This week’s small pleasures post is coming to you on Sunday evening as tomorrow I am off for a cataract operation on my right eye. My left eye is known as a ‘lazy eye’ and I don’t see properly with it on it own, which should result in an interesting Monday! Anyway, here goes…..
Out and about – Wednesday
It was great to return to Pilates after the Christmas and summer break. I spotted these trolleys outside the the storage container at the top of Bond Street, covered with free books being given away by the city libraries. They had all been withdrawn from circulation, so naturally I had to take a look, and picked up a couple. From there I walked along to have a look at Eva’s Garage on Eva Street, which is a new space with a café, barber, craft stalls and I believe a florist. I was after lunch, but there was nothing much in the café, so I walked onto Shelley Bay Baker on Leeds Street for one of their egg sandwiches which was a delight. The picture to the left of the sandwich is taken looking down Eva Street.
In the basket
I also got this seed covered loaf of bread from Shelley Bay, and picked up these beautiful looking nectarines on the way home. The Wonky Box delivered a bunch of watercress, a lettuce, two ears of sweetcorn, tomatoes, mushrooms, a cucumber and potatoes (not pictured) and a bag of choy sum. I added a small bulb of fennel, a capsicum, a couple of courgettes, radishes, witloof, feta, raspberries and blueberries, chickpeas, and also pork mince and baby spinach for one of our favourite pasta bakes. I also treated myself to two figs.
Out and about – dinner
On Saturday evening we headed out for dinner at Noble Rot Wine Bar as an early celebration of Karl’s name day. It had been a while since we ate there, and we were not disappointed, having one of the best all round meals we have had for a while (food, wine and service). We were welcomed with a glass of bubbles as we perused the menu. I opted to start with oysters, and Karl had prosciutto and some good bread. I then had the lamb backstrap, with ‘eggplant and roasted pepper caviar, panisse, vadouvan yoghurt, witloof and lamb jus’. I can honestly say this was some of the best lamb I have ever had, soft and melting in the mouth with a wonderful range of flavours. Karl had the 55-day aged beef sirloin, and we had rosti on the side. As usual, we didn’t bother with dessert, but enjoyed a hazelnut and Frangelico dark chocolate bonbon with our coffee.
Out and about – Vivienne Westwood at Te Papa
On Sunday, a friend, her daughter and I headed over to the national museum, Te Papa, to see the Vivienne Westwood jewellery exhibition. This was a wonderful display of work, displayed in themes. There were some clothes too in the first room, including this amazing ball gown and Elizabethan inspired outfit.
Obviously, items were in glass cases, so not that easy to take pictures of. I loved this pearl necklace with her signature orb in the middle as well as the bejewelled teddy bear. The red and white pieces were made from recycled Coca Cola cans, and other pieces involved paper, papier-mâché and other found objects such as shells (as in the picture, bottom right – the object on the left is a pair of sunglasses). All in all, an excellent exhibition and highly recommended should you be in Wellington. I may well go back for a second look at some point.
SImple things
- Appreciating lots of sunshine.
- Starting up Pilates again.
- Drinking tea and eating a ginger biscuit on Saturday afternoon.
- Enjoying sparkling wine and oysters – because we all need a touch of luxury in our lives.
- Spending time cooking.
- Looking at this sunset on Friday evening
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.
- Anne of Something Over Tea steps out on a misty morning.
- The Glasgow Gallivanter enjoys a winter break in Perth.
- Deb of Deb’s World has a close encounter with an echidna.
- Trent of Trent’s World always makes an excellent cup of coffee.
- Jo of Brookford Kitchen Diaries reviews a cookbook and makes some lovely looking scones.
- Mr Tootlepedal has been pole axed!
- Sue has a conversation about being suddenly single at sixty.
- Travels Through My Lens continues a tour of Paris arrondissements
- Fred shares his six things in his garden, including tamarillos.
- Maria of Green Dreams shares a wordless Wednesday decorating with plants.
- The Travelsketcher is going where it’s warm
- Mr Platypus of Now I’m 64 visits a wonderul hidden jewel.
- And enjoy Saturday Sketches over at Cornwall in Colours.
- ..…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, good food and pretends to garden.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis.