And a Happy New Year...

There's one thing that is certain--change. When people have said this to me in the past, it always made me uncomfortable. I think maybe the thought of change just made me feel not in "control". Not that I'm a control freak, or anything:). But this year I know things are changing--right away actually--and I welcome all the good things that these changes will bring.

Just a year ago, we opened our doors with $300 and prayers. It was "do" or "close" and everyday I prayed people would find us because we did not have money for advertising (you wouldn't believe how much that stuff costs!) I prayed people would like us and tell others because our source of advertising would have to be word-of-mouth. It still has to be that way, honestly. I'd rather pay better wages than advertise.

And after being closed since Christmas Day, I am praying once again--that people keep coming and new people find us and people enjoy our space, and that this year I pray more and believe my prayers will be answered and stop all the dag'on worrying because it has done nothing but age me. Seriously.

We're opening up at 7am-7pm Tuesday-Friday and 8am-6pm on Saturdays--change number one! We will have a small breakfast menu--change number two! We're staying open an hour later for those who want dinner--change number three! These changes will be well received--claimed changed number four!

I get these daily emails from a site (www.tut.com) which sends me inspirational tidbits to brighten my day. The last one I opened said how wonderful 2010 would be for me in every way, but that I needed to do one thing: Dream Bigger.

'Nough said.

I'm dreaming bigger and wish you all do the same (and please, make them sweet dreams, not "what-if-the-worst-possible-scenario-always-happens-to-me" ones). I am so grateful for all the people who wish us well, who come and support this dream of ours...my heart is full of love and hope and belief in my dreams.

That's change number five! The best one yet.

Happy New Year.

grace & peace,

reine

Merry Christmas

Good morning and Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is having their perfect Christmas day! I've just watched my kids open their gifts and I'm starting to prepare our first vegan Christmas...I've been telling my mother-in-law that Jesus was a vegan (so stop the whining:) Thanks for an awesome first year in business!

be blessed and speak with love!

grace & peace,

reine

Just 3 days this week...

We will close at 3p.m. on Christmas Eve...and we are still taking Christmas Eve orders. Today is the last day to get in your orders in (cake, cookies, pies...all that good stuff). We hope to be a part of your holiday.

Then...we will be closed Christmas Day until January4th. Woo-hoo. When we get back, more magic, more magic, and even more magic! Stay tuned...

grace & peace,

reine

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies Gone Wrong!!!!

To those who bought the vegan peanut butter cookies today--so sorry, someone left out the SUGAR!!! They'll be perfect next time.

So be honest...

if we really opened up early (7am) and stayed open a little later (7pm), would you come?

commissions are comin in... thanks!

mos def


















children's hospital's same day surgery wing

Thank you.

I was going to use this blog entry as a moment for whining, but I hate whining; hate hearing it- hate doing it. So instead of that, I've decided to make this entry one of thanks!

Thank you, dear customers, who realize that this is new for us so we are still figuring things out. Thank you, dear customers, who realize that though we have a burger on the menu, we are still not McDonalds and have no heating lamps so must make your burger fresh...which may mean you have to wait longer than you want to...especially if there is a line or call-in orders which you would know nothing about (I realize), but still, you don't whine and/or bitch in person or anywhere else. No really, the patience is a big deal...because I, personally, have none at times (I'm working on that though), and I know when you want to eat--you want to eat.

We rush around crazy all the time--which can't be a good thing. So when you come here, and we ask if you want a bow on your package...or we talk to you about your kids/job/dance troupe/business/life, we know from experience that that may be the only time during your day that someone is not rushing you along. Who likes to be rushed? Really? I promise we are not keeping your sandwich/wrap/salad hostage. We are moving as fast as we can back there...but this is not a grab and go place, and I'd like to think that that is the reason you come (besides all the INCREDIBLE TREATS AND EATS!).

So thank you, truly, I thank you for choosing us because we are supplying something different, wrapped with magic and love, and it's usually not ready in two minutes...sometimes not even ten. But we will never rush you, ever...and whenever our teeny tiny kitchen grows, we will be able to make things at a faster pace. If you saw what we were working with, you'd be amazed some things aren't taking us an hour to get out.

And thank you, dear customers, for spending your money with us. We know (believe me!) that money is still not growing on trees and that you have 10,000 choices on where to spend the money you do have. So when you come in and buy a cookie and get some water, you kick ass. You truly do, because you could spend that money anywhere and I know it. Coffee to go? You kick ass too! You could have gone to QuikTrip and gotten two (or more) cups of coffee for the price of our one.

We are not oblivious to your options, or to your desire to support a family-owned and operated, LOCAL, small (like, teeny small) business. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts all the way to the top...from the front to the back...and the sides :) May you all be blessed for the blessings you are to us.

grace & peace,

Reine