure, but it was good to get cast our votes.
Of course, a stroll through the Botanic Gardens at this time of year is such a small pleasure, with so many flowers of all colours and varieties to look at. I posted the picture below on other social media, and make no apologies for repeating it here.
Anyway, that is my quick round up on some of this week’s small pleasures. Check out Laurie Graves’ Friday Favourites over at Notes From the Hinterland and All Things Bright and Beautiful for other small pleasures.
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 
Oh my those tulips in the garden are so pretty!! A lovely post full of happiness 🙂
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Yes the tulips are stunning this year. Thank you!
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What a delicious post – good thing I was already eating my breakfast while reading it! But wait – what is that amazing first flower? Looks like a Ranunculous, but is it one of your Camellias? Do you think Jacinda will get re-elected? Such a civilized way to cast your ballot these days….
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I believe it is a ranunculous too – it was in a vase in a cafe and looked so pretty. I hope Jacinda will get re-elected……fingers crossed!
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Good luck with your country’s election results. Not as dire as ours, but the world needs as many progressive leaders as it can get. LOVE the top photo. I, too, about the flower. Believe it or not I have seen a camellia in person. Only in photos.
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Thanks – yes just hope Jacinda is returned for a second term. In any case, there will be a woman prime minister! As I said above, I believe it is a ranunculous. You have to visit us then to see hundreds of camellias!
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I have to ask what the name of the rose in the first photo is, I’m assuming it’s a rose anyway. I’ve got 4 now on my deck all of different colours.
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It was a flower in a vase in a cafe so not 100% sure – I guess a ranunculous?
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