Can I really have caught another cold? I certainly haven’t been feeling 100%, and slept for 9 hours (!) on Saturday night, waking up on Sunday with a blocked nose and aching limbs. A day at home was called for, with more rest, and today I worked at home feeling a bit better but still not quite there. Eugh. Anyway….onto the small pleasures of the week….
The weather
We have certainly had very mixed weather this week. The top picture below was taken on Tuesday when I got home from work just before 5pm. Heavy mist meant we could not see the hills. There was a lot of rain on Saturday and then the sun came out on Sunday as you can see in the bottom picture below. Quite the contrast!
In the shopping basket
In the Wonky Box this week there was a bunch of carrots, a bag of purple Brussels sprouts, avocados, more onion, garlic, potatoes, yams (oca), a small butternut squash, a pumpkin and a giant head of broccoli. I topped this up with more grapefruit, oranges, lemons and a bunch of cavolo nero. I also picked up a small tin of tuna, some chicken, a bag of split peas for soup and a piece of strong cheddar.
Eating
There were no fancy meals out, but I did roast the butternut squash, last week’s parsnips, yams and spaghetti squash for the base of my weekday lunches for today and Tuesday, topped with feta (and today, left over Brussels sprouts). This week’s best sandwich was from Pickle and Pie, the always good toasted reuben with their own pastrami and a good side of pickles.
After going to the library, I popped into our local deli for one of their excellent Afghan biscuits. They are huge, so we share one with a cup of Earl Grey tea for a Saturday afternoon treat.
Being at home
As much as I like going out and about, sometimes a day at home is what is needed. The sofa, a good book, a pot of tea, a film, a glass of wine and some good food (Rick Stein’s cider, chicken and leek gratin for Sunday dinner – well aren’t you supposed to feed a cold?). The picture of the table was taken in the afternoon light – obviously not styled for a photo shoot.
Simple things
- Enjoying the sunshine after the rain.
- Catching up with a friend for lunch
- Finding a book in the library from my ‘want to read’ list.
- Laughing with friends in the pub.
- Listening to the birds.
- Seeing the crocus bloom – earlier than last year.
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.
- Anne of Something Over Tea shares some random patterns.
- Share a coffee with Maria and marvel at the wonderful range of produce over at Green Dreams .
- Lisa of Southern Patches shares some lovely snapshots of her life (and kitties).
- Check out What’s on Your Bookshelf with one of the hosts Retirement Reflections.
- Deb’s World also shares her recent reading.
- Spend a summer day with Tootlepedal’s Blog.
- Jude over at Cornwall in Colours shares six things in her summer garden.
- Enjoy Fred’s garden in France.
- Sue over at Women Living Well After 50 has a new podcast for us to listen to.
- And before he goes on holiday, Trent shares music, flowers and a hummingbird
- .…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 
The bulbs are lovely! Get well soon.
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Thank you!
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I am sorry you have caught a cold again – the changeable weather must have something to do with it. It is 5’C here at half past eight in the morning today, but at least the sun is shining brightly and there is no wind. I looked up Afghan biscuits: an interesting combination of ingredients 🙂
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It is quite annoying I must say! Our office is often cold too. I have to say I had never had an Afghan biscuit until I moved here, but they are good.
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I hope you feel better soon, Barbara. Your day at home sounds perfect to me and probably just what you needed. The crocus are beautiful, I do love bulbs like these and daffodils. Take care and thank you as always for your shout out about my podcast. x
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Thanks Sue. I think you are right – the day at home seemed to do the trick mentally at least as I got two life admin things done today that I had been putting off. Always enjoy your blog and podcasts!
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Yes it feels good to tick things off doesn’t it? Thank you for your lovely comment re the blog and podcast. x
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hope you are feeling better soon. We have been lucky so far this winter with no colds!
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
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I hope you are feeing better soon! I’ve noticed our mornings are getting cooler and the light is fading much faster in the evenings letting me know that summer is coming to and end soon. I love this season though so I’ll try to hang onto it as long as I can.
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I notice it is getting darker a little later now, but it still feels like winter.
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Such a lovely list of simple pleasures. Hope you feel well soon.
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Thank you Laurie.
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Beautiful! That’s one massive head of broccoli!
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It really is! We had a little of it last night. I sort of feel it will never end….
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That’s the best way to feel, live in the bountiful moment.
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Oh no, bad luck on the cold! John had one last week but miraculously I managed not to catch it. Hope you feel better soon.
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It feels like I have been sick a lot this autumn/winter.
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🙁
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Small pleasures are really wonderful, they sure brighten the day. Beautiful photos. I do hope you feel better soon.
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me a comment.
-Soma
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Thank you!
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It is annoying to catch a cold and doubly so to catch another one as well. You have my sympathy. I liked the vegetable still life composition, very artistic
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Thanks!
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I am sorry you have a cold. Several of my coworkers have been under the weather and feeling bad. So far I have been lucky. The Afghan biscuit looks delicious. I don’t think I have ever heard of that. I will check it out. Feel better soon and enjoy a nice day or two at home. Thank you for sharing my post. Have a wonderful week.
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Thanks Lisa. I just hate feeling so lethargic and tired. I had never had an Afghan biscuit until I came here – they are very good.
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That bowl looks freaking amazing!! 🤩
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Thanks!
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Hi, Barb – I am so sorry that you caught a cold. I am glad that you gave yourself some rest. As usual, beautiful food/plant photos and wonderful thoughts of gratitude!
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Thanks Donna.
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I like the simple things list. It’s lovely. And a good reminder we need to focus on these things.
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Thank you!
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Not sure if my last comment went thru??
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I think it did as ‘anonymous’.
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Besides the cold, it looks like you had some nice days, including a day for just you. the box of veggies and fruit looks delicious! I hope you are having a wonderful week!
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Yes thanks we have had some good days despite the chilly days.
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