Newest Finds in Green

First, a random shot of a deer I pasted on the way home from auction tonight. After weeks and weeks of rain the grass is amazingly lush for this time of year.

The cleanest, sweetest, French Provincial chair, I have ever purchased for the shop.

A classic oak rocker, in great condition.

A fantastic gift for a new Mom or Grandmother.

A ladies scale upholstered chair and ottoman in my favorite tone.

These are just a few of the great new things in the shop right now.....more to come.

Pretty and Pink

Like a pink rose these sweet small gifts are sure to put a smile on your face. The Little Big Book Of Roses, 24.95

Small Canvas Prints,7.99 each

Tin Signs, 15.00 each

Linen Tea Towel, 15.50 each

Aunt Sadies Candles, $15.50 each

After a couple of weeks off from Pink Saturday, I'm so happy to share these little treasures. For more pink fun click on the I Love Pink button in my side bar. Beverly and friends have hundreds of pinks to share.

HAPPY PINK!

Christmas in July?

Our annual Christmas in July Sale is just around the corner....tease, tease...

Shameless Self Promotion?

This was the title of another blogger's post this past week and the topic of a discussion I had with a fellow retailer. The retailer made the point that when you interview for a job why don't people just come out and say " I want to make the most money for the least amount of work"? His point being, doesn't everybody in the room know that is what the interview is for anyway? So why do we (shop owners) tip toe around our desire to sell products and make money? It's not like we don't have a counter in the shop featuring a cash register.

I think it's pretty clear we are dreamers, passionate about our businesses, part of the flavor of the community and it can't be a news flash that we need to make money doing it? It's our job.We work hard and all most harder politely, suggesting a purchase. Would it really be a shameless self promotion to come out and say ...."Hi! let me sell you something today?", when customers enter the shop? Isn't that what you see every twelve minutes when your watching TV? So why was the blogger calling herself a shameless self promoter? Maybe it's just the fact that small businesses can't hire someone to sing their praises? I say toot your own horn , your the one that knows how great your business is...watch me....

HiHo is a great place to shop, with a wonderful selection of merchandise, friendly customer service, clean, organized, great prices and really inspiring displays. I can't bring myself to also say....how much do you have to spend today? Baby steps, maybe I'll try that next week...hee, hee.

Tuesday With Humphrey

After auctions let me down this week, I decided to take a road trip to Coxsackie NY. My daughter Aubrey joined Humphrey and I for the day. This is a shot of Humphrey in his new favorite seat in the truck. Aubrey took the shot via the rear view mirror. Me with my truck parrot. At home on any counter. Aubrey loved the selection of jewelry.The ride home.

Humphrey at home with his twenty pound cat, Romeo. If you look carefully at the above counter shots you will see Buddy the shop cat, a perfect "mini me" of Romeo. Always nice to have a day away from the shop....

Three Hours On The Hudson

Who says all I do is work? Here is some proof I left the building. My friends Bev and Sal invited Mr. HiHo and I for a cruise on the Hudson, Sunday evening. The boat launched from West Point.

We went under the Bear Mountain Bridge, sipped wine, waved at the train, watched tug boats, saw the moon come out onto a pink sky and amazingly the weather was perfect. I relize there are not any shots of me. Guess your just going to have to believe me....although I'm the only one Mr. HiHo looks at like that. ( he's so cute)

A Week in Translation

*The rain is relentless.

Translation, there are mushrooms growing in my flower boxes.

*I have been heavy hearted. A sweet young man took his life this week, leaving our small town turned inside out. Very loving people in the community have shown amazing courage in coping with this loss.

Translation, I'm exhausted.

*Have I mentioned the kids are out of school?

Translation, my house is a mess the refrigerator is empty and my truck should have a taxi sign installed on the roof.

*I'm an officer for our town's business association...(wouldn't it be nice if meetings could be rained out like ball games once in a while?) This week the business association sponsored the State of the County Dinner. It went very well, we gave out canvas totes to all that attended. We also designed and printed a rack card/tourist piece in under 48 hours to have as a handout for the evening. It's beautiful.

Translation, emails to members, searched for pictures, wrote text, gathered stuff for the bags and last minute stuffing, a hectic mess.

*The evening provided a photo opportunity with the who's who of the county, a meet and greet, a brief introduction and a on stage thank you to the seventy people in attendance.

Translation, glad it's over and wish I had thought more about what to wear than the darn bags and the rack card.

*A customer/resident gave a sizable donation through me to the business association to move forward on designing and posting signs on the outskirts of our town . A very generous gift.

Translation, time to gather the troops for more meetings.

*Delegated weeding of the front of the house to my twelve year old.

Translation, I should have done it myself weeks ago.

*The Red,White and Blue bunting is up on the building for the holiday.

Translation, I can't believe it's July!

*I had a run in with a bat while using the lawn hose at the shop.
Translation, I'm a really good screamer.
I'm sure fifty other things need translating from the past week, but it's time to start working on next week....