It is the Labour Day holiday here in New Zealand today. Karl left for Seoul early on Sunday morning, and I took the opportunity to tidy up the pantry and fridge and chuck out some things past their best…well, mouldy preserved lemons from the fridge! How could I have forgotten they were there? Such is life, but such a waste. Ah well…. Anyway, I had a nice quiet evening, and an early night, which meant I woke up at 5:30am this morning of course.
Moving on… I could not resist buying three beautiful peonies, which began opening up to their full glory on Sunday. Such a treat to myself for the long weekend.
Lunches
I did promise that I would go somewhere else for lunch this week, and I did, enjoying a focaccia based cheese and ham toasted sandwich at Shelley Bay Baker on Leeds Street where I hadn’t been for ages. I did though go to Tipple on the Nook one day when a friend I was to meet for lunch had to cancel – the sandwiches are good and the lunch deal is worth it.
In the basket
There was no Wonky Box this week as both of us are travelling. I did buy some lovely, bright cherry tomatoes, strawberries, a red capsicum, asparagus, a tin of butter beans (which I buy when I see them and I love the label) and some burrata. There was chicken for Saturday’s dinner, with left overs for Sunday and some other bits and pieces.
Harbourside Market
I needed to pick up an order from a shop in town, so stopped off at Harbourside Market, more for a look than to buy anything (though I did get some ginger infused honey). There were giant radishes, bunches of carrots, lettuces, bunches of fennel fronds and coriander and many other things. It is a great place for reasonably priced fruit and veggies.
Out and about
Today a friend and I went to see the latest Jane Austen adaptation Sense and Sensibility. I would be interested to know who else has seen this, and your thoughts. There are some changes to the book, which one has come to expect, and I was not sure about the costumes and the wild hair. Anyway, it was a lovely thing to do on a day off, and also to catch up with my friend.
Simple things
- Sitting in the park, having lunch, listening to a guitarist playing softly in the background as I mentioned on Friday.
- Hearing the bus driver shout au revoir to a French speaking couple when they got off the bus – made me smile.
- Enjoying black pudding for Sunday breakfast. It has been ages.
- Having a cup of tea in bed on Monday morning (even though I had to make it myself).
- Finding some new trousers for the warmer days ahead.
- Watching bees on the lavender again (sorry no other bees this week).
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 shows us her yard in mid October.
- And Fred shares six things from his beautiful garden.
- And Jude at Cornwall in Colours also shares her beautiful garden, despite the storm.
- Meanwhile Travels Through My Lens takes us to Tallinn.
- The Travel Sketcher shares his week in The Pearl and some good food.
- Mr Tootlepedal gets by without too much damage after the storm.
- There is always good coffee and conversation with Maria in Sweden.
- And Neal is silent on Sunday.
- Ilze is falling in love with her greenhouse.
- While Natalie goes hiking in the Moore Park Ravine.
- Deb is having a crisis of colour.
- Finally….Mr Platypus reminds us of goats and his trip to New Zealand.
- ..…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
