It is a bit of a grey day today. It has looked like rain all day but none has materialised yet as I type this. We had some rain last night at least which meant I didn’t have to water the plants – a small blessing there I guess! New Zealand has now moved to a ‘traffic light’ system instead of ‘alert levels’ to ‘manage Covid’. For us it means no real difference except we will need to show our vaccine passports from Friday when going to venues such as the hairdresser and restaurants. We have no problem with this, but there will be people who will object of course. 85% of the eligible population are now double vaccinated, 92% have had at least one dose. However there are regional variations – 90% are fully vaccinated in our region but only 75% in Tairawhiti (figures from the Ministry of Health website).
Anyway, to this week’s small pleasures which included a lovely conversation with my brother in Vancouver, getting my hair cut, two good Pilates classes and Sunday lunch with my nephew, wife and son, who has grown so much since we last saw him.
There was some good food, both at home and out. This week’s Saturday food shopping resulted in a cornucopia of delights, from the first sweetcorn to seasonal asparagus, bright yellow scallopini (patty pan squash), green beans and peas in the pod, courgettes, a red capsicum, tomatoes of differing colours and some more golden kiwi fruit, blueberries and strawberries. I cooked salmon topped with Za’atar, sumac and a tahini lemon sauce from Ottolenghi Test Kitchen Shelf Love on Saturday (with the green beans and couscous) and chicken cooked with Calvados from Sophie Hansen’s In Good Company on Sunday served with asparagus, peas and new potatoes (with leftovers for lunch today).
On Thursday, we ate at The Shepherd’s Arms pub in Thorndon, with me opting for fish and chips and Karl sausages and mash. Just the thing! We had lunch on Sunday at Field & Green (see above), with the first rate fish finger sandwiches a firm favourite.
I had a bit of time to read, gasped at the last episode of the most recent series of Shetland (there has to be another series…) and enjoyed lots of sunshine.
What were your small pleasures this week? Here are some other blog posts from a few fellow bloggers looking at the good things in life.
- Carol Ann of Fashioned for Joy shares her delights of her week – I had to smile at the sign for the Scottish Merchant in Old Town Alexandra.
- Ju Lyn at Touring my Backyard celebrates the start of Advent.
- Natalie the Explorer shows us art near Sugar Beach.
- Anne over at Something Over Tea takes us to Grahamstown East – well worth going to have a read of her post.
- Jo at And Anyway also gets ready for the festive season.
- Deb’s World takes stock at the end of the month.
- Poor Laurie at Notes from the Hinterland has a fall, but was grateful she wasn’t too badly hurt. Hope you are feeling fit now and had a good Thanksgiving.
- Trent over at Trent’s World shares coffee and goes to Cape Cod.
- Natalie at Little Pieces of Me shares a list of things to be thankful for.
- Scribble and Scran shelters from the storm that has battered parts of the UK and makes millionaire’s shortbread.
- Sanch Writes shares her weekly gratitude.
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 
Hey, for a haircut. I haven’t had an encounter with a hairdresser since July. Home jobs and crossing my fingers it’s not too crooked 😉
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It has only been 7 weeks for me…..I am sure your hair looks fine, and it won’t be long until you can get a proper cut now.
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Not even going to try and find one in Auckland. It will have to wait until we get back to Tauranga. I’m not concerned.
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I find that having a haircut gives me a mental boost, even for a short while. How lovely to meet up with family again. Thank you for pointing readers to the other side of my home town too.
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Yes a new hair cut does lift the spirits,
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Glad to hear about the very high vaccination rates in NZ. I’m glad you enjoyed that Old Town Alexandria sign. I was thinking of you when I posted it!
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🙂
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Our skies are also currently grey and wanting to rain. How cool that you have a brother in Vancouver. Small pleasures, and small world coincidences truly are the best!
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We were supposed to visit Vancouver in 2020…but that didn’t happen for obvious reasons. It is a great city.
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Little Nephew has grown so much, such a sweet bundle of fun. Love how the colour of the flowers stand out on dull days. Yum to all the food, this time of year is pretty yummy. I am taking a drive to a property that grows nectarines & peaches & sells them at the side of the road, YUM
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Yes he is getting really big and more a little boy than a baby now. Oh your plans to the stone fruit place sounds a real small pleasure!
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I always love your round-up post – and look forward to seeing what you’ve been cooking from. We’ve just begun watching the latest series of Shetland and yes, gasping.
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When you get to the last episode of Shetland…let me know what you think!
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will do…
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A-w-w-w, thanks for the kind words! I am feeling much, much better. That nephew is utterly adorable. So darned cute! And as always, the food looks delicious.
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Oh so glad you are feeling better! Hope you had a good Thanksgiving. My wee great nephew is so sweet I have to admit.
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That nephew is a darling!
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I enjoy the Shetland series too and have read a few of her books on which the series is based, always more info in the books isn’t there? Good to read of NZ high vaccination rates, we’re going well here too after a slow start. Thanks for the shout out and inclusion of my Taking Stock post.
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I have read four of the Shetland books but a while ago now. They were good and as you say there is always more info in the books. Thanks for stopping by!
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We’re kindred souls with you cooking salmon topped with Za’atar, sumac and a tahini lemon sauce. Yes, to more vaccinations happening.
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The salmon done that way is really good!
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I’m a salmon a fiend!
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I’ve just binge-watched all six episodes of Shetland, and they announced another series is coming out next year.
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I’m looking forward to the next series!
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Lovely photo of your nephew & his son – glad that you got to catch up with them. It’s the little ones which mark the passage of time – they just grow so quickly!
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Yes every time we see him he has just grown such a lot.
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Beautiful food and I have just finished all six Shetland seasons one after the other without having seen any before. 🙂 The accent is a bit tricky but by now I’ve got used to it. Bring on the next one!
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