In a week’s time we will be heading off to the other side of the world, to early spring instead of early autumn, to being back in Europe, to shops being shut on Sundays (Germany) and being able to eat as much herring as I like (Sweden). Tickets have been booked for the Hamburg Ballet and the Royal Swedish Ballet, a long weekend in Copenhagen arranged, and new suitcases bought.
At least summer has returned this week which lifts the spirits. And this morning, there was a real small pleasure when the bus driver saw me walking to the bus stop, and waited for me to get on. What a lovely thing for him to do (this bus is full of regulars).
The time of year
Lent has begun in the Christian calendar, Ramadan for Muslims, and the lunar new year has begun. At work, we had a lovely morning tea celebration of this last event, with dumplings, competitions, tea tasting and our coffee room decorated appropriately. It was a fun moment in the working week.
In the basket
We picked up some sweetcorn, which is still good, tomatoes (two types), mushrooms, lemons, courgettes (zucchini), green beans, raspberries, blueberries, cucumber and some mesclun salad. There were sausages from our local butcher along with some lamb and pork filet.
Eating
On Sunday we had out last mince and cheese pies before we head off to the northern hemisphere. We enjoyed a chocolate chip cookie from our local deli for our Saturday treat, and I had one of the excellent tuna mayo bagels at Bond Street Deli for lunch on Wednesday.
For dinner on Sunday I made this wonderful lamb and butter bean dish from Ottolenghi’s Comfort (a book I’ve been turning to quite a bit lately). It is unlikely we will have much, if any lamb, while we are away, so another thing to enjoy before we leave. The picture on the left is the dish straight from the oven, on the right, with the addition of yoghurt and parsley to serve.
Out and about, staying in
On Sunday afternoon we went to see the comedy film Fackham Hall. Very silly and funny though the humour might not be to everyone’s taste.
At home, we finished watching the beautiful, gentle comedy Small Prophets that I highly recommend if you get a chance. If you enjoyed Mackenzie Crook’s Detectorists you will enjoy this. We have also been enjoying Riot Women and the latest series of Silent Witness. On Saturday we re-watched The Grand Budapest Hotel which was just as good as when we first saw it in the cinema.
Simple things
- Connecting to all the lovely bloggers out there.
- Finding a bit of time for reading (you can read about what I read in February here).
- Listening to all the cicadas.
- Seeing the sunshine return.
- Meeting a friend for lunch on Monday.
- Enjoying the yellow dahlias in the garden (see the featured image at the top of the post as well). There was one yesterday and two today.
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 reminds us of the importance of the thank you letter.
- And Natalie shares murals on doors.
- Meanwhile Fred shares six things in his garden.
- Anne of Something Over Tea teaches us a new word.
- And Debbie shares her recent reading.
- The Travel Sketcher celebrates another week in The Pearl.
- Mr Tootlepedal is….thoroughly deflated.
- Meanwhile, Laurie goes to the movies.
- The Glasgow Gallivanter takes us this week to Newton-by-the-Sea.
- Maria of Green Dreams goes for a walk in nature.
- Still Restlessjo goes for a meander in Mértola.
- While The Eternal Traveller continues on their tour of Greece.
- Jo hosts the cook book challenge and gives us a taste of Malaysia.
- And Mr Platypus comes across a very beautiful Greek Orthodox church in London.
- ..…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
Thistles and Kiwis 
Such beautiful dahlias you have! I can sense the ‘countdown’ in the simple pleasures you have enjoyed this week, such as It is unlikely we will have much, if any lamb, while we are away, so another thing to enjoy before we leave. There are few things like going away to make one enjoy home again 🙂
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Yes we are beginning the countdown…with odd things cropping up we need to do.
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Life is full, isn’t it? I love the idea of having a Chinese New Year celebration in the office. Have a good last week! I envy you Copenhagen. I’ve always meant to go there, and it’s not hard from here. Maybe this year. Thanks again for the link xx
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The new year thing at work was a lot of fun. We lived in Copenhagen so we will be seeing friends, going to old haunts and catching up with my stepson.
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I have yellow dahlias just like yours growing in the garden. The recent rain has given them a boost so I’m hoping for a second flush of flowers. Isn’t it funny how for a very long time you have a trip coming up but it seems ages away and then suddenly it’s only one week to go. How exciting – I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.
I made pasta alla norma for dinner tonight – Mr ET gave it the tick of approval. 🙂
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I’m very pleased with these yellow dahlias – also the second flush of flowers.
I can’t believe it is so soon until we go…feel I have so much to do still.
Oh glad you enjoyed the pasta!
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A lovely blog post of things you have been doing and what you will be doing starting in a weeks time. How lovely. Enjoy the time away. How exciting and fun that will be.
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Thank you – yes hope to have an interesting time at least.
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“Take your hands off my Lobby Boy!” Love that movie. Had to rewatch that scene on YouTube. Remind me, how long will you be gone? Thanks so much for the mention.
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Yes a great film. We also re-watched ‘The Royal Tannenbaums’ We will be away for just over 3 months in total.
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That’s a long time! Looking forward to seeing pictures and reading about your trip.
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Karl will be working on his research and I will be working 16 hours per week so it won’t just be a holiday, though we do have some fun things planned.
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I hope you have a safe, and lovely time in Europe. The planning and anticipation are half the fun. Thanks, as always, for the shoutout.
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Thank you!
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I love the red dragon! Not long to go now …
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It was such a fun thing to do in the office. No…not long now…
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Color and comfort!
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Yes!
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The lamb and butter bean is very inviting. I must look out that recipe. I hope that your trip goes smoothly.
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It is very good – you can probably get the book from the library and photocopy the recipe. And thanks…things are slowly coming together for our trip.
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A lovely round up of happy, fun things. Safe and happy travels to Europe, such an exciting trip.
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Thank you! It will be an adventure.
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Your trip is coming around fast and sounds fabulous. Looking forward to reading about it.
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I am at the ‘put out lots of things to pack to cull’ stage 🙂
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That’s a great plan – I tend to do the same. 😊
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The Dahlias are gorgeous! The colour is so bright and beautiful. I am not sure I;ve seen that colour of Dahlia before.
I hope you’ll keep blogging while out on your big adventure.
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The dahlias are such a lovely bright yellow I think. Yes I will keep blogging – the blog is a sort of diary for me.
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Happy trails and good eats!
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Thank you!
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Enjoy you travels to Europe. I have never been so look forward to your travels.
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I like seeing all the food pictures. I went to my Uncle’s 70th birthday dinner last night. I ordered lemon-crusted pickerel. It was served on a bed of basmati rice with seasonal vegetables. Yum!
Happy Saturday.
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Such a nice wrap up over there before you head North!
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A week full of beautiful and good things before your big trip. I also read Heart the Lover. Thank you for the mention and your weekend coffee share. Have a safe and wonderful trip!
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Thanks Natalie!
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What a lovely week you had! I hope all your prep and travels go as smoothly as possible and you have a glorious time! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
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Ah…things have changed….https://thistlesandkiwis.org/2026/03/01/this-weeks-small-pleasures-481/
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