If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about the weather, about all the sunshine we have had, about lovely strolls in the Botanic Gardens, about the hope for a good summer. I tell you I had a lovely walk to Pilates on Saturday morning, stopping to chat to the little ginger cat who is often spotted in the gardens, and the young man with bright blue eyes who was sitting next to him on a bench.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would serve you a slice of orange and honey melt-and-mix cake* from Sophie Hansen’s book In Good Company. I say I just made a small cake, halving the recipe, but it still worked and we agree it was full of flavour and light and fluffy.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would agree that a few days ago we were thinking of plans to go to Europe to visit family and friends, but now with the latest news of the new variant of Covid we wonder if those plans will need to be delayed for another year.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would cheer ourselves up and talk about our summer plans, about forthcoming exhibitions to go to (Hilma af Klint, Rita Angus) films we want to see (The French Dispatch) and places we want to go (the beach).
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would say, look at the time! I hope you will stay for dinner. You say yes you will, and as usual we settle down to an evening of food, wine and conversation.
*You can find the recipe for the cake here, as well as some other baking ideas from Sophie Hansen’s book In Good Company. I have made all three from that particular book and can say that all three were excellent.
Post entered in the weekend coffee share hosted by Natalie the Explorer.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com
Thistles and Kiwis 
I absolutely would agree to stay for dinner…and for more chatting. Hopefully travel plans will not need to be further delayed. Hopefully. Hopefully!
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You would be most welcome!
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I love cakes with honey – might give this a try.
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Oh wow, that cake sounds delicious! I’m so happy your weather is so good. That being said, I’m so sorry you may have to delay your trip to Europe yet again due to COVID. Yes, the new Omicron viariant is scary, although some virologists here in Europe are saying that if it’s more contagious (which it is) but also less likely to cause serious illness than the Delta variant, it may actually help the pandemic die out. Then again, no-one knows yet how likely this variant is to cause serious illness.
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Thanks! I think we will wait a few months before committing to any travel. Let’s hope this new variant is less likely to make people really sick.
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I really miss traveling. Every time we think that maybe we can start planning a trip it seems that a new variant pops up and I start to wonder if I will ever travel again. That said, people are traveling and coming home virus free so I guess it still could be a thing. Anyway, good luck with your planning. I hope it works out. Thanks for the virtual coffee.
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I miss tavel too. Hopefully we can at least get to Australia soon, but let’s hope for Europe! Thanks for stopping by.
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Yes I am staying for dinner! Lovely! And that cake looks absolutely delicious.
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Great! You should be most welcome 🙂
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Discouraging how COVID just lingers and lingers, a most unwelcome guest. I guess that’s how pandemics run. But, that cake looks delicious, and I, too, am looking forward to seeing The French Dispatch.
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Yes, Covid is a very unwelcome guest. I have to say, the cake was really good, very moist and light and one I will do again. Think The French Dispatch opens here in a couple of weeks. I must check!
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That’s so funny I think when you had rain we were in the dry now its the opposite, flooding’s not good in some areas, but rain is much needed. The gardens are stunning yum to the food. Hopefully travels will be back soon.
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I think you sent us the rain over The Ditch!
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I’d love to stay for dinner and a longer chat. That cake looks delicious. I’m hoping to travel again, too. Thank you for your #weekendcoffeeshare.
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Thanks Natalie for hosting and you would be most welcome to stay for a longer chat.
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Ok, all those cake and loaf recipes look delicious. Thanks for the link. Your photos are making me hungry.
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Hi T&K,
And if we ever figure out how to pierce this virtual wall between us, I’d remember to bring along a good Italian Chianti red wine to share and go with some of your wonderful treats.
Thanks for another mouth-watering visit.
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Oh that would be lovely Gary! You would be most welcome.
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I need to try that cake. Do you subscribe to her weekly newsletter? Always so much to love in it.
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Yes I do – it is a lovely start to the week.
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