Weekend Wanderings: Martindale Hall

After a lovely lunch at Mi Casa (Review here if you missed it) we all (My father, his wife, Mark and I) paid a visit to Martindale Hall a historic building, built in around 1880, which is set up as a museum. We particularly wanted to see this building again as not only is it one of my favourite places but its future as a museum is currently under question. This beautiful old building is one of a kind and is such an important part of South Australian history, not only for its stunning architecture but also for its part in Australian film - this beauty of a house was one of the locations used in the iconic film Picnic at Hanging Rock. If you haven't been there then I highly suggest a visit to lend your support to this amazing place. If you care about history and don't want to see this lovely building taken away from the people check out this Facebook page and lend your support to the National Trust's bid to return this place to it's former glory. Now I'll climb down off of my soap box and let the photos (and there are a lot - this place is a gem) do the talking: 

Mi Casa

On the weekend we (Mark and I) took a quick trip into the Clare Valley to meet up with my dad and his wife. First stop was Mi Casa, the new Mexican restaurant just out of Clare. We arrived a little early so I took full advantage of the fact I had a driver for the day and did a little cheeky wine tasting before we sat down to lunch. 

We all decided that since we had not been there before we should order the tasting plate and ordered two for the table. These included lamb tostadas, chilli verde pork tacos, marinated chicken drumettes and stuffed mushrooms. I personally found the pork tacos to be a wee bit too spicy, but I also have a famously low tolerance for anything hot, and it still paired nicely with the lime margarita they had as the drinks special (some drinks just need to be paired with spicy food it seems). Since it was the weekend and therefore a cheat day we also ordered dessert. My dad and his wife shared the vanilla sponge with strawberries and Mark and I shared the chocolate kahlua cake - I can't speak for the others but the kahlua cake was definatly as good as it looks! Over all I'm really looking forward to going back again and trying some more of their menu, especially since all of their menu is gluten free and there are many vegetarian options. While neither of those things are necessary for me they do apply to most of my family and it's great to have found a place that caters to at least some of their varied dietary requirements!
 

Tune in tomorrow to read about the next stop on our afternoon in the Clare Valley (otherwise know as 'I took too many photos so I'm splitting the day into two posts!')
A xx

10 things that have made me happy this week

source - she also sells books and gifts that are ridiculously adorable 

I've spent most of the day curled up on the couch under my faux fur throw rug reading my book and drinking endless cups of tea, it's been very relaxing but also a form of major procrastination! But now Mark is home and he's put the news on so I had better write my happy list before the news eradicates those happy feelings. I'm looking forward to another relaxing weekend including a trip to the Clare Valley and giving the house some much needed attention.

1. My new coat making going outside *almost* bearable. 
2. Powering through books - reading instead of being glued to the TV in the evenings has been so good.
3. Chats with Ned (my father) in the afternoons after work.
4. Wearing my bed socks to work under my boots - so warm and comfortable.
5. Jack's insane happiness last weekend when he found an abandoned ball out on his walk.
6. Hot showers on cold nights - then changing into my PJs and wrapping myself in my fluffy bathrobe. 
7. Feeding the bunnies something new - I love watching their little faces change from bewildered to ecstatic when they figure out that it's actually food!
8. Figuring out how to fit a small workspace into the shoebox that is my lounge room - now I just have to get around to doing it.
9. Avocado - with everything. 
10. Lusting after pretty flower arrangements on Pinterest - I might have to become a blogger cliche and start buying fresh flowers to have around my house!

*** Happy sharing inspired by Rosie ***

Outfit: Cottage in the Forest

Given my penchant for pop culture references in my titles a part of me really wanted to name this post 'Cabin in the Woods' however, I restrained the urge and used the much friendlier sounding 'Cottage in the Forest.' I do find it interesting how word choice can bring such different meanings to a phrase when essentially the words mean the same thing. Anyway, off of that tangent, I thought I would showcase my beloved blanket coat. It's become a staple in my wardrobe and definitely my go to when I get a last minute phone call to go into work, it's only downside is that I can't wear it when I teach Tech, which is often. Paired with jeans, a soft shirt and my tall boots it made the perfect outfit for a weekend dog walk in the forest (my old trusty pair of ankle boots decided to start letting the water into them so I sadly had to say goodbye - now I'm on the hunt for the a new pair).  I've been embracing much looser and free flowing styles recently, what do you think, do I pull it off? would you wear something like it? 

Introducing: Hutchinson

This is Hutchinson. My first bunny. The bunny set up requires a little more explanation, so they are hard to set out as individual introducing posts, but I will do my best! I have 4 bunnies, 2 bonded pairs. Each bonded pair contains a male and a female rabbit (they are all desexed) but the two pairs do NOT get on at all so one pair lives in the laundry while the other pair lives in the kitchen for the most part. ALL my bunnies are house bunnies and get time out in the main part of the house daily. Here's what you need to know about Hutchinson:  

• Hutchinson was found in the middle of a paddock just after easter 2015, my suspicion has always been that he was bought for easter and then dumped when the festivities had worn off (unfortunately a common occurrence)
• Despite the grumpy face he is quite affectionate often giving me 'kisses' on my hands or neck.
• Hutchinson has many nicknames including Hutch, Hutchy and Mr Grumpy Face.
• His full name is Mr Hutch Hutchinson  - While he was originally just named Hutchinson all the other bunnies has full names so we added in Hutch as his first name. 
• He has been assigned the role of Private Investigator as his name sounds like something out of an old film... plus he clearly likes to investigate things!
• The other half of his pair is Daisy (more on her next week) - The love each other but they have very independent personalities and often spend time sleeping on seperate shelves. 
• Hutchinson is the only one of my rabbits who conforms to the standard conformation of his breed (he is a dwarf lop)
• He is very fastidious and spends large amounts of time 'cleaning' his house, this mostly involves him rearranging the bedding and throwing things out onto the floor.

Weekend Wanderings: Bundaleer Forest

Just a quick update on very lovely weekend. This weekend saw us barely leaving the house, sleeping late, indulging in cheese and wine and a quick and wet trip to Bundaleer Forest to walk this little 3 legged munchkin. Jack's day was utterly made when he found a discarded tennis ball on the oval next to the forest. A few mad games followed, I don't think he's had this much fun since! After thoroughly wearing himself out, and getting sufficiently muddy, at the oval we headed home and he crashed! I think he is a very contented pooch this weekend. And a happy relaxed weekend was just what I needed to recharge too!