If we were having coffeee…or even a cup of tea…we would, naturally, talk about the weather. About the storm on Friday, about winter and about the frosty start this morning. You say but it was a gloriously sunny winter day and I agree – quite beautiful.


If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…you would say welcome back to New Zealand and I say thank you. You say June began with summer in Portugal and ended with winter back here. I say we had an amazing 3 months away, and it is hard to pick a highlight, but it was so nice to be able to explore Stockholm over an extended period of time. You say yes you certainly looked like you had an interesting time. I say yes from discovering Hamburg, meeting friends in Copenhagen and seeing family in Germany, Sweden and Portugal it was a great trip.


If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…you would ask me what I have been up to since we got back. I say, well, the optician, the osteopath and getting my vaccinations and you smile. We also went to two films on the French Film Festival though and celebrated Karl’s birthday. You say good – some fun as well as necessities.
If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…you would ask if I had been cooking much since getting back and I say a bit. There was a cottage pie and then this weekend I made a pasta bake with pork mince and spinach. You say this sounds like good comfort food and I say yes, perfect for the season.


If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…I would say I have just made a big pot of this special potato, leek and bacon soup that Jo posted on Brookford Kitchen Diaries recently. You say oh that sounds delicious, can I stay? And I say yes, I hoped you would. So we sit down to soup, garlic bread and more conversation over a glass of wine. You say how nice it is to have you back and I say it is nice to be home.

Also mentioning Ju Lyn and Brian who host The Changing Seasons and thanks to Natalie for hosting a monthly round up.
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
Home’s certainly a good place to be, and the food looks delicious. Better with company, Barbara xx
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Indeed! It is nice to be home Jo.
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Well, thank you for already saying all I had thought of whilst reading . . . and doing it much better than I – and, oh, that soup does look delicious . . . I must look up my Jo’s file 🙂 !
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The soup is very good.
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Soup is always welcome during this chilly weather 🙂
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It is indeed!
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East, west – hame’s best! Or so my mother always said. We’ve been away visiting family for a week so I am actually looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.
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We had such a good time away, but sleeping in one’s own bed is so nice. And having one’s own kitchen too!
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Wow, the soup looks so delicious! Add garlic bread – heavenly. I would love to see New Zealand. 🇳🇿❤️
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It was a very good soup.
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Lucky you!!
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It’s always nice to be home. Your soup looks delicious and beautifully presented!
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It is and thank you!
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That soup looks delicious. We are in the middle of a nasty heatwave so it’s salad for us. While I enjoyed reading about your travels, I also enjoy reading about your everyday life. I have put those two French films on my watch list.
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The travels were so much fun but also nice to be home, even though it is a bit chilly (though nothing like your winters or winters in northern Europe!).
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Must be disconcerting to travel from one season to to another in such a short period of time. I have never done this.
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At least the weather was still mild when we got home.
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There is no place like home!
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It’s nice to be home and have your own kitchen back. The soup looks delicious. Thank you for linking up with #MonthlyWrapup.
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I love these pieces! ♥️ home feels good
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It’s always nice to arrive safely home after a wonderful trip.
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And… coffee always tastes better on home soul. ☕️😊
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Travelling is nice, but coming home is wonderful.
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It is so nice to sleep in one’s own bed.
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Such a lovely season it was, full of adventure and coming home! Your comfort food looks amazing, even from the sweltering USA! I will never not crave comfort food, even if I have to wait a a bit to properly fulfill the cravings 😉
Happy July! I hope it’s off to a wonderful start for you.
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Thank you! July has started well…
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Home is always hone 🙂 No matter how wonderful a vacation is, there is no place like home. If one doesn’t feel that way, then there is something wrong.
I also had a visit with my optician this past week. All good, and it feels wonderful to know.
Thank you for another positive and wonderful update.
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Thank you Maria!
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Home sweet home…where you can scratch where it really itches. That’s an old saying from my Wellington clan! Your comfort food looks delicious. I had one of my fav’s tonight while my other half was at the local rugby having a pie. I had my omelette filled with cheese, mushrooms, tomato and spinach.
If we were having a coffee or a Matcha, I would tell you that I went for an optical check back in May, and my vision is great since my surgery a year ago. With 2 pesky cataracts gone, everything is so clear now.
I’m enjoying your posts and updates!
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