c'est la vei

since last time:

yes! we did get the permit for the outdoor seating, and are working with a generous lot of folks to create an extension to the current kismet dining room--

yes! we did get our liquor licence-- mimosa's & bloody mary's and some rum drinks are all we have so far, but hoping that you will help us pick some wines and a couple of beers to add to the menu-- any ideas?

but alas, dining has been S L O W this week- so if you were waiting for an open table-- NOW is the time, because it seems that ALL of the tables have been open a lot lately!!

wild mushrooms!
thanks to Dave, our neighbor/forager, our fridge is FULL of them! and they are amazing in flavor, aroma, and unique appearance-- i feel like a little gnome in her den kitchen toasting, roasting, drying, and sauteing the assortment...

local strawberries-- i know, seems CRAZY because it has been so cold-- but yes, they are around, and as it so happens this time of year, the rhubarb and strawberry meet like two ships crossing in the night, and if we are lucky, we will be processing fresh rhubarb/strawberry jam within the next week or so-- yippee!

and wholly greens!! --local (like 2 miles away) spinach!, salad (with flowers--thanks joe!) from screamin' ridge

and it is life-

kismet is 2 and 1/2- and like a mother of a toddler, i am readying myself for the inevitable business of caring for a child who can walk on it's own... For the last 2 and 1/2 years, we have nursed her, held her close, and kept her in the little baby crib, off the beaten path, in a makeshift home (cozy and safe). We have introduced her to the world slowly and cautiously-- but now she has her little

ego-- her want to thrive-- her relationships and friends and connections-- and it's time to ready ourselves for her inevitable maturity--

as many of you know, we have been looking for a new home for kismet-- something a little bit more DOWNTOWN, if you know what i mean.

Well, we've been looking and two places presented themselves to us. We have been asked many times about the situation and i have to say, it's a little bit stressful- it's like considering three places at once--

where we are, one on state, and one on main--

there's a lot to consider and a bit of risk in each decision--

oh... if only things could be easy!

so-- we are asking for that right now.

On a bike ride after a day at the Montpelier middle school, i had this realization that kismet means fate-- but that it also means faith-- faith that what you do with good intention will pay off later-- so my life is this now-- kismet is becoming her own and teaching me-- that if i believe in fate, i have to have faith and just relax--

do my best, know what i need, and just try-- (aim, fire, shoot!)--

so, i don't have any new news for you, but i will say, that things are looking good, and no matter what-- if you want kismet in your life; she wants you and will always be there--

loan application results

3:00 pm, on my knees kneeling before my family alter,

holding jade and repeating my mantra;

"I am birthing myself right now.

held by the loving arms of my family,

I am supported."

I closed my eyes to concentrate on my goal-

prosperity, creativity, health, harmony, satisfaction.

I squeezed my eyes and sent whispers to my inevitable fate-

"I have room for success",

I whispered, and just like that, the phone rang...(actually, BOTH of my phones rang..)

*

At first I was so overwhelmed; all of this time waiting and hoping for a yes or no- something simple and clear, something profoundly obvious, and yet what I got was so different.

"Congratulations", Chris Rotler of Community Capital of Vermont said, but I wasn't sure what I was celebrating.

When Alanna and I began creating Kismet, we were very clear about our lack of resources. Alanna and I both have two children each and very limited incomes. Alanna has been the sole provider for her children, and my partner and I have been students up until this last year. Neither of us have ever applied for a loan, nor do we own anything significant. We have minor savings and neither of us has had a full-time job (besides parenting) for many years. Our families have been supporting us each in a number of ways for some time, so when we looked into financial resources, we decided not to ask too much of our families. This would be our own thing, OUR debt, OUR own risk.

So when Chris said that the committee is going to grant us $42,500 if we can get a co-signer to back 1/2 of it, I was excited (we were approved...well, sort of), then flooded with emotion.

I hung up the phone annoyed and frustrated, and went to tell Damian the "news".

"This is exactly what I didn't want," I told him, "I wanted a yes or no..."

In a fit of spontaneity and deep desire to own a restaurant, I went immediately to the phone and dialed my parents. Something a rarely do, emergency or not.

Unexpectedly dad was home (strange..) answered, and as soon as I told him the "news" he offered to co-sign. "Send me the papers." he said.

whoa..

Deep breath.
An hour passes.

Get the laundry..

Go to the co-op.

Drink Prosecco.

Alanna calls (we agreed for me not to tell anyone until I told her- she was at a catering job), and I tell her the news...

Wow..its all starting to settle in...

we're going to open a restaurant this year..

well in November, actually...

Six weeks..

wow

thanks mom and dad...

(my parents)

(and thank you Community Capital of Vermont!)

in the name of all things meant to be Kismet is born!