Saturday 16^th January

As I sit here at home, in front of a blazing fire, with the heavy rain washing the last of the snow away, Christmas seems just a distant memory and the new year is well under way. All the decorations are packed away and safely in the loft ready for next year, though I did see the Easter box up there which reminded me that that will be next, after Valentine's day of course!

We had a very good Christmas and start to the new year in the Cafe but the recent snow understandably kept many out of the City and we were very quiet for the latter part of last week. We did manage to stay open every day and our wonderful staff got in despite the conditions, so we were very pleased to see those few customers who did brave the conditions. It was also a great time to catch up on all those cleaning jobs!!!.  The Cafe reminded me of one of those restaurants you see up the mountains when skiing, in that the floor was so wet from the melting snow on customers' shoes and boots that it was all but impossible to keep it dry.

As the worst of the weather seems to have gone for the time being, the cafe settles down to its normal winter routine.  We are selling lots of wholesome, hearty, homemade soup and the French Stick, spread with garlic and herbs and toasted under the grill is a great accompaniment.

I mentioned, last time, that we have a selection of gluten free cakes now and these continue to sell well, particularly the ‘black hole of death, brownie’, which everyone likes. We are learning all the time about this type of cooking, and a customer just last week gave us a recipe for a gluten free fruit cake. This is particularly good as it contains no added sugar and we have been told by a diabetic that, in moderation, this is also a cake, suitable for that condition. Also the peanut butter cookies are a very good source of iron, I learned this week, so this is another reason to try them!!! These cakes are so well received that our take away trade in them is growing too. It seems that celiacs, once they find a good cake source, like to stock up at home too!  We can’t though, take orders for, or sell whole cakes. That’s just not a trade we have ever got into.

Our latest worker, Thirza, who was with us during her ‘gap’ year has only been with us a short time and is now off. She has decided to take up a teaching post in China for 6 months. Her last day will be 23^rd Jan and we wish her all the very best in her new adventure.

The very cold weather has put paid to the Geraniums outside this year.  In recent years the winters have been so mild that they have survived to flower again the following summer, but not this year!!  The wallflowers in the small bed seem to be making up well though and I am hopeful of a good display from them.

We had some fun with the snow while it was here. I got home about 7 pm one evening to find Pam waiting excitedly to go outside and build a snow man. Well, we tried to build a conventional one but it was just so cold the snow was just a powder and would not roll together. So, we collected it into a large heap, patted it as hard as we could and then sculpted a seated snowman with his feet up! He’s gone now, but he lasted well and we took some pictures to show you. Just click on the images above to increase their size.

Also Pam did a lovely snow Angel, we hope you like it.

God’s Blessing on you all, as we continue life’s  journey into this New Year.

From

Steven and Pam