Sunday. . .
Waking up, make breakfast, feed the children and Liam to the orphanage to play with other children.
Then I take baby girl to a walk with the horse and ride around the town.
It's been a while since I had a peaceful day.
The weather was cold and snowy, but, it didn't had any wind which was really nice despite being mid-winter.
My baby girl would squeal and giggle as we went through the the shops and building of Bakingwood town and through the people.
As we traveled, I felt the snowflakes cover my eyelashes, scarf and then I tried to shake off the snow off my clothing and baby girl's face. As I saw through the place, it was clear that thanks to my restaurant, people moved here quite quickly.
And with more people, it equals to even more security and crime, as well as for more orphans left and right whose parents either died, got killed or murdered by something or someone, or were just left abandoned somewhere nearby,
It gives me complex feelings about the goodness my restaurant brought with me and the bad things on the side yet visible all around me.
Although I wanted to enjoy the winter wonderland, it was time to return, for baby girl's immune system wasn't ready for long periods of cold time. And also, because my butt started to hurt for being in the horse for too long.
Once I returned home, I put baby girl to her crib and let her sleep as I put more firewood in the fireplace and got myself warmed up and finished writing my new novel.
'There! It's done!' I exclaimed softly as I raised the book in my hands. 'I wonder who I can get it to read the story?' I wondered. And then I remembered Lady Seawright. 'Hmm. . . I shall write her letter—wait, she said she was coming to love week's especial!' I smack myself in the head. 'I only have to ask her and give her a prompt to see if she wants to read it.' I made a plan.
I would write a paper with a brief and vague description of the story to get her attention and interest, present her the book, let her read it and then ask for her opinion about it.
'It's the best plan ever.' I declared proud of myself. 'I might as well start writing kid's books soon, and maybe draw them to gain the kids' interest.' I found myself drawn to the idea. 'But first, one step at a time.' I started to write the description at a light's speed.
Once I finished, I checked the sun and saw that it was time to pick up Liam. I dressed myself and baby girl and and rode all the way tot he new orphanage to pick Liam up.
Liam was sleepy and happy to be back home and once he ate dinner he went to sleep alongside baby girl.
I then started to prepare the schedule of how I sort of want to deal with tomorrow.
It was gonna be a LONG day.
.
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Monday, 10th of February: Philautia day. . .
5: 00 a.m.
I woke up earlier to get the whole thing started. I almost couldn't sleep anyway.
I turned the fireplace and put out the ingredients for todays specials as well as for the usuals.
Once everything was done, I dragged myself upstairs feeling sleepy once more but couldn't sleep because baby girl decided it would be a good time to want breakfast and a change of diaper.
It took a while because she was kicking and crying, and even woke up Liam, which made me annoyed, I won't lie, and had change his diaper and then put them back asleep.
I then took a small nap that felt like I deserved it.
. . .
7:00 a.m.
I woke up again to Liam demanding breakfast.
I made him egg sanwhich and gave baby girl a second bottle just in case, then, I took them down stairs where Orson was already inspecting everything.
'Oh wow! You came early!' I called his attention.
'Eh? Oh! Yeah. I-I couldn't sleep much so I though I might as well come here and help.' Orson shrugged. 'The other cooks and servers might arrive earlier too, I think.' He let me know.
'I see, don't worry.' I reassured him. 'Let me put the kids in the kid's are and I shall then come to help you too.' I to,d him as I took the babies to the kid's area and came trotting and sliding through the floor. 'I am here! Is there anything missing?' I asked him.
'Not really.' Orson responded. 'Although I believe it's best that we go for more water, we will need it.' He suggested.
'Okay, help me with that.' I asked him and he followed me to put the winter gear on. 'Liam! I will be going to get water, watch your sister!' I let him know raising my voice.
'Okay!' I heard Liam respond.
I nodded to that and then went out with Orson and a few buckets for water.
. . .
10:00 a.m
The cooks were cooking everything, the servers were taking orders, and some middle class people plus a lot of rich and nobles were eyeing the today's especial.
The mini cheesecakes. A mini cheesecake of about four inches in size, with cherry jam layer spread es through the top of the cheesecake, and two mini cherries on top of it. We put some of the cheesecake the bakery's display with the name of "Philautia Cheesecake" with the price of it on the right which was ten coppers and fifteen cents.
I did this, because as we made sure to to make as much cheecakes as possible, we were only able to make about sixty mini cheecakes, adding to the fact that the numbers is limited and adding the tax price, it doesn't take a genius to know why the price is that high.
Nobody has bought any of them though, which is worrisome. But then again, cheesecake is a sweet, so they might be more interested then in the afternoon for tea and or as a dessert.
I can only hope the posters have worked.
. . .
3:00 p.m.
They are gone.
The cheesecakes are gone.
As soon as lunch rush came in, people started to buy the cheesecakes in advance and even reserved them for after eating.
'Woohooo! It worked!' I exclaimed excited. 'The plan worked!' I danced with Orson out of happiness.
'Hahaha!!' Orson danced alongside me and laughed. 'Wait, there's still work to be done!' He reminded me.
'Oh right!' I stopped dancing and went back to work. Orson is right, the sales might have been a triumph, but that doesn't mean we are anywhere near close to closing time. I went to help some servers with a rude customer who was demanding a non-existent cheesecake.
I also added some work on myself and Orson to make the sugar cookies all in glazing in advance.
The glazing needed about twenty-four hours to harden and it was for the best to start now.
. . .
8:00 p.m.
Everything was cleared up and the tips were divided in advance as a reward for the hard work today.
I took my kids for dinner upstairs, bath them and tucked them in.
.
.
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Tuesday, 11th of February: Agape day. . .
5:00 a.m.
Woke up, prepared everything out, changed the kid's diapers, and took a nap of two hours.
. . .
7:00 a.m.
I fed the kids and dragged myself to the kid's area and put them there while I found Orson inspecting everything and directing the other cooks for the cookies.
Huh. It seems that yesterday was a wake up call for coming earlier to make sure we prepare everything before opening. I smiled and greeted everyone. 'Is this going be a new normal?' I asked them.
'Probably.' Orson shrugged. 'Of the sales keep getting up, we might as well.' Orson nodded alongside another cook. 'Although, I think we might need more bakers.' He told me receiving a side-eye from everyone else. 'The cooks are fine, but they especialize in food, not in baking.' Orson admitted.
I nodded to that. 'I see, unfortunately, there's not much I can do this week, but I shall make posters for bakers afterwards.' I turned to see everyone else. 'Don't worry, nobody is getting fired.' I reassured.
Everyone exhaled of relief and went back to work.
. . .
9:00 a.m.
The white sugar cookies were made in a circle but the sugar glazed was colored and flavored with:
1. Strawberry, which made the color of the glaze pink and light pink.
2. Cherry, which made the glaze hot pink and a bit of pale red.
3. Just sugar and milk, which made the glaze white.
We also prepared in advanced the glaze we will use for the commissions of adding names and words on it. The main colors were blue and pink. But there were also, red and lavender.
Thankfully, we were able to make 12 badges of a dozen cookies per badge, which made about one hundred and forty-four cookies in total.
The price was ten coppers and seventy-five cents. Eleven coppers and twenty five cents if you want it commissioned.
The price was high, yes, but it is limited edition and put towards those who had the money to afford it. So it was fine.
. . .
6:00 p.m.
No cookie was safe. Not even from commoners. The cookies were sold like bread out of the oven and no cookie was left without giving half or all the cookie to someone especial.
It was wholesome. But now we had to advance to the lollipops for tomorrow.
The bad news is that there are no heart molds, the good news is that I was able to figure out how to make homemade especialized cicle molds and got small wood sticks that doctors use for a very cheap price.
The lollipops were easy to make, one cup of sugar, half a cup of corn syrup and one cup and a half of extract or flavor of choice. Since I have vanilla, cherry and strawberry flavor, I will try to make their coloring exactly as I think they would be.
. . .
One hour later. . .
The lollipops usually only took ten minutes, but just to make sure, we left the three new badges of twelve lollipops each, to cool off.
As we finished closing the restaurant and bakery, we all went to check the lollipops.
'Hey! It's good!' Orson exclaimed tasting a cherry lollipop.
'I know right!? It's perfectly good and will most definetely attract the attention of children!' I assured him.
'Yeah most definitely.' Orson nodded. 'Let's see if we can make more.' Orson suggested.
'Of course we will be able to do MUCH more, I bought twelve kilos of sugar, remember?!' I reminded him. 'Although, I do recommend sparing some of it, we only need to make a small amount like before.' I told him.
Orson nodded in agreement. 'Let's teach everybody else how to do it and once the clock turns eight, we stop, we pick everything up and then we count them in the morning.' He suggested.
'Yes let's!' I agreed and we helped the other cooks to make the lollipops accordingly.
. . .
8:00 p.m.
'It's eight o'clock!' I exclaimed. 'Finish filling the badges you have in front and pick everything up afterwards!' I ordered with a loud voice.
The cleaners finally heard my signal and helped with the leaning. The last dishwasher was help by one of them as the rest cleaned the kitchen and lounge tables.
It took a bit of time, due to everyone being tired, but we finished accordingly after forty minutes and they took their leave afterwards.
'Have a trip home safe everyone!' I said goodbye to them and then closed everything.
I took the kids who were asleep on the kids area upstairs and prepared them to eat, bath and sleep.
I myself, was too tied by nin o'clock and just flopped on the bed and went immediately into dream land.
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Wednesday, 12th of February: Ludus Day. . .
6:00 a.m.
I woke up a little later than usual and took a small bath for myself.
Then I went to take the things out and then went back to bed.
'Waahhhh! Waaaaahhh!' But the baby had other ideas.
I sighed and got up to take the baby in my arms and out of Liam's ear before he got up and asked for diaper change.
As I changed her diaper I baby-talked to her. 'Who's a good baby girl? Yes you are! Yes you are.' I snuggled my nose with her and made her giggle. 'You are such a good baby, yes you are.' I kissed her cheeks and bitted softly one of them. 'Yumyumyum!'
The baby girl smiled and giggled. 'Ah. . . Ah. . .' She made baby noises.
'Haha! You sure are a quiet baby.' I put her in the especial cloth to hold her and went to make breakfast. 'Can you say mama? Mama~.' I started to try and get her to speak. 'Mama~.'
'Ahe. . . Am. . . Ah. . .' The baby girl seemed to try but couldn't quite do it.
'Hohoho! You are a determined little one aren't you?' I asked her not expecting a response. 'It's pronounced Ma-ma. Ma. Ma.' I moved my lips slowly to show.
'Mmeh. . . Ma. . . Mmm-Mama!!' The baby girl exclaimed.
'Yes, that's right little—' My mind went blank in a moment. From the cooking pot I took my sight to the baby. 'D-Did you just said "mama"?' I asked in shock.
'M-Ma—Mama! Mamamamamamama!' The baby started to repeat the word excitedly.
'Yes, yes that's right!' I nodded and kissed her head. 'I'm mama!' I gave her two kisses. 'Mama!'
'Mamama!' The baby girl repressed with an extra "ma."
'Hahahahahaha!' I laughed heartedly and cried out of joy. 'Oh my baby! You just made my day—no, my week!' I gave a kiss attack to her head. 'I know I shouldn't do this, but, maybe it is time for you to have a name!' I exclaimed out of excitement.
The baby giggled as if she could understand me.
'Momma?' Liam appeared through the hallway. 'What's happening?' He asked.
'Oh! Sorry Liam!' I apologized and took the breakfast to the table. 'Guess what? Baby girl said her first word!' I squealed out of excitement.
Liam blinked still half asleep. 'Yey. . .' He cheered weary.
I chuckled and gave Liam his breakfast while I put babygirl her clothes.
After doing that, I helped Liam change his clothes and took them to the kids' area. Liam decided to go to sleep inside the dollhouse and baby girl started to okay with the rag dolls.
I went to the office and started to check some mail which I have postponed before now.
'Taxes, invitations, letters from friends from other towns, invitations from Mayors from other towns, and even a party invitation from Seawright!' I exclaimed softly as it dawned on me how popular I had become. 'Oh boy.' I sighed heavily. 'Not even a year and I'm probably the most popular person both inside and outside the capital! Haha. . .' I laughed nervously at this realization. 'Should I talk about this to Meadow and Karga?' I asked myself. 'Hmm. . . Maybe.' I frowned to that but at the same time I decided to write on some letters back to some people. 'Hopefully it's not too late to respond to some letters. And I'll make a note to go and pay my taxes before March.' I declared as I wrote on my book plan.
. . .
8:00 a.m.
The restaurant was open and the people flooded the place.
People were even waiting in line to both get a table and even waiting outside!
Oh oh. I bitted on my lips as I noticed how small the place became for the clients's amount.
A lot of people might get sick and cold. I needed to help with that.
'Orson! I'm going to get some things from somewhere, please make sure everything is in order!!' I exclaimed to him as I out my coat on. 'Tell Minevra to take my kids upstairs and stay there until I returned!' I asked as I left.
'Alright!' Orson nodded with excitement in his eyes. I could tell what he was thinking. His boss left him in charge and now he must prove that he was worthy of the job.
. . .
30 minutes later. . .
I searched through the market for something that could help me.
Then, I found a welder who was making a lot of pots, bowls and cups and some sort of metal food toppers with a cover and everything.
Jackpot! I exclaimed happily on the inside and greeted him with a smile. 'Hello my good sir!' I greeted him.
The man turned to look from his work to me with a serious eye and bored expression. 'Hmm. . .' He nodded to me. I think that was his greeting.
I kept my smile. I need those toppers no matter what.
. . .
Forty-five minutes later. . .
It was a surprising success. Putting the drinks on the cups, the food on the toppers and the soups on the metal bowls to then give them to the people outside so they would get their food and hot drinks and not having to wait anymore.
The downside is, if they want to take the food home they need to pay extra, because those things became oficially me property. So if they want to take them, they need to pay them.
But then I remembered that back in my old world, in the eighties technically, there was this thing about return the glass bottles intact to the store and receive money, so I added that.
The line of waiting got shorter, people did not go hungry and they would receive back half of the extra expense if they were to return the property they bought for.
Crisis adverted.
. . .
12:00 p.m.
The lollipops have started to sell.
It seems it's common sense to see the treats as sweets.
The lollipops were a bit more cheaper than the other things we previously sold. We were not only able to make about ten badges of twelve lollipops each but we were also able to sell them more conomically so kids and young adults could afford them.
The price was three coppers per lollipop.
It didn't take much before it became a huge hit and people were thrilled to have such a good yet expensive looking treat in their mouths.
I also brought one lollipop for my dear Liam. I didn't have baby girl any because she's still too little to eat sweets with THAT much sugar.
. . .
5:00 p.m.
The clientale has slowed down and the servers and the bartenders were asked to pay attention to how to make the red velvet milkshakes.
It's not that much science, especially since the little crushed ice that it contains can be done in astronomical amounts thanks to the cold outside.
Thankfully, all of them are fast learners so I believe we are making progress in time for Eros day.
. . .
8:00 p.m.
The good news is that the shakes will be done very well. The bad news is that, hopefully, there won't as many customers as today.
I made sure the milkshake was extra expensive, and not just because of the ten littlers of milk that will most definetely disappear with other ingredients such as pancakes, cakes,etc.
For now, we just have to pack up and get everything ready to start the next.
I am exhausted.
. . . .