It is Monday evening here, the first day of the working week over. I have to work again this coming Wednesday, but will take Friday off instead, and have already made some plans on how to enjoy that day. In the meantime, here are a few of the small pleasures of the past week.
The weather
They say you can’t beat Wellington on a good day. Thursday was a gloriously sunny day, and on my lunch time walk, I spotted these swimmers in the city centre. Look carefully….
A short trip
I had to go up to Hawke’s Bay again this week for a short work visit. Below you can see the flight in and part of my visit, and yes those are scarecrows around the vegetable patch.
In the basket
In the Wonky Box this week…a spaghetti squash, kumara, onions, a lettuce, two cucumbers, a capsicum, onions and…….avocados….. I topped this up with more asparagus (not pictured), grapefruit, oranges, a bag of spinach, strawberries, shitake mushrooms and some quick cook polenta I served with Julian Roberts’ sausage, fennel and tomato stew, made with our local butcher’s sausages and fennel from the fridge.
Eating
I enjoyed a cheese, ham and tomato toastie at the cafe next to our local library on Friday (don’t you love the way they cut it into dainty triangles?), and on Saturday we shared one of the excellent Afghan biscuits from the neighbourhood deli with a cup of tea, sitting outside in the sun. I made a salad of chick peas, capsicum, cucumber and feta on Sunday for start of the week work lunches (to be topped with pumpkin seeds and maybe olives). There was a lamb stew with butter beans for Sunday dinner, roughly based on the one in Ottolenghi’s Comfort but with added carrots and spinach as it is not the season to throw in cherry tomatoes into such a dish as the recipe stated.
Simple things
- Sitting outside in the garden, reading.
- Driving over the hills to Martinborough on Sunday – pictures on Wednesday’s post!
- Realising that holidays are approaching.
- Watching the birds from the study window when working from home.
- Popping to the library for a couple more crime novels!
- Enjoying the treat of a trio of peonies (and seeing them open up today).
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.
- Do read our local writer’s Substack about cloud watching and other things.
- Anne of Something Over Tea shares some things from her October garden.
- Maria of Green Dreams shares a picture of her wonderful Jerusalem artichokes.
- Deb of Deb’s World shares what is on her bookshelf.
- There are some amazing pictures of the night sky over at Trent’s World.
- Donna, Jo and Sue also share their recent reading.
- Have a look at the baby guavas and other produce in Fred’s garden.
- Mr Tootlepedal is hoping for the best.
- Jude of Cornwall in Colours shares birds and flowers.
- Carol Ann shares her weekly delights.
- And theTravelsketcher visits Paris.
- .…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.
Thistles and Kiwis 
It’s lovely to have a little ‘get-away’ isn’t it? This week we have been in the garden working on our garden project. It makes me smile whenever I walk into the yard and at night we even have fairy lights now! Have a lovely week and thanks for the mention. x
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Yes – even just a short trip to a favourite place can lift the spirits. It must be lovely to see your garden the way you want it. Enjoy your week!
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I hope you have an amazing week ahead…!! The veggies looks great…. And thanks for the recommendations…to read…😊🥰
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Thanks!
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I like your mug – and the chickpea salad sounds delicious. I am happy to report we are enjoying a little light rain at the moment 🙂
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Thanks! Oh you must be so happy to get some rain.
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Great photos of Hawke’s Bay, taken from the plane. New Zealand is picturesque country isn’t it? Summer is almost here, enjoy!
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Yes NZ is a very beautiful country! Yeah for summer!
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We had really lovely weather this weekend too; so sunny and warm I was bummed that we had packed away all our outdoor furniture last weekend. That flower is beautiful and it looks like you had a delicious week of food.
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Warm sunny weather certainly lifts the spirits. I do love peonies.
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I love that gorgeous blue sky. As we had a status orange warning because Storm Ashley approached over a weekend we sheltered inside with freshly made muffins and hot herbal tea. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Staying indoors with tea and muffins as the wind blows sounds very cosy. Thanks for stopping by!
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🥰🥰🥰
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Beautiful weather! Fun to see swimmers in water by a big city. Not something you see everyday.
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Yes the swimmers are fun to see – people go at their lunch break. Must be cold still though….
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Another fine set of small pleasures. I loved the header picture.
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Just next door to where we live too.
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Love reading your recommendations and the delightful small pleasures.
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Thanks!
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Hi, Barbara- Your budding peonies are gorgeous, and once again your mention of avocados made me smile. Thank you for the shout out!
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There were no avocados this week 🙂
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So many goodies! I enjoy your spring with you, as we moved to winter time last night. We have frost almost every night. It is wonderful to see the flowers and other signs of spring in your posts.
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The weather has been very strange here with snow on the South Island, unusual for this time of year. But it is definitely spring here!
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I’m a firt-time visitor to your lovely blog, and enjoyed learning what you consider small pleasures. Saw this post at Traffic Jam Reboot Oct 23. My shares this time are #48 thru 51. Hope you and your readers enjoy the week ahead and stay well. Warm regards, Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health
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