Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Hello Everyone! Well sorry to have been absent from blogging for so long, but I've had several rather unexpected experiences lately that have monopolized my time. One of the biggies is that my beloved Isuzu Rodeo died. Why was it beloved, you ask? Because it was paid for!!!! So I was forced to venture into the car market, quite unwillingly! You see for me, going to a car dealership is like going to the dentist. And the longer I can put it off the better! Anyway I am now the proud owner of a 2006 Ford Expedition which I lovingly refer to as the Beast. I know it's not eco-friendly but in my line of work as an antiques dealer and shop-owner it's a must have. The room inside this baby is unbelievable and it also has towing capacity--two factors the rodeo was lacking. So now maybe I can actually consider heading off to do a few really great shows a year, and heading over to meet my new and dear friend Theresa at Garden Antiques in Texas. If you haven't checked out her blog please do so. She is listed in my favorites and her blog is fabulous!

I'd also like to announce my first annual OUT WITH THE OLD~~IN WITH THE NEW SALE starting on Dec. 26th and running thru Jan. 10th. This is an opportunity for those of you who can stop by the shop to get some fabulous deals on seasonal and everyday accessories and select antiques. We are heading off to market in January in search of fresh new treasures for 2008 and so we are slashing prices on many items. Hope you can stop by and pick up a great deal or two!

Happy Holidays and Be Safe!

Shelley

The Thrill Of The Hunt

Greetings everyone! Well last Friday was the first day of Renninger's Antique Extravaganza here in Florida and as I was in need of some smaller inventory, I took the day off and when antiquing. First off, the weather was glorious here! I actually started the day off in a coat, but by afternoon I was in a sweater. 40's in the am and 60's in the afternoon. That's winter here in always hot and sunny Florida! As I am not a native, I welcome these breaks from the typical weather and to combine the cooler temps with antiquing--well it was almost more than I could take! But I endured, as all us die-hard antiquers do and pressed on in search of treasures. I wanted to share some pics of my finds below. Lots of tarnished silver, some ironstone, a great old drawer, great frames, two cute stools, a plant stand, an oil painting and a print in old frame and wavy glass, vintage soft balls (I don't know why--just thought they were fun), an old working clock, 2 fab old books with hand-written dedications inside (love old hand-writing), and a great old route 259 sign. I also got a great chimney cupboard (not shown) and a really awesome old cafe umbrella with cigar advertising on it. That will appear in a future post I promise. Well enough already--please enjoy the pics of my finds!

Happy Thansgiving To All!

Shelley

Tis The Season

Happy Holidays Everyone! I've been busy as an elf lately getting the shop transformed into a Christmas wonderland! It was a lot more work this year as the shop is bigger and I fear I could have used a little more inventory! Oh well there's always next year! Here's a peek inside....







I am in love with all the fabulous architectural pieces I've added! But most of all, I adore the angel wings I found in Tennessee last summer and was going to hang them from the ceiling. But I'm sure you'll agree that they were meant to be used just as I have!







May The Joy Of The Season Be Yours!

Shelley

Former Allen Firefighter Accused of Attempted Prison Escape

Raymond Wingfield, 36, was found guilty by an Anderson County jury of two counts of aggravated assault on a public servant, one count of aggravated assault, and attempted escape. Mr. Wingfield, who claimed he was forced to participate in the escape attempt by another inmate, was sentenced Friday to two 40-year and two 25-year prison terms, to be served concurrently.

(Dallas News, Nov. 6, 2007) Full Story

You Make Me Smile

Wow! My friend Theresa at Garden Antiques has nominated me for a You Make Me Smile Award! This is especially fabulous coming from her because I love her blog and all the awesome pictures she shares with all of us! You must save her in your favorites and check back often to see what she's been up to. She never disappoints! Now I must nominate ten wonderful women whose blogs make me smile. So here they are:
1. Garden Antiques~Of Course! She Rocks!
2. Past Present Collection~Awesome Style!
3. Curious Sofa~If you are familiar with her, then I needn't say more!
4. Prairie Home~Another awesome stylish star!
5. The Feathered Nest~Dawn is truly the sweetest person ever, and great style!
6. Dove Grey Studio~Truly an artist! Love it!
7. Coeur En Provence~A nod to the European influence I love!
8. The French Garden House~Wow what a flair!
9. The Cottage Gals~Wish I could visit your shop!
10. Sadie Olive~Check out her house! Wow!

Blessings to All!

Shelley

Collin County Real Estate - Desoto Homes

1723 WINDMILL HILL LN
DESOTO, TX 75115

Stunning! This home will take your breath away! From a grand entry to the tranquil back yard, you will fall in love with this gorgeous home. Immaculately maintained, beautiful & numerous upgrades! Superb floorplanning, ext millwork, see through fp's, granite counters, custom cabinets, hard wood floors, tavertine, iron balusters, berber carpets, custom paint, faux finishes, the list goes on! Don't miss this one! 5th bedroom currently used as study-office.

5 Bedrooms

3 Full 1 Partial Bathrooms

3,950 Est. Sq. Ft.

Listing # 10852422

$799,900

For More Information about this Listing.
Visit our site: McKinney Homes & Collin County Real Estate

Home Sweet Home

Well hello everyone! Haven't had anything profound to blog about lately, but I have been taking photos of my little home. Often, customers will ask if my home looks like my shop. Wellll, yes and no. So I decided the best thing to do was take some pics and keep them at the shop to show people how,and with what,I live. You will notice first off the lack of color. I LOVE white and use it everywhere. I also love oatmeal and blue and use those colors as accents. So, without further adeu, here is a sample of my little corner of the world for you to enjoy.

Blessings to all,

Shelley

A Fond Farewell

I can't believe it! I am actually selling this awesome tin bathtub that I picked up in Indiana over the summer. I thought it (and it did) made an awesome prop for my bath area in the shop. I got the idea to use polyester batting to simulate soap suds. Looks like you could climb right in and soak away doesn't it? So in walks a really good customer of mine and goes gaga over it! She's actually going to install it in her home and use it! Well how could I refuse that? I think it's really awesome that she's actually going to do that. So it's leaving in a few weeks. Never thought I'd part with it, but there you go. I'll just have to find another awesome piece to put in it's place. Bad problem to have, right? By the way, a huge thanks to those of you recently discovered my blog and posted such nice comments! Warms my heart!

Blessings,

Shelley

Sign of the times

Hello everyone! Well the first day of autumn is just 9 days away~here in balmy Florida it's more like 109 days away! Will we ever feel the chill in the air, the crunch of leaves beneath our feet, the smell of fires crackling in the fireplace? Me thinks not! Oh well, I can dream! Here at the Pea, we are decked out in our fall finery and hope you can stop by soon to check it out. New merchandise is finding its way into the shop almost daily, so if its been awhile since you've been by (first of all, shame on you) then there's probably several fabulous new treasures just waiting to be discovered by you.

Is anyone else out there as in love with old signs as I am? I have several in the shop now and more coming, so if you love them like me then please stop in. I have always admired them in other people's homes but never had a source to get them for myself. Well that has changed recently and now I have a couple of awesome places to get them. Have a look at the pics I have included in this post. I know you'll think they're awesome! Blessings!


Shelley

Maiden Voyage

After many months of reading the blogs of all my favs, I decided to give it a whirl myself. When I finally got the formatting figured out (with help I must add) the next dilemma was what to blog about the first time out of the gate. It's fitting I guess to introduce the shop to my readers (assuming of course there are some) so here goes. Sweet Pea was born in February 2006 after spending 4 and 1/2 years as a dealer in another shop. I decided to try it on my own and never looked back. Now I have moved to a bigger location about 20 minutes away and opened my door in June here at the new place. I know, I must be nuts to take such a leap in the dead of summer but is there ever a good time to move your store? So I have survived the first few months and now I am waiting on the masses in search of great antiques and really unique fall and Halloween decor!! Keep your fingers crossed for me out there. If you're ever in the Sanford, FL area stop by and have a look! I'd love to meet you! Please have a look at the pictures of the shop and the seasonal offerings.

The Joys of Allen, Texas

Allen Texas is located in Collin County north of Plano off I-75. Allen was one of the first far-north cities heavily developed off 121 in the early 1990s. Today it is an established bustling city that continues to grow, thanks to its location, which allows for easy commutes to Plano, Richardson, Dallas or anywhere off I-75 in DFW.

As part of the Collin County community, Allen offers a myriad facilities and attractions for your family. Allen has an established school district for your kids and is home to a thriving campus of the Collin County Community college. One of the most appealing features of the city, though, is its extensive sports activities and facilities for both youth and adults. You can join groups and clubs and become part of Allen's welcoming neighborhood.

Collin County School Districts

Allen ISD
Anna ISD
Bland ISD
Blue Ridge Schools
Celeste ISD
Celina ISD
Community ISD
Farmersville ISD
Frisco ISD
Gunter ISD
Leonard ISD
Lovejoy ISD
McKinney ISD
Melissa ISD
Plano ISD
Princeton ISD
Prosper ISD

Brookhollow home development to contain 2,500 lots

(Prosper) - Developers have tied up enough land in the town of Prosper for a 1,300-acre residential project. Landplan Development Corp. of Frisco unveiled that the development on U.S. Highway 380 east of Preston Road, called Brookhollow, will have lots for 2,500 homes. Developers purchased 760 acres for the project on the north side of U.S. 380 and have more than 500 under contract. The development is near the Stonebridge Ranch community in McKinney. Construction is scheduled to begin on the Brookhollow project in 2007.

Dallas developer lands eastern Frisco land

(Frisco) - Hanover Property Co. is continuing its aggressive North Texas expansion, snapping up 325 prime acres in for an 825-home residential development. The deal involved the assemblage of three adjacent tracts that are north of Panther Creek Parkway and south of Rock Hill Road in Frisco. Hanover targets middle-market, second-time homebuyers, generally looking to pay $200,000 and up for a new home. Hanover will be talking to homebuilders over the next two to four weeks to gauge their interest in the new Frisco development, dubbed Miramonte. Until it picks builders, it's hard to put a price tag on the neighborhood. It's the second big project the company is tackling this year. Three months ago, Hanover acquired 920 acres off F.M. 548 in Forney for a 2,700-home residential community called Devonshire. Seven homebuilders are already on board. Lot development of the first 600-home phase will begin in November, with lots ready in late 2007 and homes ready for occupancy in 2008. "That area of east Frisco, pushing into McKinney, is showing excellent results, producing 1,400 home starts a year," Ted Wilson with Residential Strategies Inc. said. "It also has an extremely tight lot supply, at 18 months, when equilibrium is 24 months. The prices are slightly less than what you see in west Frisco, but still high."

Collin County land prices holding their own

"As prices have inflated, the real estate market ballooned up and now air is coming out of the bubble. Collin County did not blow up," said Betty Magee of Magee & Associates, Realtors. The median price of an existing, single-family home in California for November of 2006 was $555,290, a 1.4 percent increase over the revised $547,870 median for 2005 as reported by the California Association of Realtors. In New York the numbers are less severe. The November 2006 statewide median sales price of $250,000 represented a 5.7 percent decline from the November 2005 median of $265,000. The November 2006 median did increase by 3.5 percent compared to the October 2006 median of $234,000. As for Collin County, the median price for November 2006 was $193,700, $361,590 less than California. According to the Real Estate Center, single-family homes sales for December of 2006 in Collin County were at 6,333, a 5 percent decrease from the following year. The 5 percent decrease can be seen as a positive compared to November homes sales that were down 7 percent from the previous year. While home sales are down, the December average price per home was up 2 percent from the previous year, indicating that there is a slight appreciation. The Dallas Morning News reported a 5 percent decrease in housing sales last week.

[Inside Collin County Business]

When to plant?

This question comes up over and over and with our changing climate it is still a hard question to answer. When I was younger everyone aimed to have their gardens planted on the Victoria Day Weekend (May 24). However, things have changed as far as when to plant. I follow the Average Day of Last Frost (ADLF) for our location and plant according to that. Last year the ADLF was May 9. One month

Guinea Hen Revisited

Charlie on GreenhouseHe's back and he brought his buddies! We now have three of the guinea hens frequenting the neighbourhood. They make enough noise that I can tell they are in the yard even with a well sealed house. One neighbour built a little shelter for him and now his buddies. One is feeding them. I'm getting some pretty neat pictures as seen above with Charlie sitting on the

Secret FortunesOne of my kids gave me this cute joke gift for Christmas. The can does say it is a real plant so that is a relief! Apparently a magic message that tells my forture is supposed to magically appear on a bean. Now this I have got to see! I don't know what others think but I'm very skeptical and you can be sure I won't be eating any of these beans. The can is about 4 oz pop can

Garden Gnome© 2007