Wind in the Willow

We have a large willow in the garden.
It has buds on it already.
But they won't come to anything because this afternoon the wind blew it over.
Tore its roots out of the ground and made a right mess.
A nice man called Steve came with a JCB and pushed it off the drive.
A shame it's gone.
My twelve year old was philosophical: "circle of life, Mum, circle of life" was all he said.
Hakuna matata.

IF only

A few months ago a couple came in who were trying the IF diet - intermittent fasting. They had drinks, looked longingly at the cake display and then bought some carrot cake to take away because the following day they were allowed to eat whatever they liked.
I thought them mad.
And then found that this IF diet thing is everywhere. Everyone is talking about it. Everyone is writing about it. *
So. I read stuff about it.
I've never dieted before but have decided to try it and have been fasting two days a week for the past fortnight. Not proper fasting. I'm allowed a whopping 500 calories a day. 
Which is nothing.
They say it'll not only help me to lose weight but has two other benefits.
One is to improve brain function.
I've already forgotten the other one.
The worst thing about the process is the side effect. Proper grumpiness. Especially when I'm dishing up the rest of the family's food in the evening.


*for "everyone" read "some people"

Done

Not dusted yet. That happens tomorrow when we put all the china, glass, teapots, cloths, cutlery, aprons away, when we defrost the fridges and freezers and drain the water, when we bring all the outside chairs and tables inside. We are officially closed until 27th March 2013.
Today has been utterly marvellous. Not particularly busy but almost everyone who walked through the door was a familiar face who'd come because it's our last day of the year.
One couple even brought me flowers.
I could have cried but I was torn between being happy that this challenging, wet season is over and sad that I won't be seeing these folks for almost 5 months. They wished me a Happy Christmas as they left.

We didn't break any records in 2012.
But we certainly learned a lot.
And I have plans for the closed season....

Sowing the seeds.

Message in the visitors' book on Friday|:
"Got engaged today in the gardens"

The couple in question had arranged to meet some of their family at the tearooms and he asked her to marry him just before they came inside. She had flowers and everything. And then they all had proper Afternoon Tea and took photos. When I asked her if it was a surprise she nodded, and then her eyes filled up with tears. "I'm off again" she said. And that just made me well up too....

Sobering thought

Spent the weekend in Stockholm. I'd committed to a girls' weekend away when I thought the tea rooms would have closed for the season. Do I sound defensive?
In fact we don't close until Sunday (a quirk of half terms around here - some were last week, some this) so I'm in that strange phase of trying to make sure we have enough of everything, but not too much.
Went in yesterday morning and made a batch of chocolate Cobweb Cakes as it was properly Halloween. Not a single one remains. Very pleasing.

My jewellery selling friend, Fi rang yesterday. She's going to come on Friday to set up a table of goodies to sell. We did it last year and it went really well so fingers crossed for a repeat performance.

In Stockholm a glass of wine was £10.
Must sell more tea.