Tea room 16 welcome to Shangri-la

[UniS]

Shangri-la = a hidden valley with beautiful views and crystal streams of course, and some inter-far eastern type of chalet things set around a Serene Courtyard with ever-blooming Japanese cherry trees, lots of refreshing fragrant teas, silk cushions, tinkling tiny waterfalls and bonsai trees, Gardens of Tranquillity etc.

Home to teh 16th Tea room, a haven for those with one or more or less children who like cake, tea, talking nonsense and oggling Mellors ( our handyman/ butler). If its your first vist, pull up a cushion .Mind out for the guinea pigs and other pets and do take care not to squash the teeny tiny naked mowhawk babies ( nmbs
, no longer naked and now toilet trained you will glad to hear)as they go about their duties helping Mellors.

Confused... come on, jump in and have a hot chocolate.

It may well stress you out scout and RS, but it sends our anxiety levels off the scale.

I wasn't trying to diminish your anxiety levels, just sharing the pain that it worries me, too.

Although nobody was cross in the first place (so stop worrying, you two, and stop wrestling over the duvet, it's the Duvet of Requirement so it's big enough for the entire Tea Room cast of characters)... nobody could possibly be cross after having a slice of JM's Key Lime PIe cheesecake... candied lime slices and whipped cream on top!

I made it for family party at MIL's yesterday and it flew off the plate in about 30 seconds. After the first person had a taste, the entire family descended upon it like a bunch of starving animals, LOL. I guess I can make that again!!

Nobody is cross Amber and Mary . Come out of the priest hole and eat some of JMs cheesecake .

JM - I love key lime pie!!!

Ok so. UniS, again, I am an idiot, and it was a total accident. I will add you to the list and redo.

Mary and Amber - That was a good suggestion of Ambers that you two send parcels to each other. Does that work for you Mary?

JM again! - So you are happy to send a parcel even with high postage costs but then there will be a parcel to Canada also. Perhaps some of the less poor tea roomers could offer to send the parcels to JM and Thumb? Hope this does not cause offense JM and Thumb, it is not intended to of course, but instead intended to prevent someone with no money feeling they have to send an international parcel when it might not be feasible for them to do so.

So I will wait until all these issues are resolved before I do the list.

Oh, I don't seem to be able to work the whole emailing thing. Is there a hotmail.co.uk thing? I have been using .com. Perhaps this is where I am going wrong.

AandO -- I'd be willing to send one of the international parcels. I regularly send things to the US, so am very good at knowing how to package for the cheapest rate. However, I won't be offended if others want to, too.

BabyScout absolutely REFUSED to nap. He's generally having a very (unusual) bad afternoon. We're going up for an early bath and bed.

Please, someone, give me strength! The whining/crying is sending me out of my head.

Hi everyone.

Scout - last question about Smores, I promise. I'm cheating and using a disposable barbecue for the fire - do you think I need to let it die down to embers before toasting the marshmallows?

Racing - My hot mail is Capital S word Capital B word @ hotmail co uk. Hope that helps.

As it's hot, I'm drinking a virtual mint julep. Would anyone like to partake?

Hi Small, ask all the questions you'd like! I use disposable BBQs when doing s'mores during a unit meeting so much easier! When I did them with Rainbows the other week I let the flames die down to embers and had them toast on that, only because I didn't know the Rainbows and how they would react to flame/fire. I've done BBQs with my Guides and let them use the flame. I've done it with Brownies, too, and have done a mixture sometimes with flame, sometimes ember, depends on what the leader says.

Does that make sense?

Yes please, (virtual) mint julep!

evening all- that was a fantastic key lime pie JM. superb.

Mistlechick's general whingeyness I think is mainly down to dh working away - and not staying for the rest of the holiday with us (although because it has allowed plans to meet up with UniS) (tomorrow!!!)

UniS - re stream we'll have ot see.... mistlechich cut his foot yesterday at north beach - then today fell in the dipping pond at that well-known animal inhabited attraction that you know he likes.... (trust him). Howevever, notwithstanding relatively short time as a guide and awe at tearoomers who choose to camp, the mistle family is well prepared and had an entire set of clean clothes in the car. However, he had to change out of his wellies into sandals (his wellies are full of pond water) and that meant his cut wasn't protected as it had been - although by then it already had had pond water in as the plaster fell off - so we'll have to wait and see how well that's healing before definitely going for the paddling.... I think I've got the spray-on stuff that might keep it waterproof as long as its looking nice and clean in the morning, although getting it on would/will be fun!

Mary, Amber - don't worry about us - if either or both of you feel too pressurised by parcels, don't worry - its silly to make yourself feel ill about the whole thing. And can I get an apology in now please - to who ever I'm meant to be sending something, I'm sorry its late.

No problemo MT- we will go with the flow and see what we fancy doing. There is always a train track and lots of lego in boys room, lots of cake in teh kitchen .

I like doing parcels and adore doing Father Christmas stockings. Little bitty fun things is my idea of enjoyable shopping. And I do love a good charity shop trawl.Not keen on car boot sales tho, too much haggling.

I ought to go and get on with jobs. Boy is struggling to understand that while he is on holiday from preschool I am not on holiday from doing all teh jobs that keep teh house running. Like laundry and cooking and gardening and making important phone calls. Now he's in bed I still need to fix ( or try to) a toy train motor, wash up, harvest fruit, make ice cream and deal with a data base and maybe mend a leaking water-butt. Something is going to fall off teh list tho, its too long for one evening.

(Anyone have anything stronger than Bolly tonight?)

Wow UniS, I'm impressed, I couldn't do all of that in a week.

Mistle - Let me join you in an advance apology. I am terrible at posting things .

Scout - Great, I can put you down to send a parcel to JM then. Thanks a million. Oh, btw LittleO dropped his daytime naps entirely at 18 months . I can't remember his nap pattern at 10 months (is that what age Babyscout is?)

So tired now. Just did sleepy time with LittleO (involves stories and then lying with him until he falls asleep and takes 45 mins every night) and nearly fell asleep myself so I'm tired now. Must work though. Only 2 weeks left of work until my contract ends.

We put up the add for our house last Wednesday I think and we haven't had a phone call yet. Am starting to panic that we will be trapped here forever.

The cupboard of requirement should have any drink you'd like Scout, what did you have in mind? I'm going to have to have a coffee though I think.

yeah, well, I er, havn't done any of it yet.... Byeeeee.

Not sure, just something strong.

BabyScout is not quite 9 months. He can go without a morning nap, but if he doesn't have an afternoon one he's an absolute mess of a baby.

Need to go make spaghetti cakes but am enjoying being a potato on the couch with Lost DVDs and the laptop.

well I've managed to do 2 of teh list ( and a few other non list things. Now to maKE ICE CREAM.
what flavours would you like?

What are spaghetti cakes???

How strange some of us are hotmail.com; others .co

My sister appears to have changed her mind about dropping in on AP while we are away in France. An 86-year old with severe arthritis who can barely walk will thus be left alone in a cottage with no car (she has given up driving) for nearly a month with a whole bunch of animals and a garden to look after. I cannot tell M.Snake that we are not going to spend a minimum of time in his country, but what if AP falls/gets ill/runs out of something vital.

Rum and raisin.

Strawberry!

RC - That is stressful! Can you have a proper chat with your sister about your mothers abilities? Could you directly ask her to do it and let her know that you will be stressed on your trip with worry with out her help? Does your sister see much of her normally?

Lemon sorbet

Oh, Racing, I had been wondering whether the Aged P was coming on your trip (which would surely be very gruelling for her). Do you have any nice local friend who could pop round every so often? Do you have a local branch of Age Concern which might offer a shopping/befriending service (which even so isn't ideal if the Aged P does not want strangers on the doorstep)? What chance that your sister will change her mind?

Scout - How about an extra strong mint julep?

Sending positive house-letting vibes in AandO's direction and more positive vibes for the Devon meet-up tomorrow.

oh Amber and Mary please don't for a moment think anyone is angry. the parcels are meant to be a bit of fun, there is no need, no requirement and if it isn't fun for you, please don't even worry about thinking about it - not necessary

Racing how is your sister currently? I know she has had MH issues, is that one of the reasons she not helping with AP? Small's a fount of practical help and suggestions as ever, a month alone, how will she eat?

Are you meant to drive chauffeur stylee if your DH is in back? Is that a bit odd?

UniS and Mistle am very vicariously excited about your get together tomorrow, do tell us all!

I'm fed up with working. I'm way tired. I need to crack on

after looking at what was in garden and cupboard I've made ....

wait for it

Raspberry fudge mallow ice cream

I hope you like it. Extra clotted cream to go on top IS available . AND optional.

Sorry. I was thinking out loud (having been thinking on these lines recently a propos my own Aged Ps and having discovered that my own borough has a handyman-in-a-van service for older residents). Will shut up now.

Am watching Monty Python again. It's the Death of Mary Queen of Scots.