If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would be catching up after a long time on things that have been going on. We would sip on Fabulous Feijoa green tea from tLeafTea and keep cosy, watching the rain.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would tell you about the awful cold I have had this month and how it really laid me low. You say there are lots of nasty bugs going about. However, there were lots of good things this month too: dinner at Rita and Field & Green, some good books, a trip across the Remutaka hills and of course going to see the new Barbie movie. Oh yes and it was my birthday at the start of the month too.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…you would ask about the house, and you say that we have decided to move, and have found somewhere but it will mean downsizing and losing the garden space. You say how do you feel? And I say I can still have pots of herbs on the balcony and it will force us to tidy up. You say that sounds good and I say yes but we have a lot of clutter clearing to do.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about the many beautiful sunrises and sunsets that are seen at this time of year, and how the skies light up in many shades of pink and red.

If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…we would talk about the New Zealand International Film Festival which has just started, the forthcoming Burger Wellington season as part of Wellington on a Plate and how our diaries are already filling up for August. I say we have no time to move…and you laugh.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would ask you if you would like to stay to lunch and you say how lovely. I say there will be roasted earth gems, topped with feta and lying on a bed of wilted greens and you laugh and say are you trying to write a menu? There is cold chicken too, and perfectly ripe pears for dessert. You say it sounds delicious, so we sit down to eat and carry on the conversation.

I will be entering this post in the 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 which for me means….I think from 10am on Friday at this time of year if you are in NZ.
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
What a lovely post Barbara, I feel much calmer after the cup of tea with you! Big news about moving and that will mean a busy time ahead I’m sure. Thanks for joining us for WBOYC.
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Thank you!
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HI, Barbara – I absolutely love your ‘if we were having coffee’ series. These posts always make me feel like I am part of the conversation. You should put them into a book. Good luck with your move. Whenever we move we will also have much clutter clearning to do. I never look forward to that part. :0
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Oh thank you so much! Yes the move will be..well just like moves always are!
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Ah, that sunset. It’s worth the trip, but I will skip the tea and eat your tasty food! Good luck with the move. Perhaps the view will offset the lack of garden space?
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We will have a new view over the green town belt from the back of the house which will be nice, and also have access to walks there.
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Ah, that’s wonderful.
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Good luck with the path ahead, I’m sure it will open up new opportunities.
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Thank you! I do hope so….
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I do like your Moomin mug. My sister was fascinated by all the Moomin books when we were children and gave me a pair of Moomin socks last birthday, sixty years later.
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I loved the Moomins too – those socks sound fun!
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I haven’t brought myself to wear them yet – they are so cute !
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Good luck with the move. Have you sold your house already? That’s very quick. I’m guessing an apartment if you will only have a balcony. Room for the herbs at least. 😊
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We rent at the moment so we only need to give a month’s notice and moving to a rental property. It is a house actually with a garage on the ground floor, a kitchen/dining/living on the first floor and two bedrooms and bathroom upstairs. Good views over the green belt at least and two spaces outside for pots.
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It’s always nice to have good views. Which direction do your outside spaces face?
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North which is good. We’ll have to see how much sun we get though,
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It sounds like exciting times. I am sorry you have been dealing with a cold. Happy belated Birthday. Moving sounds so exciting my husband and I have talked about it. We will someday move closer to town into the house he grew up in. But for now we will stay put. I love this series and I too feel like we would be chatting away like old friends. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Yes…interesting times ahead for us! Thank you so much for stopping by…would be happy to offer you lunch and a gossip 🙂 Enjoy your weekend.
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Thank you Lisa! There has been so much going on around where we live this past year with slips, hot water issues and so on it is time to move. Hope you have a good weekend too.
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Big news is right! How long have you lived in your current house? Decluttering is quite a process, and the longer you have lived in a place, the worse it is. Good luck with that move.
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10.5 years so yes we have accumulated a lot in that time….especially books!
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A big decision to move, good luck with it, especially the decluttering.
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Yes..but it feels right too.
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I’m sure. I think I would find it hard to stay where I had had that experience.
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I truly enjoyed our “cup” together. The lunch looks delicious. I just wish I could have tasted it too. I hope you are back to full health and wish you good luck with the move!
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Thank you!
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I wish I could drink some tea with you !
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You would be most welcome!
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Lots of news and interesting and exciting times ahead. By the way, lunch looks fab… set another place, I’ll be there soon.
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Yes a lot going on here – managed to get my step-son’s old computer stuff to the tip to today at least! The lunch was good I must say!
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Just catching up with your news today.. I hope you have found a comfortable place to live… just as well Charlie is not around, I’ve heard cats don’t like change.
Best wishes with the de-cluttering…😁
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Gosh yes I am so glad Charlie was not around for the slip or the aftermath. He would have wandered back to the old house without a doubt. I am also glad we hadn’t spread his ashes as they would have been in the slip.
Thanks for the decluttering wishes!
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If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would tell you how much I enjoy your musings and the way they wander unhindered across the realms of our existence
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I am not so sure about the green tea but I would definitely stay for lunch. I am not surprised to hear that you are moving house.
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Yes…everyday I look at the slope below the house and am glad we have made the decision to move.
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I enjoyed my small cup of coffee with you, and commisserating with the need for – and difficulties of! – downsizing as we move. I hope you’re having a great weekend and look forward to sharing a cuppa with you again sometime.
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I am sure downsizing will be good for us!
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This is such a wonderful post 🙂 I would love to join you for a green tea especially if it is served in such a beautiful tea cup! I LOVE the adventurous Moomin family and their adventures in Moomin Valley. As my little one now is seven years old, we started reading the books together – we are very much enjoying ‘The Moomins and the Great Flood’ Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thanks for stopping by! I love the Moomins too.
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As always, Barbara, having a cup of tea with you always soothes me — and energizes me. “Our” conversation about your impending move was poignant as I thought of your beautiful garden and views. And I know you will find a way to bring beauty and sunshine wherever you go.
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Thank you Carol Ann! We will have a new view over to the green belt from the new place, and the possibilities of new walks. The new location is also close to lots of things so it will be fine. I won’t miss the 89 steps up to the house we are in at present!
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89 steps?! Wow. I know you will take us with you as you take all the new walks. And yes, being closer to everything will create all sorts of new possibilities.
Thank you for sharing this transition with us. We’ll be cheering you on.
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