This week’s small pleasures #406

Thistles and Kiwis

Kia ora koutou! It was one of those weeks where it was harder to find a few small pleasures than others. I am sure you know what I mean…sometimes times are better than others. To be honest, I think the work day trip to Christchurch (the taxi collected me at 5am, and I got home at 6:45pm) threw me out, as I missed my midweek day to myself to get things done. We had planned to go and see the blossom out at Blossom Valley on Sunday, but the heavy rain put us off. Naturally, as is the way, the afternoon proved to be much nicer, so I popped out to admire our local blossom instead – see the featured image above and the pictures below. What a small pleasure!

In the basket

There were some good things in the Wonky Box this week….and yet more avocados. I really must take some to work on Monday! Anyway, there were also carrots, potatoes, yams (ocas – the dark red objects on the left, mushrooms, a lovely big bunch of parsley, two great looking capsicum, onions and the no longer dreaded pak choy now I have found a good way to cook it.

I picked up some rainbow chard, seasonal asparagus, grapefruit and a couple of tangelos, along with a bag of pearl barley to cook with lamb from our local butcher, and some gurnard for Saturday dinner. From the little market that runs on Saturdays close to home, I got this lovely bunch of kale, a couple of courgettes, and this excellent locally made smoked cheese with a coating of a herb/garlic mixture.

In the season

As well as enjoying the gorgeous local blossom, I also spotted more camellias and these stunning deep purple magnolia. Isn’t spring full of small pleasures?

In the kitchen

I have been loving re-browsing (is that even a word?) Julius Roberts The Farm Table, and on Saturday made his baked fish with herbs, lemon and asparagus. The finished dish looked so pretty, sprinkled with parsley. We had some potatoes alongside, and sipped on a chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay, before retiring to the sofa to watch His Three Daughters.

Friday’s lunch was a bright salad with a leftover lamb and feta patty and a big spoon of ajvar. Sunday’s dinner was lamb stew with pearl barley, also from Julius Robert’s book. I added in the rainbow chard instead of cavolo nero and remembered after the photo to add a good sprinkling of parsley. The meat came from our local butcher, the thyme from the garden, and the dish was full of cosy spring flavours.

Simple things

  • Appreciating Māori language week – Ake ake ake – A Forever Language
  • Looking at the snow capped mountains flying back from Christchurch.
  • Having Friday afternoon off work, popping to the library and having a good rest.
  • Starting a new book on Sunday afternoon – naturally, crime fiction!
  • Catching up with book club friends.
  • Enjoying this beautiful rhododendron, also spotted round the corner from home.

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.

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

35 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing your small pleasures from the week. It sounds like you had a mix of work and relaxation, and I’m glad you found joy in the little things despite the busyness. I always enjoy reading about your culinary adventures and the beautiful spring blossoms.

    As for my small pleasures this week, I enjoyed a quiet evening with a good book, a refreshing walk, and catching up with friends over lunch.

    I am looking forward to your next post!

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  2. If you didn’t tell us that it was more challenging than usual to find small pleasure this week I would never had guessed that looking at the gorgeous photos in your post! I do understand that lost time in the middle of the week made everything harder. I am ever so grateful to have Wednesdays off now with my new schedule. It’s definitely a game changer. I hope your new week is filled with small pleasures to brighten your days.

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    1. Oh thanks Maria! There are so many gorgeous flowers around right now, all within a stone’s throw from our house. That day off in the middle of the week is so good – glad you are enjoying your day off!

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  3. Your post is uplifting to read on this dull, chilly morning. Still, my grocery shopping for the week is done and so now I have time to read blog posts and get some puzzles done before diving into what the rest of the day holds for me 🙂

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  5. Spring is such an intoxicating time of year. All that blooming. All that life. Disappointing that the rain kept you from your trip, but there seems to be plenty of blossoms around where you live.

    As ways, thanks for the mention.

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  7. Hi, Barbara – This post deeply reminded me why I follow your site. Your writing is not only beautiful, it is incredibly personal and candid. I love your optimisim, your focus on the simple things, and your honesty that this positive focus is sometimes easier than others.

    And as always, I remain jealous of your Wonky Boxes. 😀

    Thank you for the shout out!

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  9. Once again I think that what you describe as small pleasure look like pretty big pleasures to me. I am talking about the blossom and the flowers in particular.

    My main pleasure has been the complete absence of rain lately.

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  12. I spent the weekend with all 3 grandchildren camping so that was a big pleasure. I baked a couple of cakes and took one to work where everyone felt it was a big pleasure to have apple cake. I had some quiet time at home which is so rare that it definitely makes the list..sorry your week wasn’t as stellar as it could have been. Wonky hours are hard…I know that all too well after 4 decades of being on call in the Operating Theatre.

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  13. I hear you – some weeks are just tougher than others, particularly when there is a disruption in schedule.

    You still managed many beautiful blooms, and lots of good eating! Yay!

    P/S I finally bought my bunch of rainbow chard: stirfried it with lentils … very delicious.

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  14. Pingback: round pond – Touring My Backyard

  15. Gorgeous spring flowers and beautiful produce in the Wonky Box! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a non-disruptive week ahead. Thank you for the mention and your weekend coffee share.

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  16. I’m sorry you struggled to find some pleasures this week, but applaud you for consciously looking for them anyway! Your talk of the Wonky Box and your kitchen section made my mouth water. If Pak choy is what I think it is, it can be eaten raw too.

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