This week’s small pleasures #479

After a very stormy night, with gale force winds of up to 130km/h, and lots of rain, peace returned for a few short hours, at least allowing us to get home before the heavens opened again. I read that Gisborne, Taupō, Waiouru, Wellington, Whanganui and Kaikōura have already exceeded the amount of rainfall they would typically expect to receive in February. Baring Head Wave Buoy in Wellington Harbour recorded a Significant Wave Height of 7.54 metres at 11:06 pm on Sunday (a Significant Wave Height is the average height of the highest one-third of waves – you learn something new every day) and Wellington Airport measured its strongest winds since June 2013. You can read more here. While we were not too badly affected, on the way to work we saw many uprooted trees, branches and other signs of the storm. A friend and I agreed that there seems to be an increasing number of these weather events.

Anyway, to the small pleasures of the past week which actually included some nice sunny days (yes our weather is rather changeable this summer).

A fine lunch

I came out of Pilates on Wednesday and saw a familiar figure…that of my husband. So we went to have lunch together at Pickle and Pie. I opted for toasted reuben on rye bread and Karl had the brisket, pilsner and smoked cheese pie served with gravy and crinkle chips (or fries if you must). A lovely treat for us both.

In the basket

No Wonky Box again this week…getting too close to The Big Trip. I picked up some of these little colourful potatoes. an aubergine to make pasta alla norma, a fennel bulb, a bunch of radishes, carrots and some heirloom tomatoes and burrata. There were more raspberries and blueberries, which are just so good just now, sausages, lamb mince and some lovely tarakihi (a fish) we had for Saturday’s dinner.

In the kitchen

I made a rather good salad on Saturday to have with the fish, home made tartare sauce and potatoes from cucumber, radishes, sweetcorn and lots of dill and a simple dressing. I also made courgettes pasta using the green and yellow ones I bought the week before, which was excellent (I made the mistake on taking the picture with a light on in the kitchen).

Sunday

A few months ago, I got in touch with my godfather’s son who had been at school with my brother Peter (who died in 2020). This is a long story…but briefly our parents were great friends and emigrated to Australia when I was a child. He now lives in Perth (the one in Western Australia) and decided to come over for a visit to New Zealand. The weather of course was pretty awful, but not too bad to stop us driving over the Remutaka Hills to Martinborough and for the platter lunch at Poppies, which was excellent. It was lovely to see some old photos and hear lots of news (and to get home before the storm hit).

Simple things

• Going out for a fabulous pre-Valentine’s meal on Thursday which I wrote about here.
• Being thankful we were not too impacted by the storms.
• Sitting reading on Wednesday afternoon, ignoring the ironing.
• Finding a perfect blue shirt that will definitely be going into the suitcase.
• Booking tickets for the ballet in Hamburg.
• Enjoying an Afghan biscuit with a cup of Earl Grey tea on Saturday afternoon.

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. 

• Travels Through My Lens shares memories of Mexico.
• And Fred shares six things in his garden.
• While Anne  tells us another lovely tale.
• And Debbie goes on a style journey.
• The Travel Sketcher tells us about this week in The Pearl and does a jigsaw.
• And Mr Tootlepedal tells us about a wintry day.
• Laurie celebrates a birthday.
• The Glasgow Gallivanter takes us to Boulmer.
• Maria of Green Dreams makes pizza and offers up her daily gratitude.
• Still Restlessjo shares her Monday medley
• While The Eternal Traveller explores ancient Athens.
• And Jo of Story Crumbs tells us about her life recently.
• ..…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 and good food. Thistles and Kiwis can be found on Facebook and Instagram @thistlesandkiwis