Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb

Today was last day of the 6th month of business for the Blue Rooster.  We had a good day -- breakfast served to over 20 folks and lunch served to well over 40.  And we sold breads, pastries, COOKIES, CUPCAKES, olive oil, and a good number of other BR special treats.  

Both regulars - folks we see each week and who seem to incorporate a visit to the BR into their weekend -- and a number of first time visitors came through the doors today.

I am particularly pleased with the people who come in and ask if they can.... provide us with local honey ! -- yes, of course was my answer to Sally Toscano when she asked that in December.  We now have a number of connection points with Rejays (www.rejaysfarm.com ) including hen feed, organic eggs and lettuce seedlings.  

And what about the artists?   John Kearney has been with us since day one (I brought his works back from Ireland).  Diana Ornberg hung a few pieces with us on Cranbury Day and tomorrow she has a show at the Gourgand Gallery - way to go Diana!

For the last month or so, Allison Singer's wonderful paintings of Cranbury have graced the two dining rooms and the bakery space. Allison walked in, liked the place and asked if I'd hang her work for a while.  Yes, of course -- www.allisonsingerartgallery.com

And we have a group of water colourists in town who may bring items to hang on our walls in the spring.  Until then, we are talking with Jim Morgan and several others about the prospects of their works coming into our space.

It is an amazing adventure to see how each day and each event associated with the BR will unfold. And to now have 6 months of days is amazing, too.  Thank you to each person who asks about the health of our business, who lets us know how much they enjoy what we have created and who wants to help ensure our longevity.  We feel very fortunate to have such wonderful people in our lives -- 

February has been a short and yet strong month for us, and we are looking forward to building on the requests and favourites that each of you have mentioned to us -- by name or by repeat "eating".  We feel optimistic and thankful.

another week..

When you work 7 days a week, the beginning / end of the week is flexible.  However, seeing the Friday factor across the day at the BR makes it easy to mark Friday as the end of the week.  

We have folks who come in on Friday morning for the treat they've waited all week to have -- pain au chocolat fits this mode, regularly!

And Friday lunch sees a number of groups of people who are at the start of the weekend and join us as part of that "weekend" thing --- we had a couple who are driving from New Hampshire to Washington, DC join us today.  And the birthday get-togethers, well organised for a Friday, the workers who want time together and away from the office - join us for a meal.  

And then there is the after school crowd.  On Fridays it is a true crowd and the cookies, cupcakes, scones fly out the door.  Today with the warm weather the lemon-ade also flew out the doors.  People sat on the porch for a bit of fresh, springlike air, too.  

It was great and we had a great day all around.  

mea culpa

Anonymous informed me that I was in the wrong to suggest any of you comment on the BR in a survey currently underway. I called and apologised to the survey group, I had not read any of their rules and of course, I should have. As a new owner, this is a "first" -- to possibly be considered in survey mode...
so, my apologies to all.
And, my thanks to anonymous for the vigilent pursuit of watching out for what's right.

2 dates to put on your calendar

Saturday, 14th March - Tasting of Long Valley Creamery Cheeses -- 11 to 2 @ the rooster

Sunday, 15th March -- Irish fiddler in concert to raise funds for a special bike & build project being undertaken by a friend of the rooster.  2:30 - 4 come with friends -- enjoy good music, camaraderie and of course the food & drink of the BR.

and another set of little things

If you visit the Blue Rooster you are likely to have seen me under a table with a wood shim working to level the table on our wonderful, beautiful yet somewhat uneven hardwood floors.   Some visitors comment on the tables being uneven, some on the floors some on my skill with the shims.  

Well, today we had floating leveling units put on the bottom of each table leg and the results are spectacular -- there are only 2 or 3 tables that will still need shims!  -- Yeah!  When you come and move the table to suit you and your table mates, you are not likely to need me (or in some cases - you are not likely to need to make your own)  to shim the table.  

It is another of the little wins that we love to make the BR work well for all of us.

Let me know what you think..

another of the little things

So, on Monday at 4 pm a lovely group of women came to tea.  It was a birthday celebration.  The conversation, the laughter, the friendship and the overall enjoyment of being in one anothers' company was such a joy to be around.  

As the day went along, I was  not been looking forward to the tea, the tea sandwiches were a struggle to get out of the kitchen, the scones were not baked at 3:30 and the day had been long even before the 4 pm tea. 

However once these lovely women arrived, their enthusiasm was contagious & I saw again, first hand the wonder of this business -- thank you all.

The tea sandwiches were "wonderful and so tasty", the scones were (as always) a huge hit and the sweet treats were viewed with delight -- many were boxed and taken home -- the birthday cupcake was eaten as were the cream puffs.

So, another amazing day at the BR.  It is truly the little things that make a difference to each day and Monday was a day where the little things, these wonderful smiles, laughs and enthusiasm of our tea party made my day.

Tea - more than a beverage

A small, highly attentive group enjoyed a full BR Afternoon Tea today along with a great interactive presentation by Karen Wolf. 

Karen is a professional in many areas of etiquette and global business.  We were fortunate to have the benefit of her understanding  and her love of fun, propriety and learning / teaching.

It is clearly an event we will do again.

Feedback from readers -- would you be interested in having a young adults table manners / etiquette event one weekend in early spring?