What a week it has been….full of highs and lows, of finds and packing bags and bags of things we don’t need as we downsize. There is the question of books, the issue of baking tins and the dilemma of CDs without a CD player. Treasures found? Well a nice black leather handbag, unused in years; a watch the battery of which went flat during lockdown 3 years ago and I thought had gone missing, and 65 Australian dollars in banknotes.
And then the washing machine decided enough was enough and broke down. Thanks to friends (the same ones who helped us out when the slip happened) we got one load done on Sunday afternoon, which also provided a welcome break. At this point, I am not sure we will be ready for 08:30 next Monday morning….do keep your fingers crossed for us! Anyway, to the small pleasures of the week.
Burger Wellington
The Burger Wellington half of Wellington on a Plate is under full flow right now. Everyone is talking about what they have tried, from the weird (a donut instead of a regular bread bun) to the unexpected (a deconstructed burger served as a pizza) to the straightforward, good tasting burger. The last of these is what I enjoyed for lunch on Wednesday at Pickle & Pie, which was described as “double smash patties with gravy-dipped brioche, ballpark mustard aioli, cheese and pickles in a Dough Bakery brioche bun, with crinkle cut fries”. Verdict? Probably my favourite so far, (and all I had for dinner was a piece of toast).
The second burger we had this week was also a great hit, the Reuben-esque at Field & Green a beef patty, with pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing on a challah bun, with a very tasty potato latke. This was also really good and very meaty as you can imagine, and just a bit different with the potato latke instead of chips (or fries), and loved the pickle on the top.
Other eatings
It hasn’t all been about burgers this week. There was a sandwich from La Cloche with brie and mushrooms for lunch one day, simple sardines on toast on another, and just a few things in the basket this week – lemons, oranges, a grapefruit, avocados, mushrooms and silverbeet.
Out and about
On Wednesday evening, I braved the heavy downpour and headed over to Good Books for a discussion about Pip Adam’s (on the right below) new book Audition. I haven’t read it yet, but it is certainly going to be one that is going to make me think based on what I heard. It was lovely to get out to such an event, it had been a while.
Beervana
On Saturday, we took a day off clutter clearing and getting ready to move and went to Beervana, the craft beer festival. This was much needed for out mental health, and though we might be a little (ahem…a lot) behind where we should be in terms of packing, we had a great afternoon out, trying different beers, enjoying another burger from Wilson Barbecue, and of course, half a dozen oysters.
Simple things
- Seeing some progress being made in clearing the clutter. Downsizing is tough!
- Eating LOTS of good food, and burning it off clearing and cleaning.
- Looking to the future and new adventures.
- Enjoying Pilates as an oasis of calm in a stressful week.
- Coming home from work today to more crocus blooming.
- Saying thank you to all you wonderful people out there for your good wishes and messages of support!
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 spends 5 minutes with “Nurturing” over at Touring My Backyard
- Mr Tootlepedal bakes ginger biscuits and enjoys flowers and birds over at Tootlepedal’s Blog.
- Laurie over at Notes From the Hinterland says farewell to a good friend.
- Nigella Eats Everything makes the most amazing looking fig and caramelised onion flatbread.
- Deb celebrates her granddaughter’s birthday. Happy Birthday Dottie!
- Trent tells us about an award he got at work over an excellent cup of coffee.
- Carol Ann of Fashioned for Joy gets ready for teaching…but not before enjoying a couple of outings (and we get into a discussion on nursery rhymes).
- Anne at Something Over Tea shares a story about a wedding.
- Jo shares her August reading.
- And so does Donna over at Retirement Reflections.
- Finally, a great reminder of what happiness is from Sue of Women Living Well After 50.
- …and all the other lovely bloggers out there. Sorry if I have missed anyone…..
Oh yes…I was happy Spain won the women’s football world cup.
Welcome back to Natalie who hosts the 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 
It sounds like a fun week for you😊
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Your posts are a perfect example of how to move and have fun…
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Oh thank you so much – think there is more fun than packing 🙂
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Oh, gosh! What a big job. I only have to look around at our own cluttered house to understand what you are going through. Best of luck getting everything ready in time for the move. Glad you had such tasty diversions. And thanks for the mention.
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Yes getting slightly anxious…..!
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You keep wondering what to do with books you have accumulated … I keep taking books to the charity shop … and yet I couldn’t resist purchasing another one this afternoon!
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I think mine secretly multiply…mind you I took four bags to one second hand book shop who has now given me NZ$200 credit…for more books!
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🙂 🙂 🙂 !!!!!
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One of my definite small pleasures was looking at your header picture today. Otherwise my small pleasure was called Evie and is going away tomorrow. Boohoo.
Fingers crossed for the move.
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Burger Wellington sounds absolutely amazing. Although I would skip the burger with the donut bun. Way too weird of a taste clash for me! 😀
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Not for me either!
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I’m glad you had the festive ‘Wellington on a Plate’ to help gather your strength for future de-cluttering…it is such an awful job.
I always enjoy reading your small pleasures…very positive.
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It has really helped having nice things to look forward to…..I am, however, in a bit of a panic about the move……
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So much to love here Barbara! I’ve started a pilates class and really enjoy the calm you mention. All the best for your packing up, my daughter is in the same position and I wish I could go and help her but I can’t get there for a few more weeks unfortunately. Take care and thanks for your birthday wishes for Dottie.
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What a week! I am amazed at how much energy you have despite work, clearing through your treasures and all those events you enjoy. To borrow Laurie’s expression: Wowsah!
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I will probably collapse in a few days…
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🥴❤️ hang in there!
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What a week indeed! We downsized about five years ago and it was a massive undertaking, though so very worth it! We’re starting to feel like it’s time to do the same again…it’s so wild how we just accumulate things. I’m glad you’re keeping your energy up with tasty foods and some breaks from the work!
I hope your week ahead goes as smoothly as possible!
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To be honest, I think we could have got rid of more, and I may declutter as I unpack.
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I am amazed over all the things you did in the midst of moving to a new place! It sounds like an amazing week, with lots of good food. Those baskets of greens always look very tempting. I had a fantasy once about creating a garden big enough to offer home delivery of my vegetables, like those baskets. We’ll see, it might be in the cards in the future.
When I was still in elementary school I had a small business on Saturdays, baking and delivering breakfast buns to a nearby retirement home. On Fridays after school I went there knocking doors, taking up orders from the residents, walked to the store and bought the ingredients (with part of the money from the previous week.) On Saturdays I got up at 3am, baked the differed types of bread from scratch, and delivered them. It was hard work, but I do believe it taught me. a lot.
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Oh thank you Maria! Your baking ‘business’ sounds like a lot of work but also fun and i am sure you did learn a lot too. What a great story.
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Thank you!
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Burgers look amazing…put me right in the mood for one!
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We had some really good one =s this year.
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Decluttering and downsizing is both exhausting and satisfying. It’s great you’re able to balance that work with some fun and good food.
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I have decided to have a clutter clear once a month in one area of the house – never letting myself get into this state again!
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I’ve heard a lot about “smash burgers” but haven’t had one yet. Those other ones sound interesting. Not sure I’d do one with a donut but it could surprise me. My husband would love the reuben one. THe World cup games were fun to watch.
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I heard the donut one wasn’t very good but didn’t try it myself. The Reuben one though was good!
Now we are getting ready for the rugby world cup starting soon…..
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