This week’s small pleasures 503

Thistles and Kiwis

We woke up on Sunday morning to a thick, crisp white layer of frost covering plants, houses and cars. Where we used to live, we never saw a frost, but being just a little higher up now, it is a pretty normal winter occurance. The bright blue clear sky is so lovely to see as well. In fact, Sunday was a day of beauty…the crisp frost, the blue skies, a visit to a nearby historic building (which I think deserves a post of it own) and a wonderful film at the cinema. I also spotted a tui with its feathers all fluffed up against the cold. The featured image at the top of the post was taken this evening (Monday).

Baking

It has been ages since I have done any baking, a mix of being away and with just the two of us, a large cake seems a bit much. Scones, however, can be made and frozen, or just enjoyed, perhaps toasted, on day two for breakfast. I had my scone with cherry jam, Karl just butter. They were so good along with Early Grey tea.

Time for lunch

I met a friend for lunch at August on Wednesday where I enjoyed their soup of the day with chicken. kale, beans, lentils and lots of mushrooms. On Friday I had one of my favourite take away sandwiches from Dough Bakery with egg, salad greens and pickles. You’ve seen it before and you will probably see it again.

In the basket

The Wonky Box delivered up broccoli again, parsnips, carrots, potatoes, another leek, a little bag of Brussels sprouts (which we enjoyed with a kumara and potato topped cottage pie on Sunday), a small lettuce and some bok choy. I topped this up with a grapefruit, lemons, tamarillos, onions, tangelos and silverbeet.

Out and about

On Saturday evening, a friend and I went to Circa Theatre to see Local Library, a play set in a…yes library. It was a two hander, quite funny in parts with lots of local references. Not the best bit of drama I have ever seen, but a nice evening out. What was most interesting was that the theatre was full, as was the first night of the play on in the other stage at Circa, as well as the opera that was on at the St James Theatre. People are certainly going out, despite what the local news media would have us believe.

We headed over to our favourite cinema on Sunday to see Colours of Time (La Venue de l’avenir) which we had missed on the recent French Film Festival. This was such a beautiful film to look at with a wonderful story (the plot is well summarised on Wikipedia) about the lives of cousins who inherit an old house in rural Normandy and retrace their steps of their ancestors in 19th century Paris. Highly recommended for the cinematography and costumes as well as the story itself (with a fun twist).

Simple things

  • Seeing the stars clear and bright on Saturday night on my way home from the theatre.
  • Being cosy at home.
  • Looking at August’s calendar filled with lots of things.
  • Hearing news of family and friends.
  • Trying new things at Pilates.
  • Buying more tulips

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 many wonderful delights of the week.
  • And Laurie celebrates late July.
  • Anne shares a beautiful tea caddy.
  • The Glasgow Gallivanter takes us round more of Gozo.
  • While Jo shares some Lisbon highlights.
  • Meanwhile Travels Through My Lens takes us for lunch in Chartres – oh how I would love to do that!
  • Enjoy wonderful sketches and food with The Travel Sketcher.
  • Mr Tootlepedal has lots of butterflies in his garden.
  • While Ilze shares some little gifts from her garden.
  • Maria takes us to Rättvik.
  • And Neal brings us five things to be happy about.
  • Ju Lyn celebrates the changing seasons.
  • And Natalie tells us about her July
  • And Jo shares some storycrumbs from July.
  • Finally….Mr Platypus goes to the Global Birdfair.
  • ..…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

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Published by Thistles and Kiwis

Loves summer, sunshine and cats. Beginner gardener, likes eating, cooking and reading about food

52 Comments

  2. I’ll go for the scones too, Barbara, please. City living is certainly great in terms of theatre and social events. And those tulips are beautiful. Have a great week and thanks for linking xx

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  3. Seems like a good week for you Barbara, a bit of going out and a bit of being in! I’m just starting to relax a bit after our last busy few months

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    1. There is a little snow down in Dunedin today, not just on the mountains. Ah yes…autumn does begin in August in Scotland!

      The friend I went to the play with is an academic working in the field of libraries and felt the branch was a bit old fashioned in the play 🙂

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  8. What a beautiful sunset! Your scones look delicious – and well paired with Earl Grey tea 🙂 The tulips are very attractive – we don’t get them here so I have a vase of chrysanthemums in cheerful colours this week.

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  14. I love being at higher elevation, I am not living at higher elevation now, but I grew up in the mountains. Seeing frost in the morning is a beautiful thing. I love reading about all the little pleasures in your world. So much beauty all around in these experiences.

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  15. Thank you so much for the mention, Barbara! 😊 I always enjoy reading your weekly Small Pleasures posts—they’re such a lovely reminder to appreciate the little moments.

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  17. Hello,

    This week has been hectic and a bit tiring…so I forgot to be on time for Small Pleasures. I’ll make it my aim to be on time next week. I should be sending a msge to you late afternoon on Monday?

    Thanks

    Fleur

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  18. Ps…your photography is fabulous. The scone looks delicious. Our weather is far from Wintery, although we start the day with single numbers. By lunch time it’s 20 something °C. And we’ve just officially been declared in drought.

    Otherwise a good week. 😊

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  24. Sounds like a very good week. Those scones look delicious and the pretty tulips made me smile. Thank you for the mention and for your weekend coffee share.

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