Talofa lava! Yes – this week is Samoan Language Week here in New Zealand. Samoan is the third most spoken language in New Zealand (and interestingly, second in Auckland), and this week is one of 11 official Pacific language weeks held throughout the year. Monday began with Samoan prayers and song at the morning’s karakia which was a lovely way to start the week.
It is really feeling autumnal now, with golden leaves, dark evenings and much cooler days. It is also a good excuse to make tea, rug up (as they say in these parts) and generally get cosy, a few small pleasures.
Last Monday, I went to hear the author Trent Dalton in conversation with Bret McKenzie (Oscar winner and one half of Flight of the Conchords). Unfortunately, the event started over 10 minutes late, and after the opening welcome by Wellington City Mission, the interview did not begin until 20 minutes after the advertised time, which caused a few people to leave at the times 7pm finish time even though the conversation was in full flow. Dalton though was very entertaining, and full of stories about his life and books.
The cold weather and drizzle stopped us going to the light show in the Botanic gardens on Thursday in the end. However, on Friday evening, we went to see Pax Assadi, the New Zealand comedian, who was in Wellington as part of the New Zealand Comedy Festival. He was entertaining, and the hour passed very quickly.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
In the basket
The Wonky Box presented me with a whole red cabbage which I braised with apple, onion, spices and a few raisins. We had some of it with sausages and mash on Saturday evening, freezing the rest for later as there was a lot (and I mean a lot) of it. There was also spinach, a cucumber, a little pumpkin, potatoes, carrots and broccoli. I added some tangerines for the lunch box, tamarillos, probably the last tomatoes for the season, and some rainbow chard, just because it looked so pretty. There was also halloumi and Portobello mushrooms to make burgers during the week.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Nibbles and bites
I roasted the pumpkin with a left over parsnip, carrot and pumpkin seeds and topping the dish with creamy peas (dish from Peter Gordon’s Savour) which we had with chicken on Sunday. There was a treat of a very good bacon and egg pie from our local bakery for a quick Sunday lunch after a spot of gardening and this chicken pesto sandwich from newly opened Super Deli on Featherston Street.
And The Glasgow Gallivantervisits the peace wall in Derry as part of her great series of posts about a visit to Northern Ireland.
.…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. If you want to get in touch, email me on lofgren@thistlesandkiwis.com
