Here we go again- sideways pics. Scout on the outside looking in.
And finally, our Sammy dog. We were heartbroken last week to learn that he has bone cancer in his rear leg. He's doing alright for now- and seems comfortable- he's a classic.... Think good thoughts for him, please.
So- I will keep you posted about our articles and the store as we grow and learn about a whole new world!
Benji- what a beautiful smile- even if he is sideways!
Teagan posing at the store!
Here's our new coffee (and Tea) sign- made with coffee beans- I love it! And, on the other side- what greets our customers when they sit down for a cup of coffee or tea and a bite to eat.
And finally the kiddos- after all they're really the ones who are in charge of this operation! They have taken over our office and get really miffed when we need to come in and actually use the desk to do some work. They're cute though...
On another note- today is Chels' b-day- wishing her a great day and missing her once again... Kisses and hugs to the other end of the country!
We are almost at a month since we opened and things continue to go well. We are busy- working lots of hours, tired, but happy- this is a good tired, watching all this come together- good stuff!
We're about to start the day. We decided last night it was time to open- too many people have been stopping by asking if we were open YET.... so we figured let's just do it!
Here's the cork board that Ali made- from all the donated corks- that's a lot of wine guys!!! It is set upon a decoupaged grocery bag with flowers- really a work of art!
Teagan welcoming our first customers!
We had a GREAT day! Thanks to all of you who came- what a wonderful show of support. It was so much fun being at the store, meeting people and helping them to find different items. Bob's scones flew out the door as well as the baguettes. Lunches will be coming soon....
We are pretty tired after day 1, but it's a happy tiredness. We loved having family and kiddos around to visit and take part in this venture. Ali was great- a true natural. We are so happy to be able to bring this kind of business to the area- we really appreciate all the welcomes we received today! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
Judy and Teagan- working away!
Bob's arm was killing him breaking up boxes. We filled two dumpsters!
Maxine and Teagan- amazing how T gets into all these pictures!
Lunch break!
Ali got to do the chocolate shelf- lucky!
So for now all the dry goods are in. This weekend the refridgerated and frozen foods arrive. We're getting there! Please stop by- any time!
This is the first shelf I finished- chips, chips and more chips! My only problem was that after I finished I realized that I eat just about eberything on these shelves- not good...
Lunch break during work. UNFI reps- Tony and Pete- shelf wizards, Bob, Maxine and Judy.
Teagan in our office- she thinks she's working hard!
( These are for you Chels- make sure you read the next post as well- more pics to view.)
The kidlets and their friends- deciding to build their own store!
Finally! Here's Bry-man- who has been invaluable building our checkout counter, cafe area and all the trim and odds and ends. I keep wanting to get a picture of him for the blog, but keep missing him or don't have my camera at the right time- you know how it goes.
Pretty soon, we'll be open for business! What an adventure!
The first batch of cookies to be made from the store kitchen. We're not sure what to call these- they have dried cranberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, almonds and molasses- almost like a morning glory muffin, but not quite. Any suggestions out there for a name????
This is our cafe area- at this time our makeshift office.
The freezers and refridgerators- all lined up and ready to go!
Today all the floors were washed and waxed and all the shelves dusted, vaccumed and cleaned. We 're ready now to start setting up furniture and extras. Orders (like cups etc...) are starting to come in as well. A steady stream of people keep stopping by- asking when we are due to open. We're thinking March 10th. I'll keep up with the pictures as things fall into place!
David came to help! It was great having him here for the weekend, although we did miss Judy.
The two Daves (one our good neighbor) and Bob putting the shelving together.
Here's a better look at the shelving- as well as the check out area that Bryan is building.
And the mural continues as well. Ali and Sandie are doing an awesome job!
So that's where we are for now. The store is really beginning to come together. Of course we still have alot of work ahead of us- namely stocking these shelves and learning the register and computer system. Thanks to all who are helping to put this together!!!!
Benji's Gluten free birthday cake!
Blueberry and cranberry scones- these will be a regular item at Nature's Grocer.
Here's the GF birthday cake- I'll explain how we went about this creation!
A new recipe- chocolate chip walnut blondies.
Benji's liking this present thing!
Today Benji is a year old! We had a small family brunch to celebrate his becoming a whole number as his aunt Maxine calls it! Anyways with Ali trying a GF diet, what a good excuse to try to make a GF cake! And it was great! Bob made a marbled cake with a mocha frosting- delicious! We also had GF scones- blueberry and cranberry as well as chocolate chip walnut blondies. (pics are above)
Making a GF cake is really easy. I'll admit- we cheated a bit- we didn't make this one from scratch. We bought two boxes of GF cake mix- one chocolate, one vanilla, then swirled the two together in two cake pans. The frosting was Mocha buttercream. Here's the recipe:
Mocha Buttercream Frosting
6 tablespoons unsalted butter- room temp.
6 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup sifted unsweetened cocoa
5-6 tablespoons decaf coffee (or you could use GF coffee flavoring)
1 teaspoon GF vanilla extract
Directions: In an electric mixer beat butter until soft. Add two cups sifted sugar and beat until smooth. Scrape down the bowl and blades and then add the remaining four cups of sugar, cocoa, coffee, and vanilla and beat until smooth. If necessary,add a little more sugar or coffee to get the right consistency for spreading the frosting. Fill the cake layers and then spread over outside of the cake.
That's it! Of course you can always adapt a favorite cake recipe using GF flour mix instead of buying a ready made mix. The frosting is not too sweet and is nice and light.
So we'll call this Benji's cake- since he was our inspiration!
The mural painting has begun and Alison and Sandie are doing an awesome job! I love the look and I think it will be very inviting for our future customers. We have given them "carte blanche" to do as they please- so this is what they have created so far.
Sandie is here working in the cafe area, painting trees. At this point Bob asked her to include rocks as those of us who live here are so aware of all the rocks in our landscapes.
Alison and Sandie came up with a list of words for the mural and then pared them down to what they chose to put on the wall. The pharmacist next door came in to check on the progress and immediately remarked: "What the hell is this- the sixties???" (Interesting, as Bob and I always said that Alison should have been born into that era.)
So that's what it looks like so far. Tomorrow there will be a wave of chaos as the kitchen equipment, freezers and refridgerators are delivered and installed. The shelving has also started to go up- but will need to be delayed a bit as the other work is completed. And the murals will continue as well. I'll post more pics as the week goes on.
Karen and Jim joined in the painting this weekend. Karen had already been priming with me during the week- thanks guys!
Benji trying to get to Jim to check out the paint job in the bathroom.
Myles, in his job as mini-foreman, checking out mine and Karen's work.
Alison and my good neighbor, Sandie, checking out the colors and deciding where each will go. Teagan put her two cents in as well!
