This past week has been…not sure actually! There was travel, an evening out, an appointment with the eye doctor about the cataract in my right eye (date booked for the operation in January), busy times at work and rain/sun in equal amounts or so it seemed. There was still time to think of the small pleasures of the week…including spotting the Christmas tree in Midland Park (a favourite summer lunch haunt for those who work in nearby offices).
I’ve also been following news about the hikoi, (a sort of protest march) which will arrive in Wellington tomorrow to state objections against the Treaty Principles Bill put forward by the Act Party. No doubt some of you will already have heard about or seen what happened in Parliament last week when Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke stood up, tore up a copy of the aforementioned bill and led a haka to protest about the proposed legislation. Proceedings in Parliament were halted, and she was suspended for 24 hours. You can also read about it here.
Flying around
On Thursday, I had a work day trip to Hamilton, which meant catching the 6:30am flight up and with a half hour delay coming back, not getting home until almost 8pm. Yes….a very long day…but it didn’t stop me taking a few pictures flying up. It was cloudy, so unfortunately it wasn’t one of those spectacular flights when you see Mount Taranaki on one side and Mount Ruapehu on the other. The featured image at the top of the post was taken as we were coming in to land at Wellington.
In the basket
The Wonky Box delivered (mostly) really good things this week – carrots, a head of broccoli, asparagus, two lovely yellow capsicum, a head of lettuce, mushrooms and…..avocados. The season for avocados is typically September to April, so many more months to go! Anyway, I picked up some fresh peas, because I do love them so, a second bunch of asparagus (which is really coming down in price now), lemons, strawberries, blueberries (not pictured), some of the lovely strong cheddar from Moore Wilson’s, and a pot of the new zesty salmon spread from Aoraki, which I wanted to try to see if I would add it to the Christmas Eve table (and yes I will). I popped into our local greengrocer for some garlic on Sunday, and also came out with some lovely little red onions, a couple of courgettes and…the first nectarines of the season. They may be small but they looked too good to pass by.
Out and about
On Tuesday evening, we went to An Evening With Stephen Fry, actor, writer and raconteur, at the St James Theatre. He told tales of his past, his life before fame and read from his latest book. I found this interview on Radio New Zealand which gives an idea of the evening.
Simple things
- Seeing that Shelly Bay Baker have opened a branch in the area where we live.
- Having a very lazy Sunday to recover from the week.
- Spending time in the kitchen – including making these meatballs.
- Hearing that the herring I need for Christmas should be available in time – hoorah! Christmas is saved!
- Finding lots of time for reading.
- Relaxing by shelling peas after work
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.
- Anne of Something Over Tea writes about Egyptian geese.
- Meanwhile Natalie continues to take us around Norway.
- Deb of Deb’s World shares her happy Friday .
- Admire Horsey Windpump over at Now I’m 64.
- Trent of Trent’s World also reflects on the small things that bring us joy.
- Sue celebrates world kindness day.
- Mr Tootlepedal goes for a song and a stroll.
- Read a review of a cook book over at Brookford Kitchen Diaries.
- Enjoy Jude’s Saturday Sketches over at Cornwall in Colours.
- Fred is back with his Six on Saturday.
- Enjoy Carol Ann’s weekly delights.
- And Lisa of Southern Patches shares a Wordless Wednesday.
- .…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 
Your wonky box contents are always so colorful and fresh! I feel healthy just looking at the pictures.
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It is always fun to open them up.
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A surprise each time!
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Yes!
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You shelling peas reminds me of doing the same with my youngest brother, when I was about four: I think we ate almost as many peas as ended up in the pot!
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I can imagine! Too tempting.
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Sigh. Troubles all over. Glad there were some small pleasures.
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The big protest march – hikoi – is today. There is a definite buzz around it. The sun is shining too.
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I will be interested in hearing more about it.
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More coming today (Wednesday)!
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My mother used to buy twice as many peas when I was young as I was the chief podder and ate them raw. One pea per pod!
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It is impossible to shell peas without eating just a few 🙂
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That’s quite a wonderful collection of fruits and veggies! Yum.
Great that you have your cataract surgery scheduled. I had both my eyes done last year, and it was really cool experience, no pain, just a little bit of fussing afterwards, and now I have almost perfect distance vision, something I haven’t had since I had the measles in fifth grade! It was an incredible gift.
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I have to say I am looking forward to the cataract surgery and not seeing world in a blur. Your comment also helps in that it will make life better.
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You would never tell from your excellent photography that you had any eye troubles. I have got a cataract op this week and I am sincerely hoping that it will let me see my computer screen without having to screw my face and peer to enjoy your work.
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I do wear glasses….but will be very glad to be able to see bus numbers and go to the theatre and not see blurry dancers.
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I hope that it works out as you would wish.
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Hooray, indeed, for the Christmas herring — and for having the opportunity to fly over New Zealand on a work day trip. Exhausting for you, but super fun for the rest of us to imagine! Thanks, also, for the kind mention.
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It was exhausting, but kind of exciting too.
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The wonky box is full of a lot of goodies. Good luck with the cataract. My husband has a cataract that is not quite ready yet. The Christmas tree is just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing my post.
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Everyone tells me that I won’t regret the cataract operation. The tree in town does look pretty.
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I’m jealous of your evening with Stephen Fry. He seems to have a lower profile these days, so it’s good to know he’s still getting out there and doing his stuff.
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He’s been writing books it seems, but you are right, you don’t see him as much on the small screen these days.
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it’s always interesting hearing what is happening in your part of the world.
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Once again, your food photos have made me hungry (and I recently ate dinner)! 😀 Having a lazy Sunday to recover from the week sounds like a perfect plan!
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Thank you! Yes Sunday worked out well.
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A day of rest Barbara! The Parliament issue made our news here so I’m interested in your take on it all. Thanks for sharing your wonky box goodies.
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The day of rest was much needed! It was certainly an interesting week at The Beehive!
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Sounds like a busy but a good week. The wonky box veggies are so vibrant. Stephen Fry is such a wonderful story teller. I have a few of his books and audiobooks.
-Soma
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Yes he really is!
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Goodness, I have just read the article. And I thought the politians in the UK acted like children with name calling etc.
Your wonky box brings a useful selection this week.
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I love your wonky box this week as I eat those vegetables regularly. I also love lazy Sundays with nothing planned. Thank you for the mention and your weekend coffee share.
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All those fresh veggies look so good! We are spending Christmas in a warm climate for the first time this winter and I am looking so froward to seeing all the decorations (like your photo of the pretty town tree!) without having to bundle up really well.
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Sounds like a good week. Your wonky box selections look yummy! I hope you share what you do with herring for Christmas. I don’t think it’s something we hear about often here.
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We have a Swedish Christmas table where we use the herring. More on that to come!
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