Before & After at the Store

The last few weeks at the new store have been a big undertaking.  We jumped right in and began with re-organization of the liquor inventory.  I was glad I took some before photos to show what a difference a bit of shelving and categorizing made...feel so much better to have a space for everything.

 We modified the layout of the storage room...instead of having to walk all the way around to the back room when a shipment arrives, we opened up the wall and allowed for a quicker traffic flow.  We even think we might open up the back room up for customers to shop in!!

2011|6|30 Photo Fun - Family

How does the saying go again...we may not have it all together, but together we have it all!

2011|6|29 Photo Fun - Trees

The trees in my parents backyard...have been thru alot and are still standing strong.

2011|6|28 Photo Fun - Transportation

Capturing graduates today during some photo sessions...can't help but think they are on the road to a new direction in their lives.  Congrats to them all on their achievement! 

2011|6|27 Photo Fun - Your Weakness

I will drop everything for a chance to catch up with a friend(s) over a good glass of wine!

2011|6|26 Photo Fun - Favorite Color

Right now, my favorite color is navy...I could not resist these adorable little shoes for Coco.

2011|6|25 Photo Fun - Citrus

Gotta love lemons.

2011|6|24 Photo Fun - Love

Lately I have been loving books about business.  Right now I'm reading 'Pour Your Heart Into It' (a book about how Starbucks built a company one cup at a time) recommended by a friend who reminds me that the right book usually pops into your life at just the right time...which is so true in this instance.  I have been inspired by Starbucks for a long time, not just for their {amazing} coffee/drinks, but for their vision, dedication to customer service and loyalty to their employees.  A great read...I would definitely recommend it!

2011|6|23 Photo Fun - Black & White

Classic black & white...oreos.

2011|6|22 Photo Fun - Landscape

With all the water surrounding us from the floods...I just wanted to capture some land with today's photo challenge.

2011|6|21 Photo Fun - Micro/Macro

Dradonflies up close are so cool!

2011|6|20 Photo Fun - Water

We are flooding here in SE Sask.  Many many people are affected and we have been declared in a state of emergency.

2011|6|19 Photo Fun - Summertime

Scarlett was so cute today sitting in her lawn chair catching some rays.

Alameda Fair

We always love going to the Alameda Fair!

2011|6|18 Photo Fun - Eyes

Nothing makes me smile more than to look into these little eyes!

2011|6|17 Photo Fun - Bokeh

Heart bokeh!

2011|6|16 Photo Fun - Mason Jar

When I think of mason jars, I think of them filled with marbles.

2011|6|15 Photo Fun - Action

Last year when we put up the play center these two couldn't swing themselves...a year later, they are having a blast pumping their legs and swinging the days away.

2011|6|14 Photo Fun - Someone You Love

My Grandfather came by the store today to wish us well.  We are very thankful that he is home from the hospital after a heart attack last week.  We are so grateful he is on the mend after a surgery and feeling better.

2011|6|13 Photo Fun - Reminds You of Childhood

Running thru the backyard sprinkler...classic childhood memory!

Our New Venture

Today we began a new ADVENTURE!  

After living in Oxbow for three years we have grown to love this place, we know it's a place we'd like to raise our family and make our home.  We love it here!

A few months ago, a new venture came our way and we began the process of purchasing the local Lumberyard AND Liquor Store...that's right folks...lumber & liquor!!  We are proud to become the new owners of this store which has been around since 1954.  We are very excited about what's ahead for us and hope you'll stay tuned for the ride.

Here's a look at our first day!

My big statement in the front window explaining we're closed for two days.

Cory & Lian working in the office.

Amber & Walter inputting stock into the new point-of-sale system.

Renos on the first day...Alan priming the back stock room before shelving goes in.

Our three children on this memorable day...hoping to involve them in the business for years to come.

Proud new store owners...so excited about what is to come!

Lighting Workshop in Saskatoon with Nate

I ventured off to Saskatoon for the day to attend Nate's Lighting Workshop.  I signed up for this class because just recently I have been intrigued by photography using off camera lighting.  I invested in a three-light set up a few months ago and wanted to learn from Nate's expertise.

The morning was spent in the classroom...who knew photography would have so much math!!  After lunch we hit the streets and dove straight into some photos with models and all of Nate's light gear.

 At the end of the session we had a photo assignment...10 minutes to create our own shots with one light, a light box and a model.  Having Nate school us and meeting other photogs was a blast.  I learned alot, it was great to see Nate, he did an amazing job of this workshop!!

2011|6|12 Photo Fun - Sun Flare

I ♥ sun flare!

2011|6|11 Photo Fun - Silhouette

A common silhouette in oil country.

2011|6|10 Photo Fun - Animal

Our dog Piper enjoying an ice cream treat!

2011|6|9 Photo Fun - Fresh Fruit

Made a fruit arrangement for the Bootcamp wind-up party.

2011|6|8 Photo Fun - Sunset

My sister Am helped me tonight by being a good sport about taking these photos.

2011|6|7 Photo Fun - High Angle

Justin doing some outside cleanup on our house.

2011|6|6 Photo Fun - Books

We love the library!

2011|6|5 Photo Fun - Breakfast Today

Simple yogurt & granola

2011|6|4 Photo Fun - Clouds

A cloudy day on the Saskatchewan Prairies.

2011|6|3 Photo Fun - Hands

2011|6|2 Photo Fun - Favorite Shoes

Today coordinated well with the Photo Fun challenge of shoes...I spent the day photographing products for the Obviously Chic store in Estevan.  These navy pumps are by far my favorite pair of the day...just too bad they're out of my size.

2011|6|1 Photo Fun - Self Portrait

I have joined a few photog friends in this 30-day Photo Fun challenge for the month of June.  Since I have been committed to Project Life anyways, thought it would be a cool spin on the photo-a-day concept.