GIRLS' DAY OUT AT MORNINGTON : BAY HOTEL : POMME: MORNINGTON ANTIQUES CENTRE

Herself and I had a girls day out to-day. We drove to Mornington. First of all, we stopped for lunch at the Bay Hotel.  You can see the bistro section - which was beautifully warm and toasty - on the right of the collage above.

We checked out the menu:

We had certainly picked our day because we were able to avail ourselves of the Monday/Tuesday Special which meant that if we picked a "starred" item we got it for $15 with a complimentary glass of wine.  I know I don't dine out often these days, Trad Padders, but I hadn't come across a cleverly marked menu such as this.  Along with the stars, the menu sported tiny 'v's for vegetarian and 'gf's for gluten free.  I am vegetarian and I appreciated this thoughtful touch and I am sure the gluten free brigade would too.

I ordered Mediterranean Pappardelle which, ordinarily according to the menu, has chicken.  I asked for the dish without the chicken and they were happy to oblige.  So my pappardelle came with roasted vegetables, pan seared with olive oil, tossed through the pappardelle and sprinkled with feta and toasted pine nuts.  Herself - who is a carnivore - ordered the Hopkins River Beef Burger.  I didn't have the wine.  Herself had mine and I had a coke.  She seemed well pleased with her vino.  I noted that The Bay promotes local Mornington Peninsula wines with other Australian wines bringing up the rear.  So, as you can see, we had good provender.

Our real purpose for the day was to visit the Mornington Antiques Centre.  But before we set off for there, Herself wanted to make a visit to the local Bed Bath and Table.  We couldn't find close parking in the main street and had to turn out of the main street only to find ample parking and more shops, including major chains like Target, behind the main street shops.  We got out of the car and Pomme caught my eye.  I figured in could do BBT back home any time.  And off I went to Pomme...

The chairs at the front of Pomme are bright and cheery

and the store will cover these chairs to the fabric of your choice.

 Display of art and design, jewellery and homewares

is beautifully done at Pomme.  Go see for yourselves.

 These delicate hanging pendants are filled with tiny treasures.

Behind them, are enchanting artworks of Belted Galloway cattle.

I purchased something for my sister's forthcoming birthday -

but I won't let out the secret here.

Then we were off to browse the Morninton Antiques Centre...

And we did walk away with some goodies.

Herself bought a beautiful print of pink roses.

I brought home a chest of drawers which I hope to transform

and two wooden cutlery holders for pens & scissors & etceteras.

Perhaps that will be the subject of the next post.

Amberley - place of retreat

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Last year, Gina and I walked along the path beside the Yarra River in Westerfolds Park between Templestowe and Eltham. As we stood talking, we looked across the river at a steep cliff and on top of the cliff was what I thought was a rich man's mansion. Well, last weekend - the Queen's Birthday weekend - I spent three beautiful days at the "rich man's mansion".

Once upon a time it was the mansion of a rich man.

It is Amberley and I was one of 65 adults and children, Quakers, who were having a Mid-Winter Gathering. We were so comfortable. It really was a pleasant weekend. You can find more, including recipes from Amberley, at Oz Tucker.

Signs of Easter - 3

Some favourite things are in this spot. Miss Eagle's dear departed Dearly Beloved owned the chess table. The crocheted rug in the basket is a UFO from Miss Eagle's late mother, Phyl. Phyl had been doing this for her grandson, Sam, when she died. Miss Eagle's sister and Sam's mother, The Director, does not crochet so Miss E volunteered. After fifteen years and Sam nearly 30, Miss E is nearly finished. We shall see if winter brings a conclusion!
The ducks are favourites of Miss E which belonged to long-since-departed great-uncles.

The pencil and quill belong to Herself and come from Il Papero.

Eggs in a basket of moss. Easter is on the way.

The phone book and a feather

Colours of Provence

Miss Eagle, dear Reader, in a previous incarnation owned a gift, homewares and decorating shoppe. One of her suppliers, sending their wares thousands of kilometers to the tropical north, was Colours of Provence. To-day, your correspondent discovered that she is still on the e-mail list. CoP has written informing, nay bragging, that they have six containers arriving at their Southbank showroom between February and April. Not only did they write, they sent pictures. Needless to say, their usual beautiful stuff. Decorating porn!

Miss E informed Herself. Herself only hissed one word - "Drugs!"

And indeed. Such promotion to addicts. Smack for addicts. Total abstinence required - but can we make it? Will we resist temptation - or will we pay it a visit???

A corner of the Trad Pad

Herself has taken the Laundry in hand. At the Trad Pad, as in most homes, the Laundry (apart from the Loo) is the least room in the house. But at the Trad Pad, it not only serves as Laundry and Mud Room but it is the entry to the house for Miss Eagle and Herself and most of the visitors. You see, there is no road in front of the Trad Pad. Only a footpath. The only house in the street without a road. This is very confusing for first time visitors. They get confused in spite of clear instructions and directions and finish up all over the neighbourhood. So the front door is little used and entry for most is from the side street. So here is the newly styled laundry.

Book shelves

You, dear Reader, will have noted that Miss Eagle questioned Herself's colour preference in the previous post suggesting it was influenced by the classical book covers on the bookshelves.

Here is Herself's idea of a bookshelf.
This one is in the sun roomwhich looks out on to a courtyard and across to the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Another corner - of bits and pieces

Classic colour choice

Herself has let it be known that these are her favourite colours.

Miss Eagle wonders if the colour choice has been influenced by the surroundings

- particularly the bookcase of classically bound books.

For furry friends

For all those good, loving and kind furry friends, Santa could put this under the Tree.