and I win!!!

WOW! WOW! WOW! Between the Christmas in July Party, that Maggi at Just Add Glitter and Stir hosted and my 200th Post Giveaway on a Pink Saturday, I have met so many new bloggers in the past week. It's a good thing I have to go to work....or I would just spend my days visiting with all my new friends online.In the beginning I was blogging along with a few, posting and learning how to upload pictures, add links, make a side bar and even comment on others blogs.

As I marched into the unknown a few began to follow. My posts got longer/bigger and I hope more interesting. I know I got more confident with the process.

Joining in on Pink Saturdays with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound opened my eyes to the power of the blogging community. Hundreds of bloggers enjoying weekly posts , but also sharing, supporting and encouraging each others efforts. Our lives are so similar....families, dreams, obstacles, victories and disappointments. Thank goodness for blogs!

Now the pressure is really on for me to post on a regular basis, to be creative with each post, to raise the bar and visit each of you from time to time. Good thing I usually do better under pressure....lets see if that pays off with blogging.

Anyway....I'm so excited to tell you a new blogger won my giveaway.

CINDY!!! from...Twaz the Brillig

Cindy said...
the best christmas gift i ever got? hmm...that's definitely a toughie. as far as materialistic objects go, it would have to be my ipod nano. my needs are simple, and even though we were dirt poor at the time,my husband got it for me! :)

She wins the assortment of goodies put together from HiHo. However I'm the real winner with all these new online friends. Congrats to Cindy and lucky me!!!

P.S., I attemped to link Maggi, Beverly and Cindy, but Blogspot seems to be having a problem tonight. I recommend finding them in the comments on my Givaway Post. Heidi

New Window Displays

I have shared the challenges of the shops front windows before. They are less than a foot deep and there are five of them. It was time to take down the sale signs but too early to put the fall colors in. The sun is strong on this side of the building in the afternoon, so I often block off the top fourth of the window with fabric this time of the year. I decided I needed a fresh summer theme. I hunted through my prop room and came up with this old Waverly print fabric. I pulled together a house cleaning story....clothes pins, ironing board, scrub brush, bucket and even a apron.

The flower boxes are doing well, thanks to Miracle Grow.

I'm happy to say the windows are done for the moment and I can move on to the next thing on my list. Now I just need to find my list....

A Mad Dash

Last week at auction I was headed for the truck and so were they.I love the orange theme going on here. So often customers will ask me where my inspiration comes from. EVERYWHERE!

Just a Note,

Both my Pink Saturday post and my Christmas in July post are up. Please be sure to take a look at both...So happy you stopped by!

200th POST GIVEAWAY!

I thought it would be fitting to share pink gifts on this special Christmas in July Pink Saturday, and some gifts that feature pretty pink frills. Because...

...blogging about HiHo has been such a gift for me and an asset to the shop. I have become part of a wonderful blogging community made of friends with heart and creative souls. I thank you for your gifts of inspiration, thoughtfulness and shared memories.So pick out a pink candy cane to your liking while I start to light the candles on the cake....and get your gift.I wrapped the perfect pink gift in celebration of my 200th post. You could be the lucky winner! Just comment on this post, telling me about the best Christmas gift you ever received and I will put your name in for a chance to win. All my followers will have their names added for a chance to win too.

Yup that means two chances to win. (It's never to late to become a follower.)

I know it's not a birthday but whats a celebration without cake....so help me blow out the candles and make a wish for... lots more, inspiration, thoughtfulness and time to spend reflecting in blog land!

OH! here it is the gift I have saved for the lucky winner....it is one BIG prize.

A great diner weight cup and saucer.

A Lollipop.

A candy jar with sweet Barber Poles.

An Aunt Sadies Candle.

A Jane Austin 500 piece puzzle.

A cupcake filled with Salt Water Taffy.

Handmade cupcake picks. A Gratitude Scentament.
Good Luck!

You have until 8:00 pm eastern standard time Weds. July 29th to become a follower and or comment about the best Christmas gift you ever received. I will post the winner on Thursday.

For more pink fun just click on the I Love Pink button in my side bar and tell Beverly HiHo Heidi sent ya!

Happy Pink!

HiHo's Christmas Past...post 199

...and all the things that mean Christmas to me.

( posted early, sooo, excited...I have always had a hard time with Christmas Eve)

Maggi, from , Just Add Glitter and Stir has a Christmas weekend booked with holly, silver bells and tinsel. Or is it with... ribbon candy, presents and eggnog? Or yule log, carolling and fruit cake? I think you get the picture. She is hosting a party and you are all invited. So when you are done with all of the festivities here, ( remember I will be posting my 200th post Saturday and celebrating with a giveaway) continue on with Maggi and her guests. You may use the party button in my sidebar or click on the link above.

Every year at HiHo we have our Holiday Open House two weeks before Thanksgiving. That means a lot needs to get done in a short amount of time to be ready for the crowds. Sooo, we have a party with family and friends to launch the decorating marathon. Pictured here is one of my daughter's, Aubrey (on the chair) her friend and a friend like family, Claudia of Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

By August, I have already chosen each of the themes for the rooms at HiHo for Christmas. A labor of love, that really challenges my imagination. I always want to top the last year's displays.At home and at the shop. I enjoy the process of transforming the rooms into a holiday wonderland.. I love buying the perfect gift for someone ,when ever it is and saving it for Christmas..

Mittens are a part of Christmas at our home . Every year I hang all the my children's first mittens and tiny socks from a ribbon over my kitchen sink. Truly a clothes line of memories, Mr. HiHo always says, "they were so cute when they were little." then he shakes his head.( I think he does that to hide his pooled up eyes.)
Only nature can make the front of the shop look this Christmasey ( is that a word?) anyway, when I see this shot I can even hear the music....
Hundreds of vintage ornaments are on display and sold here every year....pink are my personal favorite.
Memories of HiHo's Christmas past are not complete without my dear friend Edna. This is a photo of her taking on the role of Mrs. Claus just months before her passing. Thanks to her convincing portrayal, many children still believe they met the real Mrs. Claus at HiHo. Wasn't she beautiful?

I end this post with the only film that is sure to put me in the Holiday Spirit... You know I could post fifty more pictures representing HiHo's Christmas past but you get the gist, we love Christmas at HiHo and that's why we sell Christmas year round out of our wonderful nostalgic Christmas room everyday.....come by and take advantage of the mistletoe with your sweetie. Why wait for December?

A special thank you to Maggi for having me to her party...

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Making Doris Day Proud

Can't you just picture Doris giving Rock a ring on the telly? She would be wearing her high heeled fluffy slippers and lounging on this incredible love seat and ottoman.

Make it yours....stop by and take a look!