An Outing To The Green Pea Antique Store

Today’s outing will be to the Green Pea, a wonderful antique store owned by my friend Sandi. Sandi and her husband, Jim, lovingly restored the historic building over a three year period. The ambiance of the old building is perfectly suited to showcasing the ever-changing antique furniture and collectibles that are nestled in vignettes throughout the store. A little of new is mixed within the old, such as zinc chalkboards, market baskets, wicker baskets (as shown below) and women’s sweaters, jackets and scarves. Jim and Sandi are master woodworkers and like to reinvent pieces using salvaged wood and wire.

Sandi opened up one side of her shop in July so that other vendor’s can sell their wares. It is always a joy to see what everyone finds and adds to their spaces!

So, come along for a little visit! If ever you are in Escalon, be sure to stop in to meet Sandi and take in the beautiful store in person!! It is a little like stepping back in time!

As you know, Sadie Mae (the traveling friendship bag) and her companions, Toto and Rufus, are making their way around with me to my favorite shopping destinations. Here they are posing for a group shot on the counter….but our shopping days are winding down as they need to make it to Connie’s…so off they go today…a sad farewell, but it has been fun!

The information for the Green Pea:

Located at:

1802 Main Street, Escalon, California 95320

(209) 838-1913

Monday thru Saturday, 11 - 4 pm

Stop by for a visit on Sandi’s blog, too!!!

A Unique Boutique Visit

A new day, a new outing with Sadie Mae, Toto and Rufus! This outing we are going to one of my go-to destinations for gifts and fun stuff to decorate with. This is my friend Lisa’s shop and it is certainly a Unique Boutique – filled with vintage and handmade finds. It is one of those places that you will go back to again, and again! Inside Unique Boutique is a cute section, Poochie Couture, that caters to the needs of our best friends, our dogs! Poochie Couture features limited-edition, custom designed dresses for your dog, doggie strollers, special doggie treats, designer dog carriers and much more. Rufus and Toto were having a ball there!!

Lets stroll now and see what Lisa and her over 40 vendors have today. LOVING the stack of vintage suitcases, so much in fact that the top one came home with me.

Unique Boutique carries Annie Sloan chalk paint! Grabbed a few cans of that to work on a few pieces at home.

Handmade jewelry made from vintage bits and bobs – love the display! And the two doggins’ found some dog jewelry to try on. Don’t they look cute!?

Delicious handmade Biscotti from Pleitez Lavender – and they are fabulous!!

Even the dogs found the doggie snacks! Wonderful pillows for your home…

…and handmade boxes made by Bohemian Mojo, a local artist who has a degree in art and interior design.

Time to round up the gang and go pay for our finds. Sadie waits at the check-out counter….

…along with wonderful soldered charms made by our friend, Kim.

Thanks to Lisa for allowing me to take photos of her beautiful boutique!!!! If you are ever in Modesto, California stop on by for a visit. Here is the information:

Unique Boutique

180 Leveland Lane (off of McHenry Avenue)
Modesto, CA 95350
Shop hours: Monday-Saturday
10 AM -6 PM
(209) 523-3000

New items being added daily, too!

A Mother’s Love

A Mother's Love
A Mother's love is something
that no one can explain,
It is made of deep devotion
and of sacrifice and pain,

It is endless and unselfish
and enduring come what may
For nothing can destroy it
or take that love away . . .
It is patient and forgiving
when all others are forsaking,
And it never fails or falters
even though the heart is breaking . . .

It believes beyond believing
when the world around condemns,
And it glows with all the beauty
of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining,
it defies all explanation,
And it still remains a secret
like the mysteries of creation . . .

A many splendored miracle
man cannot understand
And another wondrous evidence
of God's tender guiding hand.

By Helen Steiner Rice

Matthew 11:28-29 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

**Peace to you this day**

A Trip To Vintage Market

If you have been following along, you will know that I am taking Sadie Mae, Toto and Rufus on a little shopping spree with me and the stop after American Country was to a beautiful shop called Vintage Market, also located in Turlock, California. I have posted about this shop before – just click here to take you there.

The experience of shopping Vintage Market is just wonderful – from the distressed wood floors, high industrial style ceiling to the used brick walls – the ambiance is magical, lovely-to-the-bones-magical. Your eyes will not know where to fall as there is so much inventory to browse through. There are new items mixed in with eclectic metal pieces, antique market baskets, lighting fixtures, furniture, handmade jewelry and paintings, linens, dishes, garden accessories – just to name a little bit of their offerings.

I know several of the lovely women who sell at Vintage Market. Just inside the front door is Doris’ section. Doris is very talented and makes pillows, bags and aprons to sell along with her vintage finds. She also has a blog called Dogwood Designs where she shares about her handmade creations – and man, can she sew!

Below is my friend Andrea (aka Andi) who has a gorgeous space called J. Blackbird. She and her mother, Jenny, have a keen eye for all things French and pretty! Their space is filled with Euro grain sacks, linens, religious figurines, ruffled bags, handmade pillows and gorgeous handmade jewelry. Miss Sadie Mae got to spend a few moments with Andi, too…..

….as well as hangout with the lovely ruffled linen handbags! It was a girly moment!!

Ok, who isn’t loving all of these vintage hankies? More goodies of Andi’s!

Another dealer has these fabulous green metal gym lockers for sale and they came from Santa Cruz, California. LOVE the old patina!

Ok, there are more travels of Sadie Mae, Toto and Rufus to come! The dogs had a lot of fun at out next stop to see our friend, Miss Lisa!

Tootles for now!

Rise and Shine!!

Wake up! Morning is here! Stretch, breathe the cool morning air in and run down to start the coffee pot. Nothing like the softness of the morning light and the smell of a freshly brewed pot of coffee.

Tomorrow starts a new season for all of us. Hard to believe that today is the last day of summer. Summer brought a lot with her this year, including my recent find of the red and white antique quilt. All handmade, tiny little stitches and in nearly perfect condition. Quite a find for $25.00. Bright and cheerful!

More posts to come of my visitors, Sadie Mae, Toto and Rufus. Stay tuned..but till next time, see ya!

American Country Fall Decorating

As you recall from the last post, I promised to share about the items for sale inside American Country. The owner, Lori, has such a keen eye for decorating and finding perfectly primitive items to sell to her customers. So come on in…of course, Sadie Mae, Rufus and Toto are here for the trip, too!

Where did Toto and Rufus go? Oh geesh! You two be careful so that you don’t fall down the steep stairs! If you will note, Rufus looks to be holding tight to Toto’s back leg!

I hope that you enjoyed the tour of American Country! For store hours and location, you can call Lori at (209) 668-1888 or visit the website http://www.americancountrydecor.com/.

Before leaving, Miss Sadie Mae got her picture taken with Lori (lf) and her friend Rhonda (rt).

So tootles for now! The next stop will be to visit our friend Andrea!