What with one thing and another, the week was one of highs and lows: hearing from friends I hadn’t heard from for a while, saying goodbye to Charlie, enjoying bits of sunshine, feeling incredibly tired at the weekend. Despite it all, there were some small pleasures to celebrate as we turned the corner into March.
The kindness of strangers
As you can imagine, we’ve been feeling a bit low this week after our little black cat passed away. Our neighbour who was with me when we found him came around in the evening with a bunch of flowers and cards signed by lots of other people who he liked to visit. We were both delighted and so surprised – what a lovely thought and one we won’t forget. Our wonderful vet sent flowers too: Charlie was a well-loved cat.
Food shopping and eating
After Pilates on Wednesday, I stopped off for lunch at Pickle & Pie, enjoying a pastrami sandwich and picking up a jar of tomato relish. I also got some more scaloppini along with garlic, tomatoes and a loaf of Shelley Bay Baker bread from Commonsense Organics. In the basket on Saturday, there was a leek, an aubergine, a couple of peaches, a few greengages and a head of broccoli as well as a bag of spinach. We ate za’atar salmon and tahini on Saturday and chicken breast stuffed with leek, feta and ricotta (see here) on Sunday.
Baking
Being in the kitchen, chopping, slicing and stirring always cheers me up, so I did some baking on Saturday. I had bought a big bag of apples (see featured image) so decided to make an old favourite mammas äpplekaka. The recipe came from a Swedish newspaper and is so easy with very little work involved. It is always tasty, as after all, who doesn’t like apple and cinammon?
Simple Things
- Pilates
- Thinking about our travels to Europe in June
- Sitting in the office this morning looking out at a bright blue sky
- Seeing a cornflower actually flowering
- An afternoon nap on Saturday
- Starting a new book
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.
- Ju Lyn at Touring my Backyard roasts vegetables – yum!
- Natalie the Explorer shows us some fantastic murals in Toronto’s Chinatown.
- Popsicle Society always motivates us on Monday with some excellent words.
- Edinburgh rain doesn’t damepn Scribble and Scran’s cooking spirit
- Deb’s World welcomes autumn down here in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Jo over at And Anyways ate in two of my favourite restaurants here in Wellington (and gave me an idea for a third to visit).
- Another cat passed away this week….Laurie’s Ms Watson over at Notes from the Hinterland.
- Tootlepedal’s Blog shows us signs of spring in the Scottish Borders.
- Sit down and share a morning coffee in the snow with Trent
- Anne over at Something Over Tea remembers how we used to store things digitally.
- Retirement Reflections shares her recent cooking – looks good!
- …and all the other lovely bloggers out there.
Also shared in Natalie the Explorer’s Weekend Coffee Share.
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.com
Thistles and Kiwis 
These posts are excellent reminders of how simple thoughts, actions and words can bring one joy.
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What a lovely kind neighbour to be with you when you needed it, and also to get flowers and a card signed by neighbours, true community spirit, and clearly Charlie was much loved.
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Yes it was quite lovely!
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I’m sorry about your little black cat. It does sound like you have great neighbors, though.
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The flowers, and the thought behind them, are both equally beautiful.
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I love your Pale Peach bouquet!! It just feels so friendly, warm and inviting – great display & photo!
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After losing our own dear little cat, I know just how you feel right now. How wonderful that you received flowers and a card when Charlie passed. Yes, Charlie was much loved.
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The flowers were such a lovely surprise.
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I’m so sorry about your dear cat – the flowers were a such a lovely gesture by your neighbors and vet.
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Yes it was so sweet of them to bring the flowers round.
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The apple cake looked very tasty.
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It was!
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Thank you for the reminder of the immense power of simple kindness. I am continuing to send warm thoughts your way!
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Thank you!
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I look forward to your simple pleasures each week. Again, hugs for Charlie – he’s no doubt left a huge Charlie shaped hole. They give us so much, don’t they?
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They do – you are so right about our pets.
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I am so sorry about your kitty. We lost one recently too. The bouquet from your neighbors is such a lovely thought.
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I’m so sorry about Charlie. The bouquet and card from your neighbor was so thoughtful.
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Your apple photo made me want one even before you mentioned the apple pie. Sorry for your loss. Pets are very special in the family.
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Thank you – yes our pets are special to us.
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My condolences for the loss of Charlie. Its so hard to lose a pet, they’re such an important part of the family.
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Thank you – we do miss him.
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I’m sorry about Charlie. How thoughtful of your neighbours and Charlie’s vet to send you cards and flowers. Your food and apple pie look delicious. Thank you for the mention and for your weekend coffee share. Sending warm thoughts your way.
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Thank you Natalie!
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My mother and I were just reminiscing today about our doggies past – the last pair left us more than 5 years ago, and still we tear up when we speak of them. I think of you as you grieve the loss of Charlie.
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Thank you Ju-Lyn – we keep expecting to see him.
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You have great neighbors, and I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. I’m glad I’ve just had my lunch, the food section in your blog is always great to see, and that apple cake!….will be round in 5 mins to help polish it off, if there is any left?
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Sorry but the cake is finished… 🙂
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I’m so sorry about your cat, but how sweet of your neighbor and friends. Losing pets is hard. As always the food and market basket had me licking my lips…so much yummy goodness.
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