As we move to shorter days and our thoughts turn to autumn and the winter ahead, I am reminded that it is spring in the northern hemisphere, with pictures of daffodils and snowdrops gracing many a bloggers post. The clocks went forward in Europe this weekend, and in the UK (and elsewhere) it was Mothering Sunday (always the fourth Sunday in Lent). In Wellington this weekend we had the Cuba Dupa street festival, which thanks to my moon boot, we couldn’t go to this year. Anyway, the sun shone and it looked like there was an excellent turn out. Maybe next year…
Meanwhile, all sort of interesting fungi are popping up in the garden, such as this rather fragile looking one, which was there on Saturday morning but had gone by the time the afternoon sun shone on it.
In the basket…
…or rather the Wonky Box this week were courgettes (zucchini) which are now taking over the vegetable drawer, radishes, red capsicum, mushrooms, carrots, onions, another leek, some red skinned kumara and a head of lettuce (not shown). I also got some more of the red kiwi fruit from them. I topped all this goodness up with a couple of very large lemons, a couple of feijoas, a small aubergine or eggplant, and with autumn now here, it was lovely to see cavolo nero and rainbow chard back on the shelves. I also picked up potatoes, lamb mince and some other bits and pieces for the week’s cooking.
On repeat….
I was working at home on Friday, and needed a break from the small screen, so popped over to the cafe in the library again for one of their spectacular BLATs. There is a lot of avocado and tomato in this sandwich which makes it extra good. On Thursday I found I had nothing for my office lunch box, so popped to the other library cafe in town for one of their sandwiches (not as big as the picture makes it look!) and a cheeky little pastel de nata – another lunch I had recently. I really ought to ring the changes a bit more!
Going out and staying in
On Sunday afternoon, I went with a friend and her son to see Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit at Circa Theatre. It was a fun production and so nice to see live theatre for a change. The ‘updating’, as seems to be the norm these days, really worked and the 70’s inspired set suited the play too.
After a comforting meal of sausages from our local butcher and mash (and a large salad), followed by ‘mixed fruit’ (ie left over apples, pears and feijoas) crumble on Saturday, we settled down to watch the film The Holdovers. We had no expectations, but really enjoyed it and recommend it for a cosy night at home.
Simple things
- Enjoying Pilates for body and mind.
- Getting some cleaning and tidying done on Sunday morning – the kitchen was sparkling by the end and the freezer and pantry got a good tidy up.
- Having scrambled eggs for Saturday breakfast.
- Listening to the birds in the morning and the cicadas at lunch time.
- Finding that it is getting a bit easier to move about with stick and boot. Still tedious though.
- Watching this butterfly 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.
- Laurie goes from zero to six over at Notes from the Hinterland.
- Anne of Something Over Tea spots lots of things while sitting in the garden.
- The Glasgow Gallivanter shares a Manchester miscellany.
- Deb of Deb’s World takes a walk in the park.
- Enjoy coffee and a chat with Trent who had family visiting.
- Maria of Green Dreams makes us waffles…and tells us about her allotment.
- Meanwhile check out the birds and spring flowers over at Mr Tootlepedal
- Donna of Retirement Reflections shares what’s been on her calendar – including visiting Quebec and Montreal.
- Sue boosts our start to the week.
- There are some wonderful pictures of baby sea turtles over at Travels Through My Lens.
- And Fred shares 6 things from his spring garden in France.
- Like many of us The Travelsketcher finds it hard to believe it is already the end of March.
- Mr Platypus of Now I’m 64 shares a peaceful picture from Nova Scotia – somewhere I would love to visit.
- Jude of Cornwall in Colours is also celebrating spring.
- And Natalie considers the bright side of March.
- ..…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 
Thanks for sharing your small pleasures Barbara, it sounds like things are going OK for you even though the foot is still out of action. Also appreciate the shout-out!
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Trying to look for all the good things….!
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It is still quite warm and humid in Brisbane despite the cooler mornings and evenings, Barbara. We’ve had quite a bit of rain so Mike’s small pleasure was being able to get into the garden and mow the small lawn that we have. My small pleasure was coming second in my age group 65-69 out of 19 in the Run Army Run, yesterday. I did a little fist pump when I read it. Have a lovely week. x
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Congratulations! How wonderful to come second in the race!
Lovely to get rain when you need it. It is still warm here – autumn is usually nice here.
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A delightful series of highs for the week. I am enjoying the start of our autumn weather: crisp, mild days with the temperature dropping only a little at night.
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Thank you – it was so warm here the other night it felt like summer.
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Thanks, as always, for the shout out – but you’ve linked to the same post as last week (churches)!
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Oops – sorry! Corrected.
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Beautiful display! Sunny greetings from springtime England.
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Thank you!
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Some really lovely small pleasures this week! I love that your libraries have cafes in them; a few of our bookstores are like that and I am always encouraged to spend more time there because of those yummy nibbles.
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Thank you! Yes cafes in libraries seem to be a thing here which is lovely.
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Thank you, thank you for the mention.
Wellington seems to be full of good places to eat. Always enjoy reading about them.
As far as I am concerned, nothing can compete with live theater. Glad to read it was a fun production.
I, too, enjoyed The Holdovers. Really like both the director and the actors. Loved the bittersweet ending.
Sorry you couldn’t go to the street festival. Disappointing
Beautiful photo of the butterfly. And of the fungi that looks like a jelly fish.
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Yes we are lucky to have so many good cafes and restaurants here. I don’t know why I have fallen out of going to the theatre – I do enjoy it. I also loved that jelly fish fungus.
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Although you mentioned that the BLAT isn’t as big as it looks in the photo, it still seems huge. It looks almost impossible to take a bite out of! I bet it was delicious though. Thanks again for sharing the link to my blog!
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I did use a knife and fork…. 🙂
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I’d have to as well. Just like the French. 😉
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Another post that leaves me drooling! I could visit Wellington purely for the sandwiches. As for that fungi it looks like a pleated inkcap – I don’t think it is toxic, but best not to touch it. Once again thanks for the link to mine.
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There are some good sandwich and lunch places in the city. I didn’t touch the fungi…better to err on the side of caution!
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Hi, Barbara – I especially like the ‘Simple Things’ that you have listed. I have some getting some cleaning and tidying done. I will now try to view that as a pleasure! Thank you for the shout out!
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Once the cleaning is done it is good – seeing it all clean and tidy!
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It’s so lovely of you to share other blogs that are looking at the good things!
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Thanks Ilze!
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The street festival sounds like such fun. I’m sorry you couldn’t attend but it makes next year even more exciting. It is spring here and everything is blooming and turning really green. I love autumn it is my favorite time of year but it will be here soon enough for us. I love all of your small pleasures. It always makes me think of mine too. Have a wonderful week.
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True! Something to look forward to next year. I love summer but autumn is lovely too. The weather here is usually good too (though I see rain is forecast for the weekend). Thanks for stopping by Lisa!
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Lovely post, as always :3
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Thank you!
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I like the colour of your Hebe in the bottom photos, it reminds me shortlly to take cuttings of mine.
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It is a lovely colour I agree.
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We are lucky enough to have a great local library with a coffee stand too. Yep i’ve noticed funny sorts of fungi too!
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
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‘Tis the fungi season!
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I enjoy your weekly post, it is a great reminder to slow down (a bit!) and really enjoy the small things that add great joy. Thank you. Melynda @scratchmadefood!
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