Happenings

Much has happened since we first opened our doors. We actually have "regulars" and I even know their "usual"!

We've been through "Cooking on Cleveland", and two festivals; "Trunk to Treasure" and "Fall Fest". Both of which we couldn't have made it through without Dawn Bingham.

Many, many desserts have been made, including mini Snickers Cheesecakes which were a huge hit, and Pumpkin Custard Cake which was an even (ahem) huger hit!

Pumpkin Custard Cake

The cafe even has a touch of fall window display.

I know they're puny, but the glitter makes up for the it. It's a work in progress.

Getting Caught Up

I never knew my life could be so busy. I'm just now getting caught up with the blog. So may things have happened since my last post.

We passed inspection and have since opened our doors. Our first day was AMAZING! So many people came out to support us. The outpouring of support, well wishes and warmth I received from friends, family, and total strangers was indescribable, and I'm still speechless. There are no words that can describe how THANKFUL we are.

For the people that haven't seen the final product, here are some pictures.

We also experienced Trash to Treasures - check out the pictures here. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.274147922603916.75444.165584630126913&type=1

We had ourselves quite an adventure! Here's the run down.

The Good:

1. We served over 120 people! Thank you, Dawn for helping me. We couldn't have done it with out you.

2. We sold out of peach, ginger, peanut butter, and coffee ice cream.

3. We had fun.

The Bad:

1. A sweet elderly lady FELL, hit the corner of the brick wall, got a gash under her eye and had to have 5 stitches. I hope you feel better, sister.

2. None of us got a chance to check out the action happening outside. I wanted to visit the vendors but never got a chance! 

O.M.G.

OMG!

The inspector came to check out the cafe today, and after looking around said that we were ready for the OFFICIAL inspection. So, ..... it's scheduled for TUESDAY!

We've started placing the furniture inside, and  it's finally taking shape. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. This has been a very long tunnel.

Hello?

We got one line our phone line connected!! Yipee! Along with WIFI ! Double Yipee!

I already have 4 missed calls. uh oh.

WIFI

 

 

 

Round Two

We finally got the rest of our stuff. The second round bring us the fridge and freezer.

The delivery guys get to work right there on the curb!

Curb Side Service

Need I say more?

We also picked up our counter tops today. Don't they look great?!?

We only have a few last minute details to take care of inside and we'll be ready for inspection!

Tumble Weed

Three posts in one day? I'm definitely on a roll now. I'm a tumble weed.

A lot of things happened today.

The electrician came back to finish up, and later the inspector signed off on all the electrical upgrades. Phew!

The equipment was delivered this afternoon. But,... some of the equipment was "missing". More on that later. We got the oven, the sandwich station, the ice maker, and the meat slicer.

You'd think Omar struck oil.

We had to convince Tony, and George to help us set the 350 lbs oven onto it's legs. George risked his life.

The unveiling

The Dragon

The Sandwich Station

The kitchen did an amazing shrinking act, and we still have the fridge, and freezer to come in. One thing at a time.

Ramp

Two blog posts in one day! I'm on a roll.

To be up to code we had to have a handicap accessible ramp and that was completed this past weekend.  

 

You can't really tell from the angle, but it's a ramp. Trust me.

Counter

We finished the counter! Yay!

We went from this:

 To this:

TO THIS!!!

Catching Up

I haven't been able to recover my pictures yet so I have no record of the brick wall being painted! Nadia suggests a reenactment?!? 

So far, we've finished all the painting, the flooring, the lights, and the molding. The appliances have been ordered and hopefully be here by the end of this week. Hopefully.

We've started on the counter, and it's looking really good.

Inoculations

So, my son fixed my computer. He is amazing. It took him many hours spread out over two days, but it's finally done. I don't think my SD card has been inoculated yet, and unfortunately most of pictures were on that card. Did I mention how amazing he is?

My daughter is one of the 3 followers of this blog, and I just want to let her know that I think she is amazing too!

There has been a lot of activity in Elloree, the streets have been swept, and the trees have fresh pine straw. There's also been other activities including a business after hours event, and a kids camp tomorrow. 21 kids will be touring the downtown area, where they'll get to visit some of the stores, and learn about the history of the buildings and the Town of Elloree. Oh, how I wish I was open for business!

Antique Fire Truck

Viruses

I have a ton of pictures to upload but my SD card has a virus, and my laptop has a virus!

This post is possible thanks to birthdays, birthday gifts, and iPads.

I'll be back as soon as the virus is no more.

Flooring

07/03/2011

Kitchen flooring? 

DONE!

Thanks to Sadia!

Nadia helped. A little.

Actually, both the bathroom, and the kitchen flooring are done. We ended up choosing commercial vinyl tile for the kitchen,  and regular vinyl tile for the bathroom.

Bathroom floor.

Kitchen floor + Baseboards

 

We Omar, aside from a million other things, also finished the bathroom step.

Ta Daa!

Window Dressing

Tackling the windows was no small feat. It took over 3 hours to take down the wood pieces blocking the top part of both window and  another hour to put up the new glass.

Outside view

Inside view

Now you can see the Crepe Myrtle flowers!

Left window

Right window

All Done!

Plumbing Retraction

I'm retracting my earlier comment about the plumbing being finished. *sigh*

Week of 06/26/2011

After the sheet rock was complete, and was looking all "purdy like" the plumbing sprung a little leak, and we sprung into action! A piece of Sheetrock had to be cut off to access the leak. We fixed that little problem BUT then we found another leak which meant we had to remove the commode and cut HALF the bathroom floor off!

To make a loooonnnnggg story short we lost a few days pursuing leek free pipes, but after 4 days everything checked out okay and the bathroom floor was replaced.

PHEW!

SheetRockin'

06/24/2011

Paul, the sheet rock guy, arrived promptly at 8:00am to start.

Paul, the sheetrock guru.

 

Sheetrock is up.

Purple Board - Waterproof sheetrock for the kitchen 

06/25/2011

Taping and Mudding



06/27/2011

Done!

Finally, ALL done!

If anyone is looking for a sheet rock guy, I know the man for the job.