I'm so excited!

Many of our customers are very creative and often are in search of projects for their homes. They are DYI'ers who loving adding their special touch. Well...we took that to heart and beginning with the fall edition, we will stock Flea Market Style magazine. If you are not familiar with this magazine, you need to check it out! It is full of creative ideas and most are fairly simple projects. Although my time has become more limited, I love pouring over this magazine. I am often disappointed because it flies of the shelves before I can get to the store to buy one for myself. If you would like to reserve your copy, please call us. Price for local pick-up will be $9.95 plus tax. We expect arrival in mid to late summer.

But, I am even more excited about becoming a dealer for Jeanne d'Arc Living! On my last trip to France, I became aware of this awesome magazine, which is produced in Denmark. The magazine is now printed in English and has absolutely no advertising. The focus is on the French Nordic country style, which to be quite honest, I love, love, love! The magazine is approximately 140 pages with beautiful photography and just full of ideas for us franco-philes. We are currently the only source within the DFW area. The publishers had a deal that was just to good to pass up so we are passing those savings along to you. When I was researching this magazine, I found on-line stores with a price of $39.95. Because we were able to secure this publication at a great rate, our price for local pick-up will be $19.95 plus tax. I just can't say enough good things about this magazine. The magazines have been shipped and should arrive within two weeks. Reserve your copy now!

Stay tuned for more on the French Nordic country style.

p.s. I've been shopping! The best, Kathy

I'm Back!!

Well, it's been quite a while. How quickly time passes! I've been to Southern France again and I have to say, I loved every minute of it. It's amazing how relaxed you can become. The lifestyle in the villages is remarkable. Perhaps one day I will win the lottery and can go there as often as I would like. My dad always said I was a dreamer! But sometimes dreams can come true, right?

We have LOTS of new merchandise at the shop. We are getting good traffic on the website and have attracted several customers to come in for purchases. We sold the most wonderful fireplace mantel over the holidays. It had a secret compartment where valuables could be hidden.

Please check our new pictures. Hope to see you soon! Spring is just around the corner !

Life Happens

Despite the best plans, life interrupts. The past few months have been a blur. My real job has kept me extra busy. My passion for old things even more so. I took a trip to the Provence region of France. It was quite beautiful and boy do I have some stories to tell! The markets were fantastic. At the same time, another owner took a trip into the midwest and up into the Ohio Valley. We always said that Whistle Stop has something for everyone! Last night my third grandchild was born, the first girl. Mom and baby are doing well.

Check out our new dealers. Unfortunately, Cinnamon is relocating out of state. But our loss is your gain as she has a 25% off sale. A bargain in the making for some of those holiday gifts. The holidays are upon us. The porch has been decorated in seasonal dress. Stay tuned for the Holiday events in Old Town Keller.

The Mural - a short history lesson; Remembering Jack

The mural depicts some of the original buildings in what we now know as Keller. In 1881, a druggist in Tarrant County designated some land north of Fort Worth for a town, known as Athol. In a deal with Texas and Pacific Railroad, the town name was changed to Keller in honor of the first foreman, John Keller. Streets within the original 40 acres still bear the name given in 1881. Mrs. Flemster's hotel (although not the original owner) was the first hotel with meals and a room for 25 cents each. The only remaining building depicted is the bank. Although there was some physical evidence but no written records, it is rumored there was a Pony Express stop on Old Denton Road. (Source: Wild Rose: A Folk History of a Cross Timbers Settlement, Keller Texas by Joyce Gibson Roach - for sale at the shop).

I feel compelled to write of a tragedy experienced by my favorite cousin this week. Her husband left in his plane to embark on a weekend of his favorite past-time of fishing. After a stop to refuel, he was killed in a plane crash far away from home. The cause is not yet known but witnesses state the pilot purposely steered the plane away from houses and into a wooded area so as to avoid any human injury. One man was so moved that he found a way to locate my cousin - he told her he was forever thankful; her husband was a hero and no doubt had saved many other lives. The community has made a memorial at the site. It gives me continued hope to know that there are still people that can reach out to strangers to give them comfort and peace in their hours of despair. This compassion has given my cousin untold comfort now and surely in the days to follow. Go with God, Jack.

Getting Started!

Well, I got delayed a little bit but I'm back on track now. Please check out the new website link as well: whistlestopantiques.com. We are getting ready to begin our fall displays. It's hard to think about the fall with this heat! We are surely in the dog days of summer.

My next few posts will give a little history on Keller and the Whistle Stop. The new photo -"The Sign" - was a great find. My dad was powerwashing the brick wall in preparation to paint and uncovered this great sign. He contacted Dr. Pepper who restored it. This logo design was used in the late 1930"s until early 1940's. It is not uncommon for someone to pop their head in the door asking if it is OK to take a picture of their vintage car (usually a convertible) parked in front of the sign. Many people have told us they found our shop by "the sign" (north side of building).

The second most common way people tell us they found our shop is by "The Porch". Usually there are many old gates and archways. It's fun to decorate in seasonal decor so you're never quite sure what you might find out there!

Next up...."The Mural"

Check back soon...Under development