Monday, August 12, 2013

Living it Up.



I fully admit I'm a hermit. I go to work and respond to people all day , every day so when I'm not at work I do tend to hibernate and avoid social activities. My modus operandi for relaxing is to avoid any activity that requires clothes fancier than trackies or pyjamas on weekends. I never leave the house in trackies, I just look tacky. And if you leave the house in pyjamas people think you're either homeless or mentally ill.

Mr. P on the other hand, is a social butterfly. If I was willing, I'm sure we'd be out dancing on tables 6 nights a week. We've reached an agreement about a happy medium. We do what I want to do because that's the way for my husband to have a calm and happy life and a wife who isn't a complete basket case.  

Several weeks ago I was thinking about what to get Mr. P for his birthday. My husband is incredibly difficult to buy for because the very few things he does want are completely outside of our financial realm. I am not buying a Harley for a birthday present when my bathroom needs renovation. Although if we leave that much longer 70's tile and retro bathroom fittings are going to be trendy again so we may not have to bother. 

Inspiration strikes in the most unexpected of places. I was cruising around Pinterest when I saw this idea.  I decided that it was the perfect gift for Mr. P for his birthday. What do you give a man who is the most social person on the planet when he has a completely anti social wife. You give him the guaranteed opportunity to do something special (and social) once a month for a year. 


On the 1st day of every month Mr. P gets to open one of these bags and in the envelope inside I've arranged something for us to do together for that month. 

Our adventure for August was playing tourists in our hometown. I made a reservation for dinner at restaurant we hadn't tried before in the city and booked a hotel room for the night too.

So yesterday we headed off for 24 hours of leaving our usual lives behind, which meant I had to get dressed and leave the house. If that isn't love- I don't know what is. 

First stop: Central Markets in the city to get some goodies.

image source 

We were specifically after some artisan and unusual cheeses so what better place to head than The Smelly Cheese shop



We were assisted by a lady who was knowledgeable and helpful and she gave some great recommendations. Then we headed off to book into our temporary home for the night in the heart of the city.



We booked in to find we had been upgraded to an apartment from a studio room free of charge  ...I love complimentary upgrades. 




We indulged in a mid afternoon snack to fortify ourselves because we were booked for a fashionably late dinner. 


That weird looking black topped cheese was actually a raspberry infused washed rind cheese. Interesting! And the orange one is sheep's milk cheese. Accompanied by a Parmesan type cheese but with loads of strong flavour and my favourite creamy cheese. (Damn you little Miss Sunshine for every introducing me to that cheese - I eat it far too often) 


Washed the cheese down with a decent white wine , some Serrano ham and Hungarian Salami. I was feeling very mellow by the time we'd finished. 

We decided to talk a little walk down to the Mall because no trip to the city is complete without a visit to the Haighs shop at the Beehive Corner. 

image source
The Haul

Later that night we went to Sosta which was truly one of the best meals of my life. Everything was absolutely perfect from the ambience to the service and the food was amazing. I highly recommend you try it if you're ever in Adelaide. It's Argentinian so not suitable for vegetarians. If this is how gauchos eat - sign me up!

Calamari , Chorizo and something that looks suspiciously like a vegetable.

Chargrilled T-Bone Steak with some awesome glaze

Add three tequila slammers to the meal and a couple of cocktails too and we were feeling very happy by the time we left to walk back to our hotel.


We stopped to listen to a guitar playing street busker on the way and he started playing a song just for us so Mr. P and I had a romantic dance on the footpath in King William Street before we headed on up to the Hilton Bar for a nightcap.


You can't see it in this photo but my drink was brought over to me with flames dancing round in that half kiwi fruit on top of the cocktail. Another first because I've never had a drink on fire before. All in all a perfect evening and a very different way to spend some of our weekend. Stay tuned for September's adventure since this one didn't appear to kill me. (Although I did come home and sleep for three hours this afternoon - but that might have been due to all the alcohol I'd drunk in the preceding 24 hours !) 




40 comments:

Diane-crewe said...

what a wonderful idea xx see going out CAN be fun xx hope hubby enjoyed it as well x

Three Birds Inspired said...

Sounds like a lovely weekend all the way around!

Kirsten said...

See..being a social butterfly is awesome! And what a great gift idea! Have to keep that in mind since my husband is basically like yours. Either unaffordable wishes or he´ll get it for himself right before his b-day :-D

Katy Cameron said...

Can you take me out for my birthday please? And not had a drink on fire before? How have you got through life without flaming sambucas?! It used to be my chief pub crawl job at uni to set it on fire in people's mouths :oD


I totally slopped out the door in my trackies yesterday because I was taking things to the tip, it's just that after that I ended up a bunch of other places too. Oh well, they were all kind of manky places anyway ;o)

MB in MI said...

What a great idea for a birthday gift! Looks like a nice way to make happy memories :-)

Karen said...

What a fantastic gift! I may copy that idea myself. Looks like a great time for you both :)

Elizabeth said...

I think that is a very thoughtful gift. I hope that Mr. P. loved every minute of your August getaway and loves all the ones to come after.

It looks like you had a wonderful weekend. The hotel you stayed in was gorgeous and how cool is it that you got an upgrade on your room! I loved reading this post and hope to hear about all your future adventures.

xo -E

Leanne said...

Sounds wonderful and the weather was perfect also.

Jennifer said...

Talk about the gift that keeps on giving! That is a fabulous idea, and I bet Mr P will love it. I admire your restraint in Haigh's, we don't have such goodies here so I would have bought out the entire shop.

Mistea said...

Sounds like a perfect gift for MrP and you get to play too.
Lovely view of the important parts of your city.

Michelle Ridgway said...

What a sensational idea. I love it. The pics were great as was your dinner, cheese, choccies, entrees, drinks, suite.....did I forget anything??? All fab! Looking forward to September.

Helsie said...

Wow! When you decide to go out you certainly do it in style. Can't wait till September !

Lorraine said...

Good work! I usually hibernate in my cave at weekends as well...unless something quilty is going on .....love your birthday gift...the one that keeps on giving...and you get to enjoy as well! One night a month won't hurt you I am sure! It did make me think that it might be nice to have someone to go out with occasionally *sigh* but for now (who am I kidding - it will be forever so just take out the "for now") I will live vicariously through you! :)

Sooli said...

Looks like alcohol is the key to getting you out of your PJs then! Love the Smelly Cheese shop, I can't resist a lovely runny cheese either. We did something similar earlier in the year and even though I work in the city, its so great to stay over and see a different side for a change! Looking forward to finding out what your next adventure will be!

Unknown said...

What a fantastic way to spend a birthday, just my kind of weekend. I love the cheese and meats and am currently drooling, it must time for lunch.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like super fun with a happy ending;-) happy birthday Mr. P.

Big B's birthday is coming up and I like this idea!!!

Sue SA said...

Wow you really wined and dined Mr P with style! I have a awful track record of terrible present purchasing for my DH, so I am definitely keeping this idea on top of my list for when the babysitter is available! Or perhaps I will wait and see what the next 11 months brings that might be child appropriate! ;)

AnnieO said...

Truly remarkable gift idea! So glad you went all the way with the plan and everything was grand! My husband would love it if I learned to like alcohol but it doesn't seem a good idea to start now :) Happy Birthday to Mr. P!

Sue SA said...

Pre the kids starting school I lived in my trackie dacs, now I am seriously considering upgrading...one of the school Mum told me she gets her trackies from Country Road...so there is some fashion hope for me after all!

Razzle Dazzle Quilter said...

This is beginning to sound a lot like costing as much as the Harley!!

Seriously though, great idea. Can't wait to hear about the next adventure.

Linda

Cardygirl said...

Sounds wonderful! Go girl!

Noela said...

What a great idea. Glad your first one was so successful. Hungry just looking at that food. Hugs.....

Sheila said...

What an awesome idea. I look forward to hearing about September's adventure.

audrey said...

Very thoughtful birthday gift and how clever that you end up enjoying it too.:)

Canadian Abroad said...

What a brilliant idea! I guess I'll have to wait until the girls are grown and gone before I can make J give me that as a present - as he is the antisocial one here!

Kirsten's Cooking said...

You are the perfect wife!!!!!! I know you had a great time, thanks for the pictures and for blogging about it. You both deserved some time away :)

Unknown said...

lOVED the hotel room, not too shabby to get an upgrade too!
A great idea for a guy who really has everything....YOU! Great blogging as usual and you made the grade on the photos too!

Larri said...

What a lovely idea! Kudos for actually going through with socializing. And you're going to do this every month? Can't wait to hear all about your adventures. Happy belated Birthday, Mr. P!

Rachaeldaisy said...

That is such a romantic idea!! And more surprises every month!?! Brilliant!! It might be hard to top this advnture that included Haigs and Smelly cheese. :)

Brenda said...

What a great B-day gift idea! You are hilarious, as usual and that T-shirt picture was funny as all get out, but sorry about your iron - that stinks!

Paulette said...

That was a fabulous idea for a gift! I enjoyed your recap and photos of your getaway. Looks like you had a wonderful time!

Shevvy said...

Great idea. I could have done without the stinky cheese pics as they are evil but the rest looked great fun. And you don't have to do it too often for your inner hermit to have a breakdown.

Sarah said...

That sounds like a whole load of fun! Must admit Leigh and I don't have fancy tastes or interests and are both happy hibernating. We do like to get away on our own every now and then, but with all good intentions of a big night, end up getting Maccas and retiring with a movie! My favourite part of your update is your comment on how you've negotiated a compromise that means you do what you prefer. Happy wife happy life!

thea said...

What a wonderful gift for your husband. And a fun way to spend your time together -- not at home but not too far away either. Very special. I might just steal your idea!

Marg said...

You're welcome.
That's a fantastic idea for a gift. Well done, you deserve lots of gold stars for that. What foods have you left to try next time??? Your night away sounds very romantic!

seabreezequilts said...

Love the Smelly Cheese stall and love the market must do the market again soon when I have a life again lol. Wonder if you stayed in my hubby's old office. He use to work in one of the offices on the King William Side up the top, he used to hang out the window and perve at girls (especially when they had marches on for the footy grand final). One day while he was having his perve the venetian blind on the window came loose and fell down and hit him on the head and he passed out. They use to have social club do's in the court yard, imagine 100+ drunk and disorderly public servants.

quiltygal said...

Wow what a great pressie idea :) You can wear your pj's to Vals if you want :) actually I think we should have a Saturday pj day lol

Kate said...

What a great gift for Mr P. Looks like you both had a blast. Hope you've recovered this weekend.

Quilter Kathy said...

I am jealous beyond belief ;)
I hope Mr knows how lucky he is to have you!

Carol said...

What a great birthday gift. Great read. Love SA.