This week’s small pleasures 510

There are times or events that make it all the more important to consider the small things that make us smile. I’m feeling a bit like that at the moment for a variety of reasons. Anyway, as I was working at home today, a walk was necessary in the afternoon. I spotted this beautiful blossom…

…and this kōwhai, so beloved by tūī. What glorious signs of the season that immediately lifted my sagging spirits.

Bird of the Year

This year’s Bird of the Year was announced this morning, and it is the karure black robin. The kākāpō, which was one of the birds I voted for, came second. The kārearea came third place and fourth and fifth place went to the kea and takahē respectively. You can read more about it here.

Lunches

I had one of my favourite lunches – the tuna bagel – at Bond Street Deli on Wednesday, and another of the NZ$10 deals of a coffee and sandwich at Tipple on the Nook on Friday. This week I had the ham, cheese, tomato and lettuce. Such a great deal, and a nice place to sit with a book too.

In the shopping basket

The Wonky Box delivered up yet more broccoli, two giant onions, potatoes, kumara. parsnips, a leek, avocados (not tired of them yet), a bunch of baby purple carrots and some mushrooms. We topped this up with oranges, giant lemons (what is it with giant produce?), asparagus, rainbow chard, a small fennel bulb, tomatoes (still a bit expensive but could not resist) asparagus, rocket, gurnard for Saturday’s dinner, steak to have with potato gratin on Sunday for a treat and some chicken, eggs and other bits and bobs.

Out and about: bees

For the next eight weeks, Wellington has been taken over by giant bees. To be exact, Bee in the City is one of those sculpture trails, with thirty bees and some community bees decorated by schools and local groups. So far I have spotted six (two from the car on the way home). The ones below can be found in Old Bank Arcade, Civic Square, Grey Street and Midland Park.

Out and about: World of Wearable Art

On Friday evening, friends and I headed out to this year’s World of Wearable Art. Regular readers will know that I go every year with friends, and every year there are some costumes that are particularly striking. This year’s show as called Glo! and the themes this year were metallic, open, Aotearoa, avant-garde, kinetic and bizarre bra. Below you can see the programme (which is excellent, featuring all the designs), some past costumes on display, and people getting seated before it all began.

The show as ever was spectacular, with dancing, aerialists, musicians and of course the costumes. The most breath taking moment was watching one of the aerialists, on a spinning pole that was covered with flames. Other acrobats wore long black skirts, with the flame trimmed hems. It was quite something! WOW, as it is known, is also a competition. The supreme winner was Waikanae-based Kayla Christensen for her piece Sacred Nightfall. You can see some of the winners here.

Simple things

• Breathing in spring air.
• Enjoying longer evenings.
• Going to book club for good conversation, and not just about books.
• Making a very good potato/kumara gratin as part of Sunday’s dinner.
• Watching lots (and I mean lots) of cooking on YouTube. I know…
• Saying hello to Zee, a well known local cat who spends most of his time in and around the Salvation Army charity shop.

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.

• Laurie celebrates her birthday.
• And Fred shares six things from his garden.
• Autumn is here for Jude at Cornwall in Colours.
• Anne finds a mermaid’s purse.
• The Glasgow Gallivanter spends a day in Valletta.
• Meanwhile Travels Through My Lens goes on a Parisian cruise.
• The Travel Sketcher reflects on the week in The Pearl.
• Mr Tootlepedal has an unexpected cream tea.
• Lovely to see Maria in Stockholm.
• And Neal shares a Silent Sunday.
• Ju Lyn shares her happy place and happy space.
• Ilze makes the mondamin cake – looks good!
• And Natalie has a gorgeous day in Port Hope .
• Deb talks about what she has been reading.
• Finally….Mr Platypus introduces us to a new addition.
• ..…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