The big spring clean is underway. I've done behind the fridges and today I'll be scrubbing the floor behind the dishwashers.
This is what I signed up for.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Friday, 18 March 2011
Two weeks and counting
I've been enjoying the sunshine today. Naturally this involves me worrying that we should be open already and serving cake in the garden but there's still a small mountain to climb before that day dawns IN TWO WEEKS.
I have made some progress.
The new signs are on order. The sign makers have had trouble matching my lovely sage green colour. It's rather more apple. Granny Smith if I'm honest, but as people flash through the 30 zone they may not be tutting over whether the sign matches my aprons, they may have more important concerns. Like Japan. Or Libya. Or oh-no-there's-a-mobile-speed-camera.
I've bought a new filter coffee machine to sit alongside the current one which always works very hard but finds it difficult to keep up with coach parties.
I've taken four coach party bookings in the past week.
I've made some menu decisions.
I've booked the carpet cleaner.
I've arranged for the refuse collection to start up again.
I've had all my electrics tested and a good old chinwag with the electrician about West Bromwich Albion. He's not hopeful. About the Albion that is.
I've bought some very lovely wooden outdoor furniture from Leamington Spa and another car load of "vintage" bone china plates.
And one teapot.
Writing it all down makes me feel heaps better.
Until I look at what I haven't done yet.....
I have made some progress.
The new signs are on order. The sign makers have had trouble matching my lovely sage green colour. It's rather more apple. Granny Smith if I'm honest, but as people flash through the 30 zone they may not be tutting over whether the sign matches my aprons, they may have more important concerns. Like Japan. Or Libya. Or oh-no-there's-a-mobile-speed-camera.
I've bought a new filter coffee machine to sit alongside the current one which always works very hard but finds it difficult to keep up with coach parties.
I've taken four coach party bookings in the past week.
I've made some menu decisions.
I've booked the carpet cleaner.
I've arranged for the refuse collection to start up again.
I've had all my electrics tested and a good old chinwag with the electrician about West Bromwich Albion. He's not hopeful. About the Albion that is.
I've bought some very lovely wooden outdoor furniture from Leamington Spa and another car load of "vintage" bone china plates.
And one teapot.
Writing it all down makes me feel heaps better.
Until I look at what I haven't done yet.....
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
A site for sore eyes
My latest child has been born. We've called it www.witleytearooms.co.uk
The midwife, Finn, made the whole process painless and I'm really proud of the result.
I haven't yelled at it once yet, and I'm hoping it won't give me any sleepless nights.
This effort of mine is on there under Ramble.
In other news: a great big butterfly has lodged itself in my stomach and a huge, heavy, invisible yoke has arrived on my shoulders.
I've started lots of things, finished none, and before I've crossed one thing off the list I've added another five.
Why, oh, why didn't I start earlier...?
The midwife, Finn, made the whole process painless and I'm really proud of the result.
I haven't yelled at it once yet, and I'm hoping it won't give me any sleepless nights.
This effort of mine is on there under Ramble.
In other news: a great big butterfly has lodged itself in my stomach and a huge, heavy, invisible yoke has arrived on my shoulders.
I've started lots of things, finished none, and before I've crossed one thing off the list I've added another five.
Why, oh, why didn't I start earlier...?
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
31 Days
We are now a month from re-opening so my finger has to be pulled out. My to-do list reads as follows:
- Clean tearooms from top to bottom.
- Source two new garden benches (two died last season after a long, hard life).
- Order signs and stop faffing about. Decide where they'll go. Put them there.
- Decide new menu which won't be hugely different from the old menu but will see at least one item dumped - the paté ploughmans. I'm not its biggest fan.
- Wade through all the letters from suppliers telling me that, with regret, their prices will have to rise. Work out the implications of their news.
- Make lots of dinners to stock my own family's freezer (I predict this will not happen)
The new website is almost ready. It'll be at www.witleytearooms.co.uk when it's finally born and these thoughts will appear as a page which we've called Ramble. Seems to sum it up.
- Clean tearooms from top to bottom.
- Source two new garden benches (two died last season after a long, hard life).
- Order signs and stop faffing about. Decide where they'll go. Put them there.
- Decide new menu which won't be hugely different from the old menu but will see at least one item dumped - the paté ploughmans. I'm not its biggest fan.
- Wade through all the letters from suppliers telling me that, with regret, their prices will have to rise. Work out the implications of their news.
- Make lots of dinners to stock my own family's freezer (I predict this will not happen)
The new website is almost ready. It'll be at www.witleytearooms.co.uk when it's finally born and these thoughts will appear as a page which we've called Ramble. Seems to sum it up.
Monday, 17 January 2011
Procrastina ...
Mid January and I've a small knot forming in my stomach already. We don't reopen til April 1st but changes are afoot. I've been buying "vintage" tea plates to supplement our stocks. They're "vintage" - not second-hand, or used, or just old. Vintage makes them that teensy weensy bit more expensive. I've also been buying cake stands in preparation for the Royal Wedding and the wedding we're catering in June. I need at least 10. I now have 6.
Wills and Kate have decided they're to be wed at 11am making plenty of time for afternoon tea, I hope. Very civilised. My issue will be how to store said cake stands as I can't be doing with screwing and unscrewing the bits every time we want to use them, and some of them are quite tall.
I've found someone who's going to make me a website, and I'm filling in forms to be included in a Worcestershire tourism site and leaflet. These things are all new to me and make me not a little apprehensive. That's why I've put it off for months.
Writing this is putting off all sorts of other things.
Wills and Kate have decided they're to be wed at 11am making plenty of time for afternoon tea, I hope. Very civilised. My issue will be how to store said cake stands as I can't be doing with screwing and unscrewing the bits every time we want to use them, and some of them are quite tall.
I've found someone who's going to make me a website, and I'm filling in forms to be included in a Worcestershire tourism site and leaflet. These things are all new to me and make me not a little apprehensive. That's why I've put it off for months.
Writing this is putting off all sorts of other things.
Monday, 13 December 2010
Royal Tea
Some people really are organised. This morning I was contemplating whether I can be bothered to make any more mince pies when a Mrs Bowering called. Could I accommodate 50 people from Weston-Super-Mare for coffee and cake on 20th July 2011. Underneath a pile of yet-to-be-written Christmas cards I found next year's diary which now has 3 coach trips and a wedding booked in for next Summer.
I'm mulling over the Royal Wedding. I really need William and Kate to let me know what time their nuptuals are taking place. If they tie the royal knot in the morning I could throw a tea party in the afternoon. But if they were to choose, say, 2.30pm to exchange their vows I reckon folks will put up their own bunting and won't move from their homes. Would there be any point in opening at all?
My other question is how I approach my very clever sister-in-law to make me some Union Flag bunting? Maybe she'll stumble across this and will feel compelled to offer....?
I'm mulling over the Royal Wedding. I really need William and Kate to let me know what time their nuptuals are taking place. If they tie the royal knot in the morning I could throw a tea party in the afternoon. But if they were to choose, say, 2.30pm to exchange their vows I reckon folks will put up their own bunting and won't move from their homes. Would there be any point in opening at all?
My other question is how I approach my very clever sister-in-law to make me some Union Flag bunting? Maybe she'll stumble across this and will feel compelled to offer....?
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
In tents
I thought, wrongly, that I had pretty much done one of everything to do with the tea rooms. But late last week I had a call from a woman asking if they could put up a marquee in the garden next June, and could we serve a proper afternoon tea for 120 wedding guests.
Gulp.
I'm meeting the bride and groom on Friday.
She's a student, and he's a new graduate who has a real job.
As for how I'm passing all my days away from the tearooms? I know it was a bit of a joke. I know I mentioned the ironing A LOT. But I've just had 3 days at home with a sick son and I've finally reached the bottom of the two baskets. Two problems have arisen. One: I had to stop washing in order to finish ironing (otherwise it's a truly vicious circle). Two: by the time I reached the bottom I was ironing clothes my children have outgrown.
Gulp.
I'm meeting the bride and groom on Friday.
She's a student, and he's a new graduate who has a real job.
As for how I'm passing all my days away from the tearooms? I know it was a bit of a joke. I know I mentioned the ironing A LOT. But I've just had 3 days at home with a sick son and I've finally reached the bottom of the two baskets. Two problems have arisen. One: I had to stop washing in order to finish ironing (otherwise it's a truly vicious circle). Two: by the time I reached the bottom I was ironing clothes my children have outgrown.
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