lt is early Monday evening, and the rain has started to fall. I am exhausted, have no idea where to put all the books (though think it is time to be ruthless) or what to do with all the stuff still to find a home and sitting in boxes in the garage. On the other hand, the kitchen is set up and looking good, I found the towels (which were not really lost at all) and my ‘zen zone’ remains zen. Karl will be home from Europe on Thursday, so we should be able to clear the garage a bit at the weekend, provided he is not too jet lagged of course! Anyway, to the small pleasures of the week.
Weather
First up, we have had some gorgeous sunny weather this week, with temperatures almost feeling like early summer rather than early spring. This has been such a joy as you can imagine, especially as the house is, well, not quite how we want it yet. Below you can see Parliament House and the Beehive and the Parliamentary Library sparkling in the spring sunshine on Saturday morning.
Lunches
On Wednesday, I went to Squirrel, one of my favourite cafes in the city and enjoyed their wonderful chicken sandwich. Always tasty, always good.
On Saturday, I went to local cafe, Goods, for another focaccia based chicken sandwich with some fantastic flavours and loads of veggies. It is great to have somewhere like this within walking distance.
A treat
On Friday, I got a delivery from Shelley Bay Baker of some croissants, bread and bagels. I popped the bagels into the freezer for eating later, and scoffed one of the croissants for a second breakfast with some good strawberry jam just because.
Harbourside Market
On Sunday morning I headed over Harbourside Market for some veggies and fresh air. Carrots, green and purple Brussels sprouts, watercress and citrus food were among the things to be seen, and I picked up a head of broccoli, orange and purple carrots, a bunch of cavolo nero, red onions, rhubarb and a couple more lemonade fruit (one with lots of leaves still attached).
At the market there are always musicians playing, food trucks, honey and bread for sale and this week in keeping with the season, this lovely daffodil stall.
Simple things
- Listening to church bells on Sunday morning
- Seeing the sunshine and blue skies
- Walking round the neighbourhood
- Enjoying Noble & Sunday’s maple walnut rooibos tea – so comforting and tasty
- Spotting signs of spring everywhere
- Listening to the Scottish small pipes at the market on Sunday (you can hear what they sound like here).
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.
Alsl entered in the weekend coffee share hosted by Natalie.
- Ju-Lyn finds an amazing mural – do check it out.
- Over at Tootlepedal’s Blog there are beautiful butterflies – and of course flying birds.
- Nigella Eats Everything suggests some good ideas for breakfasts.
- Deb finds joy in orange.
- Trent enjoys a holiday weekend and makes us a good cup of coffee.
- Carol Ann of Fashioned for Joy enjoys a well deserved crab cake and lots of time in the classroom.
- Anne at Something Over Tea shares insects she saw abroad.
- Donna over at Retirement Reflections has some news about her planned Camino walk.
- Natalie shares her Icelandic adventure.
- …and all the other lovely bloggers out there. Sorry if I have missed anyone…..
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
Thistles and Kiwis 
Interesting text and beautiful photos!
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Settling in takes a while but you seem to be going about it the right way. Two connections here: serendipitously, I purchased two croissants with my groceries early this morning and enjoyed one with jam for breakfast; I enjoy all kinds of highland music – my son (now living n Glasgow) is a piper!
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The house already feels comfortable even though there are still boxes to unpack and we don’t have a sofa, but we will get there. How funny that you also enjoyed croissants! Oh what fun with your son being a piper!
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Lovely market with all the fresh local produce and the daffodils. Spring is my favourite season so I shall look forward to seeing it with you.
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The daffodil stall was a real delight but I resisted temptation – this time!
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If your kitchen is set up that’s all that really matters, right? And red Brussel Sprouts – I’ve never seen those before!!
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I agree – the kitchen is all set up, as is the dining table, and the bedroom is almost set. And yes – the red Brussels sprouts! So colourful.
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There seems to be plenty of events and nice foodies places in Wellington. I Love all Scottish music, as my father was Scottish, it brings a stirring to the heart.
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Yes we are very lucky with foodie things in the city. It was such a lovely thing to hear the pipes.
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Yes indeed!
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So busy! I’m definitely going to have to look for the purple Brussels!
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They don’t taste any different but are so pretty.
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That market looks like such a fun place to get some goodies.
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It is! Always things to see.
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so colorful– very pleasing to the eye! ❤
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I love to listen to the small pipes. We have a small pipe player in the town and i hear him playing as I go past his window sometimes.
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Lovely!
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What about an angled plant shelf for the balcony to fit more on? I’m glad you are getting settled in. Now it’s time to go learn about small pipes.
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Yes I am thinking about shelves but we also have a small yard where I can put more pots,. It is something I need to think about!
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I really enjoy how you choose to make the small pleasures memorable. We all need to see, and be grateful for the little things in life. In the end, those are the big things 🙂
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Oh thank you – I agree it is just the small, and simple things that are the big things in the end!
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An amazing photos and these words. Anita
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I like small arrangements of flowers! I can appreciate your needing to reduce objects, but to be ruthless with the books? ouch…
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It is hard but there are a lot of books we will never read or look at again, but it is very tough to be ruthless!
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Hope you are continuing to settle in…those red brussel sprouts look interesting. we love going to markets. I went last week and bought some sausages.
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Slowly getting there thanks! Yes I love markets too.
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