If we were having coffee…or even a cup of tea…

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