We've had some challenges, namely having to replace one of our windows which shattered.  We'd like to thank everyone for their concern regarding this matter.  But Linsey and I took it on the chin and it was just one of those things.  We'd been sensible and made sure we were insured for our windows, as we expected that we would have to face this situation at some point.  As it goes, the replacement wasn't as expensive as we initially feared it might be and didn't claim on our insurance. All fixed as of last Friday and a great job done by West Bridgford Glass.

We've been super pleased that our cake boxes have proven popular and you can still order these for take away if you're interested.  We have vegan brownie boxes (6 for £12), gluten free cake boxes (4 cakes for £10), vegan 9" brownie pizza pies (£18 each) and scone boxes with clotted cream and jam (£5 for 2).

Now, we're looking forward to Monday May 17th when we can open indoors too.  We will have limited seating available inside to ensure social distancing.  We will have a table for 4, two tables for 2 and our breakfast bar.  Let's hope the road map stays on course for May 17th and let's see the back of Covid restrictions!

We will have a range of face masks for you to purchase at the tearoom if you require one.  Prices will range from £3 to £9.  We will have our original floral face masks available at £3, hand drawn animal face masks for £6 and hand embroidered face masks for £9.

While we are only able to provide a takeaway service we have had a number of ideas of various cake and scone boxes to offer you.  Photos and prices to follow.  Please bear us in mind for something delicious for your mums on Mother's Day on Sunday 14th March.

​From the 12th April we will have limited outdoor seating.  Tables and chairs will be spaced to allow for social distancing.  From 12th April there will be the rule of 6 (maximum of 2 households), so please book ahead if you are in a large party of 6 so we can accommodate you and ensure distance between you and other diners.  At this point it is likely that we will be back to our original menu and possibly extend our opening times.  Let's hope for sunny weather!  Customer toilets will reopen and you will be expected to wear a mask when moving to and from your table.  You will also need to scan the QR code or leave us with your contact details.

From 17th May we will be allowed to have diners sitting inside and outside.  Again, there will be limited seating inside to ensure there is adequate room between customers.  The rule of 6 or 2 households will be accommodated inside if you call ahead.  We will be able to accommodate parties of 2 or 3 more easily.  As before, you will need to wear a mask when not seated at your table and will need to leave us with your contact details.

From 21st June we will have all our tables and chairs back in the tearoom and there will be no legal limits on social contact.

We do hope that all of the above goes to plan and that there are no further restrictions applied due to increased Covid infections.  We look forward to seeing you all when we get back on Thursday 11th March.  Please do pop in to say hello and grab yourself a coffee and cake!

We're currently closed due to the coronavirus national lockdown but we will be back in December, perfectly timed for a Christmas shop!  It's so important this year that you try to support small, local shops rather than relying completely on big online stores.  So, here I present you with a complete guide to what you can find at Bread and Butterflies this Christmas.  Something for everyone's pocket and truly, personal gifts that can really mean a lot.

Our best seller at the moment is commission drawings.  Both Linsey and I take on the drawing and charge just £10 an hour (plus VAT).  This means that a beautiful drawing can cost as little as £35!  All we need is a clear photo and we will take it from there.  Here are a few of the drawings we have previously done:

You can send us your commissions as soon as you like and we will start them as soon as possible and let you know when they're ready (please ensure you allow time if they need to be posted).  Please contact us at info@breadandbutterflies.co.uk with you requests or questions and to attach photos.

Our selection of ceramic products are great, affordable gifts. Starting from just £5 we have a large selection in stock but we can take commissions on these too for a specific request.  Prices for all of our products can be found on the craft tab on the website, or just pop into the shop for a browse in December.

We also have a range of fabric gifts such as tote bags, aprons, pencil cases and shoe bags.  Again, very affordable and would make excellent stocking fillers.  Check out the craft tab on the website.

For those with a sweet tooth we are happy to make cakes, cupcakes, brownies and cookies for you.  We have a large number of gluten free, dairy free and vegan cakes that we can bake, so if you have a dietry need just let us know. Again, these are very affordable and a guide price list can be found on our website by hovering on the tearoom and menu tab and selecting celebration cakes from the drop down menu.

After the year we have all had, it would be nice if we could enjoy a fabulous Christmas.  So, support small business when you can, but definitely have a very merry Christmas.

We turn 5 in October and it's got us thinking about how far we've come.  With such a difficult few months with lock down and then reopening and getting back to normal it has made us very grateful for what we've achieved.  

Linsey and I became vegans a couple of years ago and thought about making Bread and Butterflies a completely vegan venue but we decided we did not want to ignore our loyal customers that had been with us from the start who also liked what we offered.  So we decided to be an inclusive cafe and ensure that everyone could enjoy delicious and affordable food and drink with us.

As well as our own products we also support a number of other local and Notts based writers and makers in the tearoom.  This provides a variety of goods that can suit all budgets as well as putting other small businesses on the map!

Our local community is great and we support them and try and give back when we can.  We've provided numerous raffle prizes, vouchers and drop off points to lots of local charities as well as making monetary donations to larger charities.  So far we've helped Brinsley Animal Rescue, Wands for Wildlife, The Red Box Project, Lymphoma Action, Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, Trent District Community First Responders, Nottingham Mencap, Tara's Angels, RSPCA, The Friary and Foundation for Angelman Syndrom Therapeutics to name a few. 

We hope to be around for a while longer yet and hope that we can continue to provide our customers with a relaxing venue that always serves good food, good coffee and good cake to everyone.

Dear customers of Bread and Butterflies,
​
It has been a challenging time for us all these past three months, we are all dealing with different circumstances and difficulties.  With so many people struggling financially, mentally and with being separated from loved ones I feel very lucky to have gotten through this trying period.

I have been able to enjoy this time off from work with the financial support from the government and my mortgage provider.  Mentally I have had the support of my partner, Glenn, my dogs, Milo and Marnie, and the opportunity to continue with my yoga with on line classes provided by my good friend Sarah Luerken at Stay Well Health.  I have been able to speak to Linsey and see her when it was necessary for us to go into work and have been in touch with friends on line.

A three month holiday for me and Linsey was never a plan for us and we have been so lucky with the weather that we truly feel we have been abroad!  We feel healthy and happy.  We are also going through the process of renewing our lease in Lady Bay for a further 10 years and feel good about looking forward to what we can achieve with our business regardless of this unprecedented pandemic.

Our customers are who drive us and it is for this reason why we will have clear rules in place to ensure that we and you are kept as safe as possible from a second peak when enjoying food from Bread and Butterflies.  Our reduced menu will be displayed on a board to prevent sharing laminated menus.  Hand sanitiser will be available for all customers to use at the tearoom.  We will be wearing gloves whenever necessary and probe wiping the till and card payment machine after every use.  However, there may be times when we don't get it right, we are adapting to changing needs all the time and we ask that you are patient and bare with us.  Please, if you have any concerns, talk to us in the first instance so that we might rectify our methods and do things better.  We want to get it right and appreciate your support.

Big love
Lisa and Linsey

She has been kind enough to keep us in the loop about how she's been getting on and sent this update of her first few weeks meeting new people and deciding where she will continue her missionary work.

week 1:
ARRIVAL IN LOS ANGELES
Thursday 9th January, I got on my plane heading out to Los Angeles. After a long and tiring ten hours, I arrived at LAX. This is my stepping out the boat moment; a line in the sand. I don't know anybody in this city, I have to fully trust that God has prepared the way ahead of me.
I got to immigration, expectant to be bombarded with questions, but instead, almost miraculously, I was let straight through and met by one of the DTS staff, Mahi (she's really cool & funny!).

Our first weekend was relaxing and focused on settling into the routine; then classes started on the Monday. We follow one theme over a week, for just over two hours a day. Our first lecture was on 'The Character and Nature of God' taught by Peter Warren, who used to lead the Los Angeles base before moving onto Denver, CO. I found the teaching really interesting and eye-opening to how God is portrayed in the old testament. He then talked a little about world suffering and linked it back to the character and nature of God. We also started work duties; so, we're helping around base, keeping it clean, babysitting etc. Me and one of the girls, Emma, were put in the kitchen helping with dinner prep Monday and Wednesday every week. It's been really fun and rewarding preparing food for everyone on base and working in the kitchen! 

​week 2:
GETTING INTO A RHYTHM
In our second week, in class, we moved onto 'Hearing the Voice of God' which was more difficult to learn in a classroom environment, just because it requires a lot more practise. Unfortunately, the women meant to be speaking got the flu, so our DTS leader Christie stepped in to teach, but she has so much wisdom, I found it really interesting listening to her speak and talk about the stories where God spoke to her.
We got given the two outreach locations on the Monday, one team going to the Philippines and the other going to Kenya and Mexico. After our school leaders talked a bit about the ministry in each location, we had 10 minutes to pray and decide. I felt drawn to the Philippines, even though, before coming to DTS I'd felt like God was going to use all the Spanish I'd learnt. Once we'd chosen where we wanted to go, the leaders prayed over our names to give God the final decision and collectively they felt like God was telling them to switch me. When they told me this, it was confusing and overwhelming. I had felt so sure God wanted me in one place and I couldn't understand why that had changed. Whilst I was praying over the switch, I felt God say "I will use you anywhere", almost as a reassurance that he still had better plans for me and I just felt so much peace over the decision. I had to trust my DTS leaders that they wanted what was best for me and that God was involved and in control of the situation.
This is my outreach team; together we're going to Mexico and Kenya! I'm super grateful for this amazing group of humans <3

What a great time to try a more plant based diet!  At Bread and Butterflies all the staff members are vegan and happy to chat with you about how we moved from a meat and vegetarian diet to a vegan diet, we also subscribe to Vegan Food magazine that is full of great recipes and advice if you need some questions answered.  We're also doing a weekend vegan special of American style pancakes with blueberries.  They have received rave reviews so why not try them for yourself and see how tasty a vegan alternative can be.  This runs alongside our regular vegan choices off the menu and we always have a few choices on the cake counter.  For drinks we do soya milk(free of charge) and oat milk (40p surcharge) and a milk free hot chocolate.

But what else is out there to facilitate your vegan journey this January?
Linsey and I went to the cinema on Tuesday to see Jojo Rabbit (great film btw!) and were also able to enjoy a Veganuary special menu at the Broadway Café.  They have collaborated with Mocky D to offer an amazing Vegan cheese burger.  We then went to All Bar One who have a great biscoff banana cheesecake that is to die for!

You may have seen in the news that Greggs, KFC, Burger King and all the main supermarkets are offering new vegan products.  So it's worth giving them a go if you want something that doesn't taste too different from the meat you possibly love.  The choices are great and wide, very different from two years ago and so now is the right time to eat more plant based, if not for animal welfare then for the environement.

​Good luck!

Although I love the sun, there's nothing quite like open fires, food, drink and presents!  We get very busy at Christmas time with commission gifts so if you haven't already got your orders in to us, get in touch!

What can we do for you?  Well we have gifts for everyone!  Whatever they're in to we can absolutely help you out!

Drawings (£10 an hour plus extra for framing)

Cushions (£26)

Crockery (items start from just £5)

Cakes (prices start from £14)

Guest artists (prices start from £3.50)

With a little help from Bread and Butterflies there's no reason why everyone can't have a beautiful, original gift, that doesn't cost the earth!

It's not often that Linsey and I get extended time away from the tearoom.  In our first year we didn't take any time at all, but we have allowed ourselves a Christmas break since then and this year we also took some time off in April for Linsey's friend's wedding.  We are in the very lucky position at the moment of having the lovely Rebecca working for us full time until she goes to America with YWAM.  This means that Linsey and I have been able to give ourselves an extra day off a week, which has been amazing and a great luxury.  But we have also made sure that we get a whole 5 days away to do with as we please.  It was my turn first mid October when I went to Carcassonne in France for a yoga retreat with my very good friend and fellow business owner, Sarah Luerken.  She, along with her husband Tom recently celebrated their first year in business.

I was lucky enough to get to go on their very first retreat and it was the most relaxing time away, and just what the doctor ordered. We stayed at Domaine de Mournac near Carcassonne.  A beautiful guest house with yoga studio.  Facilities were exceptional and the view outsanding.  Lots of walks to be had and places to visit.

The nearby Mont Sec trail was enjoyed and offered up some breathtaking views, and for when I wasn't feeling so energetic the view from my room was beautiful in itself.

We spent a day exploring the old city of Carcassonne, with a tour of the castle, a spot of impromptu yoga and some delicious food, even for me, finding vegan food was possible; like summer on a plate!

At Bread and Butterflies we have stocked some eco friendly products for a few months now and you have really embraced them.  But the whole community of Lady Bay has been inspired even further with the opening of the new, zero waste store, The Good Weigh.  It is a beautiful, well designed shop that is cutting down on plastic and waste.  What is not to like?

They've had a great start with lots of support and the people of Lady Bay really embracing the idea of cutting down on their waste. 

So to tap in to this enthusiasm started by The Good Weigh we decided to get our customers involved!  We get told we ask a lot of questions when customers are placing their orders, but this is because we want to make sure you get what you want and we are not wasting ingredients and food unnecessarily!
As a rule this is what we might ask:

Customer:  Hi, can I get a coffee?
Bread and Butterflies: Of course, what sort of coffee would you like? An americano?
Customer:  Yes, please.
Bread and Butterflies:  Would you like a large or regular?
Customer:  I'd like a large, please
Bread and Butterflies:  Would you like milk with that?
Customer:  Yes. please
Bread and Butterflies:  Anything else?
Customer:  Yes.  I'd like salmon and scrambled egg.
Bread and Butterflies:  Would you like granary or white sliced toast with that?
Customer:  Granary.
Bread and Butterflies:  Would you like one or two slices of toast?
Customer: Two, please.
Bread and Butterflies: Would you like butter for your toast?
Customer:  No thank you.
Bread and Butterflies:  Anything else?
Customer: Yes, I would like a toasted teacake, please.
Bread and Butterflies:  Would you like just butter with your teacake or some jam as well?
​Customer: Just butter, thank you.

Phew!  It's around the question about milk with the americano that customers can start wondering why we ask so many questions.  At Bread and Butterflies we throw away a ridiculous amount of butter, jam, milk and toast.  We obviously want you to have a great experience with us and are happy for you to have as much of all of those things as you'd like, but in the interest of cutting down on waste please be prepared for the long list of questions at the counter!  Feel free to preempt them and give us all the information at once!  It's all on the menu; the bread choices, the type of milk we do, different prices for large or regular coffees etc

It is also standard practice to serve a side salad and coleslaw with your sandwiches.  If you hate coleslaw, let us know and we can leave it off your plate.  

Every day we throw away our used coffee grounds.  But apparently they are great for your soil and your garden!  Why not come by the tearoom at about 4 to collect the day's grounds, it saves it going to landfill and will make your flowers blooming lovely!

Sometimes food waste is unavoidable, and the ideal would be for us to have a compost at Bread and Butterflies, but we are limited to outside space.  For all our customers who have a compost why not come by Bread and Butterflies at the end of the day and collect our food waste to add to your compost? Just bring a tub!