Hello lovely people. December 1st is the advisable order deadline if you want to guarantee you'll get your copy of Tiny Moments of Joy before Christmas. (All prices on the site, including shipping are in NZD, which means much cheaper in USD, GBP etc) https://www.swashbucklerpress.com/tiny-moments-of-joy Thank you for reading my book post.😊🌻❤️🌺

#Spotted From a Cafe in Aotearoa New Zealand: Two men (20s? Brothers?) are tucking into hearty breakfasts. One says to the other: "Did I tell ya I'm thinkin' of gettin' married." The other looks aghast: "Why?!" "Why not?" "Cos Aunt Belinda's gonna come!" A long contemplative silence ensues. A server stops at a regular's table. He's gripping an espresso cup, staring into space. She says: "Need another one?" There's a long, blank faced pause and then he gives her a grateful look. "YES! Thank you. Yes. Another one. Yes. Thank you so much." Sometimes it's the small things... A young human (8?) and Mum are sitting across from each other, playing cards. Young Human's wearing a piratical grin. He's totally winning this hand. He's DEFINITELY winning. It's in the bag! Suddenly he howls, "Hey! How'd you do that?!" Mum gives him a small, quiet smile. A couple (70s?) are idly enjoying their breakfasts at a corner table. He's wearing a golfing hat, a polo shirt and sensible shorts. She's in a bright floral dress and sneakers. Open books in front of each them. Fresh coffees just delivered to their table. On a big grassy hill that's visible from a cafe table a line of sheep are walking along a well-trodden track, creating the world's woolliest traffic jam for a couple of trampers. Blue sky arching overhead. Bleats and baas filtering down into the valley on a pleasant spring breeze. (Continued Below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (30s?) is sitting on a quiet park bench next to a gurgling stretch of river. Body gently curved around a tiny new human in her arms who is having a feed. A soft smile on Mum's face. A treasured moment of peace. In a board game and toy shop, a tiny human (2?) is holding up a small toy kiwi. Dad asks what sound a kiwi makes and not missing a beat, she bellows: "HOOOOOOONK!" Dad laughing. "Not quite! But... no, not even close. Let's look up what a kiwi sounds like, eh?" Three women (20s?) are sitting around an outside cafe table. Exchanging travel tips for the rest of their holiday in New Zealand. Leaning towards each other excitedly, taking notes of good places to see. Small inquisitive birds investigating for crumbs at their feet. Two wiry men (70s?), wearing worn-in homburg hats are lounging at a cafe table, enjoying coffees, quietly chatting. Coffees finished, they stand, give each other a quick smooch and head for home. One protectively resting his hand on the other's back as they go. A man (80s?) with a neat white beard is enjoying a cup of tea while sitting in the front garden of a bungalow covered in a profusion of pink climbing roses. A river gurgling nearby. A paperback resting on his knee. Reading as the world goes by. Any typos spotted in this post had a lovely amble home from running errands. If spotted please suggest they top up their pot of tea and enjoy it all a little longer.

#Spotted at an A&P Show in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) has spotted a pen of puppies. Studying them for a long moment, she bursts into tears. Dad asks what's wrong and looking up at him in abject anguish she wails: "I WANT TO PAT THEM ALL!" A small human (3?) is looking with avid fascination at a Fancy Bantam rooster. Fancy Bantam suddenly crows with epic aplomb. Small Human jumps. Small Human scowls. Small Human studies Fancy Bantom with suspicion. Are birds meant to do that? He's not sure, but he's keeping an eye on this one. At a doggy parade three young humans are walking a loaf shaped bulldog down a red carpet. But wait! Dog Loaf isn't stopping! (oh no!) Dog Loaf is off the carpet and headed for the horizon. (Ahh) Places to go and things to see! Can they manage to turn him around?! (They can... Eventually.) Two small humans (3 & 6?) are pleading with Dad to take them to the bouncy castle. Jumping up and down, circling him while skipping and roaring: "PUHLLLLLEAAAASE." Dad's mouth twitches before he says deadpan: "Yeah. I dunno. You look too bouncy to go on a bouncy castle." Outraged howls ensue! A man (60s?) with a long grey beard, wearing a broad brimmed hat, is sitting at a spinning wheel. Foot rhythmically moving up and down on the pedal, expression totally chill. Controlled mayhem happening at the nearby doggy fashion show and the shearing competition but he's an oasis of peace. (Continued Below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A smartly dressed woman (50s?) storms across a supermarket carpark, speaking in a thick Kiwi accent* to her husband. She flames: "Darren, it's NOT a party without chips and dips. HOW can it be a PROPER PARTY without CHIPS AND DIPS?!" A woman (50s?) is going through a supermarket checkout. The checkout operator (60s?) gives her an appraising look and finally says: "You play netball?" The other woman says: "Yes." "What position?" "Centre" "Thought so." They share a grin. A young human (8?) and his nan (50s?) are talking to a friend (50s?). Young human says: "I like riding with Nan. She's plays good music." Nan nods. This is correct information. Later seen pulling out of a carpark, Young Human and Nan beaming. Tupac filtering out their open car windows. A stoic looking man (30s?) is strutting down the street in a business suit. His pace is quick, his demeanour no-nonsense. But what is this? A $2 bag of mixed lollies* in one hand? Pulling out a gummy snake and chomping it with a fleeting smile. A small moment of fun. A tall man (late teens) is walking down the street of a quiet town wearing a heavy hiking pack, muddy gear and hiking boots, a ukulele clutched to his chest. Strumming as he walks. Wearing a faraway expression as he quietly sings the words. (Continued Below)

#Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A tiny human (2?) runs his fastest down a garden path to greet his big brother (5?) home from school. Big Brother stoically accepting all hero worship. Little Brother doing a happy skip-dance of welcome as he leads the way back into the house. A very serious man (60s?) is doing some cycling along a beach path on a no-nonsense trail bike. But what is this?! A little black dog sitting on a special basket in front of the handlebars? Ears flapping in the wind and a goofy doggy grin on its face? Ah, maybe opposites attract. A young human (8?) is practicing doing bunny hops on his scooter. He doesn't quite have the hang of it and there're a few stops and starts but it's okay. He's having fun. Grinning when he gets one right. Six young humans (9?) are playing volleyball after school. Five have their game faces on, taking epic dives at the ball. Meanwhile, one is doing a dreamy on-the-spot dance. Yes there's a bit of fuss going on, but she's happy in her own wee world. A big man (20s?) in business casual is lounging on his tummy on some grass in a park. Big Man's big dog (white staffy) is affectionately nuzzling his human's beard with his nose, tail wagging with helicopter-enthusiasm. Birdsong in trees overhead. A city settling in for the night. Any typos spotted in this post are Comma Hopping Ampersands. If spotted, please suggest they spend a little while hopping off the life rollercoaster and snoozing in a park.

#Spotted From a Cafe in Aotearoa New Zealand: A brightly dressed British couple (60s?) are sharing a slice of cake. She takes a bite: "Oh. This is quite nice." He takes a bite: "Nice that is, aye." She takes a bite: "Very nice." He takes a bite: "Nice. Nice." She takes a bite: "Very nice." A woman (40s?) is talking to a friend while waiting for a take away coffee order. She says: "You ever start baking and can't stop? I've made two cakes, biscuits and a slice* this week. Muffins later today. I don't know where it's going to end!" A small human (3?) accidentally drops a bit of his sausage roll on the floor. (Oh no!) Mum trying to console him by telling him he's still got more on his plate, but he's lowering his dinosaur bucket hat over his eyes. Sausage bereavement is real and we must respect his privacy at this difficult time. A tiny human (2?) is inspecting a cake display, expression fiercely focussed. Mum says: "Which one should we get?" Tiny Human frowns. Tiny Human fidgets. Tiny human sticks a finger up her nose. Yes! That's helped her decide. Finger of Decisiveness firmly in place she roars: "ALL OF THEM." A woman (60s?) greets a friend with a big hug and retrieves a bouquet of mint, thyme and basil out of her handbag. A treasured and thoughtful gift. Her friend accepts with a grin. (Continued Below)

#Spotted at a Vineyard Picnic in Aotearoa New Zealand: A very friendly dog (red cloud kelpie), her bottom square with age, is sprawled on a picnic rug as numerous small humans compete to see Who Can Pat Her Best. Friendly Dog is in her element, a doggy smile on her face. This is the life. An amiable barefoot man (60s?) is sitting cross-legged on a picnic blanket, solicitously serving deliciously crumbly home-made scones to friends old and new. Butter? Home made jam? He'll see you sorted. People taking a bite and grinning with happiness. A small human (3?) in a pretty dress has decided she is the STRONGEST. Little does Big Brother (5?) know that he's about to be on the end of a SNEAK ATTACK. Small human barreling into his tummy, knocking him over. Rolling on the grass like giggling puppies. WHO WILL WIN? (It's a draw!) A small human (4?) in a fairy dress has commandeered a sit-on wooden digger and is showing the other kids how to do it. She's firm with her opinions, expression resolute. She is the digging fairy and she will get this job done. A small human (3?) has decided that she is in charge of walking the family dog amongst the people. Family Dog is a Good Girl, and although she's tempted by all the picnic treats on offer, she's not sampling any. They head off to roam for a bit amongst the vines. (Continued Below)

So last week I asked Kiwis and Aussies if people prefer their fairy bread with margarine or butter, crusts on or crusts off, squares vs triangles. It turns out that I'd stumbled upon one of the great issues of our time. The Great Fairy Bread Debate of 2025 is still happening. The most interesting revelations culled from VERY FIRM opinions are: Apparently the fairies cannot enter the bread if you are a complete monster and neglect to cut the bread, leaving all four crusts. Do not do this or fear Great Judgement and potentially tutting. (Much worse than it sounds. You will feel shame.) Squares are a travesty, unless they are not. A diplomatic suggestion that squares are just two triangles back to back does not work and will be met with great uproar and virtual snorting. Butter is the Kiwi preference, unless feeding vegans. If one is feeding vegan fairies, one must check the labels of the margarine for non vegan infiltrators. If spotted, one must tut loudly to let them know they've been spotted. (Please see above point.) If one is feeding their fairies butter, one must get the spreadable kind, otherwise fear the event of Butter Lumps and Torn Bread. There is no coming back from this. You have failed your fairies. (Continued Below) #food #australia #newzealand

#Spotted at a Vintage Christmas Market in Aotearoa New Zealand: A woman (50s?) in a floral dress wraps her arm around her friend's waist, grinning cheekily: "Shall we go in the shop over there and gasp at the prices?" Her friend laughs: "Yes!" They wander off, heads bowed together. A dapper young human (11?) is promenading along in a bowler hat, waistcoat, tie, suit jacket, ironed jeans and shiny black shoes. He's got a walking stick in one hand and his other is looped through Nan's arm. Her pretty polka dot dress fluttering in the breeze. Charm personified. A small human (4?) is perusing bouquets of flowers with a critical eye. Finally she chooses one, pays from an embroidered change purse, then kisses it with great ceremony before handing it to her farm gear and gumboot wearing Dad. Dad taken off guard, eyes watering, picks her up for a big hug. A small human (3?) is walking across a paddock carpark towards the market, holding Mum's hand. Speaking in careful, optimistic tones he says: "Mum, when we get there do you want an ice cream or a pancake? I think you should have the ice cream." A woman (70s?) reaches over a fence to pat a very hairy black yak. In return she gets a generous lick on the hand and laughs, saying to her friend. "Look at all that snot! Oh well, it'll wash off." She gives the yak an affectionate look and they wander off. (Continued Below)