Magic! 
Isn't that what Christmas is all about?? The recollections of holidays of the past, the nostalgia and the smile it puts on your face, even when know one is looking.
Each year I attempt to top the displays from the year before in hopes of HiHo becoming part of someone Christmas past memories of the future. 
A trip to down town Buffalo at Christmas time was a huge outing, we put on special clothes and had to hold hands, while we walked by the windows. 
I even recall referring to certain stores not by name but as Christmas stores.
This last picture is of a grocery store, the trees are stacked cans of food....you can't beat the inspiration!!!
....Happy Halloween! 
I don't know if I live within the real world of retail, but certainly have created my own world of retail. The Fall Season is in full swing, tourists finding us for the first time and locals checking in for honey and cards, the pace is quickening as we cross our fingers for a huge fourth quarter. 
It's count down time, two weeks until we put up holiday trees and magic. Only days later our open house. Flash forward to the famous Black Friday and our only fears are weather and keeping up stock levels. I've been drawing and plotting, changing plans as things sell and my ideas grow. 
Today and tonight I struggle with big decisions, like how many Candy Canes are enough, what brand of Peppermint Bark and how many ounces of Ribbon Candy make a nice gift box? 
The bottom line, this time of year whether its in the real retail world or in the HiHo retail world we are focused on the bottom line. Tonight it is fun and Sweet!!!
This large platter has whimsical deer enjoying the land scape. A powerful accent piece for a mantle or hutch.
This pair of ginger jars match the platter.
A bit more traditional this pair of vases are a good size and nice weight.
No matter what your decor , I'm sure HiHo has something for your home.
This caned back chair has a needle point seat.
This small and charming two tiered table, SOLD has inlaided details just below it's square top.
I couldn't resist this magazine rack, SOLD with sorted slots up top and a stacking shelf on the bottom.
A campy dark wicker plant stand, would help with moving the plants inside this time of year.
This is a good size with storage below, a china closet, not too big, not too small....just right and in time for Thanksgiving.
With the chill in the air, it's time to start pulling things inside. Don't put it in the shed. Why not use some of that outdoor furniture inside??
November 14th &15th
The banner was put up.
The view from across the street....the blue chairs didn't last the weekend . People are still inquiring about them, go figure???
The days of the open door may be over for this year soon, so be sure to take a drive through the valley and enjoy the colors before they are gone....
The challenge: represent HiHo in a 8x10 space. We decided to just use Fall as the theme and bring more new gift items than vintage. We also worked on a slide show video with my friend Gia from Ness Learning Center and used the vintage Hoffman television to disguise the flat screen monitor.
This photo of me was taken just after finishing the set up and when my nerves were starting to get the best of me....1500 people on their way. 
This is a shot of Susan after a good drink at the bar, as she said "much easier to smile after a drink".
See I'm a lot more relaxed now. We handed out HiHo buttons that say, HiHo HiHo it's off to shop I go and Salt Water Taffy, spoke with hundreds of people and gave them HiHo business cards.
The HiHo men wore their new shirts and drank and ate all evening. They look like HiHo security, but they really did have a good time.
I was interviewed by cable 6 the local station and Everett was asked to assist, by holding the microphone.
To watch our new slide show video that we premiered at the show just click on this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1UuqDruh8M All in all we had a great time, and look forward to sharing the shop with all the new customers we met at the show.
I have spoke of my list before, you know, the general everyday one, husband, kids, bathroom, laundry, give the dog a bath, however that one never goes away. Right now I have lists of lists....
The third list has me throwing all other lists out the window...it's the Holy Cow We Are Going To Be A Part Of Hudson Valley Magazine's Best Of Event List. The fourth list gets dropped a lot, my list of things I should be doing as President of our town's business association, ( it's actually a pile at this point). 
This blog is on my fifth list....know wonder it's been weeks since my last real post, sorry, this list is called , The I Can Get To It Tomorrow List. It's not surprising that many items from other lists default to this list....
