Well….what a week….from hearing we were going to have to move by August to finding somewhere new to move to all within a matter of days. While we did downsize and get rid of lots of stuff before moving last time, we will need to have another clear out again. And of course there is all the stress about packing, finding a removal company, organising the cleaning…. Add in other things that are going on in our lives, then there is a huge need for spotting small pleasures, such as this rose seen on the way home from work.
In the basket
There were some good things in the Wonky Box this week – more parsnips, carrots, avocados, courgettes, green beans, capsicum, a lettuce (not pictured) and the ‘standard’ one ear of sweetcorn. I supplemented this with a couple of grapefruit, lemons, a fennel bulb, raspberries, blueberries and peaches (the variety is sanguine, hence the colour).
Delicious things
I couldn’t resist picking up these apricots on Sunday: such a beautiful colour. I had two sandwiches from Dough Bakery this week – the excellent pastrami on rye bread and their ham and cheese baguette, which was also good (and that combination is always a favourite of mine). My Wednesday treat was eggs Benedict with smoked salmon at Urban – delicious!
Eating out
We popped along to local pub Chapman Taylor’s on Thursday for dinner, where I ate…guess what? Yes…pasta with garlicky prawns and Karl the sausages and mash, both getting positive reactions.
Festival event
On Saturday afternoon I headed out to an interview with author Emily Perkins as part of the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts. She was interviewed by national treasure and well known broadcaster, Kim Hill, and it was a great way to spend an hour. I’ll talk about the book in the next What’s on my bookshelf? post.
Simple things
- Seeing sunshine
- Spending time in the kitchen, cooking dinner (Molly Baz’s fish with shingled potatoes from More is More, a hot smoked salmon and courgette tart from Sophie Hansen’s A Basket by the Door and and roasting vegetables for work day lunches).
- Remembering the importance of breathing.
- Chatting to my niece in San Francisco. Lovely to catch up.
- Finding the odd moment of peace and calm.
- Getting my haircut – finally!
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.
- Green Dreams is cold planting in Sweden.
- And Natalie shares more postcards from Spain.
- Laurie over at Notes from the Hinterland tells a tale.
- Boondock Ramblings shares her weekly Sunday bookends.
- Mr Tootlepedal has some wonderful photos of frogs – and birds – over at Tootlepedal’s Blog.
- Anne of Something Over Tea recalls a poem.
- Deb’s World is away from home being a fairy godmother and grandmother.
- Meanwhile, Sue interviews Jo of And Anyways… on her podcast. I MUST listen as it touches on my word of the year – courage.
- Trent shares some excellent coffee in Cape Cod.
- Ju Lyn of Touring My Backyard meets a monkey.
- .…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.
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
Thistles and Kiwis 
What a lovely picture of you! My hair is long overdue for a cut, but my regular hairdresser died unexpectedly a few months ago and I just haven’t got around to finding another!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! I was pleased with my hair and it cheered me up too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phew! I heaved a big smile at the end of that list, and then smiled back at you. Your photos of the food baskets look so healthy and inviting. Have a great week ahead!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sigh!!!! Mind was thinking ahead…
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a great picture of you. I love your bangs. The wonky box looks so delicious. We will soon have fresh veggies again. I’m sorry you are having to move again. We have been in our house 23 years and have amassed quite a lot of “stuff” I can’t imagine having to sort through all of that. I love the picture of the rose. Have a wonderful week.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Lisa – it is a bit of a stressful time, but better this than be in a panic in June with nowhere to go. I aim to clutter clear even more this time around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds great. I am not moving but still need to do that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well its good to know you could find some small pleasures during a time of change again! Your hair looks great, my Mum used to say a good haircut made you feel better!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! I was pleased with my haircut.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a cute haircut! Our hairstyles are very similar. Lots of good food. And as always, thanks for the mention. Again, good luck with the move.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Laurie – I am both stressed about the move and relieved we found something so quickly, even though we had until August to move.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you found something so soon. Better to be ahead of schedule.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes – much sooner than we anticipated but good to get it sorted quickly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love this post and sentiment. I try every day to find just one simple pleasure to make my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kathy – there is always one small thing that makes us smile.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good haircut. And good advice :”Remembering the importance of breathing.” I am going to try to do that more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am trying to remember good breathing right now….
LikeLike
I love your haircut, Barbara. I’m overdue for one and my hairdresser is away until mid March! I’m also wondering what style I should try. Thanks for sharing your small pleasures and putting the focus on those rather than the not so pleasurable things which we all have in life. Have a beautiful week. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue! I was so pleased with the cut I must admit. The sun is shining still today, so that is a beautiful thing.
LikeLike
Your haircut looks great, Barbara!
I remain incredibly jealous of your super fun Wonky Basket!
Wishing you a hassle-free move ahead!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I do like getting the Wonky Box each week (and no more beetroot!).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great haircut! You are moving forward into a new phase. You’ll be fine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Barbara, I love your haircut. It’s amazing that you found a new place so quickly. The rose and fresh produce look so good; they seem to pop out of my computer screen. Thank you for the mention and for your weekend coffee share. Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words Natalie! Hope you have a good weekend too.
LikeLike
The hair cut is fabulous! I need one too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve had a lot going on Barbara so I’m glad you found some moments for calm among all that you have going on! Lovely to see you and your new haircut 🙂 Enjoy the sunshine and thanks for the mention, I’m late responding to comments but I’m slowly getting there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Debbie! Yes a lot going on right now but we will get there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you a smooth move to your new place.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you!
LikeLike