This week’s small pleasures 494

It is the 1 June already, and our second last day here in Stockholm this time around. Tomorrow we head south to Portugal, leaving behind the bright mornings and evenings of northern Europe (the sun rises at 03:45 and sets at 21:50). It also means our time in Europe is also drawing to a close, but more on that when the time comes.

Anyway, this past week saw us going to a reception at the residence of the New Zealand ambassador one evening, dinner with family another night and dinner with friends on a third. As a result, it has been lovely to have quiet moments just to walk around our local district, in particular in our local park and enjoy the rhododendrons and lilac (as featured in the last post). We saw a couple of bits of the Stockholm marathon which took place on Saturday, and which partly contributed to a bit of nightmare getting home from a trip to Millesgården as bus routes were changed/cancelled and an underground train broke down (we were lucky…we were in the train behind that one and were able to get off. The passengers in the broken down train were stuck for 3 hours).

Lunches and treats

Without a doubt, my favourite lunch is the räksmörgås (egg and prawn sandwich) at Systrarna Andersson. I had to treat myself once more on Tuesday, and it was made even better by sitting outside.

Not all lunches have been like this though. At home I made a chickpea based salad with lots of veggies and feta, and tried the wild garlic and lemon herring one day.

On Wednesday, I had this excellent pasta alla norcina at a little cafe I happened upon on Wednesday. It was one of the best pasta dishes I have had in ages. On Saturday were fortified ourselves for lots of walking at the cafe at Millesgården with a pasta pesto dish topped with asparagus, basil, mozzarella and parma ham. Very good it was too.

I also had two treats this week, feeling this might be my last chance to enjoy Swedish pastries. I had a cardamom bun one day and this custard filled one on another, both at Frost Bageri, which is also a great place to sit in the window, read, or watch what is going on in the park.

Out and about

I decided on Wednesday to go into town and see where my feet took me. I went into NK, the large department store. Not that I went into buy anything, more to look at the building and to try the lifts, which as you can see, are rather smart. I did find a sweater in a different shop so I am prepared for winter back in Wellington (although it was 18C at 7pm on Monday evening there).

On Thursday we met friends and ended up having dinner at Stockholm institution Kvarnen. Opened in 1908, the restaurant serves traditional food such as meatballs, with mashed potatoes, a special sauce, lingonberries and pickled cucumber. If you have only had Ikea meatballs, then be prepared to try proper meatballs such as these.

On Sunday evening, we headed out to a local restaurant, Aperitivo by Ingrosso, for dinner as a final treat before we leave Stockholm. I loved the side plates with the blue onion and the water glasses. Anyway, we shared a starter of a glass of prosecco with a selection of nibbles to start, and then Karl had a lasagne and I had ravioli stuffed with duck and a sauce topped with truffle foam. It was very good and not quite as rich as it sounds.

Simple things

• Enjoying all the spring flowers.
• Smelling the lilac that seems to be everywhere.
• A trip to Millesgården – more on that on Wednesday as there is a lot to show you.
• Going for Indian food with family, followed by dessert at their flat.
• Walking a lot – my feet might not think this is such a small pleasure!
• Meeting this cat.

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.

• Carol Ann shares her weekly special delights.
• Meanwhile Travels Through My Lens takes us around Prague.
• Natalie shares her May highlights.
• Take a tour around Fred’s garden in France.
• The Travel Sketcher is in Kator, and what a wonderful place it looks.
• Mr Tootlepedal celebrates spring and tests his new bike tyre.
• While Melissa of Under the Elderberry Tree shares what has been going on in May.
• And Maria is companion planting in her garden.
• Neal shares useful tips for magnolia.
• And Laurie notes the end of spring and goes to the movies.
• Ju-Lyn notes the changing seasons.
• And Jo of Story Crumbs writes on blossoms and blooms.
• And The Glasgow Gallivanter shows us some doors seen recently in Malta.
• Finally….Mr Platypus shares some fun Snoopy statues.
• ..…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