This week’s small pleasures #343

The week began with our return to Wellington, a couple of nights in a hotel, then moving back to the house as regular readers will know. I’ve finally caught up with all the laundry, though as I type the ironing is still sitting there. Never mind…things like that can wait! So to the small pleasures of the week…..

End of the holiday

Our first week back in New Zealand has been chilly – well, it is winter after all but a bit of a shock to the system after hot, summer days. Tuesday was the last day of our holiday, so with the sun shining, we drove over the hills to Greytown and then on to Martinborough for lunch. Greytown was preparing for its ‘Christmas in Winter’ festival which is why you can see a Christmas tree in the picture below. The main picture below is the Martinborough Hotel. You can see it was a really lovely winter day.

Dinner at Rita

Today, Monday, is my birthday, so to pre-celebrate we headed out for dinner on Saturday to Rita. There is no menu, they cook whatever is fresh and available at the time. The three fixed courses are supplemented by three additional dishes to have as side dishes or an extra dish. We started with a little pastry puff filled with cheese and spinach before moving on to the venison carpaccio which we ordered in addition to the three course menu. This was fantastic, with just the sorts of flavours I enjoy. We then moved on to the snapper tartare which was tasty, crunchy (the topping) and excellent. The main dish was pork with a mushroom and ginger broth, served with gorgeous soft bread. I have to admit that pork is my least favourite meat (unless in sausages or minced), but this was still melt-in-the-mouth and full of flavour. The dessert was a triumph of a lemon mousse, served with perfectly cooked rhubarb and a crisp tuille. A wonderful way to start my birthday celebrations.

Oh and you can see what Jo of And Anyways ate there back in March!

Other food

In the basket this week – bok choi for a stir fry I made on Thursday, silver beet, apples. lemons, mushrooms, red and yellow tamarillos (bottom left), yams (or oca bottom right) and I couldn’t resist this little purple kohlrabi which just looked so pretty. There was also salmon, potatoes, and turkey mince for meatballs.

We enjoyed croque monsieur at The Village Cafe and Bar in Martinborough on Tuesday, and I had to go to one of my favourite cafés Squirrel for a salami, cheese and salad sandwich on my birthday.

Spotting signs of spring

It may be the middle of winter, but there are already signs of spring to be seen in the Botanic Gardens with these always early narcissi under the gingko tree. The colourful boxes in the background are beehives.

Simple things

• Moving back to the house on Wednesday – at last.
• Having a very lazy weekend.
• Enjoying my birthday morning shopping for candles, a new cook book and a bag of Meyer lemons.
• Spending cosy evenings at home with candles lit, comfy sweaters and an inviting sofa.
• Finding time to actually read a book.
• Saying hello to the ducks.

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. 

• Deb at Deb’s World is exploring and enjoying life.
• Jo over at And Anyways wraps up the month of June.
• Enjoy hiking over at Retirement Reflections.
• Natalie the Explorer shares her highlights of June.
• Ju-Lyn celebrates the changing seasons in Touring My Backyard
• Tootlepedal’s Blog always makes me smile – and whether his day was productive or not, take a look at the wonderful flowers and birds in his latest post
• Canberra’s Green Sp
• Laurie over at Notes From the Hinterland had a week full of many delights
• Nigella Eats Everything makes a lovely looking galette.
• Trent always makes us a good coffee.
• Carol Ann of Fashioned for Joy shares her delights of the week.
• …and all the other lovely bloggers out there. Sorry if I have missed anyone…..

Also entered in the weekend coffee share hosted by Natalie.

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