This week’s small pleasures #405

Thistles and Kiwis

As I finish putting this post together, the rain is pouring down. Luckily, we are home with the heat pump on, keeping cosy. Such a contrast to the weather yesterday and this gloriously sunny day on Wednesday pictured below.

We learned today that the Bird of the Year is the hoihoi or yellow eyed penguin, probably the world’s rarest penguin. Of the 5 birds I voted for (including my favourite, the kākā), none made it to the top 10, but it was great to see the winning list containing the kākāpō, the flightless green parrot.

Eating out

One of my favourite places for my Wednesday lunch is Fred’s on Cuba Street. I love their tuna melt, and though I keep meaning to try other things, always just opt for this one. On Thursday evening, I was lucky to get to Hunger Monger in Napier. This was my third visit there, and I was not disappointed. I had the yellow curry with rice fritter, roast yams (oca), peanuts, soya beans, bok choy topped with grilled John Dory. It was an absolutely fabulous dish, and the flavours lingered in my mind afterwards.

In the basket

I came home on Friday to the Wonky Box delivery which this week had a giant head of broccoli, carrots, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, a bag of baby spinach (not pictured) and….yes! Avocados! There was also a lovely head of lettuce. I topped this up with grapefruit, yams (oca), tamarillos, asparagus and some microgreens with edible flower petals just because it looked so pretty.

Out and about and shopping

I hardly ever talk about my wardrobe here on the blog, not for any reason in particular, but it just doesn’t cross my mind. My weakness when it comes to shopping is shirts or blouses. There is a wonderful shop on Cuba Street, Chili, that has lots of really different and often quirky items, and I treated myself to two items – the shirt on the left with embroidered cats and the one on the right (to be ironed) with embroidered cassette tapes. Both items have injected some much needed fun into my wardrobe.

On Saturday afternoon, I popped over to the wee art exhibition held at the Karori Arts and Craft Centre, with works by local artists. Fun to see, and a couple of things I really liked. These vents really need to be supported by the community.

Simple things

  • Having a good trip to Hawke’s Bay.
  • Coming home on Friday and getting excellent pizza from the Cosa Nostra Food Truck.
  • Enjoying good conversations with all sorts of people I wouldn’t normally meet.
  • Going to the hairdresser.
  • Admiring a colleague’s gorgeous new black and white striped jacket – totally brightened up my day.
  • Looking at the camellias by the bus stop.

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.

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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

  1. The shirt with the embroidered cats is bound to draw a number of admiring remarks. Both look lovely and seem ‘just right’ for this time of the year 🙂

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  2. Love the shirts too, and that I get to travel back to Wellington with you! I lived in the Wairarapa and worked in Wellington from 2007 – 2017. My great pleasure last week was finally, after 5 weeks with an emergency crown, receiving my permanent crown. Woohoo!

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  3. I notice that my favourite NZ bird didn’t even make it into the top ten – I love Tui. I was pleased to see another favourite, the Ruru – Morepork did make the list. I have fond memories of hearing the morepork calls whengrowing up in NZ.

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      1. Tui are my all time favourites, come spring, I always listen for them, but they just aren’t here in Frieland…

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    1. Thanks! The John Dory dish was outstanding I must say. I miss all the camellia trees round our old place, but there are so many to enjoy where we are now that I am still happy. Yes – Jim would love them.

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  5. Wish we could have a little of your rain. Lovely sunny weather here, but everything is so dry.

    Those shirts are so cute. I especially like the one with the cats, which have a particular resonance right now in the U.S.

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  10. Your food looks delicious, and access to fresh avocados would be amazing!! Sometimes, we just need to inject something new into our wardrobes. I also did that this week with 2 new sweaters.

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  11. Hi, Barbara – Although I know you have been a tad overrun with avocadas laterly, I smiled to hear that they appeared in your Wonkey Basket again (I absolutely LOVE avocadas). And I know that you know this, but if you keep some in your fridge that will help them to last much longer. If you come up with some creative avocada recipes, please share! ❤

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  16. I love your shirts … especially the one that looks like it has been embroidered.. I am a shopaholic when it comes to clothes, although due to my rotunda proportions I rarely find anything in my size so when I do I am like a kid in a chocolate factory 🙂

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  19. Those camellias are just stunning, Barbara and I love the colour. It reminds me of growing up and Mum grew two bushes – one white and one pink. Thanks for sharing your week’s small pleasures at #WeekendTrafficJamReboot. I have selected your post as one of my favorites to feature in next week’s post. x

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