If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would agree it has been ages since we sat down and had a chat and that there was a lot to catch up on from the month just past.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would agree that there have been several highs and lows. There has been some excellent summer weather, with lots of sunshine, we were on holiday at the start of the month, and had family from Sweden here to start the year. There has been some good food, an unexpected dahlia in the garden and lots of new cookery books to explore.
The lows – well, poor Charlie being sick again with an injured eye. He is making good progress and it at least looks as if his eye will be saved. I say it has not been fun trying to give him eye drops and you say you can imagine. My step-son in Denmark was in hospital over Christmas and New Year, but is now out and improving daily. An old school friend in Scotland is also in hospital and I hope to hear good news from her soon. You say it is always hard when you are so far away, and I say yes.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would tell you that one of my goals this year is to try to go to the cinema at least once a month. In January, we went to see The Fabelmans, the latest Steven Spielberg film, based on his own childhood and introduction to film making. I say it is a good film and well worth seeing.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would tell you that on Monday, which was the Wellington Anniversary holiday, we went to Nairn Street Cottage. one of the oldest houses in the city. The history of the house is told through an interesting timeline in the visitor’s centre and the rooms which are presented starting from 1857 when the house was first occupied until the late 1970s when the last occupant of the Willis family who owned the house moved out. You say you had never been, and I say it is a forgotten little gem in the city, and there is a lovely garden too.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would tell you that we have quite a few things to look forward to in the coming weeks, including a long weekend trip to Melbourne. You say that sounds good, will you shop ’til you drop? And I say well, maybe, but we are also going to the Alexander McQueen exhibition.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about our goals for the year, and how we haven’t really made any. I say I am trying to make monthly lists of what I would like to get done and you say that sounds a good idea.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would say, why don’t you stay for dinner? It will just be pasta with courgettes, red onion, garlic, a little bacon and mozzarella. You say yes and we open a bottle of wine and settle down for the evening.
I will be entering this post in a new challenge that has been set by Donna, Jo, Deb and Sue – what’s been on your calendar? It is designed to be “a place to share share recent highs, lows, activities, hobbies, travel, resolutions, and challenges, and report on your word of the year if you have one.” It is also a good opportunity for a monthly wrap-up. The challenge will take place on the last Thursday of each month at 2 pm PST (3 pm during daylight savings time) or the last Friday of each month at 8 am AEST Jan 26-27 which for me means….I think from 10am on Friday at this time of year if you are in NZ. Now that I am getting back to my normal daily schedule, I’ll add this post to the challenge on Friday.
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. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com or lofgren@thistlesandkiwis.org
Thistles and Kiwis 
I always enjoy these posts so much and wish I could join you for wine and a chat. Donna and the gang come up with the most interesting challenges but somehow I am never organized enough to join them. This is especially true now that I only post once a week on Monday. Maybe someday! Glad your stepson is feeling better and I hope your friend will soon be out of the hospital. Bon voyage!
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Thanks Laurie. I will see how this challenge goes – quite nice to reflect on the month just past.
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Hi, Barbara – I like your goal to go to the cinema once a month. My husband and I watched The Fableman’s last month and really enjoyed it. This past weekend we saw A Man Called Otto. It was good – but we heard that the Swedish version is even better!
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I’ve seen ‘A Man Called Ove’ the original Swedish version and don’t really fancy a remake though I do like Tom Hanks.
We really enjoyed ‘The Fabelmans’ too.
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And thank you for joining us for our new What’s Been On Your Calendar Link Up. Your contributions are greatly appreciated!
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Love this post! Oh poor Charlie! It’s such a worry when our pets are ill, isn’t it? And it IS hard being so far away when friends and family are unwell. One of the best things about being back in the UK is being close to friends and family. Dinner sounds delicious (I would never turn down a dinner invite!) and am going to see my first movie of the year next week, A Man Called Otto. I’ve read the book and seen the original Swedish movie – it’s going to be hard to beat 🙂
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It is a worry when our pets are ill as they can’t tell us anything. Yes must be nice to be near family again.
You would of course be welcome to dinner 🙂
I’ve seen ‘A Man Called Ove’ too – not sure about a remake?
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There might need to be more than one cup to get all that in.
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Oh definitely! 🙂
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I’ve heard good things about The Fabelmans but it’s ages since I’ve been to the cinema.
And poor Charlie….
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The film is well worth seeing. Charlie is slowly getting better but not 100% well yet, though his bossiness has returned which is good! Thanks for asking for him.
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Great to catch up with you here Barbara and I really enjoyed seeing the place you visited. It’s very hard when those we love are unwell and so far away. I hope things improve…Denyse #WBOYC
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Thank you Denyse!
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Dinner sounds delicious! I love your goal of going to the movies each month. We were just saying we rarely seem to go anymore and there used to be times when there was nothing for us to see since we had watched them all!
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It was! I enjoy the cinema – nice to see films on the big screen.
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I might add that cottage to my list for my Feb visit. I have a week & my friends will be working most days so that could be an excursion for me. We’ve booked into Kobi and Rita’s for dinner while I’m there.
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Yes do though you do have to book it as they only let a few people in at nce.
Koji and Rita – fabulous choices!
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That cottage looks so interesting Barbara. I love the format of these posts and wish I could settle down with dinner and a glass of wine after our chat too! Thanks for joining us for #WBOYC , it’s always fun seeing what you’ve been up to.
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That cottage was interesting, and really helped you to get a picture of the city in its early days. I like the idea of #WBOYC – thanks for hosting!
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Thank you for a restorative cup of tea, and for catching us up on your news. Hope all the unwell loved ones are improving, including Charlie.
What fun that you have a travel weekend planned – can’t wait to hear about the Alexander McQueen show you are going to! and of course, the delicious food you will enjoy!
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Charlie got the all clear from the vet, my step son hopes to go back to work soon and my old school friend is now home.
I will definitely post about Melbourne!
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It feels good to be able to join you for coffee or tea after waiting ten days for my laptop to be fixed! Your header picture would have made a lovely illustration for my short story, “The Single Peach” – and the pasta sounds delicious!
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Oh I am so glad to see you back! I was worried something had happened. You would always be welcome for a cup of coffee.
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Thank you for missing me: I felt bereft sans my computer!
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