This week’s small pleasures 515

Thistles and Kiwis

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

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Published by Thistles and Kiwis

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

34 Comments

  1. I love your bee photos. So pretty. I haven’t seen the new version of Sense and Sensibility but a friend who saw it said that she found it quite gloomy at times and also lacking in Austen’s signature wit.

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  2. I really ought to do some cleaning out cupboards and fridge, Barbara, but I’ve come down with flu, so it’ll have to wait. At least I’ll be over it before I start travelling. Have a good week! xx

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  4. Love reading about all the enjoyable things you have experienced. Wish I could grow lavender, I could persevere, but don’t think it’s meant for the tropics, the bees have lots of other plants and flowers to enjoy💐At the moment, sitting out in our courtyard as the sun sets, after a big day, and feeling thankful.

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  9. I haven’t seen the new Sense and Sensibility, but I have seen the trailer many times. I have to say, the straggly hair put me off. To borrow from another movie that will be coming out soon, what are they, hippies? 😉 Hope to see it sometime soon. Thanks for the mention!

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  14. I love all of your simple things and small pleasures it reminds me that I need to appreciate my small pleasures more. The Peonies are beautiful and as always your lunches look delicious. I have been wanting to see the new Sense and Sensibility movie too. Have a wonderful week. Sent from my iPhoneOn Oct 26, 2026,

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  17. The peonies are beautiful 🙂

    I have not been to the movies in ages. I keep telling myself that I should go. We only have one cinema in our small town and the selection of movies is somewhat limited (probably one of the reasons I don’t go more often). At those times in my life when I’ve lived in big cities I usually went to the movies 2-3 times every month.

    I hope this week is treating you good. Happy Almost Weekend!

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