This week’s small pleasures #375

Thistles and Kiwis

It was a week that saw Karl in Auckland for a couple of days for a conference, me listening to podcasts in French (now that was interesting – understanding everything one moment and nothing the next) and our washing machine breaking down. The last is of course a major inconvenience, but thanks to friends and a new launderette not too far away, the laundry has been done for the week. And today we learned that the owner of the house we are renting just now is selling up, so our lease will not be renewed after August. Well…. let’s just say…it is even more important to consider the good things of the past week!

A walk at lunch time

The sun was shining today so I went for a bit of a windy walk to the waterfront and back to the office again. Below is a bit of Queen’s Wharf that houses The New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts. The featured image at the top of the post was also taken at lunch time, and the last picture at the bottom of the post is the insignia of the Wellington Harbour Board you can see on a gate near to the shoreline.

In the shopping basket

I have to say there was a wonderful selection in the Wonky Box this week: 2(!) ears of sweetcorn, green beans, carrots, a lettuce, cherry tomatoes, garlic, a bag of bok choy and parsnips, which herald autumn is just around the corner. This was topped up with peaches, a punnet of raspberries, mushrooms, courgettes, lemons and a bunch of cavolo nero. I also treated myself to two fresh figs – delicious!

This week’s sandwiches

On Wednesday, I headed over to my favourite cafe in town, Squirrel, and enjoyed a salami, cheese, olives, sun dried tomato and salad sandwich which was extremely delivious. At my desk on Friday, I enjoyed a pastrami, cheese, pickle and salad sandwich from Dough Bakery.

Simple things

  • Eating pizza, drinking wine and doing a laundry with friends.
  • Speaking to my brother in Vancouver on his birthday.
  • Hearing that a friend at work has got her law degree after lots of hard work over a few years – congratulations!
  • Spending a good part of Saturday afternoon reading and drinking tea.
  • Making and enjoying Pasta alla Norcina using the recipe from Sip and Feast (and yes it is pasta and sausages again!).
  • Enjoying what is left of the summer

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 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

41 Comments

  2. A great start to the week with a reminder that it is the small things in life that can bring joy even if everything is falling down around us. Thank you for the shout out and I hope that the post helped a little. I’m sorry to hear that you will have to be on the move again. I was only thinking the other day that I don’t think I could face another move for quite a while. Take care of yourself and hopefully you will have a lovely week full of little joys. x

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  3. Another move when you have just got over this one!!! Good for you for adopting a positive attitude and focusing on the happier moments in life 🙂

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  10. I think I’d be the same way listening to a podcast in French… I find that I can understand it so much better when I can read or slow it waaay down since I’m not very fluent in it at all. Sorry to hear about the washer and your lease not renewing but you did have so many wonderful moments to focus on this week too. 

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  11. Hi, Barbara – I deeply admire how you continue to focus on the positive regardless of what life sends your way. I also remain jealous of your Wonky Box. I did some research last week if similar boxes were available for delivery in my area. Sadly, not yet!

    Thank you for the shoutout. I greatly appreciate it!

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    1. Well, I have to say it has been hard the past few days to stay focussed on the positive…but I am a great believer in the saying ‘every cloud has a silver lining’. The veg box delivery is quite nice and it does force you to being a bit creative at times.

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  13. What a nuisance to have to move again so soon. I hope that you find somewhere suitable soon. My nephew Dan has been in Wellington lately with his mother. I am surprised that you didn’t bump into them. :)

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  15. I’m sorry you have to move as well, I hope you have wonderful people to help with that. Your post was delightful especially the lovely way you arrange food. On top of that, you got out and did something fun. Good going! 🙂

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  19. Beautiful sunny days and veggie box. That’s a fine building and I like the fish on the crest. I hope you’ll be able to find a new place you like easily and your move preparation will go smoothly. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.

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