Little did I know when I decorated Garden Cafe for Christmas this week that on Saturday morning we would wake to a landscape cloaked in powdery snow and lit up by brilliant sunshine. Many of you have taken advantage of the crisp bright weather to walk the paths around the Village and to end up in the Cafe for a warming cup of coffee and one of our toasted tea cakes. Thank you all for venturing out to us and especially to the County Council for gritting the main road through the village so that you could get to us safely.
We still have two tables for four free on the evening of Saturday 4th. December should you wish to come and sample Martin's new Lamb Shank recipe. My White Chocolate and Passion Fruit Verrine with Hazelnut biscuits is worth a try too! The Cafe is decked with twinkly lights, frosty allium heads and pink baubles and looks lovely in the candlelight.
We are running out of space in the Store for all our Christmas goodies. We have baskets and hessian bags that you can fill with our jams and chutneys and make an instant present. The Sloe Gin is back in! And our chocolates are a bit different from those you can buy in the Supermarket. For the first time we are able to offer a 'Vale of Belvoir' Hamper...well, almost. It contains a Belvoir Cordial, a wedge of our own unbeatable Stilton, a Mrs King's Pork Pie, 1/2lb. jar of Hickling Honey, Sophie and Boo's delicious chutney or marmalade and a decorated Christmas Cake from The Mixing Bowl. At £25 this makes a cracking gift for a family. Order now on 01949 81321 to collect Christmas Week.
Another local supplier, Brewsters, have re-introduced their Pale Ale and Porter in bottled form in time for the festive season and we are busy working on a Lad's Hamper as we speak!
Many of you say that you always find unusual things to buy in the Store and that we are particularly good at solving that awkward present for you. We have our Tootal Vintage scarves again this year for men, fun bottle stoppers and Simon Drew puzzle books. For the older person there are miniature pots of Fallot mustard, marmalade and chutney. And for that 9 year old granddaughter (going on 19) there has just been a delivery of fabulous appliqued and stitched purses, keyrings and compact mirrors which are really irresistible. If you want to be unique, then The Jewel Box's vintage jewellery display will get your heart racing!
Less than four weeks to Christmas and counting. Don't forget to order your Turkey from us. For those of you who missed out on our Wine Tasting, come and see our new range of well priced wines. Visit us first and find something different to wow your friends. It only remains to wish you a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year from all us at the Store. We'll be back with the Blog in February. Meanwhile, stay well and warm.
Jan
