Two hundred and twenty two small pleasures posts! Gosh…I have been writing on this themes for quite a while, and still find I enjoy this little moment in the week. Given what is going on around us (a new fast spreading variant of you know what, a European ban on UK travellers, the Scotland-England border closed, more cases in Sydney….), it is even more important I believe to take a moment and look around you and spot the little things that make us smile, such as this stunning iris spotted during the week in the Botanic Gardens.
And so we turn to food…our herring has arrived for our Christmas Eve feast, there was ciabatta with tuna, dill and capers, topped with home made bread and butter pickles for lunch one day, radicchio, asparagus, small carrots and purple sprouting broccoli in the shopping basket, along with plums, strawberries, peaches and raspberries for a true taste of summer. We had croissants for a Sunday morning breakfast treat and a piece of Norwegian chocolate with lingonberries and reindeer moss as part of Sunday’s dessert. Today was the first day of my holiday, and I went into town for a bit of shopping and had smoked salmon on toast at Squirrel, one of my favourite cafes that I had not been to for a few weeks.
I also treated myself to this wonderful bunch of flowers from Twig and Arrow, that are brightening up the downstairs room. Such a wonderful blend of seasonal flowers.
Finally, yesterday was the fourth Sunday in Advent. All four candles were lit, and now we count down the days to our celebration on Christmas Eve. It has been lovely to receive some e-cards (and even a couple of paper ones), to hear from people near and far and wish people all the best of the season.
Anyway, that is my quick round up on some of this week’s small pleasures. Here are some of my fellow bloggers good things of the week:
- Ju-Lin over at All Things Bright and Beautiful shares seasonal pictures of angels.
- Snow over at Laurie of Notes From the Hinterland  Friday FavouritesÂ
- Check out Trent’s Weekly Smiles
- Natalie the Explorer wraps up 2020.
- Little Pieces of Me lists 5 things to be grateful for on Grateful Fridays
- Lingo in Transit reminds us of the fun of trying something new.
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 
Thank you so much for featuring my little blog! Beautiful flowers and where did your herrings come from?
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A pleasure!
We got our herrings from a little Swedish shop here in Wellington – we just order online and pick them up. They ship all over New Zealand.
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Let’s hear it for small pleasures, for any time but especially this time of the pandemic! Oh, the food you feature. And that rose is a beauty. Thanks for mentioning Notes from the Hinterland.
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I am almost at that point where I don’t want to read the news any more…so will turn my attention to the world around me! Always nice to hear from you Laurie!
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I know just how you feel. In our country, the mad king continues to implode, and people are dying by the thousands each day. January 20 can’t come too soon.
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Oh…..it’s summer where you are. So lovely to see strawberries and flowers, it gives us here on our first day of winter hope!
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Yes…in the Southern Hemisphere!
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Wonderful food selection. The flowers are beautiful its always great to buy yourself a treat to brighten your days, such a beautiful arrangement of flowers. Have a wonderfully merry Christmas day.
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Have a very Happy Christmas too!
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I think I have that flower in a pot on my deck. We have alot to be thankful for right now. Have a good Christmas and stay safe.
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Yes we do indeed – have a happy Christmas and New Year.
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The fresh produce looks delicious.
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What lovely pleasures this week. I am so jealous of those delicious-looking, sweet strawberries and raspberries. They are best in season. Enjoy and have a happy and peaceful Christmas!
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Thank you! All the best to you for this festive season.
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It is always a balm to visit your page. Thank you for bringing so much delight into our space despite the frightful craziness that surrounds us all.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas as you light your Christmas candle, and break bread with your loved ones.
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Oh thank you so much! We had a lovely Christmas Eve with friends today, with so much food and lots of laughter. Enjoy your time during these days.
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