Good Morning and Welcome to the Weekend😊
As you know, I love hearing from you.... whether it's an e-mail, a comment or a FB message, it's awesome 💗. I do try to respond to them all, but sometimes, I get a little busy (or distracted, which for me, is easily done 😉), and I don't manage to answer in a timely manner and for those.....I apologize profusely.
So, I thought I would spend a little time today answering some of the most frequently asked questions, I hope that's okay...
Here goes:
How do you manage to come up with ideas to write about each day?
In short response ('cos as you know, I can ramble on a bit!!) - these are just thoughts that flow from my often messy mind, through a pen, and onto the pages of my journal. I write exactly what's in my head, how I feel, observations I make, how I "see" things...
There is no "process" other than the fact that, as I write I don't filter anything out (which is why some of what I write remains in my journals, where it belongs....just for me, myself and I 😉)
Do you live in Hatteras all year round?
Yes, we own The Atlantic Inn - a century-old hotel that we renovated and opened this year....and we love it!!
We were the crazy ones that decided to leave our clinical research careers (50+ years combined experience between us), to buy the oldest hotel in Hatteras (built in 1928) on the Outer Banks of North Carolina that needed extensive renovations, at the start of the pandemic in 2020.....not exactly the best timing, but what's an adventure without some risks?
Do you ever feel isolated living where you do?
Never....I love living on my beautiful ribbon of sand, 30 miles out in the Atlantic, and spending time with the incredible people that live here all year round. The winters are absolutely awesome, as I am often the only person on the beach. Since the first time I ever stepped onto the beach at Hatteras Village, it has felt like home....that I truly belong here
Can you post more photos of your homeland Scotland?
I'd be very happy to - I'm working on a blog right now that will include lots of pics of where I spent my first 30 years....in Scotland
Can you post more photos of Bailey, Bodie and Pumpkin?
That's super easy.....I take pics of the pups and the puss every day (yes. I know, they aren't pups anymore at 100lbs each, but they will always be my pups) 💗
Do you still do 1:1 coaching?
Yes, in fact I may take on a few more people to coach over the winter - It's one of my favorite things to do, and I have more time during the quieter winter months. I'm also certified in team/group coaching, which can be fun
Will there be more retreats?
Absolutely - This was one of the main reasons we wanted to have the inn, as we knew that once we had completed our renovations, it would be the perfect place to hold retreats.
I'll be posting dates for the January women's retreat in the coming days, I've opened up the reservations for the March's "My Atlantic Retreat" (following on from the success of this month's retreat), and am currently working on a Writer's Retreat, for those who do not consider themselves to be "real writers"....they just have a passion for writing (I think I'll be able to convince them they really are "real writers" 😊)....and there will be many more retreats in the coming months
What did you do before you moved to Hatteras?
Too many things to list here....😁, but you can click on this link, and it will tell you a little bit about me:
Have you always been adventurous?
Most definitely.....I can't remember a time, even as a small child, when I wasn't either looking for, or planning my next great adventure (although not all of them were that great!). but hey ho...you learn from your mistakes - that's why they're called "lessons learned" 😂.
Having a vivid imagination, being a bit of a dreamer, a tad compulsive and a "challenger" personality....my life was always going to be an adventure
Do you like owning and running an inn?
It's a bit of a contrast from my previous career in healthcare and clinical research leadership (from being responsible for over 400 people to only being responsible for myself and my own crazy ideas...... which can often be more difficult/dangerous), although being around people from diverse geographical areas and backgrounds... and with so many different personalities, reminds me of what I really enjoyed when I worked directly with patients in hospital and clinics.
Having the inn is so much fun as we get to meet so many interesting guests. We have been super lucky with the people that have chosen to stay with us at The Atlantic, they have been wonderful, and, in many cases, have become great friends that we now cherish spending time with!
Can you please post your recipe for Sticky Toffee Pudding
Here it is 😊:
Ingredients
• 100g/3½oz butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
• 175g/6oz light muscovado sugar
• 2 large free-range eggs
• 225g/8oz self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 3 tbsp black treacle
• 275ml/9½fl oz full-fat milk
• double cream or vanilla ice cream, to serve
For the sauce
• 100g/3½oz butter
• 125g/4½oz light muscovado sugar
• 1 tbsp black treacle
• 300ml/10fl oz pouring double cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Butter a wide shallow 1.7-litre/3-pint ovenproof dish.
2. Put the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and treacle into a mixing bowl. Beat using an electric handheld whisk for about 30 seconds or until combined. Pour in the milk gradually and whisk again until smooth. Pour into the prepared dish. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until well risen and springy in the center.
3. To make the sauce, put all the ingredients into a saucepan and stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted. Bring to the boil, stirring for a minute.
4. To serve, pour half the sauce over the pudding in the baking dish. Serve with the cream or ice cream.
Well, I'm off to the kitchen to make some good old fashioned Scottish shortbread...then I may venture out for a brisk walk on the beach (it's beautifully sunny....but super chilly!!) or.....I may just snuggle up on a sofa with a book and a hot chocolate 💗
Until next time,
Take care, Stay Safe and Why not find a cozy warm space to snuggle up and read a book, or watch a good movie (or the football!) 💗
Hugs,
Pam
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