Would anyone like a cup of tea and a muffin?

[MadBadandDangerousToKnow]

I'm tired and in need of refreshment.

The tea room is now officially open, serving hot chocolate, tea, freshly-squeezed orange juice and a range of home-baked muffins. Tablecloths and crockery are charmingly mismatched antiques (no Cath Kidston here). We overlook an attractive although somewhat overgrown garden, with a distant view of rolling countryside.

Everyone is welcome but house rules dictate that anyone indulging in fisticuffs will be ejected.

Please come in.

Ruby - Yes of course. All the muffins are made to Annabel Karmel recipes and we have a high chair, paper and crayons and some rather dog-eared Wibbly Pig books.

Your nice friend Mr Obama is welcome too, but I guess he may be a little busy today.

I've just come across this very thoughful thread on the philosophy, religion and spirituality topic. Even those of us who are not religious in any conventional sense might be interested in what the first post says about virtual friendship and virtual communities. I'll add it to the cafe's stock of reading material.

We also have some old magazines with fascinating articles about the lovely, lovely lifestyle of lady tycoons. They have inspired me to start my own business, selling hand-crafted bunting and (obviously, as this is also a cafe) cupcakes.

Ruby - it is not for me to judge, but up until a couple of days ago, I was wielding an axe!

I need a sit down please. This morning got off to a lovely start when DS vomited all over me and him. Decided that it was just phlegmy coughing, and took him to nursery. 30 minutes later he'd sicked over them (is 2.5 yrs old btw). DH and I both are homebased workers so are doing 30 mins on/off to try and get a bit done, esp as I'm in Copenhagen tomorrow.

DS is bright as a button and it obv just was phlegm, but can't go to nursery till Friday now.....

I obv need my own business making teddys out of vintage cashmere jumpers...

orl rite !
i asked once nicely.
I need coffee. Whasamatta - do you not want me or something!

Well, thanks.

It's not that I've come from another thread, exactly - I stepped outside this topic for a little fresh air and found something on the philosophy, religion and spirituality thread which I thought deserved a wider audience. I only found the PRS thread after I started this one, but the first post especially seemed to me to offer some very wise words which were relevant to all the argy-bargy here over the last few days.

Madbad - just wanted to say well done on the peace and muffin-making.

I was becoming quite disconsolate because of that other thread and almost heading for Flouncers' Corner.

Thanks to you and MN-Royalty Lapin describing me as "normal and sensible", my faith in Mn has been restored.

Pagwatch - Please don't go. You are very much wanted. I didn't hear your first request. Sorry. Let me hang your coat (very nice - is it Boden, by the way?) on our vintage bentwood coatstand. One coffee coming right up. And would you like a complimentary muffin with it?

Cmot - we have some soothing camomile tea. Would that help? I do hope your son will be better soon. If you can make a small batch of recycled cashmere teddies, we'll put them in the cafe window and see how well they sell. I'm sure they will. Could you bring us back some Scandinavian Christmas goodies from Copenhagen?

It's so lovely to have some customers in the cafe. I am now officially a Lady Tycoon. But I need to pop out for a moment - could you just chat amaiably amongst yourselves about the pressing issues of the day until I'm back?

oooh. A complimentary muffin!

I love what you have done with the place.

Squeaver - I'm just putting on my regulation Mum-of-One fascinator to pop to the shops, but here's a hot chocolate and an apple, oat and raisin muffin. Why not munch on those and read justabout's excellent post on Why Flouncing Isn't The Answer To Everything and then we can chat once I'm back?

Pagwatch - Oh thank you. But are you sure 15 strings of bunting isn't a tad excessive?

Can I have a gin please?

Ooh nice. Can you do my feet too?

Well, we haven't got our full licence yet but we operate a 'bring your own' policy. What was that clinking I heard coming from your handbag? Our good friend Mr Gilbey, perhaps? You have been somewhat provoked of late, I fear.

15 strings of bunting are fine

You might want to review the three disco mirror balls though especially now people have started dancing...

They have these adorable christmas tree ornaments over there y'know. Not that I'm sad and looking forward to going just to hit the Christmas shop at the airport again.

Of course, you have gluten free muffins don't you ?

Hello

this is so much more restful, I was getting worried in the other place

I like my MN friends, even those who do not know me

May I have a double shot latte please? And a muffin?

And a swig from Bucharest's intering looking brown paper bag

Here, I bring some sparklers to the table

Do you do decaf soya mochas and if you do do gluten free muffins, might they contain fructose?

I will of course buy the entire load of cashmere teddies, but in return would like a seat in your window, overlooking your overgrown garden in which my one small child may be pulling the heads off your violas.

I've brought minces pies and clotted cream. I will reluctantly share.