If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would actually offer you something cold and refreshing on this sunny day, so we sip some sparkling water with mint and lemon balm.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about the weather, the gorgeous sunny days, how we have even had to water the outdoor plants and if this is the precursor to a lovely summer.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about the wonderful sight of spring produce, from asparagus to peas to beans and I say I even picked up a kohlrabi today, which I will use in a salad at the weekend. You say how lovely…and isn’t asparagus so good right now? I say yes.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about how Christmas is approaching. I say we have a lot to do: completely clear and rearrange the spare room/study for our expected guests, clear and tidy the downstairs laundry room which is a disaster zone, and, probably hardest of all, clear more space on the decking so we can actually have four chairs outside. You say you will get it all done, and I say we hope so!
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would tell you I enjoyed Pilates today instead of my usual Thursday class as I will be travelling again for work. You say is this your last trip of the year? And I say yes. We would also talk about last week, and what a good week it was.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would say did you notice the large Tangier pea plant growing in one of the neighbour’s gardens? You say yes and that the flowers are even hanging over the fence.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would say, why don’t you stay for dinner? I’ve made some stuffed aubergine with lamb and pine nuts from Ottolenghi and Tamimi’s Jerusalem. You say oh yes please that sounds delicious and we open a bottle of wine and settle down for the evening. (NB you can find the recipe here – I couldn’t find tamarind so made it without).
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 or lofgren@thistlesandkiwis.org
Thistles and Kiwis 
I have enjoyed my brief visit with you 🙂
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It was lovely to have you visit!
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I cherish the soothing rhythms of this post and the quiet pleasures it reports. Lovely.
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Thank you!
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If we were having coffee or tea togehter I would definitely accept your kind invitation to try your stuffed aubergine. I politely ask if we could add a side dish of aspargus. You say yes and I smile in gratitude. Aspargus is my absolute favourite (and is not out of season where I live).
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You would have been in luck as I did serve asparagus as a side…and like you I love it and am so happy it is the season right now.
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So refreshing to hear about your spring days / looking towards summer as here in New England we are all about the coming cold!
Julie
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Is the coffee and tea of as such good quality as the rest of what is being talked about? I hope that it is not instant and tea bags.
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There is a coffee machine and a choice of tea 🙂
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That sounds very pleasurable.
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Coffee or tea, I like both. Actually it is morning here, coastal south India, I am drinking coffee and reading your lovely post.
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If we were having a cup of tea, I would pull my paint and wallpaper samples out of my bag, and ask for thoughts, as the walls must be done as the holidays are quickly approaching. If tea turned into a delicious lamb dinner. I would send you a lovely thank you note, with a gift card enclosed to the local big box store so, you could pick up some bins to help with your organizing.
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Oh I would love to sit down and discuss your decorating ideas! And or course you would be welcome to stay for dinner and your kind thank you would be much appreciated. Thanks for stopping by!
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If we were having coffee or tea together, I would definitely accept your kind invitation to try your stuffed aubergine. I would say everything looks gorgeous. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
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I’m so happy to hear you are enjoying the summer we just said goodbye to! (I’m in Michigan) It’s hard for me to imagine Christmas in the summer. That infused water looks and sounds delightful.
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It took a couple of years to get used to Christmas in summer, but now I am used to it and see it as the start of summer holidays.
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Thanks for cup of tea and the chat, plus the invitation to stay for dinner :). Always fun to visit with you.
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The produce looks wonderful. Have a great week!
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We have come out of our first winter storm (Fargo North Dakota USA) without losing the electricity or Internet, so I count us lucky. Looks like another very cold, very dry winter coming around. Sounds like you enjoy cooking! Love the photos.
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Thank you for the coffee. We are in fall now and it has been so cold you’d think winter was upon us. I love asparagus!!!
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I love asparagus too – so lucky it is the season here!
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