We are selling so much fudge at the LBH that we have to make some now every night. It is okay, it is good but I am tired by the time I get home and thinking of making more fudge isn't fun. We actually are waiting for our gas burners to get here and when they do then we'll make the fudge at the shop - or someone else will.
We had our first real lunch rush today with people lined up to the door to get sandwiches. It was Five Frenzy Wednesday which means that every sandwich is $5 with the purchase of a drink. It is a good deal... I can't finish most of the sandwiches by myself and so I know people are getting their moneys worth. We had every seat taken at one point - awesome! I hope it continues - I think it will. Everyone seems to like the sandwiches so that is a good sign.
I was at the shop all day until 9 pm - same as yesterday. My knee is killing me, I think I twisted it and now it is hurting to walk and go up and down stairs. I did this to it a few years ago when the gals from Carson were here and we hiked up to the third pool in Zions. I had problems with that knee for a couple of months after. I will try to stay off of it for a few days or wear a brace if I can find it... it is hard getting old - things happen for no good reason!
I think we have almost rented out all of our spaces. Connie Sowards has a space where she is selling leggings and without even being totally up, I sold two of her packages today. Cool. I have had to move all of my stuff out of the back room because someone is moving in there next week. It is actually kind of a good thing to have people moving in with their stuff so that I don't have to keep buying and decorating. I miss that part of it however but if I can make the money I need to for the rent and so forth from vendors it will take some of the anxiety of making enough money out of it.
Today the Mayor Burgess' wife came in and ordered 3 baskets for a ting the city is doing. She wants each basket to value at $100. That is great - I talked her into putting a $50 gift certificate in each basket which will mean that they can use the gift certificate for food in the restaurant or for items and then I can put the rest of the baskets together with goodies. It will be a fun project. I haven't been putting as many baskets together lately so this will be great!
Well I am feeling much better about things this week than last. We might even make payroll and also pay the vendors and consignors! Now we just have to work at getting me, John and Jim paid!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
BLT
Oh my gosh - I have a new sandwich love. Actually I have loved BLT's for years but the one we are making at the LBH with peppered bacon on focaccia bread is out of this world. Soooo good. Also today, John made me a BuffaloChicken Philly and that was darn good as well... that is DARN good - Laura sent me an email with the word darn that looked like dam and I had to question her about it. Although I realize that dam that is swearing has an n on the end. She said she wrote DARN and I believe her.
Doing well on my scripture reading - tonight I read Helaman 7-9. I always enjoy reading those chapters because once in Carson I spoke with two other ladies on those chapters and because of that I know them pretty well. The scriptures are so soothing to me. I am having a lot of hectic days right now, both at the shop and at home trying to catch up with all of the things I am not getting done. When I sit down to read the scriptures it brings some peace to my life. I know it is the spirit because some times while reading my mind will wander and I know that I haven't really "read" the words but I have felt the spirit none the less.
Moving things out of the back room to make space for renters. With these two renters from the last two days and a couple more we will be full up. I am sad to take everything out of my back room - it was fun to do and now I have had to do some crowding in the front room. I am hoping I can figure things out so I don't start looking way junky.
So heading for bed. I am tired - was at the LBH for 11 hours straight today but it is always fun to be there with family. I am happy to stay in the shop and let everyone else do their thing in the kitchen. All of my kids are great cooks... I am proud of them. I think they have inherited their dad's love for cooking and his abilities too. It is too bad with all these great cooks, I am the one that has done most of the cooking over the years. Have to say I made a great and delicious meatloaf on Sunday - it really was yummy. I think I can make a good meatloaf and good fudge and if I can think about it for a while, I might come up with another couple of good foods I do... well maybe not!
Doing well on my scripture reading - tonight I read Helaman 7-9. I always enjoy reading those chapters because once in Carson I spoke with two other ladies on those chapters and because of that I know them pretty well. The scriptures are so soothing to me. I am having a lot of hectic days right now, both at the shop and at home trying to catch up with all of the things I am not getting done. When I sit down to read the scriptures it brings some peace to my life. I know it is the spirit because some times while reading my mind will wander and I know that I haven't really "read" the words but I have felt the spirit none the less.
Moving things out of the back room to make space for renters. With these two renters from the last two days and a couple more we will be full up. I am sad to take everything out of my back room - it was fun to do and now I have had to do some crowding in the front room. I am hoping I can figure things out so I don't start looking way junky.
So heading for bed. I am tired - was at the LBH for 11 hours straight today but it is always fun to be there with family. I am happy to stay in the shop and let everyone else do their thing in the kitchen. All of my kids are great cooks... I am proud of them. I think they have inherited their dad's love for cooking and his abilities too. It is too bad with all these great cooks, I am the one that has done most of the cooking over the years. Have to say I made a great and delicious meatloaf on Sunday - it really was yummy. I think I can make a good meatloaf and good fudge and if I can think about it for a while, I might come up with another couple of good foods I do... well maybe not!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Surprise!
Yesterday I was working at the shop and a little boy walked in the front door. I thought to myself that little boy looks an awful lot like Jeremy...then Abbie came in and then Ben... that little boy was Jeremy. What a surprise and what a great surprise! I was overwhelmed - I actually screamed. I was so excited. Thanks to Pete and Tara's planning and my husband keeping such a secret I enjoyed the rest of the day and all day Sunday with these cute Houston grandchildren. We were able to throw together a picnic at Canyon Park which included all the Cedarites as well as Laura and Nigel and kids here for the weekend and of course our surprise guests. The cousins enjoyed themselves - taking dips in the creek and playing together. We adults had a fun visit which included our usual "who will play us in the Fontano movie"... I am relieved to hear that I might be played by the gal from Home Alone and Beetlejuice (Kathryn Ohara?) rather than Marie from Everybody Loves Raymond.
The old standards "Kurt Russell for John, Bill Murray for Mike" are still on the list. New ones included "Mr. Bean for Nigel, possibly Carrie Underwood for Amy, Matt Damon for Dave although some discussion about some new guy from Friends for Dave, and Tom Hanks for Jim" I am voting Debra from Raymond for Tara but there is some disagreement about that. Right now I can't remember who it was for Dad but the Mall Cop guy for Jay. If anyone wants to comment they are welcome to get this all down in writing. I know I am missing quite a few.
So anyway, after a fun dinner with all the clan we separated to different houses and Laura and Nigel became John's first house guests in his new house while Dad and I sported the Houston kids and their mom at our house. Jeremy took the couch "shirtless" and Abbie and Ben tried out the blowup beds although I understand Ben spent most of the night with Tara in the guest room. He did say however that he loved the blow up bed and it was very comfortable.
Sunday we got to church and then laughed watching Jeremy play baseball on the Wii . Making comments to all of the players and umps decisions... It was certainly entertaining and very much like seeing his dad in action... Tara tries to blame that all on "Fontano genes" but I am reminding her that it is a 50-50 division there. Ben is watching Jeremy carefully for tips in behavior as well. Not a bad thing at all - we enjoyed all three kids so much and it was such a sweet surprise to have them with us for these two days.
I forget that each time Jeremy leaves us or we leave him, it is pretty traumatic for him. Today, Tara drove off with all three kids crying their eyes out in the back seat. We were all crying our eyes out as well.
It was a great surprise to have them here - it is always hard to have them go.
I am not forgetting that Laura and Nigel were here as well and it is always fun to have them down. Shey would like to stay indefinitely and gets pretty miserable as well when it is time to leave.
So all of these cute grandkids we have - what a blessing. We are so grateful for those who live close-by. We have missed John's kids this summer and look forward to their return on August 2nd. We were lucky to have Marien, Clayton and Kathryn here over the 4th. They are getting so big - it is fun to watch them mature. Jay and Sara's kids keep us all happy here all the time - this week we watched the twins and Anna while the girls (and Tommy) and their parents had a Harry Potter activity with dinner and a movie! I hope they had as good a time as we had with the boys and Anna and their dinner of cold spaghettios!
So tonight I am grateful for a great family. Grandchildren and children alike bring me such joy. I am still tearful to think that I was able to have such a great surprise. I was so glad that Laura was here to see her niece and nephew as well. Tara says they will see the LV cousins this week. So with the exception of Mike and Liana we covered the bases and I am grateful that family got to mingle a bit. Perhaps not a complete family reunion but at least a very good time.
The old standards "Kurt Russell for John, Bill Murray for Mike" are still on the list. New ones included "Mr. Bean for Nigel, possibly Carrie Underwood for Amy, Matt Damon for Dave although some discussion about some new guy from Friends for Dave, and Tom Hanks for Jim" I am voting Debra from Raymond for Tara but there is some disagreement about that. Right now I can't remember who it was for Dad but the Mall Cop guy for Jay. If anyone wants to comment they are welcome to get this all down in writing. I know I am missing quite a few.
So anyway, after a fun dinner with all the clan we separated to different houses and Laura and Nigel became John's first house guests in his new house while Dad and I sported the Houston kids and their mom at our house. Jeremy took the couch "shirtless" and Abbie and Ben tried out the blowup beds although I understand Ben spent most of the night with Tara in the guest room. He did say however that he loved the blow up bed and it was very comfortable.
Sunday we got to church and then laughed watching Jeremy play baseball on the Wii . Making comments to all of the players and umps decisions... It was certainly entertaining and very much like seeing his dad in action... Tara tries to blame that all on "Fontano genes" but I am reminding her that it is a 50-50 division there. Ben is watching Jeremy carefully for tips in behavior as well. Not a bad thing at all - we enjoyed all three kids so much and it was such a sweet surprise to have them with us for these two days.
I forget that each time Jeremy leaves us or we leave him, it is pretty traumatic for him. Today, Tara drove off with all three kids crying their eyes out in the back seat. We were all crying our eyes out as well.
It was a great surprise to have them here - it is always hard to have them go.
I am not forgetting that Laura and Nigel were here as well and it is always fun to have them down. Shey would like to stay indefinitely and gets pretty miserable as well when it is time to leave.
So all of these cute grandkids we have - what a blessing. We are so grateful for those who live close-by. We have missed John's kids this summer and look forward to their return on August 2nd. We were lucky to have Marien, Clayton and Kathryn here over the 4th. They are getting so big - it is fun to watch them mature. Jay and Sara's kids keep us all happy here all the time - this week we watched the twins and Anna while the girls (and Tommy) and their parents had a Harry Potter activity with dinner and a movie! I hope they had as good a time as we had with the boys and Anna and their dinner of cold spaghettios!
So tonight I am grateful for a great family. Grandchildren and children alike bring me such joy. I am still tearful to think that I was able to have such a great surprise. I was so glad that Laura was here to see her niece and nephew as well. Tara says they will see the LV cousins this week. So with the exception of Mike and Liana we covered the bases and I am grateful that family got to mingle a bit. Perhaps not a complete family reunion but at least a very good time.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
LBH Ideas
We had a meeting last week and came up with some ideas for the LBH Cafe etc. We have had some great suggestions from others as well. We are selling bread and I think that will develop into a good thing. Also Judy told us about a lady who might bake pies at our place... that would be awesome.
David came up with an idea to do a Farmer's Market in our driveway and we have been doing some research on that... we think we'll do it on Friday nights from 5-8 when it is cool and still light out. We hope that will make people aware of the place. We think we might also have some fun stuff like face painting and balloons for kids etc. Maybe we can sell our bread and other goodies too. Maybe Jim and group can sing and we'll get some other singers too.
John took around some free samples today and we got an order from Dr. Gunn's office. Dani also ordered some goodies and I think it was successful there too. Tomorrow more free samples.
I plan to work on John's house tomorrow and get the linen closet in etc. The kids will be home in two weeks. The time has gone fast - at least for me. I miss them but it has been a blessing to have them gone so that their dad could devote so much time to the shop.
I had to let Katelyn go yesterday and I felt so bad. I have actually felt bad for the whole weekend as I anticipated having to tell her that we were just to slow to keep her on. She was good about it but I felt terrible none the less.
We did have two great prospects come in today - one a guy who does antiques through Ebay and he was very knowledgeable. I think he would be a great asset and he will teach us alot. He also said that he would let us list things on his account and then just take a percentage. That would be great because he already has the connections!
Another lady, Susan, has had 4 craft type stores and she wants to take a space. It sounds like she will do some fun stuff also. It give me hope. If I wake up at night, I can lay there for hours wondering how this is all going to come together and getting sick to my stomach. Then someone like Susan or this fellow Wes come in and rave about the place and say we are going to do great... I hope that is true - at least like I say it gives me hope.
I have to say that I do think our place has charm. The food is going well and people seem to like it. We are excited about the pies! We think also we'll start making our own cookies - they can only be better than the ones we are buying from Nicholas.
So things are good I guess. Just so we can juggle enough to make things work.
David came up with an idea to do a Farmer's Market in our driveway and we have been doing some research on that... we think we'll do it on Friday nights from 5-8 when it is cool and still light out. We hope that will make people aware of the place. We think we might also have some fun stuff like face painting and balloons for kids etc. Maybe we can sell our bread and other goodies too. Maybe Jim and group can sing and we'll get some other singers too.
John took around some free samples today and we got an order from Dr. Gunn's office. Dani also ordered some goodies and I think it was successful there too. Tomorrow more free samples.
I plan to work on John's house tomorrow and get the linen closet in etc. The kids will be home in two weeks. The time has gone fast - at least for me. I miss them but it has been a blessing to have them gone so that their dad could devote so much time to the shop.
I had to let Katelyn go yesterday and I felt so bad. I have actually felt bad for the whole weekend as I anticipated having to tell her that we were just to slow to keep her on. She was good about it but I felt terrible none the less.
We did have two great prospects come in today - one a guy who does antiques through Ebay and he was very knowledgeable. I think he would be a great asset and he will teach us alot. He also said that he would let us list things on his account and then just take a percentage. That would be great because he already has the connections!
Another lady, Susan, has had 4 craft type stores and she wants to take a space. It sounds like she will do some fun stuff also. It give me hope. If I wake up at night, I can lay there for hours wondering how this is all going to come together and getting sick to my stomach. Then someone like Susan or this fellow Wes come in and rave about the place and say we are going to do great... I hope that is true - at least like I say it gives me hope.
I have to say that I do think our place has charm. The food is going well and people seem to like it. We are excited about the pies! We think also we'll start making our own cookies - they can only be better than the ones we are buying from Nicholas.
So things are good I guess. Just so we can juggle enough to make things work.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I Passed!
Today I took my Food Handler's "Assessment" as they call it. and I passed. I am now a legal food handler and proud of it. It is a stupid test because you go through the whole training and then when it comes to taking the test they ask you questions that were not in the training... excuse me but how can I know how many parts of chlorine bleach to water it takes if you don't ever tell me... Several what I would call "trick" questions were in the exam as well. But I passed with a 93% so I must not have done all bad and since they don't tell you which ones you missed... I guess I'll never know what I did wrong. Well, in the meantime - I am legal and although I don't want to, I guess I can work in the restaurant . whoo hoo!
Monday, July 11, 2011
61 and still counting
Well I turned 61 on Saturday. We had been to Susan and Richard's the night before for a delicious steak dinner and creme brulee' for dessert. I love how Susan always makes such great desserts - she experiments on us! She is a wonderful cook and everything is always so delicious at her house. We played some hearts and I know Susan lost - I don't know where I fell in the numbers or even who won... probably Richard. He wiped us all out once. Susan tried to once but I think lost by only a few cards.
Saturday I opened up the cafe for Amy since she was in SLC and then Dani and Dave came in and worked for me so I could have the day off. It was so nice of them. We went to dinner at Costa Vida and did dinner and a movie so we went to see 17 Miracles. It was about the Willie Handcart company and told about documented miracles that happened to various people on the trek. I really enjoyed it and was humbled by it.
Sunday I went to Sacrament at the YSA stake and enjoyed visiting with several people including Terry Worthen who is such a great guy. Dave is very lucky to be in their family. They are good people and we always enjoy some good laughs with them.
I did my stint in the nursery. I feel so bad for some of those little guys who cry and cry. One little boy, Ethan, has cried everytime I have been there for most of the time. He loves to chase the bubbles at the end of the time but that is about all he likes except he will sit and have some treats pretty good. One little boy came in screaming at the top of his lungs (last week he cried like that the entire time except for about a 20 minute nap.) This week though, he actually stopped crying a played with the other children after the first few minutes... that was a miracle! My friend Susan Greenburg suggested that I might not like the calling but she thought I would love the little children and she is absolutely right. I already have a soft spot in my heart for Ethan, Lydia, Sloan, Kate and Cooper. Lydia, Sloan and I played barrel of Monkeys for the entire first hour...it was crazy.
After nursery, I came home and read some of my Book of Mormon. I am keeping up pretty well with me ward reading assignment for the summer. Tonight I am right on track with Alma 28 - actually I am one chapter ahead... good for me!
We went to Jay and Sara's for Hawaiian which was delicious and we also had home-made ice cream and chocolate cake from Costco. Jim got me a new blow dryer and a lovely piece of pottery from Leapin' Lizards... Amy got me a bracelet that has some kind of Anion thing in it and is supposed to cure all the things that ail you... I hope it works. Pete and the kids called w/ a recording for my birthday and it sounded so cute. I talked to Jim and Mike and enjoyed both conversations so much.
So all in all a good birthday weekend.
Spent today getting John's kitchen organized and then tonight we helped him clean the other house. I know so well the feeling of wanting to get in to the new place but having all those little things you have to do at the old place. Amy and Jim were both great to come help too... Amy did the downstairs mopping and cleaned the refrigerator... Jim vacuumed the entire house in perfect little back and forth motions! John has to go back tomorrow and clean the carpets as well as mow the lawn. The house looks really clean... I hope they give him his deposit back.
So that is about all for now. It is almost 11 and I am not feeling too tired (it must be my bracelet!) We are planning to go to St. George and to the temple tomorrow. I am so looking forward to it! Haven't been in several months and I really feel the need.
Saturday I opened up the cafe for Amy since she was in SLC and then Dani and Dave came in and worked for me so I could have the day off. It was so nice of them. We went to dinner at Costa Vida and did dinner and a movie so we went to see 17 Miracles. It was about the Willie Handcart company and told about documented miracles that happened to various people on the trek. I really enjoyed it and was humbled by it.
Sunday I went to Sacrament at the YSA stake and enjoyed visiting with several people including Terry Worthen who is such a great guy. Dave is very lucky to be in their family. They are good people and we always enjoy some good laughs with them.
I did my stint in the nursery. I feel so bad for some of those little guys who cry and cry. One little boy, Ethan, has cried everytime I have been there for most of the time. He loves to chase the bubbles at the end of the time but that is about all he likes except he will sit and have some treats pretty good. One little boy came in screaming at the top of his lungs (last week he cried like that the entire time except for about a 20 minute nap.) This week though, he actually stopped crying a played with the other children after the first few minutes... that was a miracle! My friend Susan Greenburg suggested that I might not like the calling but she thought I would love the little children and she is absolutely right. I already have a soft spot in my heart for Ethan, Lydia, Sloan, Kate and Cooper. Lydia, Sloan and I played barrel of Monkeys for the entire first hour...it was crazy.
After nursery, I came home and read some of my Book of Mormon. I am keeping up pretty well with me ward reading assignment for the summer. Tonight I am right on track with Alma 28 - actually I am one chapter ahead... good for me!
We went to Jay and Sara's for Hawaiian which was delicious and we also had home-made ice cream and chocolate cake from Costco. Jim got me a new blow dryer and a lovely piece of pottery from Leapin' Lizards... Amy got me a bracelet that has some kind of Anion thing in it and is supposed to cure all the things that ail you... I hope it works. Pete and the kids called w/ a recording for my birthday and it sounded so cute. I talked to Jim and Mike and enjoyed both conversations so much.
So all in all a good birthday weekend.
Spent today getting John's kitchen organized and then tonight we helped him clean the other house. I know so well the feeling of wanting to get in to the new place but having all those little things you have to do at the old place. Amy and Jim were both great to come help too... Amy did the downstairs mopping and cleaned the refrigerator... Jim vacuumed the entire house in perfect little back and forth motions! John has to go back tomorrow and clean the carpets as well as mow the lawn. The house looks really clean... I hope they give him his deposit back.
So that is about all for now. It is almost 11 and I am not feeling too tired (it must be my bracelet!) We are planning to go to St. George and to the temple tomorrow. I am so looking forward to it! Haven't been in several months and I really feel the need.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
We are making it!
I think we are making it at the LBH. Today was our second day of cooking food and even had repeat customers (the Sowards - but none the less). I feel that Amy and John want to kick me out of the kitchen and I think that is actually okay with me. I get too intense and as I mentioned on John's blog I hate food safety! I can't stand having to put on and take off gloves 25 times a day... I figure if I can wash my hands that should be enough - now John tells me that I have to sing the ABC's all the way through while I wash my hands - pitiful. On top of that - then I have to put gloves on!
We have some cute girls working for us and I think they like that kitchen work so I am glad to turn it over to them. I don't mind cleaning up the garbage and wiping down tables but I think Amy, David and John are doing great on their own.
We had a great weekend and I just realized I haven't written anything about it. It started out with a bang when Jim crashed on the mountain bike and ended up with two broken bones in his left and and a broken humorous bone in his shoulder. He was badly skinned up and unable to even feed himself for the whole weekend but what a great sport -though in pain he didn't keep us from celebrating both on Sunday with a family dinner and on Monday with a BBQ at Jay and Sara's house. John mentioned that he had a good time playing with the cousins and I think he did! Having uncles and aunts and gmas and gpas is fun! I remember wonderful Christmas eves with my Aunts and Uncles and other occasions when we all got together. I am glad that Jim and Clorinda and kids come up as often as they can and also Laura and Nigel and Mike and Liana. Of course we haven't seen John and his kids too often until this year but now he is here for some good times. Only wish that Pete and Tara could be here more often.
Well, I have taken my sleeping pill and so about to fall asleep. I think I get tomorrow "day"off and Dani is going to work. I have to work tomorrow night but looking forward to a few hours of just doing what I want - hope I get to. I know I have books to do and a few other things but I am hoping to work in the yard a bit and maybe go to the library. I am missing the river that we spent so much time at last year (meaning Natty, Jack and Andy and me) haven't even been over to see how it looks - don't know if the Jay Fontanos have been over either... maybe if it doesn't rain we could take a trip to the park. Would be fun.
So that is it... looking forward to a good sleep tonight.
We have some cute girls working for us and I think they like that kitchen work so I am glad to turn it over to them. I don't mind cleaning up the garbage and wiping down tables but I think Amy, David and John are doing great on their own.
We had a great weekend and I just realized I haven't written anything about it. It started out with a bang when Jim crashed on the mountain bike and ended up with two broken bones in his left and and a broken humorous bone in his shoulder. He was badly skinned up and unable to even feed himself for the whole weekend but what a great sport -though in pain he didn't keep us from celebrating both on Sunday with a family dinner and on Monday with a BBQ at Jay and Sara's house. John mentioned that he had a good time playing with the cousins and I think he did! Having uncles and aunts and gmas and gpas is fun! I remember wonderful Christmas eves with my Aunts and Uncles and other occasions when we all got together. I am glad that Jim and Clorinda and kids come up as often as they can and also Laura and Nigel and Mike and Liana. Of course we haven't seen John and his kids too often until this year but now he is here for some good times. Only wish that Pete and Tara could be here more often.
Well, I have taken my sleeping pill and so about to fall asleep. I think I get tomorrow "day"off and Dani is going to work. I have to work tomorrow night but looking forward to a few hours of just doing what I want - hope I get to. I know I have books to do and a few other things but I am hoping to work in the yard a bit and maybe go to the library. I am missing the river that we spent so much time at last year (meaning Natty, Jack and Andy and me) haven't even been over to see how it looks - don't know if the Jay Fontanos have been over either... maybe if it doesn't rain we could take a trip to the park. Would be fun.
So that is it... looking forward to a good sleep tonight.
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