What a week! I had been to a work meeting in town on Tuesday afternoon, and as I came out to go for a taxi (I had just missed my bus…) I tripped and fell, and the heavy back pack I was carrying kind of helped to propel me forward. Three young men came and helped me up, made sure I was OK and got me a taxi. To say I was shaken is an understatement, and since Karl is away in Sweden, friends came round to help me put out the rubbish for the morning collection and just check on me. Anyway, my left ankle is swollen, bruised and painful, my right knee grazed and most of all, my dignity was badly hurt.
Rightly or wrongly I went to the out of office work meetings I had on Wednesday and Thursday with my foot elevated during the day, but was able to spend Friday and Saturday resting, reading detective fiction, watching crime dramas and admiring this gorgeous dahlia that is blooming in the garden. The featured image at the top of the post is of a hebe also in bloom in the garden.
In the basket
The Wonky Box delivered up some good things this week: sweetcorn, green capsicum, carrots tomatoes, kumara, a red onion, another pumpkin and, not shown, a lettuce and a bag of green beans. I managed to get to our local shop on Friday after I had been to the pharmacy for a new support bandage (not the easiest of walks!), and picked up some peaches and this amazing white chocolate, pomegranate and macadamia ice-cream from Duck Island which I can say is as good as it sounds. A friend picked up some things for me on Saturday, including some lovely looking plums, a punnet of blueberries, a lamb chop, yoghurt and a tin of chickpeas.
On the table
For lunch on Tuesday, I enjoyed this ham, mozzarella and salad sandwich at the café at the central library, and could not resist this pasteis de nata to have with a coffee, and very good it was too. My neighbour brought me some of her home made plum cake which I had with a dollop of Greek yoghurt, and I found some nice black rye bread that I topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon for Saturday lunch. I roasted last week’s pumpkin yesterday (Sunday) along with some chickpeas as the basis of work day lunches – see below right topped with halloumi and other things.
Simple things
- Appreciating the kindness of strangers.
- Thankful for having good friends close by.
- Listening to the cicadas – the sound of summer.
- Having a lot of time to read – nothing serious, but perfect sofa lying books.
- Hearing from an old friend in Copenhagen I hadn’t heard from for years – really lifted my spirits!
- Spotting these little fungi in the garden.
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.
- There is snow over at Laurie’s – and a good looking cocktail.
- Anne of Something Over Tea shares a Robert Frost poem.
- The Glasgow Gallivanter visits libraries in Manchester.
- Deb of Deb’s World shares her February reading highlights
- Trent of Trent’s World makes us some excellent coffee.
- Jo of Brookford Kitchen Diaries makes lemon and white chocolate chip cookies.
- Meanwhile Donna also shares her recent reading.
- Mr Tootlepedal makes a splash.
- There is a Sunday afternoon coffee share over at Southern Patches.
- Sue gives us a boost to start the week.
- Travels Through My Lens ends their wonderful Paris by Numbers series.
- Meanwhile, Fred shares 6 things from his French garden.
- The Travelsketcher paints memories of France.
- Mr Platypus of Now I’m 64 finds some big boys’ toys.
- And enjoy a Cornish garden in February over at Cornwall in Colours.
- ..…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 
Take care! Ankle more than knee from what I can see across the Ditch! Love your wonky box as I did last week (remember I am ‘new’!), and am trying to make sure I have visited the posters you mention! Having been purely a food blogger for the last decade plus, some names are new! Some coffees and cakes missed so far . . . but not for long. Isn’t it great to hear news from bygone friends . . . Look after yourself and enjoy your reading . . .
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Ouch! I hope your ankle and knee start to feel stronger and more comfortable to walk on before long. A walking stick can be a tremendous help until then! Thank you for mentioning my blog – I always appreciate your boost and enjoy the opportunity to peep at some of the others you mention.
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I would love one of those folding up walking sticks! I have borrowed a hill walking one from friends. My ankle feels a lot better today but still painful.
I love reading your blog – always interesting.
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I so hope you are on the mend, it’s horrible when a fall like that happens.
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Thanks! The foot is still a bit swollen and bruised but moving in the right direction.
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It’s always such a scare when we fall – all the best.
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It is – and thanks!
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Sorry about that fall! And with Karl gone, too. Hope the ankle is healing well. Glad you had some delicious ice cream and good books to distract you from your injury. As always, thanks for the mention.
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The ice-cream and books helped! These things always happen at the wrong time – though actually, when is there a good time to fall?
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Never a good time! But with Karl being gone, it was a particularly bad time.
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Hope you heal quickly!
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Thanks!
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I hope a few of those “small pleasures “ help to ease that painful fall.
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They did!
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Sorry to hear about your fall. Good to hear nothing was twisted or broken. What a wonderful bounty of produce you have. Lovely flowers as well.
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Barb, what a week indeed! I’m so sorry to hear about your fall. Hopefully, your ankle heals quickly, and in the meantime, it sounds like you’ve made the best of things with good books, delicious food, and the beauty of your garden. Wishing you a restful recovery and plenty of small pleasures ahead!
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The ankle is still a bit swollen and bruised, but each day a bit of improvement. Enforced sofa time was no bad thing!
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Falling is such a shock, never mind the injuries. Take it easy on the ankle, rest, elevate and ice! It took ages for my ‘broken’ foot (I think it was torn ligaments) to heal as I kept walking on it. Your foodie photos are yummy as always and I could eat that ham and mozzarella wrap right now! Thanks for the link Barbara xx
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The shock is almost worse than the injuries somehow. At least I can work at home and am going to see a physio later in the week.
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Good idea. I didn’t seek any help which probably wasn’t a good idea.
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I’m so sorry to hear about your fall; I hope your ankle heals quickly. Falls are always frightening. Terry took a tumble yesterday in some wet grass; luckily he wasn’t hurt. Thanks again for tagging my blog; I always appreciate your support!
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It is when you know you can’t stop the fall that is horrid. The ankle/foot is getting a bit better each day. I do enjoy your blog!
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Glad to read in the comments that you are recovering from your fall. I know the loss of dignity feeling. You were lucky to have three nice young men in your vicinity though! Thanks for the mention again, always appreciated.
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I was very lucky to get help. At least I didn’t bang my head…. Always enjoy your blog posts.
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It’s a bugger falling over, isn’t it? Glad you’re getting over it xx
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It is!
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Ouch! That fall sounds really painful—I’m so sorry you had to go through that, especially with Karl away. But it’s heartwarming to hear how kind strangers and friends were in helping you out. I hope your ankle heals quickly!
Despite the rough start, it sounds like you found some lovely small pleasures—beautiful flowers, delicious food, and the kindness of those around you. That ice cream flavor sounds absolutely divine, and your roasted pumpkin and halloumi lunch looks like the perfect comforting meal.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and plenty of cozy moments with good books and good food! 😊✨
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It is still painful but going to see someone about it tomorrow. The ice-cream was excellent and a great boost!
Thanks for your wishes!
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What rotten luck. I hope that the injuries recover smoothly and as quickly as possible.
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Off to the physio today….
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Good to hear.
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THose kind of trips are the worst – they kind of mess with you emotionally too. The shock I guess. Hope you recover quickly. #Weekendcoffeeshare
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Absolutely!
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OMG, I’m sorry to hear about your fall and I’m glad you got help getting up. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
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Thanks Natalie – it will take some time but I will get there!
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Isn’t it satisfying being able to get fresh produce out of the vege garden? I’ve just been doing the same with mine.
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These veggies were all delivered – but through Wonky Box who do a great job saving not perfect fruit and veg.
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I’m so sorry to hear of your fall. I completely feel you about your dignity having been bruised. Glad you suffered no major injuries though. I love light reading too, so I’m glad you were able to enjoy a few nice reads.
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The hebe in bloom is beautiful. I’ve attempted to grow them so often, but the winter always ends their stay in my garden. Sorry to hear about your fall, it happens so easily and so quickly – but even after healing, that fear of it happening again can remain. You mentioned a folding stick in comments. I bought one recently as I have a slight balance issue now, and the stick (a nice glam one) makes such a difference to confidence as well as balance. When I’m in a store etc, with level flooring, it folds easily and I pop it in my bag. I hope your injuries have healed by now.
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I’ve seen lots of hebes around where we now live – they must like the area! I think I will a get a folding stick – one of those nice floral ones. A friend and I are off to the ballet soon and have front row seats in the Grand Circle so I think it might come in useful trying to get down the steep steps.
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I’ve used it in the theatre and it’s invaluable. 😊
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Oh I hope you are feeling better. I’m a week late commenting. So glad those young men helped you and called a taxi. 😦
Love your photos of the flowers. That top plant is one that is on my list to look at getting for a new planting space I have.
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