This week’s small pleasures #380

Thistles and Kiwis

While we are still sitting with boxes to unpack, partly as we don’t have enough storage for some of our things and partly as there is a limit as to how much you can do when you are at work and also needing ‘time out’. But we are getting there and really enjoying the new space.

Unfortunately I slipped on a wet floor in the kitchen at work this morning, and bashed my left knee which is now developing what are going to be lovely bruises. I have applied lots of arnica based ointment and someone in the office found an ice-pack in the freezer but you know what these things are like. I have to say how lovely my colleagues were, making sure I was OK and one even making me a cup of tea, so a big thank you to all of them. The morning, however, began with this amazing red sky, seen while I was standing waiting for the bus this morning. It was even more impressive in real life.

Lunches

I decided I needed a treat on Wednesday, so popped into Pickle & Pie for one of their special pies. I chose the creamy mushroom, truffle and parmesan with a black pepper ketchup. I opted for the salad rather than mashed potatoes or chips (fries) to go with it. So delicious – full of flavour and the ketchup went so well with it, adding a nice ‘tang’.

This week’s only sandwich was called a ‘posh BLT’ with ham, salad and an excellent dressing, eaten and enjoyed at Collective Coffee in the library in the city. The cafe there is really good and well worth popping into.

In the basket

The Wonky Box this week turned up trumps again with broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, a little aubergine, kumara, bok choi and (not shown) a big bag of salad leaves. I picked up a couple of courgettes, feijoas (’tis the season!) some cheese for our Easter Sunday lunch next week along with crackers from The Baked Dane. There was also a jar of peach, chipotle and honey relish which sounds delicious but I have yet to try. I made a mash of potato and kumara to have with sausages on Saturday, and used the mushrooms and half of the broccoli on Sunday with pork filet. Salad tonight with homemade lamb and feta burgers, and pasta with lots of vegetables on Wednesday.

Cuba Dupa

On Sunday we took a break from things house related and headed into town for the annual street festival of music, performers, food and general fun, Cuba Dupa. We grabbed some food from one of the many food carts – I opted for The Chook Burger from MDs which was really juicy and fresh. We had a good walk around, picked up some music, stopped for a beer, and admired the art work being created. The sun finally came out as you can see in the featured image at the top of the post taken in Leeds Street.

Simple things

  • Going to the theatre again, this time to see Black Grace perform their piece Paradise Rumour. Wonderful!
  • Realising that the garden is a little sun trap.
  • Reading on the bus to work or town….a joy but I do miss my walk.
  • Finding things I couldn’t find…but still missing my Birkenstocks….
  • Having lunch with a friend and catching up on news.
  • Feeling more at home each day.

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

38 Comments

  4. Sorry to hear you’ve been in the wars. If you have one (and can find it) and TENS machine is great for sorting bruises out quickly. Arnica is good but I think it is the massage of the area that breaks up the bruise.

    Good to know your new garden is on the sunnier side.

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  10. Love those sunflowers, and your menus sound so perfect. Ugh to missing items! Been in here 15 years and still a couple of things that failed to turn up!!

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  12. Pingback: If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea… – Thistles and Kiwis

  13. I enjoyed this jaunt into your week and the list of all the veggies you got. I honestly didn’t recognize the names of some of them but I recognized them in the photos. I guess we just call them different things.

    That street fair looked great! It’s so cold here but soon we will have some events outside too. I hope so anyhow!

    Thank you for the mention as well.

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      1. That helps so much when I am reading British books. My daughter and I were reading a Paddington book and they called squash something I’d never heard of but finally figured out was some sort of squash. I think your names sound more elegant. 😂

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  15. Wow, Cuba dupa looks really fun, thanks for bringing us all along. Love your photos too, so colourful. We dont really have many outdoor events like that here, I love that I get to see them on blogs though, I lived vicariously through this post heh.

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  16. I sure hope that your knee doesn’t hurt too bad. It is wonderful that your colleagues took care of you (as they should!)

    I am very happy ton read that you like your new place. I hope you get to stay a little longer, it is exhausting to move.

    Enjoy your weekend! Are you going to cook any special dishes for Easter? My kids aren’t really into any traditional Easter food, but we are treating ourselves to some of our favourite dishes.

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  17. I hope your knee is feeling better. The wonky box items look so good, especially the shiny aubergine. Cuba Dupa looks like a fun event. Thank you for the mention and for your weekend coffee share. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

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  18. Good to hear that you’re settling in. I agree with you that there is only so much unpacking you can do when you need to go to work. Your food photos, once again, are making me drool and I love the menu for the box.

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