The weather has been inspiring. I actually got to garden this past week. I had some time off during the day and that was good.
At artfest I made 5 dolls in less than that many hours, and sold 3 of them... Woot!

Business continues to slowly grow.. Too slowly sometimes, but at least growing. There are still annoying and costly challenges, but we survive.

Today at school I built my slab roller and started a clay bust of frida Kahlo I am excited. I hope it will be cool.

I got to go to artfest for a DAY. which was great to have that little break and see everyone, make some art, even sell some art. fun. too short. but fun.

now I am on spring break but the whole thing really needs to be spent on dealing with restaurant paperwork and taxes...blah. I hope I can squeeze in some more art too, but not too hopeful.

my vacation this year will involove doing a ton of work for the restaurant. but I am also going to try to do some exercise and art! we shall see....

We had a valpac ad campaign come out on Wednesday and have seen a nice increase in business! Finally people are starting to know we exsist and enjoying our food!

the latest yummy dish at the restaurant and what I had for dinner... bison!

things are moving forward at the restaurant. and the reviews are coming in. everyone LOVES the food! the employees are getting the systems down. and word of mouth is starting to spread. officially open for one week now. should have the credit card machine running by Monday. that has been a huge headache! then next priority is BEER! everyone wants some beer with these mouth watering burgers. we have added a bunch of healthy stuff and a veggie burger too. Shawn is listening to the public. we added kids stuff too.

Shawn talking to customers at the Grand Opening and Artist Reception.


The Grand Opening of Stuff What I Like was a great success. Despite the rain, lots of friends and family made it out to the opening to greet the artist, Adrien Meredith Hefta, and to congratulate the owners, Cynthia Gaub and Shawn Lloyd.

A delicious and free buffet was served with all of the Micronesian menu staples to sample. Many tried the Spam Fried Rice for the first time and came away loving the taste. Our newest dessert Chocolate Lumpia was unvieled and the newest salad, Grilled Chamorro Chicken Breast Salad with ginger dressing, was a hit. Also taste tested this evening was an item that will be added to the menu soon, our Kelguen Wraps.

A huge thanks to our super supportive family members that drove hours to be there. An even bigger thanks to our great staff, Jon, Rodney and Breana! We couldn't do it without you! Thanks to our local teacher community for joining us along with a lot of great art fans.

I think Shawn put it best on our Facebook page "Grand Opening was an embarassingly huge success !!! Thanks so much to all the kind people who tried our food and gave us so much great feedback! I had no expectation of such a helpful turnout, and am still blushing over the the praise and critquing that we received. This Project and Vision will succeed, and you wonderful people are the reason why. Thanks again!!!"

Adrien looking happy at the Grand Opening and Artist Reception.

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The Elusive CP art of the owner by the artist at the Grand Opening.
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Adrien posing with her art at the Grand Opening and Artist Reception.

My restaurant list for today and this week is SO LONG!

tomorrow is teacher work day to do final prep for kids... Wedensday is first kid day, but we are doing a new thing where we do ALL DAY in homeroom class to teach all the kids all the rules, procedures, expectations etc.... it will be great to get it all out of the way, BUT so many of our kids miss the first few days. so then ALL that stuff will be missed.

the weather here finally decided to become summer, just in time to go back into my windowless classroom. :( it is going to be over 80 all week this week. My garden needs it! I have a billion tiny green tomatoes.. and none have had enough sun to turn red.

My brother Brad and family came to the restaurant yesterday... Adrien had to hang more art, I made the girls polish ALL the tables and chairs (I had a little gift I had bought them to use as a bribe) and Shawn and Brad talked long and hard about systems. He brought up a lot of little things that we hadn't had TIME to think about yet. So all this next week is going to be closed doors testing and training with the new employees... then Sat the 10th will be a freinds and family test run/soft opening. we are going to mock a lunch rush and ask people to sign up for 5 min intervals. come and order anything off the menu and do the full service plan. you can choose to pay or eat for free and pay with our fake $ (because we need to practice using the till and everything) So if you are local and want to eat some yummy food this coming Saturday! please comment below and I will send you the details. The GRAND opening is still set for the 17th. that will look a little different because it is an artist reception. we will have some free snacks and wine and music. along with prize drawings.

well the dogs are yelling at me so I better get off the computer and take them to the park...