We survived!

Well, we survived the sale! I do believe Mike v mentioned this was the 23^rd time HHL has had our Big Victoria Day weekend sale! The sale brings a lot of new and familiar faces into the store, which makes for a fun, exciting and busy weekend!

 This sale marked the beginning of my 10^th year here at HHL. Mind you I was off a year on Maternity leave, I still feel like I’ve been here a while!! I still remember my first sale in 2005 in the old New Minas location. Boy, have times changed!

 

One thing I wanted to make sure didn’t go unnoticed, is the fact we have so many people here @ HHL who more than pull their weight during the sale putting in extra hours and days! Great job to the HHL team; all of your extra time is appreciated! A shout out to our Accountant Cathy who came in on her day off to work sale Saturday in the New Minas store! We appreciated your 12 years of knowledge on the floor!

A huge Thank you to all of the staff, our awesome customers, and our families for putting up with us during sale week!  

In other exciting HHL news, our Swim Spa is up and running here in New Minas! So if you’re curious as to what they are all about come on in and check it out!

 

Talk soon,

Liana Rhodenizer

#SHOPLOCAL

Trending on social media is the #shoplocal hashtag. It relates to me both in my work life and my personal life. I think it is something important to take note of! We live in such an awesome place! Shopping in family owned businesses, farmers markets, and supporting local artists and crafters is an amazing way to support your local community.

You are supporting “mom & pop” businesses and work at home parents who are trying to support their family by doing something they love. Did you know that Holland Home Leisure started from the owner’s home in 1980? WOW! Talk about a dream come true after years of hard work, blood sweat and tears! Together with our new owners Mike and Debby and Mark and Andrea work towards making Holland Home Leisure a great part of the community, by supporting local suppliers and providing upwards of 30 jobs to the area. 

Supporting local often ensures you are asking an expert, someone who has put their life into their products, their company, and they hope they can do everything in their power to make you happy and satisfied! Customer satisfaction is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job, seeing the happy faces of clients after they have enjoyed their hot tub in the first snowstorm of the season, or seeing their kids faces when they first jump in the pool on May 5^th with 44 degree water! BRR... 

This Mother’s Day are you supporting local?

There are so many wonderful Annapolis Valley companies to choose from: local restaurants, local produce to make a wonderful meal on your own, artists to create a homemade gift, and specialty shops that provide high quality products! Think outside of the box and find a unique alternative to the average gifts!

I wish all of our HHL Moms both clients and staff, including those who are moms at heart, a wonderful  Mother’s Day. I hope you are spoiled with attention by those who love you!

Talk soon,

Liana Rhodenizer

                                                                                            

 

I’m happy to share this free printable sign I have hanging in my office created by a wonderful Local Graphic designer *http://www.creativedestiny.ca/2014/05/08/i-shop-local-free-printable/ A Creative Destiny*

Spring has Sprung @ HHL

Hi there,

Our season is in full swing! Believe it or not pools are being opened, water tests are being brought in and the store is busy with the hustle and bustle of spring! Although the weather hasn’t been the best, all of us here at HHL are optimistic for a bright and sunny Summer!

Katie and I have been busy keeping you informed of all the happenings at HHL with social media. If you haven’t done so already please follow us on our Facebook page and be the first to know about upcoming sales and promotions! Along with social media, we are working closely with the local radio stations making sure our ads are fun and current; keep an ear out for those as well! We have also been advertising in The Grapevine based out of Wolfville, Fine Lifestyles Magazine-HRM and many more local paper publications! It has been a bit of a learning curve, but has been exciting  joining forces with  many of the great marketing options in Nova Scotia!

Anne, our New Minas Store General Manager is getting the store ready for our big Victoria Day Weekend Sale! The sale runs from May 12-19^th and almost all products in the store are on Sale! It is the busiest week of the year here at HHL so we have warned all the new staff of what is to come, and the seasoned staff members are mentally preparing for the ‘wild’  that is about to be upon us! We all secretly like the excitement it brings to the store! Shh…

Craig, our Aylesford Store manager has done some amazing work prepping his store for Summer! The store is fresh and energized with a new coat of paint, new shelving and a freshly waxed floor! The outside has seen a facelift as well, with a brand new Above Ground pool on display! Huge thanks to Scott and his crew for installing that for us last week. Looks great!

Andrea here in our New Minas, our Chemistry Manager, is getting knee deep in 2014 Pool Chemistry. She is taking on the role with fresh eyes and a lot of heart, and we are excited to see her grow her knowledge in the category and beyond! She will be helping you keep your pool crystal clear all summer, and your hot tub sparkling and safe for the whole family to use!

Liana Rhodenizer Photography

 

Kristi and Debby have been working hard in our Service Department organizing the construction and service crews, maximizing their time and energy! Without them we would be at a loss! You may notice us transfer your service related questions to their lines in our Aylesford store, their knowledge is truly irreplaceable!

Attached are a few photos of our Chemistry Manager, who was our model for the next issue of the Fine Lifestyles Magazine!

*Liana Rhodenizer Photography

 

Talk soon,

Liana vandenHof- Rhodenizer

"April Fools"

Only one of our staff members had a little joke played on them yesterday! Debby, who is new to the Service Department had a very general conversation about parts with a young boy doing a school project. She worked out the details for him and called back, at this point her took the opportunity to ask if we sold Cold Tubs. She apologized and explained we only sell hot tubs. He then explained he was from Alaska and they fill cold tubs with dry ice.  At this point she just repeated we only sell HOT tubs!

He then said “April Fools” and hung up…. We are wondering if he wants the plumbing parts?

Interviews have been done, so soon you will see fresh faces around the office. Staff are getting settled in their new roles at HHL. I mentioned in the last blog, Katie and I are taking on the Marketing at HHL. Craig McNutt is getting ready to move to the  Aylesford store  for the Summer as Store Manager. If Craig is Store Manager, where is Debby you ask? Well, Debby is busy working on our service team heading customer service! Andrea is currently filling the role of Chemistry Manager while Jenn is on maternity leave, and she is getting the lab ready for a busy Spring.

 

Looking out the window and seeing snow fall is not how I envisioned an April morning to be. I realize, living in Nova Scotia, that this isn’t horribly uncommon but STILL! I am tired of Winter!

Do you have a case of the winter blues? HHL is busy getting ready for spring in many ways!

Talk soon,
Liana vandenHof-Rhodenizer

 

A little link to brighten your day
http://www.creativedestiny.ca/2014/04/01/spring-printable-free/

Created by A Creative Destiny, a local Graphic Designer.

She has a free download for Spring and we have it up on display!

On the Radio

My two year old recently made a simple statement while in the car bringing me to work, “Mommy’s Home”.

I thought it was cute. He didn’t say it in a sad way, he loves to run into the store to color at my desk, listen to his voice echo and run and see his Papa in the back office.

Katie and I have been busy working on the 2014 marketing for Holland Home Leisure and we are having a lot of fun with this new challenge. We have met some amazing members of the community involved with the different forms of media, and we are enjoying creating some fun and different ads for both print and radio.  Part of our research has been going through Debby’s old ‘Radio Binder” dating back to ads she wrote in 1996.

It is no secret that my HHL family is more than just my work family, so reading the ads that I had heard on the radio years ago has brought back fond memories. Reading the words “Hi, I’m Debby from Holland Home Leisure”, reminded me of being young and thinking it was SO COOL my mom was on the radio. Lines like “Mike and I welcome you into the store this Victoria Day Weekend” made me think… it was like they were inviting you into their home. For 34 years this has been their home away from home. The ads had such a comforting feeling… and I can hear her upbeat voice now! Frankly, I am going to miss them!

2014 is bringing on a big change where radio is concerned; you will be hearing a new voice on the radio representing HHL. Andrea Van Zoost will now be doing our radio recordings, so keep an ear out to hear them! So far they are sounding great!

 We want to thank Debby for taking so much time over the years, not only recording but also writing a huge portion of the ads. You have done a wonderful job!

Talk soon,

Liana vandenHof-Rhodenizer

Debby's Binder!

Holiday Spirit

I can’t believe the calendar today!

I admit I am a little behind this year, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us and I am still in denial. I am although enjoying the closeness that the Holidays bring. Making plans to see friends that you haven’t seen in far too long, planning family events and preparing for new and old traditions. These are the moments you remember when you grow up and have families of your own. For me that included watching Little Woman with my mom and sisters during that first big snow fall, decorating the Christmas tree (while my parents bickered about the lights being just so), driving around looking at Christmas decorations with a box of chocolates and my Dad singing The First Noel by the Crash Test Dummies, and of course having at least one soak in the hot tub with the family while snow lightly falls.

Surprisingly enough the moments I remember are not surrounded by gifts, and I would be hard pressed to remember most of the items given to me throughout the years. Instead I cherish those special moments, the memories with family and friends, and of course, the time with those no longer here.

A strange way to start this blog which is supposed to be about our Holiday shopping party…

When we all sat in a room to discuss our upcoming event, we didn’t even discuss items that were going to be on sale, but the fact we want our store to smell of the “holidays”, that we want to offer a hot drink to warm a cold day, and to have treats to sweeten up your day. We are excited to see our customers come into the store, and share a few moments with us so we can show our appreciation for your ongoing business. Yes, there will be a sale!  We hope you take the opportunity to save on some of your favorite items, or buy something special for your loved ones. Most importantly, we hope you have a special Holiday season and that we get the chance to wish you a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Come join us on December 6^th and 7^th,

We look forward to seeing you!

 

Talk soon,

Liana

 

 

Giving Thanks

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner; time has seemed to go by too quickly this past year! We are currently in the homestretch of our planning for our Splash for CF Auction and Dinner coming up on October 24^th/13. I would like to take this opportunity to thank some of our supporters, without all of you we would not be able to pull off this event. Holland Home Leisure is overwhelmed with the amount of support we have received from local (and not so local) companies who have donated items for our auction and for all of those who have purchased tickets. We are extremely grateful for your help!

Some of our Sponsors Include

Bio Guard Canada- $500 Chemical G/C

Front & Central- Dinner for 4 (5 courses/wine included)

Annette and Paul Iannacoon- Weekend Retreat (3 nights for 4)

Barb Meisner and Debby vandenHof- Home made Quilt

Holland Home Leisure- Ebel Day Bed

L. Rhodenizer Photography- Print and Family Session

Marks Works Warehouse- Chairs/Towels

Eau Spa- Organic Facial

Eagle Crest- Green Fee’s

Howard Little- $200

Lucketts Vineyard- Wine Tours

Farfetched Gallery- Ceramic Pot

Carolyn VanderHeide- Watercolour

Crystal Maxner- Watercolour

The Vault- Mother of Pearl Necklace

DeWeevers Wovens- Mitts and Headband

Sobeys - $25 GC

Andrea VanZoost- Gift Basket

Michael vandenHof-Wine

VanMeekern Farms- Apples

Pierce Farm Market- Pickles and Squash

Just Us- Coffee, Tea  and Chocolate

Peach Pit- Peach Jam and Red Pepper Jelly

Made by Moms-Newborn Package

I know I am probably missing someone! So, if I missed you THANK YOU!

 

The staff here at HHL is looking forward to some much needed time off with our families after the busy Summer Season.  I know I am most looking forward to having some quality time with family, creating memories that I am sure we will share in years to come, and most likely eating far too much! Bring on the stretchy pants!! Family and Friends is what makes time off so valuable, so I look forward to sharing those special moments with those who have a special place in my heart!

Kristi Huestis- “I am looking forward to getting together with family and friends and eating a lot of Turkey!”

Debby vandenHof-“I am looking forward to Turkey, stuffing and all of the trimmings, even though I am a confessed foodie however this simple meal is one of my favorite meals of the year! I actually enjoy Thanksgiving more than Christmas because the focus is on family and food without  the crazy shopping that Christmas brings.”

Megan Banman-“When I think about Thanksgiving three things come to mind,  how blessed I am with the family I have, that all my needs are provided for, and of course the food I will be consuming on that day. Being married the never ending questions of your parents or mine? And which day? I am sure is something a lot of people can relate to. In my family I am happy to say my husband’s family and my family have Thanksgiving together. I am thankful that we can get together as an extended family to consume an amazing meal and enjoy being a family. This year my in-laws are hosting and I can already smell the turkey cooking and thoughts of carrot cake and chocolate pie are on my mind.”

We wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving from our families to yours!

\

(Me and my Favorite little Turkeys)

Talk soon,

Liana Rhodenizer

 

P.S. We do still have a few tickets left for our Dinner and Auction being held on October 24^th/2013, so please consider joining us for a wonderful 5 course meal designed and prepared by Chef Dave Smart of Front and Central in Wolfville. Tickets are $100 each and include tax and gratuity with all proceeds going to Cystic Fibrosis.