Each year I try to figure out something fun to do with the employees besides working. Honestly, it really only happens once every two or three years. The work is easy and yet it's not. It's long hours sometimes and you have to remember all the different chocolates we offer, all the coffee and beverage drinks we make, and there is continuous cleaning. 

Sweet Mona's would not be the warm, friendly, welcoming place it is today without the people who work together to make it happen. It's nearing the end of the summer and a few folks will be leaving and we will be welcoming some new ones. 

At this writing, we have said goodbye or will soon say goodbye to Kaija, Brandi, Shawn, and Victoria. All of them either have full-time jobs and they were just helping me out, or they are going back to school or university. Each of them has their own strengths that work well within our team and we are sad to see them go. However, we are also excited that they are moving toward their own dreams and desires. 

One of my desires as a business owner is to help our employees get where they want to go. Someday I'm hoping that one of them have the same desire to own a business in Langley that I do and might just take over Sweet Mona's. I'm pretty sure I will never retire; however, I'd like to think that when I'm gone that someone will carry on the chocolate journey that I started over 15 years ago. 

Here are a few pictures from our day on The SUVA out of the Coupeville Wharf. It was a beautiful day, with beautiful people. The highlight of my day was watching people steer the schooner or stand pretending they were flying! Another highlight was seeing all the seals at the Mussel Farm up close and personal. A delightful day indeed.