As you may have seen in Saturday’s post, we are now a household in isolation thanks to Covid. So I did wonder how many small pleasures there were this week and whether I would even do a post today. But I have because there are always good things around us that make us smile, whether it be just watching tuis rustling about in the bushes or receiving nice messages from friends and relatives.
Anyway, before I showed any symptoms (which was Wednesday) or tested positive (which was Friday), a friend and I went to the Winter Warmer dance evening on Monday presented by the New Zealand School of Dance Foundation. There were three short classical pieces and three short contemporary pieces featuring some students from each year of study. It was a lovely programme and will be my last trip out like this for a while.
Luckily, I was also able to get to the post office to collect two parcels – books from old friends for my birthday. I have already devoured The Year of Miracles which I will talk more about on Wednesday, and am really looking forward to both the history of the restaurant and Crying in H Mart which was recommended by Carole Ann over at Fashioned For Joy.
So there was no food shopping on Saturday, but we did manage to stock up on oranges, lemons, cabbage and carrots at least. (Don’t you love the patterns and shapes in the cabbage?). We got treats delivered from Arobake, because when you are in iso you need treats! In the box along with bread was a spiced apple cake for desserts and afternoon treats and croissants for Sunday breakfast.
The furthest I have gone in recent days has been the garden, where I spotted this little toadstool in one of the pots, just popping its pretty patterned head up to say hello. It made me smile.
Update on 16 July – we are now out of isolation but still taking it easy.
So, 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. Also entered in Natalie’s weekend coffee share.
- Carol Ann over at Fashioned for Joy brightens up our winter days with glorious pictures of summer.
- Ju Lyn at Touring my Backyard reflects on the month of June.
- Natalie the Explorer visits world heritage sites in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Joanne of And Anyways… pops over to Queenstown and enjoy some good food. Lovely to see you made it over here!
- Anne over at Something Over Tea introduces us to the cape wagtail.
- Deb’s World takes us to Uluru in Australian
- Have a coffee with Trent over at Trent’s World – who has also had a haircut!
- Check this week’s Monday Motivation from Popsicle Society.
- The Annoyed Thyroid reflects on the past 10 years.
- Retirement Reflections tells us about good food in Banff.
- And Gary’s Weekend Coffee Share is always worth a read each week, as well as his short stories.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
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 
Back after a much-needed break. So very sorry to read you have COVID. I understand the new strains are as contagious as measles. Holy cats! Anyway, hope you feel better soon! The food looks gorgeous, as always. The cabbage is especially beautiful. Wonderful to have those books to turn to when you don’t feel well. Anyway, hugs and best wishes from Maine.
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Thanks Laurie! Luckily I have felt well enough to read and do word puzzles as well as sleep!
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I hope you both feel better very soon. We have just had a brush with swine ‘flu – very unpleasant indeed, especially as it has coincided with our long awaited visit from our Norwegian family. Sadly, they leave tomorrow – yet what a pleasure it has been to have them here for ten whole days!
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I hope you weren’t too ill to enjoy spending time with your Norwegian family and are feeling better now. We are getting better with each day thanks!
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Hope you are feeling better soon.
Thank you so much for the shoutout. I greatly appreciate it!
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Thank you!
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I hope you will feel better soon. I had only heard about Crying in H Market this week and added it to my reading list.
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Oh Dear! I hope you are all better soon! Love the veg parcel you received, looks so healthy and fresh – just what your body needs. As to the treats, we all deserve a spoil.
hugs and get well soon
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So glad to hear that your isolation is over – and that you are taking your time to get over it. We walked with Friends today and found out that she is still suffers from an uncontrollable hacking cough, 6 months down the road. Other friends have also advised taking one’s own time to recuperate & recover. Wishing you all the best possible recovery.
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I’m prepared for it to take a while to get completely well. At least we were vaccinated and boosted before catching it. Thank you so much for your kind wishes Ju-Lyn!
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I hope you feel better soon. Thanks for the virtual coffee. Your pictures really add the read.
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So sorry your family was sick. Uggh! I’ll have to look into those books. I love all the recommendations I get from so many of the coffee share contributors. One small pleasure for me is always going out to water my flowers and pick blueberries. It is so peaceful for me.
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I’m again behind with reading blogs…my life turned upside down in a good way (not covid) – and just not even on the computer, rather away on a type of retreat…
Good to see update that you are now not in isolation – but still taking it easy …. virtual hugs
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Thank you for your weekend coffee share and for the mention. I hope you’re feeling much better and your week is going well.
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I’ve been hearing so many good things about “Crying in H Mart”!
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Beautiful feature photo, so snuggly and comforting. Your simple pleasures were perfect and prove once again that our books, larders and grocery bags bring joy. (Especially when one is as talented a cook as you!) I love your toadstool visitor — popping up to wish you well.
And thank you for both mentions! I hope you enjoy Crying in H Mart. I enjoyed seeing the New Zealand cover too.
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