This week’s small pleasures #363

Thistles and Kiwis

After a not too good start to the week where I was not feeling at my best, I gradually began to feel better and was able to enjoy the latter half of the week. I’m still tired, but maybe a few early nights will help with that! Anyway, this is a bit of a food focussed post this week – no apologies! The rose in the featured image at the top of the post was spotted in the Hungarian Garden I pass through on the way to and from work.

Weather

Not exactly a small pleasure, but we have been having very peculiar weather here with some gorgeous sunny days and then rain, and even chilly moments. Below is what the view from our window looked like at 4:30pm on Tuesday and 8:20pm the same day. It says it all…..and it is interesting to watch!

Dining out

It was a bittersweet moment on Thursday when we went for dinner at one of our favourite places in the city, Field & Green. The restaurant is closing its doors on 21 December, and will be sadly missed. The food is always good and their ice-cream is particularly special. Owners chef Laura Greenfield and wife Raechal Ferguson stated that it was a mix of a tough time in hospitality as well as the fact that their lease is ending in the new year.

The final menu is composed of favourites from past menus, including many from past Wellington on a Plate events, Anyway, we shared cigares au thon (a cigar shaped pastry with tuna) and pantra (lamb stuffed pancake) with some labneh with preserved lemon on the side. Karl opted for the polpette di pollo in bianco (chicken meatballs in white wine sauce) and I had the smoked fish soufflé with leek and chive sauce. We had the orange salad with dried olives on the side.

Sandwiches and the shopping basket

On Wednesday, I enjoyed a halloumi based sandwich at Shelly Bay Baker on Leeds Street which was really good. I picked up the pastrami sandwich from Dough Bakery for Friday lunch, a new favourite. In fact, as someone commented the other week, there are lots of places for good sandwiches in Wellington.

In the Wonky Box this week? A lettuce, a gorgeous bunch of radishes, more capsicum, a cucumber, a leek, two avocados, kumara and some cherry tomatoes. I supplemented this with a head of broccoli (enjoyed on Sunday, roasted), asparagus, courgettes, peas, oranges, strawberries and raspberries – oh what abundance! I made a kumara, sausage and capsicum bake for dinner on Saturday, and roasted the broccoli with the other half of capsicum to have on the side with lamb on Sunday.

Baking

Saturday was one of those rainy days, so we stayed cosy at home and I made a batch of scones to have with tea because, let’s face it, that is what is needed on days like this.

Simple things

  • Chatting to one of my nieces and one of my nephews at Thanksgiving in the US. Lovely to catch up and hear family news.
  • Challenging myself at Pilates.
  • Seeing my tarragon growing well.
  • Having lunch and a gossip with a friend today.
  • Realising how close we are getting to summer holidays.
  • Eating raspberries and the new gingerbread ice cream from Lewis Road Creamery for Saturday dessert – glorious!

So those were my highlights of the week. 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.

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

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Published by Thistles and Kiwis

Loves summer, sunshine and cats. Beginner gardener, likes eating, cooking and reading about food

34 Comments

  2. These posts are a joy to read after I have unpacked my weekly grocery shop! The scones look delicious and I enjoy your before and after views. The weather is changeable in South Africa too.

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  3. We are also having changeable weather here in Canberra, hard to believe it is November, when it is usually getting hot. That gingerbread ice-cream looks divine, and just what I feel like having…even though the weather is cool.
    It is disappointing to lose one of your favourite restaurants… Field and Green. I have noticed a few places closing down after the Covid years.

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    1. The ice-cream was very good – now we need a few more sunny days! Two excellent restaurants have closed down recently – definitely an after effect of Covid and people not going out so much.

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  10. All the food looks so good but that gingerbread ice cream sounds wonderful. I have never heard of that flavor before. I love the moody comparison of the first two photos!

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  13. Looks like some fun and tasty food choices. I tried two new recipes this week. One was a Friday night movie snack; it was a Smores trail mix. The other new recipe was a breakfast dish that involved quinoa, maple syrup, and raisins with the option of raspberries and bananas.

    Hope you’re having a nice weekend.

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  14. It is very sad to say goodbye to places dear to our hearts. I am glad you were able to have a farewell meal at Field & Green. We’ve had to do the same post-pandemic, and unfortunately, some closed with very little warning at all.

    I am glad you were able to enjoy some of your week despite not feeling well. My folks have been down with the flu over 2 weekends (many outings were cancelled) and they are not pleased at all.

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  15. They may be small pleasures Barbara – but I bet you’d agree with me, they are still a pleasure to experience and as long as they displace any non-pleasures – they remain valuable blessings worthy of our thanks, enjoyment and sharing.
    I’m sure glad that you did.
    (even more) blessings. . . .

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