This week’s small pleasures 490

This week has been one of constant delights. Old friends, theatre, treats, good weather, and a long weekend in Copenhagen have all featured. We are now back in Stockholm (just!) and are well fed with some pizza.

Anyway, to start, while still in Stockholm on Wednesday, I found this delightful shop, specialising in dog treats including pupcakes, pupcorn, puppucinos and all sorts of dog treats. There is even a dog spa here at Dog Bakery.

Going to the ballet

On Tuesday evening, my friend visiting from London and I went to see the Kungliga Balletten (Royal Swedish Ballet) in a double bill of Serge Lifar’s Suite en Blanc from 1943 and William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated first performed in 1987 (and which I have seen before). It was a lovely evening of dance, made extra special with a glass of champagne in the interval and seeing a graduate of the New Zealand School of Dance performing in the first piece of the evening.

Copenhagen

On Thursday we flew to Copenhagen, and headed to the little apartment on Studiestrade where we have stayed on previous visits to the city. If you were reading this blog three years ago, you may remember it. Housed in a 17th century building I believe, the little space is our home from home when we are here. Regular readers may also be aware that I lived in Copenhagen for 8.5 years before moving to New Zealand, my husband for even longer, so coming here is more about seeing people than doing tourist things. My step-son also lives here.

Here are Karl and Anton…

Out and about – lunches

In Stockholm, walking round Södermalm on Tuesday, my friend and I found a lovely place for lunch Café Blå Lotus where I enjoyed a lovely ham, cheese and tomato toasted sandwich with a salad, and the wonderful prawn and egg sandwich I mentioned on Wednesday. In Copenhagen on Friday, I had a very good hummus sandwich at Paludan Bog & Cafe (we went back today, Monday) with probably my oldest friend in the city. Karl can be seen in the background tucking into a burrito.

Then on Saturday I met a friend for lunch at Severin where I had a salad with burrata, and she a pizza. We both enjoyed a cold beer, sitting outside in the sun, talking about everything and nothing for hours.

Out and about – dinners

On Monday evening in Stockholm we went to Levantina for dinner. I confess we ordered just a bit too much food, but gosh was it good! A wonderful array of very tasty dishes and definitely a place to go back.

In Copenhagen, on Friday my step-son’s choice was Halifax Burgers on Vesterbrogade, where we all chose the Naksov which you can see below (roasted onions, cheese, gherkins, bacon, ketchup and Danish remoulade). Very good it was too.

Saturday was my choice for the three of us, and we headed to Les Trois Cochons on Vaernedamsvej, where I had to have the white asparagus to start, and then went for the moules frites. My gentlemen companions had steak with peppercorn sauce. All the food and service was excellent.

On Sunday, it was Karl’s choice, and we headed to Tandoori Masala on Norrebrogade where I enjoyed lamb rogan josh, and the menfolk their choices.

Simple things

• Meeting former work colleagues/friends for food, wine, and gossip on Thursday – such a great evening!
• Catching up with friends in Copenhagen…such a big pleasure.
• Spending time with an old school friend who came over to Stockholm from London.
• Having endless effortless conversations, picking up where we left off last time we met.
• Noticing how many steps I have walked this week…it was a lot!
• Being back a city I used to live in…and enjoying that all important fransk hotdog while we waited for our luggage when on Thursday

What were your small pleasures this week? Sorry no links this week as trying to do this mostly on my iPad, but I will be back on Wednesday with more Copenhagen.

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