The time is upon us, where we get last years Christmas trees ready, branches from the yard, downed trees and pile them high and light a torch. In our household we anticipate this time of year. Once the snow has melted and we can look out our kitchen window towards the backyard we see the bonfire pit. Yeah, it is only a matter of time before set a match and the fun begins.

It is amazing the conversations that are had around our large rock encased pit! Whether it is just Jeffrey, Carson, and myself or family, and friends. The warmth of the fire and glow seem to make all problems vanish. It is definitely magic! Everyone should build a fire if they have a back yard that makes it safe to do so. It is an amazing experience. I have never heard anyone say, "that was boring or a waste of time".

Jeffrey and I cherish the fact that we are fortunate enough to have a private backyard. This allows us to have these special times around the pit. We have gone down memory lane with 15 year old employee files that are not needed anymore. Telling stories about this person and that person who used to work for us. Mostly good memories☺ Then there are the times where it has brought comfort to a person, because the mesmerizing flame are intoxicating to their hurt soul. Then there are the times you almost pee your pants because the jokes and story telling make you laugh till it hurts.

We are just about ready now that we have had some rain, and the trees are budding. Not sure which Christmas tree we will burn first? All I know is that we are bound to have a good time!

The point of this blog, is to remind people to take pleasure in something and look forward to good time with people you enjoy. Life is really too short and I for one plan on some good times.

Peace Out!


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People come in and out of my life on a daily basis. It is the nature of the business. I am one of those business owners that until a person has been with me for at least three months, I rarely  become attached.

In saying this, I want Jill to know that she made an impact on our business from day one! I remember the day Jeffrey interviewed two very qualified applicants. I remember asking Jeffrey,"What do you think?". He obviously chose Jill and his reasoning was her passion for the restaurant industry. He saw a little of us in Jill. She was very well spoken, organized and determined to make a life for herself in Vermont. We admired her youth, and quest to be a success for herself.

When we hired her we were at a crossroads of sorts. Our business was going well, but there was a lack of organization and seeing it through fresh eyes we realized it was a time to mix things up.
Jill was eager to implement her ideas and give the restaurant a fresh coat of hospitality!

In the time Jill has been with us we have worked on many exciting projects and created better more thought out policies. Her behind the scene work might not be noticed by our customers, but surely has been noticed by all that have worked with her. This very website was something that her and I worked hard on, and created a more user friendly site. She has been apart of so many wonderful changes. From new menus, working hard to get us a part of the Vermont Fresh Network, the vision of our new lounge, keeping our commitment to volunteering and raising money for local groups.

Jill and I have been a team! This has been a easy union and with all the sadness that has been in my personal life, it has been comforting knowing my business was in safe hands when I was unable to be totally focused. Trust is the most important quality I expect from my employees, and I can say it was effortless to trust Jill. She immediately clicked on and worked hard to please both Jeffrey and I to the very end.

I could go on and on........ but the point of this addition of my blog is to say good bye and good luck. Jill will be a successful business woman! She has everything she needs to become her own boss and I hope that in the future she will look at her time here as a stepping stone to her career
dreams.

So good bye, and stay true to yourself and words can not tell you how grateful Jeffrey and I have been to have you as a part of our business!

Peace Out!
Maryanne
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Update!!!!! 04/10/2012
 
In recent weeks I have trying to convey to my loyal audience what Arvad's is working on. I'd like to begin by letting everyone know that we are now members of the Vermont Fresh Network. All the hard work has paid off and we will displaying our shiny new sign. It was a process; but well worth the wait.

Our, "The Lounge" at Arvad's is progressing nicely. Sarah Lee has finished her final piece at Arvad's and it looks wonderful. She and my entire staff really enjoyed the process. To quote Sarah Lee, "It felt like being home". This is one of the kindest things anyone could say to me. In a world full of superficial people it is touching to have someone appreciate the atmosphere Jeffrey and I have worked 24 plus years to create. We still have about 2-3 weeks before the adult area is finished. We have hired Big Time Builders and Sylvia Aylward to work on our luscious, sexy, circular booths. These should be finished by the end of the month. The eclectic, retro, antique bar accessories should be displayed by the end of the week. If you check out our upstairs bathroom you will hopefully get a sense of where this is all heading.

The new lunch menu featuring Manghi's Bread from Montpelier and Burger buns from local bakery Lastrada's and many other local Vermont products should be done by the end of the month. We are super excited about using these products and having a personal relationship to each owner makes it more than, just buying local. These are good people who work hard and long hours for their passion. It shows in their product.

So, I must get back to work on the menu☺, I just wanted to give you an update. Thank you for all the support and we hope you enjoy all the changes that we are working on.

Peace Out,
Maryanne
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This week we have started are renovations to one of the sections upstairs. We are creating, "The Lounge" at Arvad's. We are developing an area where people can sit in a Hip, Zen, Adult area of our restaurant.

At the helm of this project is Sara Lee from YeloDog Designs. She is the beyond fabulous artist that has done the two murals in our restaurant. The best thing about working with SL is she is a very open minded creative soul that encourages everyone to find their inner artist. The customers are always asking her questions and she makes the effort to answer all questions. It is amazing having her back and working for us.

This has been a passion of Jill and myself to create an atmosphere that a "responsible"☺drinker would enjoy sitting back and enjoy themselves sampling some of our delicious Martinis. I appreciate the Craft Beer scene, but there is always room for grown up drinks that come in a beautiful glass and garnished with that something special.

We will still be accommodating the supportive families that have been patrons or just have heard about us through others; but it also our belief that we can have an area that people can be in and let their hair down and have some cocktail and something to eat without a toddler at there side. Even parents need a break from their children once and a while!

The project has so many layers to it and hopefully will be done the same time our new menu comes out in over two weeks. I will do my best to keep you updated. Change is invigorating!


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This is no joke. I have gone bonkers over social media. What a crazy world. I would consider myself definitely a novice when it comes to using the computer, let a lone using Facebook and twitter. A tweet, a post, they are dangerous words to the beginner.

Real quick, today I decided to send out a mass mailing to my contact list to invite them to join Arvad's Facebook page. Well it is seven o'clock right now and those 625 contacts are probably tired of me by now. You are probably saying get to the point! Well there was a problem with the server and it said hit resend, so the click happy person I am, did. The long and short is my 625 peeps have received several friend requests. I am DANGEROUS!

Forget Facebook, now I am tweeting! I'm not sure what i am really doing but it is a lot of fun. I really became interested at the beginning of the week when trying to find out information about an event in the area. I really am not sure if I buy into this type of self promotion, but everyone is doing it, so I thought I'd give it a try. It has reached the point where I think I need a iPhone so I can tweet and Facebook mobile style. Look out world here I come:)

Stay tuned, one never knows. Next you might be watching a You Tube video of me doing something I think everyone should be interested in. This world is nuts for trivial news and with all the available tools us tweeters, Facebookers, and You Tubers are very likely will reach you some how.

Peace Out
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For years Jeffrey and I have been using Vermont products in our restaurant; but for some reason people think of as a "Box Restaurant". This is very frustrating, because anyone that knows us, know how involved we are in our community and state.

Terminology has changed a bit in the last 20 years that we have been in business, but ultimately we have always recycled, bought local products, used local services, shopped local and both of us have served on different committees in our area. You are probably saying, " what does this have to do with the title of my post". Well I guess what I am getting at is even though we use suppliers that are nationally known, because of volume reasons, we still serve and buy local; but this does not seem to resonate to some of our critics.

This has really hit home in recent weeks, because we have been trying to become members of Vermont Fresh Network and they have seemed hesitant to do so even though we meet their criteria according to the website application. It took them several weeks of us emailing them to then explain that they were in the process of changing the standards for being eligible for membership. They told us to re apply in February, and when we called in February they told us they had raised their membership fees and to apply again in March. Are you confused? If so that makes two of us. I really do not know why we need to wait. We expressed that we were doing some advertising with Seven Days and it would be great to be able to have the Vermont Fresh Network emblem in our ad.

Well the long and short of the matter, is we are not members yet; but will continue to try. We want everyone to know we are dedicated to supporting our state and other New England states. We are proud to serve many local products.

On an end note we were recognized by Cabot because we use so many of their products and they heard us mention their name in an ad. They appreciated the support and thanked us with many yummy Cabot treats☺
   
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Starting Over 02/14/2012
 
It has been brought to my attention that people really enjoyed my few posts. I actually really enjoyed writing them, but time and then "Irene" seemed to hinder my ability to get any more posted.

I'd like to take a moment and thank everyone that helped Arvad's and my mother Wanda post flood. I believe I could not possibly thank people too much or too often. It was a surreal time for the entire state of Vermont and still to this day I continue to hear new stories of survival and gratitude. So, once more thank you!

Now that I have expressed my feelings on that matter, I must say 2012 is already way better. It is not just that it is a new year and everything is new still; but rather I have decided to change my attitude and move past the disaster and disappointment of 2011. I believe we all have choices, you can either wallow in the sadness and devastation or start everyday with a new attitude. I know this sometimes is easier said then done; but if you open your heart and mind I think you might be surprised at the inner strength we all have.

So, I hope in the next weeks I am able to convey my sense of purpose. Meaning, I believe I was put on this Earth to be a positive, upbeat, caring person and I will strive for that daily. Remember it only takes a moment to do something kind for someone or even yourself.

Peace Out My Friends.



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At the beginning of last week I had mentioned  on Facebook that I would be blogging about Tootsie Rolls. After the events that have effected my life and many others last week I decided otherwise.

What is wrong with us as human beings? I am struggling with the fact that this past week we had a tragedy in our community happen. A beautiful, kind, artistic, imaginative boy lost his life. He was the type of little guy that would light up a room with his smile and engage you in conversations way ahead of his years. Every time I encountered him, it left me smiling for many hours after. But instead of people concentrating on all these positive qualities and praying for his family, they just kept pressing the issue of what could have happened.

In my mind it is none of my business and all I cared and care about is the family and the life of this little human being. I realize it is natural for all of us to need answers in life, but sometimes searching for those answers can be cruel and hurtful to the people involved.

I really am not trying to preach, or judge, because in a way I am looking for my own answers, just on a different subject. I'd really like people to give me their insights as to why we become investigators, instead of nurturers in these times.

Just remember, we all have a responsibility to encourage and support our loved ones. Especially through difficult times.

Peace Out


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Holidays are interpreted differently by individuals and generally by how their families have celebrated. In my family Easter has the most meaning. My mother is a very religious person and her mother was as well. She was brought up appreciating the beauty and the rebirth aspects of Easter.

Easter is a spring festival that celebrates the central event of the Christian faith: the resurrection of Christ three days after his death by crucifixion. {1} Easter is the oldest Christian holiday and the most important day of the church year. All the Christian movable feasts and the entire liturgical year of worship are arranged around Easter. www.religionfacts.com/

This is just one meaning of Easter. There are also the people that associate it with Peter Cotton Tale, Jelly Beans, Lillies, Sun Dresses, Easter Egg Hunts, Hats, Baskets full of goodies. I was very fortunate as a child, because even though it is a very religious holiday in our family, my mother always out did herself with all the other traditions associated with Easter.

Even if it is not a religious holiday for you, I hope you take the time and create some of your own traditions. I am very blessed that even now I celebrate Easter with my family, and my mom still hides eggs☺.


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Starting A Row 04/01/2011
 
I would not call myself a "Master Gardner", but I do enjoy dabbling with flowers. Over the years with the help of many I have some pretty awesome gardens. Last year I stepped out of my comfort zone and planted a small vegetable and herb garden on the side of Arvad's. Who would of ever thought that cucumbers need their own piece of property.(ha,ha)

Well this year I mean business! I'm going to be planting my side gardens, but also joining the Duxbury community garden. I will purchase a plot and plant common and unusual varieties of vegetables. I figure, what do I have to loose?

I am also going to be planting an extra row for the hungry through the Vermont Food Bank. This is a wonderful cause. There are so many families that are going without fresh produce in our state. It is just one way to give back.

Besides feeling good about giving, gardening is a great form of exercise. Get out there and enjoy the fresh air.

Peace Out
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