Pictures of our Work

We've been working hard and here's the proof:

Sweet Rock's Image Gallery

And we've got more to come. Cindy's working on a Family gallery which she'll link here to show what the kids have been up to all summer. Hopefully that will be up in a couple of days. We've had some really encouraging meetings with 2 great local banks and we hope to have good news from both of them in the next week. We've come a long way but there's still a good stretch to go so keep us in your hopes and prayers.

We're Still Here!

Hi Folks!

I know it has been a long time since we have posted anything here and little of what has been put up hasn't been very relevant to the restaurant. There is no coincidence that blog posts ended the same time school did. And still not a coincidence that they are beginning again just as school has resumed.

The good news is, we're still here, chasing our dream. We've been working hard every day on the restaurant and the plans all summer and are in the final stages now, (we hope), before we can finally get open. Cass has put 125 gallons of Kilz paint primer on the walls and Cindy will be working this evening and tomorrow on putting pictures together so we can show you all just how much work has been done with some before and afters.

We've met so many wonderful people here who are eager to help us. We are truly delighted with the community spirit that is so warmly offered to newcomers. Folks drop in almost every day to say how glad they are to see us working on the restaurant or saying they'll come to eat once we're open. We have been re-working the menu so if you haven't looked in a while we think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Will post a link to dramatic change photos in the next day or two along with some more details about our progress.

The Spring Fling & the Tree Zoo

The 1st of May was the Spring Fling at Emma Elementary.  It was a rainy day but that sure didn't stop us from having a great time!  MJ and Harmony played every game, won the cupcake walk, slid on the giant inflatable slide, got soaked to the bone and had an amazingly fun time!  There was even a wonderful three piece bluegrass band that did a super job of providing live music all afternoon.  Did we mention we love it here?

 

We also went to the N.C. Arboretum which is such a beautiful place, they have a quilt garden, beautiful trails, awesome garden sculpture and of course, trees.  It's a great place to go explore with the kids or visit with the grownups.

30 Days Come and Gone. . .What's going on?

Wow! Just looked down and realized a whole month has gone by since I've update this thing. Time to get to work oh wait that's what I've been doing instead of blogging!

It's our first full month as Ashevillians and we're feeling right at home now. We've made some amazing progress and met some wonderful new friends.  Asheville is such a neat visual mix of natural glory, urban decay, artist renewal, and art deco styles. It's a real treat to just wander around here with your eyes open looking at everything.

Pierced Ears?!?! and Other Things

Our two young ladies have really sprouted here in Asheville!  We' re trying new things, meeting new people and exploring new places.   We've decided it's fun to find new stuff to do!  

Last Saturday we took Marlea to the mall to get her ears pierced.  She went with birthstone studs so now she has some lovely sapphire colored earrings and holes in her ears.  She was very brave about the process and never cried.  

To take her mind off of the slight discomfort in her ears we took a turn on the bungee jumper they have at the mall.   This is like a giant jolly jump up for anyone up to 200 lbs.  Next time the parents are going to get a turn too!  

Marlea recommends this as an immediate follow up for anyone who has just gotten their ears pierced and says that by the time you're done jumping you'll have forgotten it was done at all!

Of  course we blinged up both girls at Claire's Accessories shop so now they are ready to let loose their style on their new town.  So let's hit it!

After the mall we went for an explore to see the views from Town Mountain and found a lost dog who had gotten away from home.  We were able to get him returned safe and sound.  Both girls were amused to see Mama Cindy hefting an elderly and over weight golden retriever into the back of the Element until they noticed his unique personal fragrance.  Then they were very happy to make sure he got home and out of the car as soon as he could.  Nothing in the world smells quite like an old retriever.  In the end Sampson the GR was happy to be home and we felt good for helping so it was all good. 

We also are enjoying our own personal Mini Golf course!  OK it's not only ours but it is right down the road and a fun one!  We explored it last Sunday and had a great time.  Harmony won, by the way, fair and square by one stroke.

The weather has been gorgeous with plenty of fair weather in the high 70s low 80s and there's always a breeze blowing so it never feels too hot.  Since there aren't really any pools to join that we've found here yet, Cass set the girls up with a slip and slide that is just awesome in the backyard. 

Marlea also just joined Girls on the Run at school and is so excited about it. They meet once a week after school and run 3 miles. Her first time was yesterday and she came home pink cheeked and begging for the foot bath, but proud and happy with her accomplishment. Both teacher sponsors took a moment to tell Cass how wonderfully MJ did, and how fast she is. MJ was a little disappointed in her progress at first and thought they should call it Girls on the Walk but we explained there are very few things anyone can do perfectly out of the gate the first time. So she is challenged and motivated to go back and hit it hard again next week. We joined too late for her to participate in the race this year but we will at least start building a practice routine for next year. Run girls, Run!

The grown ups have been kept busy all week with more meetings but things are moving quickly. This week we've been focusing on establishing residency, meeting with potential insurance companies, meeting the architect, a terrific guy and neighbor to the club - his office is just next door, and more planning the little details.    Had a major score and found 40 beautiful Arts & Crafts style chairs at the SA that are going to look great for the Sweet Rock and we can take our design cues from them when we do the booths and other furniture.  

On a local Asheville note, the Dripolator, a fabulous local coffee house, just closed yesterday and is moving across town.  This was one of the first locations we scouted as a potential site for the restaurant.  It's owned and run by wonderful folks and we wish them all the best in their new location.  We stopped in yesterday right before they shut the doors and Mama Cindy ended up with the last espresso they'll ever make in that space.  Here's to the New Dripolator!

We're excited, motivated and moving full steam ahead!  

Keys to the Restaurant

The week has been a wonderful whirlwind of contractors, inspectors, meetings, more contractors, and more meetings and now we're looking for an architect and an insurance agent. We contacted one last night who has done work for the previous club and knows the building so we're looking forward to meeting and talking with them today. We met with the landlords last Monday and gave them the deposit while we go forward with the permitting and planning and they gave us THE KEYS!!!!! 

The building is just awesome and all of the potential is there. And more good news, the place where we want to feature a roll up door, well it's exactly where a roll-up door used to be and the landlord group thinks it's an excellent idea. I'm going to spend some time looking for archival photos of the building and see what we come up with. Hey! Found One already, that's us on the right at the former OK Tires and the wall for the traffic management school is ours to paint!

There's no doubt this is going to be a LOT of work especially in the short time frame we've given ourselves but everything will continue working out as long as we keep working hard. 

Having survived all of the trials of moving out and in and the new challenges with the new/old house, the rest of our time here has been just amazing! The house is getting comfy fast and we've stopped making wrong turns in it [mostly]. We all just love the weather and watching the sun come up and go down among the mountains. Everywhere you look there's a picture waiting to happen. Mama Cindy has become more than a little twitchy because there is so much work to be done and so many pictures waiting to be made. Here's a few quick ones from a quick afternoon escape Cass and Cindy made to the Grove Park Inn:

The girls are finishing up their first week of school today and are still liking it. MJ is going to get her ears pierced this weekend, and assures me (Mama) that she is ready. Harmony wants to try rock candy again please, and I need another photo shoot with several pieces so that's in our future this weekend as well. Oh and more BIG news! Harmony lost one of her front teeth! Here's the new smile! 

To celebrate we went to Piggie's in Hendersonville on Saturday which is one of those roadside attractions that draws Mama Cindy like a magnet!! Smilin' Cass says it's like e-bay exploded all over it. Then we headed back to Asheville via Lake Lure and Chimney Rock and stopped for ice cream and a short walk along the river. 

So for now it's more unpacking and planning but we are finally beginning to feel at home in our new town love our new neighbors and can't wait to see our dreams turn into reality.

Our next installment: "Pierced Ears?!?! and other things. . ."