Bus Stop Coffee House

Today I’d like to share an easy pie crust recipe. I meet so many people who are afraid to make their own crust, and truthfully, after reading some recipes, I can see why. The worst thing about making your own crust is the MESS. You shouldn’t have to worry about chilled dough, ice chips or unsalted butter. So, I’ll give you a recipe for everyday pie crust. This is my mom’s recipe, and we use it daily at the cafe. Start by assembling:

4 cups of Flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar
1 3/4 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 TBLsp white vinegar
1/2 cup water

In a large bowl (the biggest one you can find) Mix together Flour, salt and sugar. Next add the shortening to flour mixture and cut in. * Hint #1. Use Pam cooking spray on the measuring cup that you use for your shortening. It seems weird to use oil on oil, but trust me, it will save you valuable clean up time! Hint #2. Cutting in shortening can by done more than one way. Using a pastry cutter is best if you have one. This is a handled tool, with 5 or six blades. In the old days, ladies would use multiple knives to do the job. Or simply take off your rings, put on a pair of light weight gloves, and GENTLY rub the shortening into the Flour.

DO NOT OVERWORK THE MIXTURE! It should resemble coarse crumbs when you are done. You want this to taste flaky, not doughy. To much mixing will result in a tough crust.

Next whisk the 2 eggs, water and vinegar in a separate bowl, then add
to flour mixture. Lightly toss wet to dry until it begins to come together. Again, DO NOT OVERWORK. This will make 4-6 balls of dough. If you are a beginning roller, do 4. If you are more experienced you can get 6.

There is no need to chill or wait. Let’s roll. You will need: a large counter space, a rolling pin, parchment paper or wax paper, and an additional cup of flour to prevent sticking. Place parchment on counter, sprinkle a small handful of flour on paper, lightly rub flour on rolling pin and begin to work dough in a circle. You should be able to pick this up. Adding flour to the work surface and pin will help you keep this soft and non sticky. Roll dough until you get a large circle of dough, about 1 inch larger than your pie pan. Beginners give yourselves lot of extra crust to work with. It’s easier to cut it off than to add it on. When you have a nice round circle to work with (think pizza pie) then fold over parchment so dough is a half circle, lift, and place in pie pan.

Press dough up the sides of the pan and let it drape over the sides. Take a sharp paring knife and cut the excess dough off. It should be like a skirt, just touching the ground below the pie tin. Roll up the sides to sit on the edge of the pan. Next, pretend like you are working with play-dough. You tell the crust where to go. Take the thumb of your right hand, and wedge it between the thumb and index finger of the left hand as you go around the edge. There are lots of techniques for shaping crust and you can get a good visual if you google cooking sights. Just remember, you can play with it until it looks right!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Are you open or are you closed….or what?

I can’t even keep up with us! All I can say is Thank You to all of our loyal customers and supporters who put up with our whimsical business ethic. We don’t mean to keep everyone confused, but we are admittedly confused ourselves.

I toyed with the idea of deleting the previous posts and acting like we never closed, but that seemed unfair. I should have posted a grand re-re-opening here or on Rimoftheworld.net, but I just couldn’t. Call it procrastination, or fear of recrimination. I just couldn’t. I am scared to death of some loose cannon going off on us on the internet (as they do.) I can hear it now. “Great place to open a restaurant!” “I want doughnuts!” “I want Crepes,” “I want Steak and Lobster for $8.95.” “Why did you close? I thought you were raking in the dough.”

There is just SO much explaining to do. And SO little time to do it when the muffins begged to be baked.

Truth: We are open again. Truth: We had to let go of 10 employees, and we are now fully family run. I do all the cooking, Markie does all the waiting, and Karl ( a finish carpenter and contractor) is kindly filling in as dishwasher till the economy improves. 15 year old Jeannine fills in on the weekends. We have eliminated our linen service, haul our own garbage, and fetch our own ice. We’re doing what we have to do to stay open and active in Running Springs. No more fresh baked croissants, or Salmon with a cucumber dill sauce. We wanted so badly to be a real restaurant, and provide fresh healthy food to our little town. We just couldn’t afford it.

In a way it has been good for us to assess who we are and what we can bring to this community. We are a coffee house, with a simple deli menu. That’s what we are and that’s what we will be. We have the talent and skill to do other things, but in this space, and in this time, we have to keep it simple. We have to be realistic, and we have to strive for longevity.

So come on by, and enjoy a sandwich, a salad, or some great buttery soup. Don’t forget that we’re closed on Monday and Tuesday. And check out our new “Local Artisan’s Gallery.” Pick up a gift for a friend, have coffee with your pal, and enjoy a moment of peace, in Running Springs.

Terri

Woke up this morning after tossing and turning all night and drove Jeannine to her bus stop. The Bus Stop. Our Bus Stop. I walked past the shell shocked kids, turned the key, and walked into the empty building. No Loni, No coffee, No Noise.
This is the first day of our new lives. We no longer have the obligation to open at the crack of dawn, make coffee, turn on the lights, heat up the ovens, check the toilet paper, make sure the music is appropriate, or be pleasant to all the sullen sleepy high schoolers. We no longer have these obligations, and it feels good. Weird, but Good.
Today I have to cancel the garbage service, cancel the linen service, cancel the Workers’ comp, and start communicating that we are CLOSED. It is bittersweet. I just can’t believe that we didn’t make it. I can’t believe that we had to fold. Our vision for this place was so strong and clear, I just can’t believe that it didn’t work.
In the end, we walk away with so many wonderful friendships. We walk away knowing that we put something in this town that was sorely needed. We created Fun and Fellowship, and we fattened up a few folks. No regrets, No whining, and No turning back.
We don’t know what’s next. We’ll cater and continue to dream. We’ll finish strong, pay off our debts, and we’ll carry on.
I just want to thank all of the folks who supported us for almost three years. We had the BEST customers, and I am going to miss your friendships. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and for gosh sakes, write us every once in a while! We can still be reached at 867-2001, and our PO Box is 2238, Running Springs, Ca 92382.
Love, Love,
Terri, Karl and the Kids

Well, it’s been a whole month since we re-opened. Thought I’d let you know how things are going with the new changes.

Turning the grills on may be the stupidest thing we’ve ever done, or it may be the smartest. I hope by now you have had the chance to stop by for dinner. We’re cooking up some fabulous meals and I am having a ball playing with new menu items, specials, and fresh seasonal ingredients. Don’t forget, we’re just TRYING this dinner thing. We want to see it the community really wants and needs us to be open. So, if you like the idea, come on out and support the effort.

It is HOT,HOT,HOT in that kitchen standing over the grills. Many apologies if I haven’t had a chance to pop out and say Hi. Rest assured that I am preparing your meal with an extra dose of LOVE.

The locals have been coming and going.
*It is nice to see Diana GRRRRRR recovering from her mishap. * Duncan is back from the East Coast for a while and *Otto has returned from Macedonia for a few days. *Glenn keeps going to the desert. (Why in this heat?) *Keith has finally decided to marry his lady love and will be moving to Oregon soon. We’re gonna miss him! *Miss Lynn attempted to travel to India this week, but her efforts were thwarted at the gates. (Ask her….) Our oldest son *Ryan surprised us by returning from China to say Happy Birthday to *Karl and attend his 10 year re-union.

And you know what’s weird? I miss all of our little bus stop friends! BTW, I am sure we’ll return to our early morning hours once the kids get back to school.

Oh, and Hey. We have 109 fans on our facebook. Who will be 110?

See You soon!
Terri

So, I have not been in the Bus Stop in a while…due to an unfortunate event called NDE for short.

Anyway, my pal Angela from Doggie Secrets graciously kidnapped me from the torrential downpour in Big Bear to take me to my favorite hang out and eatery–the infamous Bus Stop.

Because I have not been here in a while I had to eat all my favorite foods…eat, eat, eat…

Made me happy since I’ve been getting sick of eating the soup and things my neighbors and pals have brought…not that I don’t appreciate the stockpile–I’ve not had the energy to cook during recooperation.

Which is not to say that the food here isn’t good–it is fabulous–but you can’t imagine just how much more fabulous it tastes after restricted fare.

Anyway, the gang served me until I could not eat any more–and even had my favorite carrot cake!

Just had to say hi while I was here and hope to see my local pals again soon.

Now, I am going to have to roll uphill to get back home.

Seriously, I am way too full but happy!

BTW: Keith, we came by as promised to hear you play but you were not here!

Just thought I would give you a glimpse into the Bus Stop since we shifted into our new concept. We now have table service but you can get your own coffee, buy books, and now enjoy dinner.

And yes, I LOVE my new office!

That’s right.  You heard it here.  We are officially open on Wednesday July 1st.  Our new hours will be from 8 am to 9 pm Tuesday thru Saturday.

Yes, we  have decided to CLOSE Sunday and Monday.  I know that seems a bad business move in a commuter town, but Karl and I decided that if we were gonna try and make this concept work, we needed to have a life, not just earn a living. But look at the Bright Side, we’ll be open in the evenings!

We’re gonna give it a try.  If the town will support the later hours, we will consider lengthening our days during the winter as well.  Tell your friends!

Table service will be available in addition to our already popular Grab and Go option.  We’ve added full breakfast plates with eggs to order, omelets and our Giant Breakfast Burrito’s.   We have some fabulous rustic dinner offerings such as Pork Chops and Applesauce, Apricot Jalepeno Chicken, and Grilled Salmon.   All of your favorite salads and sandwiches are still available at any hour.  We’ll try and get a sample menu on line in the next few days.

So come on in and say Hi!   Bring your own cup special is still only a buck, and the Espresso bar is revved and raring to go.

Mostly, Thanks for all your patience, positive thoughts and practical advice during or RE-CONCEPTING time.

Love,

Terri and Karl.

First off, I want to say thanks to all who have e-mailed us and lent your support during this closure time.  Everyone has been very respectful and supportive of our decision to close for a while to  regroup.  I’m hoping that the community is taking the time to support other restaurants and cafes such as the newly opened “Golden Grill”, and “Beary Delicious,” and “Papa Jacks.”

I have to admit that the town seems awful small and empty without seeing our wonderful customers on a daily basis.  Please don’t forget about us, we will be open again soon, Hopefully better and more efficient.

What have we been doing?

A lot of laundry!  A lot of visiting with miffed family members who haven’t seen us for two years, and a lot of praying and fretting about the future of the Bus Stop.  So far we haven’t been struck by any lightening bolts, so we are working daily at the cafe at making some changes that will make our personal, spiritual, and business lives better.

The new office is finished!  I am happy to no longer be in the freezer and doubly happy to have a window!  The kids room recieved some TLC and the white boards are now chalkboards.  Today we are moving the kitchen around so we can offer more selections, be more efficient, and save a few steps.  Karl (if you didn’t already know) is unbelievable!  He can do just about anything and hardly bats an eye when I ask him to move a three ton object or fix something that really should be tossed into the garbage.

What is that old blues tune about “Don’t advertise Your Man?”  Step off ladies…….He’s MY handy man.

When are we going to re-open?

How does July 1st  sound?  Don’t forget there is a Classic Car Cruise on the 2nd. Locals are invited to bring out their classic cars, and shoot the sh****t while eating a burger or having an icecream. Oh, and part of the change will be to offer fresh, healthy, yummy DINNERS.

Thanks for visiting our website.  AND PLEASE, write us a line or leave us a comment.  Anything you’re craving???  Let us know.

Love, Love,

Terri, Karl and all (not) at the BUS STOP

The Bus Stop will be closed for the next two weeks to rest, repair, and re-concept our operation.

Sorry if you woke up this morning without coffee or planned to meet a friend at the cafe only to find us closed.

It is really difficult to communicate personally with everyone of our wonderful customers.

During this time we ask for your positive thoughts, prayers, and good wishes as Karl and I try to make the Bus Stop a better business.

We will be bringing  our finances  “into the light,”  and looking at ways to make this cafe a more viable and profitable business.

The last two and a half years have been a time that we will cherish.  We have met so many wonderful folks, and made so many friends.  But now we have to spend time making sure that this business will not only survive, but thrive.

If you would like to comment or make suggestions, you may leave a comment here or use the contact page to email us.

We also welcome your e-mail  at  the-bus-stop@juno.com.

Thanks for visiting our new Website!    We’ll keep you posted.

Thanks,

Terri and Karl and all the gang at the BS.

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