Thank you to all the people that came to visit on Christmas day. Although the ice lay thick on the roads and paths you bravely took your lives into your own hands and came to see us. Who was it that said you should do something everyday that scares you? I thought that as I slid sideways in my car down to the cafe and spun gently to a stop by the bollards.
Jodie had never worked a Christmas, but I think she enjoyed it. Helped by the people who left a bottle of champagne for us, and all the customers who bought us lovely presents. Everyone is in a good mood, either because they are filled with the joy of the season or they are so relieved that they can get a coffee, speak to people other than their inlaws, their parents and siblings and they can view other families with the same issues and realise they are not alone.
We now turn our thoughts to 2010. There is a blue moon ( where a full moon occurs twice in one month) on new years eve, portending a glorious year of change and unexpected events- if you believe in that sort of thing.
Our glorious change will be our decorations in January. We will be closed for 2 weeks from 18th while we have things tiled and painted. I wont call it a refurb as we have been somewhat short changed on this, but tiles and paint are good and the cafe should look a little fresher, which is all I am able to ask. It has taken a year and half to get to this stage, and a lot of arguing and broken dreams, but we are here.
We are hoping it will go like this; Kitchen will be tiled floor to ceiling, toilets will be tiled floor to ceiling, and toilets etc will be replaced where needed. The cafe will be painted- the struts and window frames, under the counter and bar and the metal poles. We are going for coffee and cream type colours- a bit urban chic for the country I know, but it is bright and bland enough for us- the main thing is the view which will not change (I hope).
Jodie and I will be looking at the menus. I think the salads we put on last year have been a good option. Although winter has been a bit wasteful- so we may start two menus. We are also looking at putting on more stews etc for the specials board. We will continue to create new soups and cakes. We are also trialing gluten free and sugar free stuff, and try and get some of it to taste of something!
I hope you all have a good new years eve, and I trust that 2010 will be a glorious, happy and healthy year for us all.
Monday, 28 December 2009
Friday, 18 December 2009
Beginning to look like Christmas
Those of you living within a 10 mile radius of the park will have heard Jodie at full volume declaring we should "Let it Snow"- not that we have much choice- and those that have braved it have seen the cafe in full Christmas sparkle.
We will be open over the holidays- Jodie and I will be working Christmas day. We are not going to cook, but soup and cakes will be available, and if you are really lucky you may be serenaded by Jodie in her Christmas hat!
We opened for Christmas a couple of years ago and it was a really good day. Lots of people don't understand why I like working Christmas. We get to see and talk to our regular customers. The dogs still need walking and it is lovely to meet the extended families of customers that we have known for ages. We also become a peaceful haven for those that just want to get away from the house and the family for an hour or so. The "me" time is always important on busy days and a coffee drunk over looking the lake seems to fit the bill.
We also see the really Christmassy people, who feel pleased we are open, but sad we are working and so sing along and generally come in a festive hullabaloo to brighten up everybody's day. The children all arrive in new gloves, on new bikes, cold and excited and their youthful exuberance spills over to other people, making everyone smile and wish they could be that young again.
There is a certain atmosphere for workers on Christmas day, and it must be the same for all professions that work through all the holidays. It is a necessary thing to work, but everyone you deal with is polite and happy and if you are doing something you love then it cannot be a bad day.
My staff are going to dress up on Christmas Eve and Boxing day, which will be interesting I'm sure. Trying to explain to them that anything that is too round and bulky will get in the way has been difficult, but we will see.
We are well into making the mince pies and pork pies that will ensure the Christmas buffets are well stocked. We have ordered 16lbs of pork just for pies, and I am hoping that is enough. I think this weekend will be pie making and cutting little leaves out of pastry for me, which is fun to start with, then gets dull on about leaf number 140, and then is so lovely when cooked pies come out of the oven all golden and pretty.
So, in the run up to Christmas, and one of the most stressful times in the year, enjoy the snow, come and have a hot chocolate with a sneaky shot of rum in it and marvel at the beauty of the park.
We will be open over the holidays- Jodie and I will be working Christmas day. We are not going to cook, but soup and cakes will be available, and if you are really lucky you may be serenaded by Jodie in her Christmas hat!
We opened for Christmas a couple of years ago and it was a really good day. Lots of people don't understand why I like working Christmas. We get to see and talk to our regular customers. The dogs still need walking and it is lovely to meet the extended families of customers that we have known for ages. We also become a peaceful haven for those that just want to get away from the house and the family for an hour or so. The "me" time is always important on busy days and a coffee drunk over looking the lake seems to fit the bill.
We also see the really Christmassy people, who feel pleased we are open, but sad we are working and so sing along and generally come in a festive hullabaloo to brighten up everybody's day. The children all arrive in new gloves, on new bikes, cold and excited and their youthful exuberance spills over to other people, making everyone smile and wish they could be that young again.
There is a certain atmosphere for workers on Christmas day, and it must be the same for all professions that work through all the holidays. It is a necessary thing to work, but everyone you deal with is polite and happy and if you are doing something you love then it cannot be a bad day.
My staff are going to dress up on Christmas Eve and Boxing day, which will be interesting I'm sure. Trying to explain to them that anything that is too round and bulky will get in the way has been difficult, but we will see.
We are well into making the mince pies and pork pies that will ensure the Christmas buffets are well stocked. We have ordered 16lbs of pork just for pies, and I am hoping that is enough. I think this weekend will be pie making and cutting little leaves out of pastry for me, which is fun to start with, then gets dull on about leaf number 140, and then is so lovely when cooked pies come out of the oven all golden and pretty.
So, in the run up to Christmas, and one of the most stressful times in the year, enjoy the snow, come and have a hot chocolate with a sneaky shot of rum in it and marvel at the beauty of the park.
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