This week’s small pleasures #442

Thistles and Kiwis

Today is the King’s Birthday holiday here in New Zealand. The sun has shone all weekend, making the world look fresh and nice at the start of winter. I took Friday off as I had to work on Wednesday, and with the good news that my foot was healing well, I made sure I got a decent walk around town, reminding myself of some of the street art of the city.

Shopping

Trying to cheer up my wardrobe, I ordered up three long sleeved T-shirts from COS which came all the way from Stockholm…rather than Auckland or even from over the Tasman. I picked up this bright colourful shirt from Chili on Cuba Street, a shop I often find nice things in.

In the basket

The Wonky Box delivered a piece of pumpkin, two leeks, more parsnips and carrots, one bulb of garlic, broccoli, potatoes and for some reason, two small beetroot and one red onion. I had topped the order up with golden kiwi fruit and a bag of tomatoes as they were such a good price. I got some lemons and a bag of tamarillos from our local greengrocer too. On Saturday I picked up a bunch of cavolo nero, apples, onions, feta, some lamb for a curry and this gorgeous looking romanesco (also in the featured image). As I wrote in Sunday’s Substack, I went into Good For for raisins and also got some dried golden kiwi slices, a jar of peanut butter, some puffed buckwheat (no I don’t know how I will use it!) and some dried cape gooseberries (physalis).

Out and about

On Friday, I stopped at favourite Fred’s for an early lunch, making it just in time for their egg morning offering, with rocket, cheese and just enough of a chilli sauce for a bit of a kick. Lovely! Today we popped over to the café by the library for one of their excellent cheese, ham and tomato toasties (just look at that melted cheese!) and since it was a holiday, we shared a bowl of chips (or fries if you must).

On Sunday afternoon, we headed out to the cinema to see the latest Wes Anderson film, The Phoenician Scheme. While perhaps not his best film, the usual cast of characters and cameos made this an enjoyable and entertaining movie. And yes…you do get a Jaffa with your coffee at Lighthouse cinemas.

Simple things

  • Reading a really good new book (the latest Catherine Chidgey, The Book of Guilt).
  • Catching up with a friend for lunch.
  • Getting my bulbs planted – finally!
  • Walking without my stick (but Karl at hand…just in case!).
  • Watching the new series on Netflix, Department Q, filmed in Edinburgh.
  • Looking at the sunset on Sunday.

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.

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

29 Comments

  5. Hi, Barbara – I am glad to read that you are now able to walk without your walking stick and that you are healing well. That is great news. All of your food goodies look very appealing. I am intrigued to discover what you decide to make with your puffed buckwheat. Please keep us posted.

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  6. I have been eyeing these lovely green and also purple romanescoes at our local Marks&Spencers … they are so expensive though, so I have to perhaps wait till I can find one on discount. What will you do with yours?

    Ah! is this what puffed buckwheat looks like. I saw it mentioned in a recipe for granola and I never looked it up. I would be so curious to see how you use it. Does it taste anything like popped corn or popped rice?

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    1. I think I might have seen purple romanesco at some point. I just cook it like cauliflower. As for the puffed buckwheat – it smells like cooked buckwheat so I expect it will also have that distinctive taste.

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  10. Romanesco is new to me, and now I really want to try it. I often find that with the changing of the seasons, I need to add one or two new things just brighten up my wardrobe.

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  11. So good to hear your foot is mending well, Barbara. I’ve never seen a cauliflower that looks like the one in your photo. It looks too pretty to eat. Have a lovely weekend and I just discovered you were on Substack so going over to take a look.

    Sue L
    #WeekendCoffeeShare

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  12. I like the t-shirts you bought and all the veggies this week, including the cute romanesco. I’m glad to read your foot continues getting better. Thank you for the mention and for your weekend coffee share.

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