Auld Lang Syne

It may seem that with so many other distractions, the restaurant has been taking a back seat in importance... but that could not be further from the truth. In fact, with everything that is going on- the priorities at the restaurant have only increased. 

• New bar management
• Assigning managers to take over my job when I have the baby
• Preparing for Indianapolis
• Daily maintenance & restoration
• Planning for a new year
• Reflecting on the past year
• Adjusting to a new mindset
• Making 2012 even greater than 2011
• Meetings, meetings, & more meetings

Throughout the holiday gauntlet we enjoy the cRaZe but also look forward to the beginning of the new year. Last year we started the tradition of closing for a couple days after New Year's Eve to complete numerous projects within the restaurant that can only be accomplished with the restaurant closed. 

So, we celebrated the new year in the new bar...

...and then took a few days to relax, restore, & re-group. The restaurant took on a whole mess of maintenance that was much needed! New HVAC system, new water heater, new kitchen floor, clean booth cushions, new porch floor... it was literally like Holmes on Homes (restaurants) for a few days in there. I wish I had documented this "mess" with more photos because at one point I walked in the front door & could barely get through the front of house due to all the kitchen equipment taking over the space! Scuff marks, paint chipped & an exorbitant amount of dust does not even come close to the correct description. An anxiety attack almost transpired as I tried to imagine how all of it was going to be cleaned up by 11a the following day. 

However, despite the early morning following the anxiety attack- staff joined efforts, rolled their sleeves up, & had that place back in shape by 10.59am Wednesday morning. Just in time for 2 ladies to walk in the door for lunch at 11.01am... Show time!

And what a pretty porch floor we now have!

On top of the joy that ensued from having a freshly restored restaurant space, we also got some time to relax & restore ourselves. We did some resting & more resting & believe it or not... cooking?? At home??

                                      

What a great way to ring in the new year! We are now heated, cooled, sanded, re-finished, & polished for all the adventures that are waiting in 2012. May we not forget the times gone by & may we continue to let the good times roll.