Today, I have to quick topics!!!   Let's start with the food shows in Raleigh yesterday.  I got lots of great new recipes (of course, you know I am going to "Lornatize" them,lol.  Add this, subtract that, and put my own spin on them, until the are entirely different, but awesome!!).  I also got some great ideas from the desserts displayed-I can make many of them better than they were at the show-but it gave me ideas!!!  Tiramisu cups coming maybe as early as today!!!! Really good recipe and I can whip cream, make chocolate coffee sauce with my eyes closed!!  Panini ideas galore (and of course, I am thinking..why not add..let's make a sauce for that, lol).  I have decided to be Mebane's Rachel Ray (with out frying and using wholesome, local, fresh, yummy food) in my own kind of whacky way!!  So, come in and see what is new!!  Coming fast and soon.
People, People ...I love you, but please stop telling me a new business near by is going to be doing exactly what Karma is doing.  If it is true, then it is flattering-you only copy something you like!!!!  I have my own recipes, special sources for a lot of our food (farmers, and other local vendors I love.  I talked to a  local Karma Vendor yesterday and I am the only person in Mebane he will sell to-love this man and his products!!).  We have our own niche and I have new ideas, great recipes and we are only going to get better.  We wish all new business good luck-hopefully, each one will be unique and have their own special features.   I don't believe any cafe would intentionally try and duplicate one near by-it doesn't make sense and....there is such a thing as "Karma", lol.     Here is the thought for the day-from me to you- "Worry about what you are doing-not your neighbor.  Whatever you do, do it the best you can.  If you strive for perfection, no one else can compete".   Hugs, Lorna

In my old age, I have learned a lot about doing small kindnesses-they really do come back to you in spades (for those of you who are to young to know this saying-spades in card games are generally good-hense the saying!).   When ever I do a small kindness, I get repaid in triplicate.  The other day, I was having a bad day (just a "Murphy's Law Day") when a nice man came into Karma and give me a large package of gum and a candy bar.  I had given him a cup of coffee on a day we were not open, as he enjoys our deck and I had plenty to share.  What a nice surprise-an expected kindness to snap me out of my "blue" mood. 

When I get discouraged or feel sad, I think of Mother Theresa's "Anyway" poem and the song Martina McBride recorded based on it.  No matter what happens, basically we should do what is right-for us and for others.  People always picture Mother Theresa as this sweet Godly person (which she was), but many don't know she also had the spirit of a lion.  People who did the wrong thing did not want to cross her, because she would set them straight.  She was a champion of the poor and would not back down from her beliefs.  She lived her life without any frills and along side those she was caring for.  As part of an Indian family, and a former Catholic, I admire her on all levels. When I think life is becoming to hard or things are to rough, I look to Mother Theresa.  My challenge to everyone today is to keep your head up, focus on the positive and be grateful for this day.  Let those you value, know it; forgive those who have hurt you and don't let the sadness of the yesterday (however do remember those affected in prayer.).  We have to do it, as Mother Theresa says, "Anyway".   Hugs, Lorna

No matter what religion you are, you cannot help but be touched by the story of Jesus.  A man who  stood by his convictions, was kind and good to everyone, taught us not to judge others (remember the lady with the oil, the "woman of Ill repute", and many other stories of Jesus found in the Bible), and died to save the souls of all of us.  I was raised as a Catholic and firmly believe in Jesus.  I do understand others, who were raised differently (my husband was raised as a Hindu, believes as he was taught; as do all others of different faiths) have their own beliefs and we need to respect those. Yet, the story of Jesus is one a person of any faith can find inspiration in.
A young man (and yes, Jesus was a young man even at the time he was crucified) who held strong to his convictions, yet only fought back with words of hope and love.   A young man killed because he would not back down for what he knew to be the truth-he was the son of God and he came down to save mankind.  He was intent on his duty.  He also was the great teacher of man and taught lessons that still need to be reinforced.  Jesus led by example and taught from his heart-lessons of kindness, compassion, forgiveness and most of all love.  He was love personified!    Jesus was never a hypocrite, he lived his life as he instructed others to and much beyond.
As Easter approaches and on this Good Friday, I would like to send my love and good wishes out to everyone.  Let us remember what we are celebrating-the life, death and rebirth of a great man.  Whether you believe he is the Lord is up to you, but no matter what faith you are, you can learn from his lessons.  Let us all begin by vowing to follow Jesus's example: be kind to all; show compassion to those in pain;  forgive those who have done you wrong and.. the hardest (oh, for me the very hardest!!), love your enemies (for me, that means saying nice things about people I don't necessarily like-but I am going to try!!).  Everyone of all Religions have a wonderful holiday and have peace in your life (Just remembered!!-Jesus was the Prince of Peace!)

When it comes to opinions, everyone has one.  We all want to voice our opinion, be heard and sometimes; we don't think how the other person feels.  I think everyone needs to take a second and think, "is this constructive?", "is this going to hurt someone's feelings?", and "is this really the right thing to say?", before we make certain statements.  We don't all have to agree on everything; but it makes the world a lot nicer place if we try and understand the other person's view point.  There usually is not an all black or all white area, but a grey area in the middle.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could meet there?  This world would be such a nice place if we all tried to understand the other guy's point of view.  Let's make tomorrow the day to give it a try!  Hugs, Lorna

Okay, more menu options-coming soon!! Panini choices, tapas (little snacky things for evenings), and more!!  We also have Meditation Mornings coming up several times a week, lead by a very inspirational young lady.  Stay tuned Karma friends-Great Things are happening at Karma.  

When someone hurts me feelings; says something unkind; does something hurtful-what do I do?  I dwell on it-I relive it over and over in my mind; I wonder what I did to deserve such treatment and I stew on it for days!  Even if it is someone I hardly know; don't really want to get to know (yes, there are a few people I can think of); or someone known for saying and doing hurtful things-I still think about it!  So, today I am just going to let go of those feeling, not worry about what others think so much and make sure I cherish this day.  I am going to do what I feel is right and not take into account negative Nellies' prospective on everything.  So, if you see me today-I will be having a wonderful day!!  Now, as for tomorrow....OKAY, I am trying!!!

Yesterday was a long day for me.  My day at Karma started at 8 am, baking a cake.  The phone rang and I rushed to get it-just a pesky telemarketer-and came back to finish putting ingredients in my mixing bowl.  However, I had put only a pinch of sugar in my cake before the phone rang (or so I thought), so I proceeded to put another cup in.  I finished making my cake, put it in the oven and starting making batter for banana bread.  When I looked at the cake in the oven, I almost died!  It had shot all over the oven and was a giant mess(way too much sugar, apparently caused this cake to rise to great heights-not great for me!!).  I couldn't clean it up then, because the man from the gas company was installing a new meter.  He had  told me numerous times not to run the water!  Eventually, everything was back in shape (Thank You, Jonathan), bread baking and one cake set to be remade.  
I had some meat that needed to be used up in the next two days-more than Karma needed.  I didn't want it to go to waste, so I ran it out to Allied Churches in Burlington, for their soup kitchen.  My mom (who is 81) needed her groceries picked up-Lowes has a wonderful online service, so I ordered her groceries online earlier and it was time to pick them up.  When I returned from all my errands,  our food truck was delivering our order (Again, Thank You Jonathan for staying and taking care of receiving the order and putting it all away).  Now, it was time to get Ian from school; get ready for dinner guests and take out orders; remake my cake; and clean, so I could go home!  
Yesterday had many blessing and I went home a happy girl!  Ian helped me get the cleaning done and helped wait tables; Jonathan and Ann did a wonderful job while I was out running errands-busy day and everyone left happy; and Kevin brought me flowers from his garden!!  Kevin is one of our wonderful customer/friends who always cheers me up.  He will always tells me he feels good energy at Karma and really likes being there. Last year, he brought me beautiful flowers from his garden that adorned Karma for a long time.  Yesterday, he brought me a beautiful bouquet of yellow, red, white-gorgeous flowers!!!  More than that, he gave me a great idea!!!  
Kevin would not allow me to give him his meager meal for free (just a bowl of soup).  He insisted I take his money and when I refused profusely, he said: "well, give it to a charity"-I told him about Allied Churches and he thought that would be a great one.  We decided it would be nice to have a jar labeled for Allied Churches and explain what they do and if others wanted to give to the charity, they could just put money in the jar.  So, I will be contacting Kim, their great new director, and running this by her (you always have to do this, but I can't imagine she would refuse money) and we will set up  our  "Charity Jar".  
So, my busy day was full with  a lot of wonderful  things-Good help, a good gift, a good idea to help others,  great customers and I had a wonderful night's rest!! 
Today, as you go about your business remember to think of all the things we have to be grateful for; all the people who come into  your life that bring sunshine; and all the positive energy that surrounds you.  Let go of the negative, ignore things that don't really matter and believe this day will be wonderful.  It will!!  Hugs, Lorna

Yesterday was a great day at Karma!  We were pleasantly busy all day.  So many wonderful people coming in-all came with smiles and left with even bigger ones!  We are so glad everyone had a great meal, snack, specialty drink or dessert; but more than that glad everyone had a good time.  So much happiness at Karma -Looking forward to today!!!

Many years ago, when I was working as a unit secretary in a small local hospital, I made a comment about a local restaurant.  Everyone raved about this place, but I would not go in it!  It was in a run-down building, in the middle of nowhere, and frankly I tagged it "a dive".  Now, while I was poor at the time, I had been brought up comfortably.  My dad was a civil engineer and we never lacked for anything.  So, I still was clinging to this false idea of what was important-a fancy atmosphere at a restaurant being one of those things.  Sometimes, it is really hard to break old habits (even when you become poor).
One day while I was informing a group of friends (registered nurses, who all made much more than I did at the time) that I would not be attending dinner the next evening with them. This was  due to the fact that I could not bring myself to eat at such a place. Unfortunately,  one of our doctors overheard me.  At the time, he was dating one of my friends, and though I didn't know it, he had taken her to "that horrid looking place".  I was a bit embarrassed when he pointed out, he ate at that place regularly and the food was excellent.  He was from Africa and had a charming accent-I can still hear him say, "Lorna, you cannot eat atmosphere.  Please give this place a chance".   
 I went with my friends to this restaurant, grudgingly. Yes, it was no palace, but the food was excellent!  The menu even included  lobster tails, which is still my favorite food.  Everything we had was wonderful and the prices was incredibly low (I guess if you don't pay much for fixing the place up, you can pass it along).  After that, I regularly ate there and really enjoyed the "non-atmosphere".  The servers there were really good and you were never rushed, as you were in many upscale dining places.  I had to admit, I actually enjoyed eating here more than at the fancier places (although I don't know if I vocalized that much to anyone back then, especially since I had made such a fuss about NOT going there!).
So, why am I telling this story (you know there is always a reason!)?   When I started Karma I envisioned a completely different atmosphere-a more costly one!  As we put in all the plumbing, wiring, walls, kitchen, floors, doors, etc; somethings could not be afforded at that time (and now, at this time).  There are days when I want things to be perfect and it just can't be right now.  I want beautiful lighting, beautiful new counters, tables and chairs.  I long for the beautiful decor I find while looking on the internet.  However, I can't afford it and  just have to wait!   
What makes things easier and so much better is when people tell me they love our atmosphere (they really do!).  That it is the people that come and the warmth from within that matters-not the paint on the wall or the ceiling lights.  When someone tells me how good our food was and that they will return, I know I again, am putting too much emphasis on appearance!  Atmosphere does not have to be a beautiful room decorated to perfection.  It can be the friendship, caring and love that encircles you while you are in a place.  At times, I feel like I am engulfed in one big hug, thanks to all our customer/friends.
So, no you can't eat atmosphere, but you can create one that will be conducive to what is important.  I love all our customers- who have become friends (and of course, visa-vera) and I am so thankful they enjoy what we have to offer.  
Some day I will have new lights, and the decor I really covet (sparkle, glitter and more glitter-yes, I am tacky).  But Karma will always have the best atmosphere-wonderful people!!    Hugs to all, have a wonderful day and of course...VISIT US At Karma!!!!