Touched by an Angel....

Well, the little Angel arrived, safe and sound, around 9:45 Friday evening... He weighs in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and is the most beautiful child, I have ever seen... He has the softest, sweetest cry, but he doesn't use it much. He has long fingers and toes, just like his Dad, and is totally loved by all... His little face is like I would imagine an Angels would be... John and I went up to see him, first thing, Saturday morning, and he absolutely stole our hearts away... Kate is doing fine, and Justin too. {Kate said Justin was a little 'Queasy', early on, but then stepped up to the plate.} It was a long day for all the kids! They are quite the little family, and that little boy couldn't be loved more.... They named him after Justin, he is Justin Lucas...
Thanks to all, who kept them in their prayers...
Barb C.

A Wonderful Open House....

It was a crazy morning, getting the last minute things done...but we pulled it off! And what a day... Friends from all over the country came calling... and it was truly a delight to see everyone! Koral and her husband, Guy, started the morning off on a fast pace, they bought several pieces, and my last 'Amana' Christmas tree... they have a wonderful store, in New London, Iowa, that I have got to get back to soon! I truly love their things, and they always have great prices!{319-367-5349} I was sooo busy, I didn't get her info, for her store, just give her a ring, and be sure and visit!

My Pals from Oskaloosa, Iowa, popped in...It is always so great to see these Girls... Betty, Jean and Nancy....{ the Gals in the picture} They are such sweet souls, and have such a wonderful eye... I have been to Jean's home, several times, and it is truly amazing... She should have been an interior designer, it blows my mind....

Allyson, stopped by, and found several treasures, Dale F. popped in, just in time to help us move a piece of furniture in the shop...{remember what I said about his timing? Perfect...}

Lynn and Lea, from southern Iowa, came up, and we had a great visit, and did a little 'horse trading', they brought me up a box full of cool vintage Christmas, some I am putting in my own collection! {Thanks Guys!}

Lori stopped in, and found some treasures, and shared her darling little 'Fairies', she created, I will try and get an image on soon, they are really sweet!

I had several new folks in, as well... I tapped into the 'Gnarly Head' wine, late in the day, and Peg's Mother in Law, and my dear friend, Gerri, shared a glass with me... She is a darling... Gerri works at the Women's Shelter, 3rd shift, and is 78 years old... wow... She is the kindest, gentlest person I know... She and I could visit for hours, we like sooo many of the same things... Her home is adorable, she too, could be an interior designer.

Peg and I were pretty strung out... I had mountains of chocolates, cookies, pound cake, hot, spiced cider, every kind of 'nut', you can imagine, mints, candy, of all sorts...and we munched on them all day.... then topped it off with 'Gnarly Head'....oh my....

Everyone was blown away by the cool old fountain, that Peg and I rescued from the 'yard waste', and were totally impressed by Pegs wonderful painted gourd! Steph, at Fern Hill, wants to have 'Country Homes Garden' do an article on Peg, I think they would be amazed by her talents!

The day was wonderful...I so enjoy seeing everyone, on a slower pace, and not during my Sale... It is always so busy then, and no time to chat. The Store is jam packed, and Peg and I weren't sure if we could get more than 2 people in at a time! But everyone managed quite well, and I think everyone had a good time! I put some new stuff in tonight, and am anxious to see more folks tomorrow!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, you all made my day!

Barb C.

Peg, Alive and Well, after helping me load, the 'Big Dawg'!

Peg was determined as I, we were NOT LEAVING THIS BEAUTY!!!! I think it may have been a fountain... Oh My....

Dale, getting the news...6 inches back....

Peg and I could Hardly Stand It! Dale 'Barking' at us the entire time!

Oh, Dale...{Squint, Squint...}

Peg, with her harvest!

No worries... These nests are not re-used by the birds, we would never take a home away from our feathered friends!

Can You See Peg?

What a Day!!!

Peg and I worked in the Store for several hours, the funny thing is, the more you do, the more you see, that needs to be done....Oh well, we are pulling out the Vintage Christmas this morning... { I am anxiously awaiting news, on a new baby... Kate is being induced this morning... The Hospital is very protective, about visitors,{ this is a very good thing...} so I don't know when we will get to go in...Kate assured me, they would have their phones on! Keep them in your prayers...}
Peg and I made deliveries, in the afternoon,yesterday, and had a fabulous lunch, in Oxford, Iowa. If you are in the area, be sure and stop in! It's called Augusta's, located on the main drag, everything is homemade, the breads and pies are wonderful, the folks that run it, are from New Orleans, and the food has a mix, between our hearty mid-west flavor, to a creole, and southern style...Very Nice! { I had the 'Derby Pie'.... oh my...oh my...}
Augusta's hours are : Wed, Thurs. 11 AM-9PM Fri, Sat 11AM-10PM and Sunday brunch 11AM-2PM Closes at 8PM Phone #319-828-2252 {www.augustarestaurant@gmail.com}
We had a wonderful lunch, I had the 'Po-Boy' and Peg had the most awesome Tenderloin Ever!
Everything was great, I even knew the waiter.... In Oxford.... I looked like a real Goddess, my hair pulled up in a gnarly ponytail, sticking straight up in the air, no make-up.... bad, bad, bad... Joe, the waiter, seated us, and said, " Barb, is that you????" He was serious.... I said, "oh, yea...it's me...." I didn't recognize him either, probably because I didn't expect to see him there, Joe works part time for Fern Hill, and that's where we usually see one another!
From lunch, Peg wanted to harvest some birds nests... She is a wonderful gatherer... Peg truly enjoys nature, and she found some wonderful ones. We wanted to cut evergreen, at my favorite "lawn waste" site, but we got 'skunked', they had already dozed and burned... As we were leaving the site, I glanced over to a pile of broken concrete, to see, in amazement, a HUGE BIRDBATH!!! Holy Smokes! I looked at Peg, and said, "I am Not Leaving, without that...." It was partially buried, by other pieces of discarded concrete, so we carefully exposed the huge bowl, to find it in remarkably good condition... the pedestal was standing near-by, and perfect! The issue was, how to get this monster loaded... My asthma has been the worst it has been in years, I am constantly huffing, puffing, wheezing and coughing all day and night...{ little rest these days...} and Peg, tho mighty, isn't a very big girl... But I knew one thing... if it killed me, that birdbath was going to be in the back end of that truck.... Peg and I looked at each other, I backed the little Ford, as close as I could, to it, looked at Peg, and said, "On the count of three...1...2...3....GRRRR! And the huge bowl was loaded... What two crazy women can do, when they put their minds to it....I'm sure it was adrenaline!
On the way home, our pal, Dale F. called...{he truly has the worst timing...} He asked if we needed a hand, unloading stuff, he was in Fairfax, and would be glad to help... We said, suuurrre!
When he saw the size of that bowl, I thought he was going to get in his car, and RUN! But sweet soul, that he is, he stayed, and helped. { More than he wanted... We got the birdbath, elevated on 4 big concrete disc's,{ that had to be carefully leveled, one by one} then Peg looked at me, and said, "Well Barb... don't you think this needs to go back, another 6 inches, or so...?" {it did, it really did...} The look on Dale's face, well, it was totally priceless... I was laughing so hard, I truly could not breathe, so was Peg... Dale literally 'crossed his eyes' and totally went limp.... Oh my gosh, I thought Peg and I were going to keel over, right then and there... Dale agreed, he would help tear it all apart, and re-do... Peg found an old level, Dale grabbed it, and started leveling the stone, squinting, and standing back, eye balling the stone, then back to the level.."I CAN'T SEE THE BUBBLE!!!" Oh my Gosh... Peg and I were rolling....Poor Dale... I kept snapping pictures, he kept yelling at me "THIS HAD BETTER NOT GET ON THAT BLOG!!! {Flash, Flash, Flash went my little Kodak!} What A Guy...
Dale took off, before we had a chance to change our minds, again, and Peg and I worked til about 8:30. She's coming out, this morning, around 9:00, and we will get into the trailer, and Fluff Christmas... I need to get the treats lined up, and the 'wine' is looking mighty tempting, already, this morning... It has been a long, long week... I don't know what I would have done, without Peg... And for the life of me, I can not understand, why she puts herself through so much torture, helping me... This is grueling work...really... She says, " I'm not doing anything but running a vacuum, and sweeping.." WHATEVER!!! God truly sent me an Angel, when Peg walked through the door, of my little store, many, many years ago... When she moved to MO., it was awful, but I hear little hints, like they might be moving back home... I hope so...
I'm headed for the bath, it's about 7:30, and I keep thinking about Kate... They induced her around 6:30...Prayers, Prayers... and Justin too... he has no idea...
'til next time,
Barb C.

Peg's Gift...She is an Amazing Artist....

Peg scribed and painted this gourd, for me... She knows I love crazy quilts, and made this for me.... oh my... Peg spent hours and hours on this.... she wrote in one of the squares, " did you know this has a chip in it?" She loves watching my face, when someone at my sale, comes up with a piece, and wants a better price, and starts off by saying, "did you know this has a chip in it?"... I don't know what I look like, when this is directed at me, but it must be pretty funny, because Peg usually walks away, and holds in the belly laugh.... My reply... "yes, I know it has a chip, hate to see what I will look like when I'm 125 years old... and isn't it beautiful?", "if it were perfect, it would be 95.00, instead of 15.00.", " someone must have really loved it, to keep it, chip and all...if this bothers you, my advise to you is, don't buy it, I truly want people to love their purchase, as much as I do, and every time you look at it, you will see that silly chip, if I were you, I'd hold out for a perfect one..." Oh yea, wrong approach with me... you would be better off to say, "I love this piece! Would you consider a better price?"
Let me see you light up, and appreciate it for what it is, a beautiful treasure, that has been loved...
Peg is going to be selling her gourds, she asked me to help her price them... Oh my... They are truly a piece of art...and the hours... I have no idea....If I had to put a price on the beautiful one she made me...it would read...PRICELESS!!!!

The Fun Never Ends....

Wow, Peg and I have been running Hard!!! I didn't think I had too much to get done, before Open House.... I was wrong! My place is a Mess... I thought the shop was passable... Throw a few ornaments in, garland, ta, da, ta,da,...ah, not so much... My main goal, was the front Greenhouse... EEEK! Peg and I have been intense, I laid several hundred pounds of cherry stone, inside, Peg ran away fast, with every load, it is very, very dusty stuff! I hooked up the chandelier, that got wet, this spring, told Peg to stand back... My arm got a good 'BUZZ", and Pegs eyes were as big as saucers, she said a flame shot 5 inches out of one of the fixtures....well, that didn't work....we ran lights and cords, took countless bags of trash out, swept, and cleaned til 9:30 last night... The thing is, the Greenhouse is looking pretty good, but every time we walk back into the Store, it looks like a rotting banana....It looks worse and worse....by the minute... How did I ever think, this was remotely passable....Peg saw it too...I made deliveries, visited Bud, in Amana quick, he had called, and informed me he had fallen off a ladder, over the weekend, and got pretty 'tore up', and will be down for a while... We took him over a peach pie, and 'well wishes', he is always soo active, this is going to be a hard several months....
My phone was truly ringing off the hook! Peg and I were flying, trying to get everything done, we had wanted to cut some more greenery, but had to get back to the store...Folks were waiting on us.... We had lots of visitors... One gentleman from MO, as he was talking to his wife on the phone, back home, said, " I'm at this place, I don't know how to describe it, it's wonderful, ah, I don't know how to describe it...yes, it's an Antique Store..." he turned around, looked at me and asked," how would you describe it?" I looked at him and said..."It's like jumping down the rabbit's hole....in 'Alice in Wonderland' " { The gals from Colorado described it that way...and it fits...} Peg said I really should have name the shop "The Rabbit's Hole"...
I am trying to get caught up... but seem to be falling further, and further behind....I don't know where I'm going to go with the half Greenhouse goodies.... It's all heavy, fragile stuff...Some of it will work, in the store, but not all of it! Peg is watching her grand daughter play volley ball, today, so I'm on my own! I truly don't know what I would have done, without Peg... She has decided to stay, through Saturday....BLESS HER HEART!!! I am going to work in the shop, today, and maybe turn off the phone...{ I forgot it in my purse the other afternoon, and got tons done, and had 7 missed calls...}
I haven't tapped into the 'Christmas' stuff in the trailer... Boxes and boxes... I have to start getting the load ready for the show in Indiana, next week... oh my....{well,the phone just rang... I will be making deliveries this morning...the shop will have to wait.... the fun never ends....}
Barb C.

My new Wine of Choice...'Gnarly Head'

I bought 3 bottles of this last night... I love the label... 'Gnarly' is a key word, I stole several years ago, from my friend, Bud...He used it, in my Store, when describing a display, I had thrown together... and the word just 'stuck'... So when I saw this label, several months ago, I bought it... I was going to keep it, but, I popped the cork, and the rest is history... It is a pretty good wine, tho I am no connoisseur, it has a cool bottle...O.K.!
Barb C.

A Christmas Carol...You Have Got to See it!!!!

Liz, Nick and I went to see this movie.... Oh my Gosh!!! It was Amazing!!!! It's in 3-D, and was absolutely wonderful! When it comes out on dvd, I will own it! I intend to go back and see it again! If you go, go to the best theater near you, my daughter Liz insisted that we go across town, and I couldn't understand why... We have a theater near my house, and what's the big deal? It was a big deal! Wow! This movie will knock your socks off...You wouldn't even know, that Jim Carrey is Scrooge... Wow!!! This is not for small children, 12 and up, will love it!
Barb C.
{ I am also going to see Alice in Wonderland, when it comes out...Johnny Depp plays the Mad Hatter! And since everyone seems to think my store is like jumping down the rabbit's hole, well it would only be right to see what they mean... It will also be in 3-D... the preview is amazing... It opens in March!}

My Pals...Val and Roxanne....

What do you think about Lexus and Mercedes owners... I say, they are a BLAST!!!! These Gals are truly the most fun to be around! Oh My! Trouble with a capital 'T'! Roxanne collects the bisque flower pots, and I had just gotten these three huge ones in, and out the door they go! And you know Val, I have written about her many times...she simply collects 'cool'.... She has a designer's 'eye', and the most creative spirit! These two Gals have been best friends forever,,, They live many miles apart, but always make time for each other... I love it when they come to call, and they always make me laugh...
I told them not to bother, asking for a better price on things, until they invest in a little old Ford Ranger... Discounts don't apply to Lexus and Mercedes owners!!!
We have talked about going to Nashville, Heart of Country, in the spring... They always hear my stories, of the escapades, and trouble I seem to get into, down there... They think they would like a little of that action...Hmmm. They are pretty tuff little chic's, but Nashville... well lets just say, it's a darned good thing, that what happens in Nashville, stays in Nashville....
I am sure if we go, Nashville will never be the same...{ and neither will our livers...}
Barb C.

Holiday Open House....Next Weekend!

I am seeing a 'gliimer' of hope.... { tho I don't think some of my customers did, yesterday... I had a large group come through, and one of the guys said, " I don't think I could work here, I have to have everything organized,,," I replied..."You're Hired!!!! Get busy!"} The week before any event here, is a BIG MESS! You have to have a lot of vision, to not get discouraged.... 90% of the time, the shop will get done...There have been a few occasions, when it didn't, but the funny thing is, most people don't know it didn't... I don't know if that's good, or bad....
My pal, Bill B., popped out, yesterday afternoon, and we did a 'cupboard swap'! He brought me out a cool, painted counter, type thing, with a bunch of drawers, that will be perfect for an Island! And I sent an Oak Pantry Cupboard, home with him... We both decided, we buy things by the pound... We like heavy, heavy stuff! Lori popped out, and got lost in the little shop...I kept asking her if she was o.k. { I even had Bill check in on her once!}{ I was running back and fourth, between jobs, loading and unloading, and she seemed quite content!} She said she was putting fairies in jars... and was seeking 'cool jars'...O.K......{poor little fairies...} I truly can't wait to see them! I think we could be 'fast friends', she is a healthy girl, athletic, a 'runner', creative, { I can tell she follows through with all of her ideas, too.} slim and trim...put together, and an organized type of gal... about my total opposite... Oh yea, someone I always wish I could be more like....But I'll be content, watching off in the distance, with a glass of wine, smokin' a stogie, and eating a snickers...and cheering her on! Most of my closest friends are like her...Well, maybe not the athletic part... But healthy, creative, organized, well groomed, well educated folks...hmmm...{ why in the world do they hang around me... maybe I keep them in 'check', and they see what would happen, if they should ever fall off the wagon....I am sure their houses seem 'spotless', after leaving my humble abode!}
For whatever reason, I Love these 'put together' type of people...
Maybe, it's because, I left out two important attributes... they are also accepting, and non judgemental...The rest of their conformation, really doesn't matter...That is what I truly love... that is what they all have in common...Just plain, good folks...
Barb C.

Time is ticking away....

Oh, I see trouble...I can now post a video....

I am Alive, and Well...

This is my 'new' answer, to everyone asking how I am doing today... I am Alive, and Well, and today, you know, that's good enough for me...breathing in and out, is a blessing, can't you see... I'm Alive, and Well....
I play this new song, by Kenny Chesney, over and over, in the truck... It truly is an amazing song...it has kept me sane, and focused... { well,... focused...}
I had a rather frustrating day, today... But, I'm Alive, and Well...
No one figured out what the 'stand' was for... It is for a beauty shop.... To rinse hair! How cool is that! It is so sculptural, and weird, well, I had to have it! My mother was a beautician, back in the 40's, and I am sure this pre-dates her, by several decades!
Delivered the cool laundry basket, and early shelving units, I picked up, Tuesday. Wanda liked the sweet little Windsors, and picked them up, went and harvested boughs of greenery, for my 'Open House', on the 14th and 15th.{ I have got to keep clippers in the truck...my hands are looking like leather gloves...} Don't worry, I didn't raid any ones evergreens.... my old friend, Julie, had shared with me long ago, a place back in the woods, where people take branches and leaves, it's a great way to re-use, discarded evergreen, and instead of it laying in a pile, it will get to shine, for this Holiday Season! I wasn't the only one out there, a guy pulled up, in a new truck, with clipper's, heavy gloves, clean, nice coat, boots { it was pretty muddy, I nearly lost my shoes, a couple of times...} and bags, { I suppose, so his 'new truck' wouldn't get pine needles in it...} with a 'raised eyebrow' said, "guess we had the same idea..." Yea, well, he might have been prepared, but he was a little late.... I found the 'Mother Load'! and was strapping the branches down, as he arrived... Tee Hee!
I had a wonderful surprise, Peg called, and asked if I would like a hand, with the Open House... Wow... Uh, Yea! She's coming up, on Monday! I will be working in the shop, today, and all weekend, getting things packed in... It's going to be 'cozy'... But fun!
I am hoping to get to go to 'Nest', Amy is a blogger, and has very cool stuff! I have heard her store is wonderful, and not too far away! 'Nest', is located in Sperry, Iowa, near Burlington I have never been to her store, so maybe I can run down, in the morning! { She has been working so hard, for her Open House, this weekend!} Her images on her blog,{ I am a follower}
look Great! {thenestonline.blogspot.com}
I can not believe I am up this early... I looked at the clock on the micro, and it said 5:45, and I thought, well, it's a little early, for me, but I will get busy and get things done... uh, I haven't set the clock back on the micro...it was 4:45....grrr. I'll be snoozin' in the recliner, by 8:00...
Have a wonderful day...
Barb C.



Barb C.

Darling Little Windsors....

I picked these up, when Kate and I were running around, last Friday, looking for furniture for her new house... They are Sweet! And solid as a rock! They hail from the 20's or 30's, and are very similar to the set I use around my 'Gnarly', only me and Harold would love, favorite primitive dining room table! I was hunting, yesterday, for a Gnarly table, to take to the show, and mentioned them to Wanda, and now she said she might like them! Here they are, they have some scratches, here and there, and a few little drips of paint, here and there, but their condition is amazing, and they are wonderful to set in!

Lable, on the bottom

Can You Guess What it is?

I know... It is one of my treasures that I found, yesterday...The gears are turning...

Gatherings...

Wanda's Store, 'Gatherings', in downtown, Anamosa, Iowa {only 20 minutes from Cedar Rapids, and 15 to 20 minutes from Cascade, Iowa} was my first stop... I spent hours in this Store... very easy to do, it is HUGE!!! Wanda has been working day and night, to Dress her Beautiful Store, for her Holiday Open House...November 6th and 7th... Her Christmas Open House is November 27th, 28th and 29th... Oh my... I truly do not know how she does it! The Store was truly Amazing... Wanda works hard, to gather Early Painted Primitives, and also carries many cool Handmade Pieces... We both have major weaknesses for old cupboards, and Gnarly painted things... I bought my favorite treasure of the day, at Wanda's... the cool old clock...{ I guess the gnarly silverware tote, from Joyce, at Annie's Treasures, would have to tie, for my Favorite!} I also found a neat old cupboard, and the fun laundry basket! Wanda has cool stuff everywhere! Wish I had a lot bigger store, and purse... I could have hauled lots home, from all of my stops!

Here is Wanda's information!

Gatherings
130 East Main Street
Anamosa, Iowa 52205
{319} 462-6070
{gatherings.110mb.com}

Monday thru Friday 10:00 to 5:00
Saturday 10:00 to 4:00
Sunday Noon to 4:00

What Fun! Old Laundry Basket, from Wanda! { I can't wait to play with it!}

Cranberry Hollow

Talk about 'Firecracker's'! These Gals are a hoot! Tammy, {on the left} is the owner and operator of Cranberry Hollow. I don't even want to tell ya, how long I have known Tammy... {it would date us both!} She does an amazing job, with fun, quirky finds, and displays them in fun, quirky ways! She is always a 'Ball of Fire', and is forever rearranging, and redoing! She has a slight retro feel, about her store, yet also carries Iowa Farm Stuff, and early pieces... Cranberry Hollow has a wonderful, unique blend, like none other... It is always fun, to see what she comes up with! I bought 2 of the most yummy candles, that I will be using at my open house, and left inspired! These Gals were serving all kinds of goodies, and really put me in the Holiday Spirit!
Here is Tammy's information:

Cranberry Hollow
319 1st Ave. West
Cascade, Iowa 52033
{563} 852-7788
Call for e-mail

Hickory Hill

Hickory Hill is owned and operated by Judy Donovan. {The girl with the black eye... she was attacked by one of her displays, as she was setting the Store, for the Open House!!!! And people think this business is all fun and games...!} Her Store is on 1st Ave. West, Cascade, just north of Cranberry Hollow. I had visited Judy, earlier this year, but have never had the opportunity to visit during her Holiday Open House...Oh my... She has wonderful Antiques, and also mixes 'new' with them... Judy has a great 'eye', for her gatherings. I never leave her store without treasures in tow, either! Last time I was there, I loaded the truck, pretty heavy... Everything was so beautiful, I didn't want to disturb any displays! Judy is sooo fun to listen to, she was 'sparring' with one of her regular customers, and was really cracking me up! I truly enjoy her, and all the Cascade Gals... They are extremely hard workers, and devoted to their business.
Here is Judy's information!

Hickory Hill
Cascade, Iowa {on North Main Street}
{563} 852-5161
call for e-mail address

Annie's Treasures

Joyce's beautiful Store, was my last 'shop stop', for the day... I hadn't been to Cascade, in way too long... Joyce does a wonderful job, with a nice mix, of old and new, and is always busy! Her store is in an awesome Old Church, in Cascade, Joyce has hand selected wonderful Iowa and midwest antiques, and is selective, on the 'new' products... Everything blends well. I have known Joyce, for many, many years. I don't think I have ever left her Store empty handed... And Tuesday was no exception! I found some fun, vintage Christmas, and the gnarliest, old, old silverware tray, she had harvested from Illinois! Joyce had the most wonderful, early, southern Iowa, dry, gnarly painted surfaced,
corner cupboard.... With a fat SOLD sign on it!!! Dang! You just never know what she'll be bringing in! { I asked her to ring me next time she comes across another 'sweetie', like that cutie pie! }
Joyce has the shop 'on it's ear', for her Holiday Open House, this week! Hope you can go check it out, and all of the wonderful stores in Cascade!
Here is Joyce's information...No web site yet...but soon!
Annie's Treasures
Joyce Fagan, Owner
{563} 852-7517
202 Grant Street S.W.
Cascade, Iowa
52033

Store Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 -5
Sat. 10 -4
Sun. 12 -4

Just look for the Big Red Steeple!

Another Load...

Another Long, Fun, Day...

I will be writing all about the wonderful stores I visited today, tomorrow... They were full of inspiration, and wonderful folk... I am posting an image of my load, and my favorite 'treasure', of the day...I gathered this wonderful old clock, from where else... 'Gatherings', in Anamosa, Iowa! Wanda's store is amazing... she truly is working herself to death, getting ready for her 'Primitive Country Christmas', November 6th and 7th... {gatherings.110mb.com} {319-462-6070} I hope you can check out her wonderful store! I will post images in the morn!

The Illinois Trip... a 300 mile afternoon!

Had a wonderful day on the road... The road does more for my mind, than any Therapist could begin to do... I drove the little Ford, { the flat bed was being fitted with a new drive shaft} It was like old times, with me and the Little Ford...That little guy really 'sings'! It was like Christmas, on the dash... 'check engine', red 'brakes' warning light, 'abs' light... the speedometer, bouncing from 75 to 90...who knows how fast...who cares... muffler, or whats left of it, roaring! I LOVE THAT TRUCK! It fits the 'driver' to a tee! I went to the place Sharon [Sweet Repose} would have to kill me, if I ever breathed a word, of it's location... The funny thing is, I have run into everyone I know there... sorry Sharon, the secret is out! I found some cool treasures, lots of Christmas 'stuff', visited with Lori, Sharon's partner in crime... She said they might stop by, my store, Wednesday! { wear your grubbies, gals!} I also met a gal there, who has a shop in Bishop Hill, Eileen, she called her friend and shop partner, Sue, and she opened up the store for me! What a treat! Sweet Annies....{309-927-3037} It is owned by Chery Campbell, and is in her home. Wow! It is a wonderful, huge, stone house, that was a communal home...60 people once lived in this giant! If you have never been to Bishop Hill, you must... Sue was a delight, and I found some wonderful, early treasures there... I even met up with one of my dearest of old friends... An early Iowa Farm Cupboard, that I swore I would never sell....and did, 15 years ago, to a friend, that swore he would sell it back to me, when he was ready to sell it.... and didn't... I saw it several years ago, in a friends shop, I asked her about it, where it came from, and she told me quite a story, that she had been told... Ya know, when I buy something, I always ask about the history... if the person doesn't know, then they don't know. I try and figure out what region, it came from, and woods, construction, hardware.... and give my best opinion. I DO NOT MAKE UP A STORY!!! After she was done, relaying the story, she had been told, I was boiling, and then shared with her, the REAL history....{ that is still with it today...I asked...} This cupboard was being unloaded off a truck, on the 3rd of July, 1990, when I spotted it, it had come from an old cabin/farmstead, was filthy, coon poop and all... It was love at first sight! I recognize it, always, by the tiny brass star, that is fitted into the wood, that divides the 2 top plank doors.... It had a dry, red, ox blood surface, that is now shiny, { I was very sad to see this, when the man I sold it to, had put some sort of something on it...} Chery is keeping it... and I know I couldn't afford it anyway... The friend, I filled in the history for, had it for sale, and it was way beyond my capabilities... {25 times more than I paid, coon poop and all...} It's in a very wonderful home, much nicer than mine... but she won't love it more than me... that's not possible... I had the wonderful gift, of rescuing it, bathing it, and bringing it back to a happy home, and life. And appreciated it, for what I could see, shinning through, immediately...Coon Poop and all...

Barb C.

{I am headed for Anamosa today, have 2 cupboards on hold...we'll see!}

Ardell and David Moffit's cool booth!

Cecilia...we will be setting up at her show, in January!

Dwight and Ed, gett'in 'er done! {from 'Winds Reach'}

Sweet Polly... At the Monticello Show!

Steph, and Liam...Getting ready to unload the Penske...

Patty...From Fern Hill!

Huge Display, as you walk in the door, at Fern Hill

Tea Room, at Fern Hill

Fern Hill

A Sunday Stroll...{ a seat of the pants getaway!}

What a day... It started out, helping the kids get a huge king size mattress, out of the basement.... They are all moved out.... and spent their first night, in their 'new home'...I told them both, yesterday morning... I am going to miss them... It's not like we eat our meals together, or sit and chat, it's their presence, hearing them come in at night, smelling Kate's wonderful dinners, she would prepare for Justin, it's that energy... just knowing they are close, and safe... I was prepared for them to stay, forever, if they needed and wanted to... With all of the 'major swings' this house deal has taken, since early May... who knew... but I and they know, they are always welcome here...
After they took off, so did I. Had to make deliveries, popped in at 'Fern Hill'... {in South Amana} Oh my... Talk about inspiration, and Energy!!!! The Store is Amazing, and they are just setting for Christmas! It truly is like a 'Wonderland'.... But it always is.... Steph was back from doing, yet another Fabric Show... Check out their blogs, they are followers... I think some folks are a little jealous, of Steph... All they see is the finished projects... She does it ALL! All the horrible 'grunt' work, she works harder than any man I know,( what am I saying, any five men, put together!} lifts, lugs, juggles 4 children, a husband, bucks heads with the staff, who 'simply does not have her vision'... Sometimes the negativity from others, wears you down, more than unloading and loading of a 26 foot Penske...{ which she does, almost single handedly, on a regular basis...} She squeezes 40 hours into a 24 hour day, every day... She gets it honestly, her Mother, Patty, is the very same way... I love these Girls... They knock my socks off, every time I breeze through the door!
I rushed through the Amana's, then headed back to my store, to meet with a friend, then remembered the Show in Monticello... Crap! I really needed to check out that show! Sweet Polly, was set up there, and I wanted to see what she had brought in... I bailed in the truck and ran! It was a cute show, and I found some cool Christmas stuff, and 2 beautiful punch bowls, that I have orders for, I ran into soo many friends there, Dave and Tammy, I always love their 'sales', they were shopping the show, and having a good time! Connie B. always has big hugs, and great stuff, Carol T. and the Boys from Winds Reach, in Urbana, Iowa, had beautiful refinished furniture... They were a blessing, to so many flood victims, and saved countless pieces, from the landfill. Sweet Polly, greeted me, with her wonderful 'bear hug', and we had a nice visit. I stopped at Whiffle Tree Antique Mall, in Monticello, found a few treasures, headed to the grocery store, then over to the kids' new home, { it was darling... all set up, they looked like they have lived there forever... The old house has truly embraced them...} and finally, my home... 200 miles, in an afternoon... what a day!
Today, I'm making deliveries, the marble founts are sold, as well as Saint Teresa. { I called her Mary...My mistake...} Then I'm headed for Illinois... I called a gal, who has some wonderful Christmas stuff, and she is setting it back for me! Ya Hoo! I need a bath, so in the tub, I'm headed. I'll give you a report, on my 'gatherings' tomorrow!
Barb C.

The 'Happy' Scare Crow...

Liz just cracks me up! So 'spur of the moment'...dare I say, she flies by the seat of her pants... {wonder where she gets that from...}

The Scare Crow...

Rescued Mary...

Jeff and Nichole brought me out Mary, and 2 solid Marble Holy Water Founts, today... They came from a church in southern Iowa, that was torn down 25 years ago... They have been locked away, in a semi trailer, all those years... Mary's beautiful glass eyes, I am sure, were glad to see the light of day... Her paint is chipping, and almost gone, but She still has a lot of Soul...

A 'God' Thing...

You know, once you see things...you really do... I was so blessed, with a call today, from my friends Jeff and Nichole... They don't call often, we collect entirely different things, way different! The call was really cool, Jeff said, I saw these things at an auction today, and it was a 'God' thing... I knew I had to call you... hmmm. Then my daughter, Liz popped out, wanted me to do her 'face' and costume, tonight,{ Liz decided this, at 4:00 today...} she wanted to be a 'Scare Crow', like the one in the 'Wizard of Oz', {her favorite, all time movie... like me with'Gone With the Wind!} I couldn't remember what he looked like, so we got on the computer, and here is 'Over the Rainbow' playing.... Ya know, I had written earlier today, about 'Rainbows'... It truly is a 'God' Thing....

Barb C.

The Kids' House has Closed....

I know I have been kind of 'weird', for the past several months... Those that know me well, know I am just plain 'weird', all of the time... My life, it seems has been a Major 'roller coaster' ride, for really, the last 3 years... I attribute this, to my growing Faith... I know that seems strange.... But with every swoop, and dramatic, weightless drop...have also come blessings...immeasurable blessings... Now I could stand here, and list every hard blow, one by one, but what does it really matter... The point I am trying to make is this...With every hard knock, so comes a blessing... If you open your eyes, and look for them, even tho you may be hurting, or even crushed... Don't let those dark moments, steal your joy... You may suffer financial difficulties, betrayals, loss of a loved one, poor health and even loss of self.... Don't give up... I have learned, for everything, there truly is a season... When enduring raging storms, it is very difficult, to see the glimpse of a rainbow...It is there... {it may be in the opposite direction, that we have been focusing on, and come from a place you never would have dreamed... just as quickly as the disappointments, also attacked, in a split second, from places you never could have imagined...} We must have patience, and Faith...} The important thing to remember is, keep moving... I can not tell you, how many times, I wanted to do nothing more, than sit in the recliner, eat M&Ms, and channel surf, for my true friend, Sponge Bob... I made myself move...and every time I felt I was a my lowest point, I would receive a call from a friend, or receive an encouraging comment, on my blog, or even meet a stranger, who would give me the message I needed to hear... I swear by 'Streams in the Desert', it has carried me through, by teaching me to 'see' these blessings, more and more...everything truly happens for a reason...
This 'house' journey, has been a real walk with God... I have struggled with so many emotions, this entire summer, well, it all seems like a blurr...I feel like a student, who has just graduated, after a long, long session. I believe I see many things more clearly, and have grown a lot.
For a while, this summer, I felt as tho, my house was built on shifting sand... and the strong columns, I reached out to cling to, were crumbling at my feet... As I stood there patiently, and bewildered, the Lord truly opened my eyes... what a huge blessing... I now know which Column will stand, through it all.
The Kids are moving into THEIR new home, today...Baby due, any minute... An old friend, once told me, " God is never late..." I knew this all along... When I turned it all over to God...He put everything into the correct hands, ones that are truly beyond reproach....
The Kids have started their own journey, now.... It's for them to make or break... We all have a road we must walk, and endure many painful situations. Without them, well, I'll say it again, "It's the weights on the Old Grandfather Clock, that make it go...", and the most beautiful roses, would never be as grand, without some pretty severe pruning... Life has some painful circumstances, but if you never endure them, you could not grow, into the best you can be...
I thank God, for all the rocky roads he has sent my way. {my feet are getting pretty tuff}
My mind's a little foggy, { life has truly been intense, for sometime...} I think the most baffling thing, has been the enlightenment... all I can say is WOW...Maybe all the 'hard knocks' were the blessings...
{ I don't belong to any organized religion, as you see, I believe in God, and speak to Him throughout the day... He has carried me... and continues to do so... I slip and fall, make lots of mistakes, smoke, drink too much wine, occasionally, and stand on my 'soap boxes' more than I should... I wish the best for all, and pray for those who are enduring a crooked path...and have faith, that they too will see the Rainbow...}
Barb C.

To Lori {altered glass}

Sweet Lori 'Boo-ed' me on her blog... how sweet that talented little soul is...I love this blog...I have met soo many wonderful spirits here... They have listened, supported, encouraged, and fed my spirit. Lori has asked me to name some of my favorite blogger Buds... Just look at who I follow... I love them all, for so many reasons... If you go to their blogs, I think you will understand...
Barb C.

Good Folks...

In the center, is my dear friend, John...on the left, his Mother, Jan, and right, his Darling Sister, Kay... The came for an afternoon stroll, through the disaster area,{my shop} and we had a nice visit... I have known John, for many years...and a kinder, gentler soul, you will never find... He used to own a wonderful Steakhouse, in Cedar Rapids, and was struck down, with a virus, that attacked his heart... We nearly lost him... He could no longer run the Steakhouse, it took him a long, long time to recover... He does woodworking, and carpentry, now... or did... When he jumped out of his pick up, I noticed he was wearing boots... ah, no, a boot... a walking cast... He was helping his Dad, early this spring, up high on a ladder, fell, his leg was caught in the ladder, he didn't know it, until he stood up, that the bones in his leg, went through his flesh, and straight into the ground... it was a horrific, compound fracture... He was sent to Iowa City, and they saved his leg... The doctors said, with this kind of a break, it usually calls for an amputation... Oh my.... Does John complain... Nope... Always a smile, on this kind Mans face...What a Guy...
His Sister, Kay, is also in the restaurant business. I have got to get to one of them! Her specialty is Home Made Pies.... She has one restaurant, "Country Junction", in Dyersville, Iowa, and one in Independence, Iowa, "Homestead"... I can't wait! She decorates them with 'Family' Antiques, as well as fun treasures she finds, out and about! I don't get up that way much, these days, but I intend to take a 'road trip' soon, just to sample some pie! She says everything is 'home cooked', and that sounds wonderful to me... I spend so much time on the road, fast food, simply doesn't cut it... The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, their Mom, Jan seemed to have a good time diggin' around the Shop, and harvested one of my favorite 'potato mashers'. I use one just like it, at home, it's about 100 years old, and I have never found one that works better!
It was really good to see them... John is so inspiring... I whine and complain, about a 'tweaked' back, and you would never hear a peep out of John...Priceless.
'til next time,
Barb C.

Cool Stuff! {Gears are Turnin'!}

I was blessed with some fun, Gnarly stuff today! The Fountain arrived early this morning....Nope, it's not 100 years old, and not even concrete! But the look, oh yea... and it's about 30 years old, and is fiber glass, so it could be a wonderful mascot, at shows!!!! The cool Light Post, is also around 30 or so years old, and is joined by 2 others, so there are a set of 3, they came from a restaurant, in Cedar Rapids... Perfect for the Greenhouse! And Christmas! What fun all of these gatherings will be for the Holidays! The fountain would be AMAZING filled with greenery and Ornaments!!!! The Fun Never Ends!!!
Barb C.

Oh, My Polly...Who Could Stay Mad...

My Polly, she is such a sweetie, but one big 80 pound ball of muscle! When she says 'Go!', you go...and so goes your back! {she thinks she's human, french, windsor, or wing back...they all belong to Polly...}

Oh, my aching back...

I am on the 'gimpy' side today... I let Polly out, yesterday morning, put her on a leash, for a walk, and she was soo excited, she spun me around, and I really wrenched by back... It wasn't too bad, til I attempted to get up this morning.... I popped the 'Antiquer's Dream Pill' {Aleve} right away, and hope it will take hold soon....{ I can't go up and down stairs, or hardly walk....} I can't believe, after all the concrete, and massive furniture, I lug around, all it takes is a twist, to bring me to my knees! I had John put the coverlets up, to get pics, this morning...{He was overjoyed...} A gal from Michigan called, and inquired about them... hope this answers her question. I went to Amana, yesterday, and looked at one dated 1835, in Mustard, Red and Blue... I'm waiting on a price. I received a call, from Steve, who has 'Urban Country', in CA. I was in Iowa City, so they are going to pop in today, on their way to Chicago... These Guys are the Coolest Cats! They set up in Nashville, too, and are a riot! They have some very 'Funky' stuff! I can't wait to see them! {if I can make it to the shop...}
I'm going to go soak in the tub, and see if I can get loosened up...
'til next time,
Barb C.

Beautiful 'Blue and White' Coverlet {click on image, to enlarge}

This Coverlet is quite old, but not dated. It is seamed down the middle, and condition is very good.... It has good weight to it, and comes from this area. I bought it a while back, from my friend, Carolyn A., she had picked it up at a Sale, in Cedar Rapids. The Coverlet is nicely done, and the seam is almost invisible. It has a little fringe wear, but over all, the Coverlet is very nice!

1845 Blue and White Coverlet...

I purchased this Old Darling, from my friend, Lois, at the Midwest Show. It grabbed me by the arm, as I was visiting Chery and Lois... It truly has a lot of 'soul', and has been used much, it has seen a lot of life, in it's 164 years... It is quite worn, and even has a few holes. { I don't want to know what I will look like, when I reach 164...} I have written, how some things just 'speak' to me... well this Old Coverlet truly whispered in my ear...

1868 'Hail Columbia' Coverlet...

This coverlet is quite dramatic... It has 'Columbia' herself, in every inner corner, with a banner, that reads "Hail Columbia", with the date 1868, just under the building... It has a few dark spots, on the 'red' side, that is only in the red wool, and doesn't blend into the white wool... so it must have been in the red, from day one, not a later stain... It must be seamed, because it has a mirror immage... I can not see a seam. I thought it could be connected with the Columbia Worlds Fair, but is about 30 years too early... I believe it to be American, and all the flags look like ours... I love it, and it is in very good condition.

Thankful...for the things, that didn't sell...

The booth sold like crazy... I am so very thankful, however for what did not. I put many personal things, on the altar... to be sacrificed, for the sake of helping others, and feeding my family...For the moment, I'll get to enjoy them, a little longer. Blessings....

The 'Midwest Show' Story...

Oh my.... where do I begin.... I don't know where to start... On Saturday, well my fire just wasn't burnin'...I have done so many shows, lately, that I think I'm just a little burned out...I had commented, to my friend Bud, I just didn't have any more to give... I received a call, around 9:30 Saturday morning, that my cool green table, the anchor for the booth, was sold... {set up at noon} I didn't have anything else ready to go, didn't have twigs cut for the Amana trees, didn't have totes packed...didn't have....didn't have.... didn't have.... I recalled a wonderful primitive 10 and a half foot table, that my friend Cindy B. had at her store "Smokehouse Square Antique Mall" in Amana, got her on the phone, she let me take it, and had it ready, and waiting, outside when I landed the truck, at her store! What a Gal! I spied some evergreens, along the highway, on the way back home, gave them a quick trim, {bare handed, my hands will never be the same!}{ in 'Gone with the Wind', they say you can always tell a lady by her hands... I guess I'm out of the running!} All last week, I was positively sure, that I didn't have one cool thing left, to sell at this Amazing Show... Shame on me... I was lacking confidence, and you know where that comes from... As I was cleaning and getting things prepared for the show, it was like reuniting with a dear, old friend... And the friend was asking, "Don't you believe in me anymore? You aren't really buying into what other people say, are you?" So as I was struggling with my own inadequacies, I was pushing as hard as I could, to get everything done, and loaded... I normally take 12 to 20 totes of smalls, to a show...I took 3.... As everyone tells you, furniture is not selling, load heavy on smalls... My load consisted or primarily 'bigs'...{ I sold 70% of what I took...} The booth was thrown together, I overslept, Sunday morning, Mark had to double back, to pick me up....Oh yea, I was running with 3 legs, and tripping over them all...
But the Show was Awesome..... I saw soo many friends, I hardly had time to write tickets! It was hugs and kisses from everyone! Our booth was over run, and soooo many people absolutely loved it... Mark and I were in shock... I have never done this show, but people I didn't know, knew me, or should I say the booth... " Do you set up in Minnesota???" Yes, We do... " I knew it, I would know this look anywhere!", I love your booth at 'Gold Rush'! Again and again, we heard this... Several folks were disappointed, something they had wanted earlier, was now gone, not because they had to think about it, they couldn't get in our booth, it was full of people! Amazing...
We had many, many folks say, this was the Best 'Midwest Show', they have ever attended...The Show was absolutely Stunning. It was every bit as good as 'Heart of Country', in Nashville... {and if you don't know that show...I will tell you, I do... I have done it 12 times, and that is a Huge Feather, in any Show Promoter's Cap...} { I just visited with Tom Van Deest, one of the promoters, to find out what the attendance was, he said it was over a 1000, and people flew in from all over the country, and many that drove, came from long distances... He was very appreciative of all the vendors, and agreed with the customers, this was one Amazing Show!}
The phone has been ringing off the hook, with 'well wishers', wanting to know how it went. It went perfectly.... {and no one is more in shock, than me....} I stood there...in total disbelief... I even had folks telling me, all day, that 'I' looked great, and that I clean up pretty well, one of my favorite customers, Gloria, even called this morning, to tell me her husband said, my husband, John had better not let me out of his sight...I'm looking pretty good} O.K. Now I get it...There was Truly a Hand of God, in all of this... but I always thought He made the Blind Man 'See', not the other way around.... I can not tell you, what a wonderful experience the Midwest Show was... All the Promoters were wonderful, all the vendors were wonderful, all of our neighbors were great, and the customers... well, they were all Angels... I tear up, as I'm writing this...really...
I put this show, in Gods hands... He knows the trials of this year... With all of my stumbling, and fumbling, He carried me...{and I'm not a little girl....} My 'blessings' came from every angle, just as the 'trials', have also come, from every direction...Where would I be, without my Faith... I admit, I wavered a lot, this past year... but still held on...When I read, today, in my 'Streams in the Desert', " Afflictions are often the dark settings, God uses to mount the jewels of His children's gifts, causing them to shine even brighter." It rang true... It's just having the Faith, to totally understand that, when we endure the Mountains, that lay ahead....
Was this the best show I have ever done...Yes and no... Monetarily, No.{ I brought very little..} Spiritually, Yes.... and how do you put a price on that... If I put a tag on it, it would read...Priceless....
Thank You, to all my friends, and many blog readers, who attended the show. Thank You for the kind words, hugs and kisses, for your purchases, and encouragement. You are all 'Priceless'...
'til next time,
Barb C.

Our Booth...

I will be writing a detailed account of the show, later today!

Beautiful Doves and Stand Sold!

Amana Christmas Tree...1 left!

Our Booth...

We had an Amazing Show!

A Beautiful Show...Midwest and Collectors Eye....

Well...The Booth is Set...

It was like 'Old Home Week'! I didn't realize how many folks I know, that set up at the Midwest Show! Wow! And is it ever Amazing! SSSSooooo Many Wonderful Things.... I'll try and get images in the morn! My little Trees are all done, very sweet! The booth is quite sparse, for me, but everyone seemed to really like it! Liz and John, were a mighty big help, and Mark's Dad, also helped out a lot! I have to price things, in the morn. I'm hitting the sack early,
Hope to see ya!
Barb C.

Amazing Log Cabin Quilt, from my private collection...

I have all of the documentation on this quilt... It was registered with the Iowa State Historical Museum, in 1988. It is documented that it was made by Sophia Barnhart Arnold, around 1840.{ wife of Captain Edward Arnold {Civil War} related to Benedict} It hails from the same county in Southern Iowa, where my Dad was born and raised, 'Lucas', this is why I have kept it... This was sold by one of her family members. I will have all the documents, furnished me, with...

This quilt is wonderful... in the top corner, it has a 15 patch... the backing will knock your socks off. I decided to pull this wonderful, old friend, just this morning, from my and Ed's Favorite cupboard, I haven't priced this piece yet, it will not be cheap.... It will be Fair.... A Quilt with this much documentation, is Rare.... It has complete history of every home it has lived in, since it's birth... Amazing...

I have pulled Great Musical Trees, from my own Collection!

One of these is 18 inches tall... hard to find...

Small Stack, the Bigg'ins, are at the Store, I will have them from 7 to 20 inches

Up Early!

I have got a million things to do this morning...I was sluff'in off too much this week... We have most of the Amana furniture ready to roll, and it is beautiful... I Love the simple way they created things... yet with wonderful craftmanship, that has withstood 100 plus years, and will go another 100... It has been my pleasure, bathing and spiffin' it up! I will be gathering smalls, and getting everything loaded this morning...{too wet to load yesterday!}
Hope to see you at the show!
Barb C.

Green Table...Ready to Go!

Amana Wooden Wash Tub....Ready to Go!

The Old Dog...

I bought this old painting, at an estate sale, in Mt.Vernon, Iowa, last year. It hangs on my, and Ed's favorite cupboard, in my house. This painting reminds me of the 2 nights, I slept outside, one night in my little Ford, and the next on the porch, of the Grand Victorian Home, with friends, laughing and carrying on...{ I'm surprised we weren't all arrested!} {I was number one...don't dare me, if you don't want it done...}
Every time I look at it, fond memories fill my soul...But the real meaning, of this painting, reminds me of all the wonderful Hounds that have shared my life... It is a Grand Memorial, to the Unconditional Love, I have been so very Blessed with... I see them in Heaven, resting, waiting, at my Fathers feet, surrounded by a warm, glowing fireplace, until I may come join them.
Barb C.

A Masterpiece...

I spent the day yesterday, from pillar to post. Carolyn A. brought me out a beautiful, huge Ironstone Platter, to add to the stack I am building. I worked on a few pieces, got wet, and cold... Came in for a bowl of soup, sat down in the recliner, for a minute....and fell fast a sleep...
I don't nap... but I did for a little while...must have needed it... I am going to get the truck loaded today, we set up tomorrow afternoon. I will pack smalls, and might pull some Staffordshire out of the house... I don't want to, but those darned bills keep rollin' in! I can't wait to see the 'Amana Christmas Trees', all displayed out...I am keeping one for myself, I can't help it! I am going to dig, and find the absolute perfect, teeny, tiny ornaments for them...I'll keep it simple, yet elegant.
I have quite a few smalls, and am not sure, yet, how I will be displaying them. I'm sure it will come to me. It seems like, when all of my favorite things are all gathered together, they kind of just fall into the perfect place... People say I have a knack, for display...they give me way too much credit...it's all about the 'stuff'.... When it's given the opportunity to dance, it puts on a pretty good show!
I read Lori's post today {altered glass} and it really brought me out of my slump...if you have a minute, watch her u-tube piece... It got me thinkin' about the word 'junk', God doesn't make 'junk'... I refer to my stuff as junk, sometimes, but there's a story with that...Do I think it's 'junk'...oh no... in fact, it's the total opposite. I love the things, most people consider 'junk', { animals, and people too} Remember, when I said, my Father gave me the wonderful gift of seeing good in things, like the sickliest day old calf, or the 'once loved' old pony, or the gray muzzled, old dog, and the rusty old truck, that the farmer, long ago gave up on, and parked out in the field, to let rust away...Until my Dad walked out, into the field, with a battery, and some rusty wire, got'er goin', and we drove'r home... You see, there is no 'junk', if we learn to see the good in all... It's glorious beauty is there, and more beautiful than words could ever express. I try and show people that, when I bring this 'junk' home... What I gather, are the pieces with real soul, the survivors, that express warmth, with all the years of experience, and endurance that have withstood, in pride, the crooked journeys that life has dealt... You see, God doesn't make 'junk'... We are all a Masterpiece.... and without the journey, the canvas would remain blank...
'til next time,
Barb C.

Cool Vintage Paper Fold Out Nativity from an East Amana Home

A Partial Listing of Gatherings...

Cool old Chest! I don't normally purchase 1920's furniture, but when I spied this unusual piece, at a sale a while back, I had to buy it! It is sooo cool, with the curved top, and after John worked is Magic, on the surface, Wow! It is a Sweetie! I will put this in the store, next week!
I had a minor 'melt down', yesterday, but am now moving foreword... I am excited about the Midwest Show, and have been polishing up all the treasures I will be taking! Here's a short list:

1830's Cherry Chest of Drawers
1890's Pine Amana Standing Desk, with original Red Surface {From an Amana Store}
1880's Pine Amana Bench {constructed with 18 inch pine boards and Original Red Surface}
1890's Pine Amana Cupboard, Single Door, with Homestead, Iowa, written on the inside { Brown Paint, 50 inches tall, 30 inches wide, 20 inches deep}
1880's Pine Amana Cupboard, Jelly Cupboard size, with original Black Wash, 2 doors over 2 drawers...{ this is an unusual cupboard, nice petite size}
1890's Pine 2 board top 10 foot long, 24 inches wide, 6 legged Store Table,{painted old Green, petite tapered legs, top has a gallery} from Monticello, Iowa Estate.
2, 1870's Amana Christmas Trees { these are constructed from Amana Quilt Stands, and You put Live Evergreen in them}
2 1870's Multi-Paned Arched Windows
Several Victorian Crazy Quilts { gathered recently}
Taxidermied Pheasant
Late 1700's to Early 1800's Tea Caddy
Pine Dovetailed Candle Box
Late 1800's concrete urns {with Gnarly surface}
Red and Green Folk Art House
5 foot Tall, Painted White, Octagon, Footed Pedestal
1860's Pennsylvania 12 Tin Pie Safe { as found, very Gnarly and wonderful! This will be it's last show...}

Note: If you are not familiar with 'Amana Colonies',{ a German Settlement} I like to say they were somewhat like the Shakers, they settled here in the mid 1800's, in seven villages, they lived a 'communal life'. Ate together daily, at the Communal Kitchen, at each village, and every family had their own duties for the community, it all ended in the 1930's. These wonderful old pieces are getting few and far between... When they are gone, they are gone... I have kept a few things for myself, and I know they are a great investment. { and wonderful fragments of our Early Iowa Heritage!}

This is what I can pull from the top of my head... I will also be gathering up some Christmas pieces, textiles, paper items, and whatever sticks to me, as I am walking out the door! There will be nothing priced over 600.00, that belongs to me.
The Store Will be open, and I can always be reached on my cell. I am excited to be a part of this show, and am looking foreword to seeing everyone! The booth will be facing the Back Wall, and listed under Mark Nutt, 'Nutt's about Antiques'. Mark is bringing mainly smalls, but is fronting the booth with a fabulous Arched Entry Way, it will be Beautiful! I know we will do the best we can!
Hope to see ya!
Barb C.

A Pair of Cool Curved Top Windows...And a Great Day!

If I would have written this around 3:00 today, it would have been an interesting story, about my travels to Amana, and a great time with my pal Bud, from Renate's. He had just gotten in some early 'Amana' furniture, and invited me down to take a peek! I had a great time, and harvested a wonderful load, for the Midwest Show! What transpired after 3, that was amazing... I called a man, that had these cool windows for sale, he is from Fairfield, Iowa, and was coming to Iowa City, and we hooked up at a gas station, around 4:00, so I could see them... three and a half hours later, we finally looked at the windows that were in the back of his truck... We stood in the cold, just talking... about what you ask... Everything... Everything from antiques, religion,ghosts, politics, people, attitudes, women's lib, cars, relationships,.... When I say everything, I mean Everything.... The philosophy that was flowing, was amazing... What a Cool Cat... Oh yea, we talked about cats and dogs, horses, men and women, and how we relate.... oh my... He is into Transcendental Meditation, and has practiced this for 30 years... I have never had the opportunity to visit with someone who practices this, concerning this. It was very enlightening. He said I should try and meditate, I laughed, I said o.k., in those spare 3 seconds I have each day, I'll give it a whirl... He was an amazing man.
I have studied with many religions, over the last 40 years, when I was a child, I took myself to church, the Oakland Church of the Nazarene, in Cedar Rapids, I have set in with the Baptists, Catholics, and Jehovah's Witnesses. I have visited with Muslims, have friends that are Amish, and Mennonite, in fact, I have friends who are Atheists... I have seen people speak in tongues, and witnessed some very interesting activities. I have never joined any organized religion, however, I respect and appreciate them all. I do my visiting with God, many times a day, He has helped me through this journey, called life... Is there a right or wrong...not for me to say, or judge. I walk a path, doing the best I can, and stumbling a lot... The first stone... I'll leave that to someone else...I am just so thankful to have the opportunity to share thoughts with others, and have one more day to do it... and just breathe...
This kind, gentle, and extremely intelligent man, left me with the feeling, that we are not very different in our beliefs, it truly is all about doing the right thing... Remember those Ten Commandments... oh yea, they speak loud and clear, across religions...{ maybe phrased a little different, but still shining through} We are all truly on a journey, and we all learn at our own pace, everything has it's season, there are no coincidences on this journey, we just need to put the 'dot's' together... Make sense? Well it did while we were standing in the cold....
Enough... I loved the windows...{ that decision took me all of a second...} and made a new friend...
Barb C.

Amana Cupboard, and Desk, and a Gnarly Old Amana Bench!

Wonderful, Old, Old Wooden, 'Amana' Wash Tub {with Great Old Paint!}

Huge 'Amana' Dough Board...

A Very Cool Load!

What an interesting day... Started out with calling a friend, Pam, who is closing her wonderful store, in Monticello, Iowa, and starting a new venture, in the Music Industry... How cool is that... We will all miss her store, but I can't wait to come 'Jam' with them! She needed some gnarly old chairs, I needed some cool junk... So I threw a bunch of chairs on the truck, and away I went... Ah, about 20 miles...until... my left front wheel decided it was time for a rest... It sounded like I had a bunch of wire wrapped around the axle, and lots of clunking and grinding....not good... I pulled over, climbed underneath, couldn't see anything out of place, backed it up, cut the wheels, to the right, and then left, climbing under, and checking axle joints, nothing....Called John, no answer, called my son, he said he would come, but I Really want him to get his hours in... with sooo much rain, his paycheck has been mighty slim... called John, again, no answer, I was getting pretty perturbed, that I couldn't get a hold of John, { he can be right next to the phone, and let it ring... GRRRR} I had no phone book, so I called my wonderful friends at the Bank, in Fairfax, and they gave me our friend, Marks number, who does all of our major mechanical work... I explained what had happened, my fears, that this could be a gear, in the transfer case, or something to do with the 4 wheel drive unit, or axle joint, his reply was, Hmmmm. Well, any damage that has been done, is done, I'd limp it on home... So with emergency flashers goin, I started creeping back home... I drove about 7 miles, and my wheel was wobbling, and I could here internal noises, like I have never heard before in my life, {I have a lot of experience with noises on vehicles....}{ called John, no answer} I was getting pretty nervous, that I may loose that wheel... So I called Mark back, 'Hey, you don't think I could loose this wheel, do ya?", "Well, I suppose it's possible...The bolt on the axle should keep it in place..." Not much reassurance... I told him, if he would happen to see my husband.... well, tell him to call.... Just then he said, "Speak of the devil..." I asked him to please put him on... He headed my way, I kept rollin, easy, and missed him en-route, we met up at home...{ I swear when these little Ford's have issues, some how, they always get you home...} John said, " Now don't be mad at the Truck, it's our fault, for not fixing that wheel bearing when it started making noise..." I am not mad at the Truck, it got me home, and I truly hope it is only a wheel bearing...{ it sounds a lot more serious than a bearing...} But, Old Faithful,{the baby truck} was ready to go! The Little Ford was more than happy to carry the load of chairs to Pam, and I loved taking it for a trip! What is it about old reliable four wheeled friends? I stopped to fill'er up, grabbed my favorite lunch, a Snowball, and Snickers, with a Coke, and away we went! I turned on the radio, to hear my favorite new song, "I'm Alive", by Kenny Chesney, and a big smile came over my whole body.... I'm alive, and well...
Made my 120 mile trip, in no time flat, the Little Ford seemed to be singin'! Spent several hours with Pam, and harvested some COOL STUFF! { a 10 foot, 6 legged, Country Store table, with great, old green paint, and a cool, trim moulding around the 2 board top, from the early 1900's, a huge floor grate, a tin dough bowl, some beautiful silver plate pieces, a lightning rod ball, and stand, some old tin coving pieces, some sweet little stools, and a bunch more! It was a great day, considering how it started out!
I am alive, and well... I just hope the Ford will be o.k.
I visited with Steph and Patty, {Fern Hill} they did a quilt show in Houston, Texas, and stayed the night with my friend, Ed, on their way home, in Brenham, Texas... They were blown away by their store, Leftovers, and had a wonderful visit! They blew the Doors off of the Houston Show, and are really pumped, with all of the new clients they attracted, from all over the world!
I am supposed to be on the road, again today, but it was going to be a long haul, and I don't know if I'll go...I'll see which way the wind is blowin' when I stepout the door...
See Ya,
Barb C.

Fun Stuff from Pam, in Monticello!

Lovely Remembrance Immage...

A Ray of Sunshine...

As I was sippin' my brew this morning, I looked up, at the Old Martin House, that sits precariously on a cream separator stand, in my dining room window...It truly is my 'dream house'. I have driven past many old farm houses, that are falling into disrepair, and wish I could take them home with me. This one was the size I could manage. Sometimes, I just sit and dream, gazing at the old house, what I might do with it, if it were my size, and not a cool old house for very lucky birds... It has 21 rooms, with a summer kitchen, on the south side...I wonder if this old house was modeled after a real house...I have had doll houses, that were replica's of the home they were constructed in... Wonder if it is still standing, somewhere, here in Iowa? Oh, what fun it would be decorating this Old Gem... Rope Beds, Primitive, old painted Cupboards, Braided Rugs, Gnarly Fireplace Mantels, a Wonderful old Harvest Table, surrounded by a group of miss matched old Plank Seat Chairs, and a Gnarly Huge Wooden Bowl, in the center, filled with whatever was picked out of the garden....Oh my...
Well, enough of that... I don't know what my plans are for today, I need to go visit Mark, and decide what to take to the Midwest Show, next Sunday. If you haven't checked out their web site, do. It's very cool! {midwestantiqueshow.com} I am plugging away on the South Green House... It's coming along... I'll have images, of before and after, when I get'er done!
Barb C.

This is my 'dreamhouse'....

Grace...

I know I should keep the blog, light and warm and fuzzy. But that isn't really honest... Life isn't always 'warm and fuzzy', and after thinking about it, I am thankful, for those very difficult times.
God's most beautiful jewels are often delivered in rough packages, by very difficult people, and circumstances.
We must trust in the Lord through the darkness, and honor Him with unwavering confidence even in the midst of difficult situations. The reward of this kind of faith will be like that of an eagle shedding its feathers is said to receive- a renewed sense of youth and strength.

I read parts of this, this morning, after visiting with a friend, who is enduring some rather immense difficulties, yet be overwhelmingly blessed at the same time... I went straight to my Streams in the Desert, and read this.{ the above paragraph} When I look back on my life, it is so true. When you are brought down to your knees, maybe that is exactly where you need to be. It is important to recognize these situations, and handle them with Grace...then hand them over to God...{something I am still working on...}I always refer to the Old Grandfather Clock, without the heavy weights, it would be nothing, but a useless piece of furniture, and never be able to do the important job, it was created for...

Keep forging ahead, you are never alone, those weights are there to make you strong, and you wouldn't have been blessed with them, if you were not worthy of them...
Barb C.

The Lone Daisy...

As I was walking into the house, this morning, I saw this Lone Daisy, leaning over the side of an urn...We have had unseasonably cold weather, this Fall, and several frosts. The Daisy is holding on, she looks a little tuff, but I can still see a little hint of summer, in her bright yellow face... An image I'm sure I'll reflect on, when the snow falls... Hang in there Baby...

What a Mess...poor old clematis...

Clematis...oh my...

My friend, Brandon, popped in yesterday afternoon, and, well...I think he thought I had lost my mind... We discussed taking photo's of the carnage, but I simply could not bring myself to sharing the destruction with you.... Words nor image, could ever describe the annihilation, of the once beautiful, South Green House... Tho the images would be perfect, for a Halloween Horror Flick... Ah, Really....Brandon raised an eyebrow, when I said I could have it pulled together in a week...But then gave me reassurance, that he knew I could do it...{while choking on all the dust, rolling off the dead Clematis...} It was really quite therapeutic, ripping the huge mounds of twisted vines, that had made their way through the glass roof, down to the floor... ah, frustrations... But then speaking to them, with kind, hopefulness, that I have not killed them...Yikes! A Green Thumb, I ain't! Brandon just stood there, wondering how the heck he was going to get out the door, with this 'Mad Woman',{ with a knife, and very sharp scissors in hand} and huge piles of Clematis, between him and the door...Well, he couldn't, not before I enlisted him, into helping me take a big corner cupboard into the store, and helping me decide where to go with the stuff, where the corner cupboard's destination was going to be, and then helping me decide where to put the stuff, that had occupied that spot, well... it's a bit confusing, he was a good sport, and we had a few laughs... We are much alike...we set interesting displays, very meticulous, we are known for being on the 'slow side', but it's all about the details... Every little teeny tiny thing...in it's perfect little place...{and don't mess with it until we are finished...} He is an amazing young man... I watch him, while he shops, and can literally see the wheels turning...Brandon is very quiet, but he oozes an artistic aura, and is truly brilliant, with his creativity... We are both perfectionists, tho most people wouldn't see it in me, {it's all in my head... I'm a sick person} but in Brandon, it is plain as day... Just thinking about it, Brandon is really the only person I know, who really understands my illness... I have known him for years, but our visit yesterday confirmed it, we clicked...My Lord, there are two people on Earth, that totally understand each other... It's like living in a foreign country, not able to speak the language, then someone walks through the door, that you can totally communicate with... What a revelation! { we'd kill each other at a show...}
Well, onward and upward, I shall get'er done... Brandon has faith, and so do I...
Barb C.

Re-Doing...

I am working on re-setting the front Green House today. The wild growth of Clematis, has really taken over! I am tackling it from the front to back, and removing all wooden furniture, and will be putting in all concrete and Garden pieces... We have had sooo much rain, and wet, that everything is waterlogged. I hope I don't kill off the Fall Clematis, but it truly is like a jungle! I'm excited to see what the Green House will evolve into.
I spent the afternoon, Wednesday, in Mt.Vernon, and checked out a cool fountain, that Polly had just brought in. I really liked it, but until I can get everything situated, I don't want to bring something that large home... If it's still available, in a couple of weeks, then I should be able to find a place for it! I ran into my friend, John, at Polly's, and it was wonderful hearing about his trip to New England. I could see in his face, how much he enjoyed it, and was already wishing he was still there. John has a wonderful booth at 'First Brick' antique shop, and I always love his stuff! He deals in late 1700's to mid 1800's pieces, and has a wonderful eye. All the dealers there have great stuff, and I really enjoy seeing what new treasures they bring in! Ann, the owner has a wonderful restaurant, on the main floor, and always treats me with something yummy! Her home made short bread, is to die for!
But today, back to work... and times a wasting!
Barb C.

The Missouri Gals!

Brenda, Judy, Jean and Blogger Pal Jan! These Gals were a breath of fresh air, and sooo Fun! I hope they enjoyed their trip, as much as I enjoyed them!

I think I can!!!

Oh Yea, they got'er all in! They probably had to hold their breath, all the way home, but who hasn't on a great 'Road Trip'! I was sooo happy to meet Jan,{summersundays} she is as sweet and gentle { and accepting of my menagerie} as her delightful blog... Her sisters, Jean and Judy, and friend Brenda, were absolutly wonderful... They made my day! They were headed to the Amana's and to visit Sharon,{sweetrepose} and hit Sister's Garden, and Barntiques. I am sure they had a wonderful time shopping the area. They had stopped in Mt.Vernon, and had a great time at Polly Ann's, {pollyanns} I told them they needed a much bigger truck, and several days, next time!
Polly and I decided we should take a road trip, and visit the Gals! I would LOVE to see their place!
'til next time,
Barb C.

Church Painting...

I picked up this painting, at the Estate Sale last week... I love them, and have had several, over the years. This one is signed, and was done in 1951. I worked in the store, yesterday, and seemed to get nothing done...Friends are stopping in, this afternoon...{ Jan, fellow blogger, {summersundays}YIKES! Well, what will be will be... hope they have an open mind....
Mark had his hand checked, yesterday, and has a great new Doc, he charged him less than 100.00, to get him all fixed up! I'm headed down to the shop, early, and hoping to make a path through!
I'll be posting Midwest Show info. after I make some head way!
Barb C.

'Midwest Show' Bound...

It's sounds like, I may be doing the Wonderful 'Midwest Show', right here, at my own back door. I have been invited, by the promoter's over the years, to do this Awesome Show, but it's only 7 minutes from my store, and is quite a busy weekend, between Vendors and customers travelling through, to shop the show.
I received the call this morning, from my show partner, Mark... His 'real job' is an Auto Glass Installer, he owns his own business, and keeps incredibly busy, travelling all over the country, replacing windows, on site. He does the Midwest Show, twice a year, alone, because I need to stay at the Store. He began our conversation, by saying, " I did a really stupid thing, last night, I was moving about 500 pounds of windshields, on the rack, and they starting falling, and somehow, his hand got in between them and some steel, pinning it, the glass shattered, and several large fragments nearly went through his hand...{from the back side, no less...} It appears there is no nerve damage, nor did he hit a blood vessel. He won't go to the doctor, like us, no health insurance, and this would be a 1000.00, or more. He cleaned it well, and took butterfly bandages, and cinched the wounds up. I have treated many animals, with similar cuts, and gave him my advice...GO TO THE DOCTOR!!! I'm hoping he will at least get a shot of antibiotics, and have it examined. In the mean time, he's out of work, and doesn't feel he'll be able to tackle the show, at the end of the month....and asked me if I would consider taking his booth... I told him, I will help him, he will need the income, and we can share. You may think he will be healed up by then, what people don't understand, is, when you do a show, it takes several days, if not weeks, to get a load together, fixing, cleaning, or even hunting the cool stuff down...not to mention, loading and unloading...and then setting an elaborate booth, climbing, putting up walls, drilling, and lugging... Show's are a huge undertaking... I told him to call my husband, John, and ask him if he could help him with his windshield work...John is a Body Man, and has replaced a lot of glass, I'm sure he will help any way he can.
I will see if my daughter, Liz, can mind the Store, while I'm at the Show. And start putting myself in Show Gear!!! A little over 2 weeks, isn't much time...
If you have never attended the Midwest Show, you must. It is truly the best show, in this area, and reminds me of a smaller version of 'Heart of Country', in Nashville, TN. I always go early in the morning, and shop it, before I open the store, it is such a treat to see the most wonderful Antiques, and Dealers from around the country. The 'Collector's Eye', is a Sister Show, to the Midwest Show, and has a very diverse group of dealers, in the adjoining building. They are only a one day shows, but truly a must see! People from all over the country come to shop these shows, and keep coming back, year after year! I'll be posting the Show details, later, on my calender of events...
'til next time,
Barb C.

Gifts...

I was gifted with this wonderful Chair, from my pal Val! What a sweet surprise! I had the boys bring it in the house, and found a great spot, in my bedroom, beside my bed for it! LOVE IT!!! I sat up, the other night, reading 'Gone with the Wind', in it!{ I've only watched the movie 500 times...or more....} The Vintage Coverlet, is also a gift, from Polly Ann, when Peg and I were at her store, last week, she handed it to me, and said I should do something with it... When I received the chair, I thought the old Coverlet would be beautiful, with it! It is perfect! { and very warm!}
Thanks Gals!

Heart Shaped String Holder... Gotta Love'em!

The Man in the Moon...

I snagged this newer Christmas Ornament, at the Estate Sale, it's very cool, and hand made. I just loved his face....{ hope that missile they sent up to the moon, this week, didn't do any damage to this sweet old man....}

Vintage Jewelry Boxes...

I love these old boxes, and pick them up, when I can... They make wonderful gift boxes, and are beautiful, simply setting on the dresser. The two larger ones, are for a man, and very masculine, but the sweet velvet one... now that's my style!{ I gathered these, from the wonderful estate sale this week}

The Store is Full!

I worked all day, rearranging, to get those 2 wonderful Wing Backs in the shop....Tore everything up, and left it in a mess. But the Wing Backs have found a nice comfortable spot! I decided to quit at 5, yesterday, and not work late, and am taking the day off today...{so far...} I am re-doing the Green House, a huge 12 foot wide store cupboard sold, at the sale, that had been in the Green House, and I have grand plans for the transformation! I am going all Vintage Garden... The Holiday Open House, is coming up, and it will be beautiful, all lit up, for the Holidays! I haven't decided on a date for the open house, yet. It really is more of a 'Customer Appreciation', than anything. I will have a huge amount of Vintage Christmas, so the Store will be bursting at the seams!
Well, I'm going to put my feet up, and hang out with John, today...
Hope everyone has the most wonderful Sunday!
Barb C.

An Awsome Sale!

I am crashing and burning... The miles are finally hitting me in the butt...This entire week, I've been delivering, packing, and hauling...helping friends, that needed a hand, visiting with Bankers and Lawyers, getting groceries and caught up on laundry, so I don't have to choose my cleanest, then second and third cleanest, dirty clothes...My body is sending me little messages, that I must heed... So, Sunday, I think I'll take the entire day off.
I received a call yesterday, while grocery shopping, from my pal Val. She had purchased a Heavy cupboard from me at the sale, and is leaving for Europe, next week, and thought maybe I should bring it over. I think that Cupboard gained 50 pounds, this last week....Some how, she and I got it placed, in her Garden work room, I was really afraid for her, that her little body might break... I said, "Val, I don't want you to get hurt, on this move...you have a wonderful life, and lots to live for... me on the other hand, I'm an old work horse, permanently lame, and can hide a lot of scars with an old flannel shirt, and baggy carpenter jeans...{except for the ones I wore yesterday, they had a big hole in the seat, I warned everyone not to watch me walk away...the sight might leave them scarred for life...}
I was headed home, and remembered a sign I had seen, on my way to Val's, a garage sale sign, I thought I knew how to get to the street I was looking for, from Val's....I got lost, was going in circles, then I saw a sign...ESTATE SALE! This was way off the direction I was supposed to be going, but I guess my Little Ford has a great nose, he took me to the most Amazing Sale! It was a very wealthy estate, the House was unbelievable! It even had an enclosed pool off the kitchen....They had collected beautiful paintings, bronze statues, oriental rugs, fine silver...I was like a kid in a candy store.... This was the second day, and all prices were reduced! The first things I laid eyes on were 3 of the oldest, gnarliest concrete urns..... I asked immediately, if they were for sale, they weren't priced, and yes, they might be....Kate, the gal hosting the sale, called the owner, and after some negotiating, I owned them! Then I spyed two wonderful blue, wing back chairs, very sophisticated, almost sculptural... priced so well, I had to have them! I ran through the sale again and again, making piles, of the coolest stuff! I was like a mouse in a maze.... the helpers kept saying, "are you still here?" Oh yea, I wasn't goin' anywhere!{My friend, Ed, from Texas, called as I was making circles, to tell me how Fab, the 'Princess' sign looked in his kitchen, that he had purchased from me, a while back! He was positively gushing, it had been on the 'Princess Theater', in Des Moines, back in the 1800's, and I had wanted to keep it, but it was about 12 feet long, and 24 inches tall, and wouldn't work where I had wanted it.... I was soo happy that he was sooo happy! We had a great visit, he said that he and Michael, might be up before Christmas, I hope so, they are like food for my Soul. I miss them much, and we really turn it loose when they come rollin' through...}{ Ed always reminds me of my Margarita count, that he had personally witnessed, on one of our 'turn it loose' visits....hey, after 3 or 4, who can count?}
When it came time to load, I loaded one of the urns, myself, it was full of dirt, and lifting a 100 pound urn, 4 feet in the air, with 30 pounds of wet dirt in it, about did me in. So a kind Man working there helped me with the other 2, the chairs, vintage iron fragments, and all the small stuff...thank God...
When I got home, my body hurt sooo bad, that I truly could not move...My body just froze up...I popped some Aleve, and John made supper, and moved the little Ford under cover...He knew I was done... Between all the shows, my sale, loading and unloading, my body said,"ENOUGH!"... Sunday will be my day of rest. When I climbed the stairs, to go to bed,{and not sleep in the recliner, like I have for sooo many nights, lately...} I wondered if I would even be able to get up, in the morning...To my surprise, this old body rose to the occasion. However, I will NOT be open tomorrow...
I will need to pick up some more shows, I know...I was hoping the last 2 would have been a little better, and get me through... So I may be headed for Indiana, with Dale F., in November, and possibly pick up another show, this month. Mark and I are doing one in Anamosa, Iowa, in January, instead of Heart of Country, in February, I may be headed for Texas, Round Top, in March...Everything is up in the air, my mind is spinning....
My Sale was wonderful, considering 3 of the 4 days, it rained. I am so blessed with the most loyal customers, and friends. It simply costs soo much, just to survive these days, that even wonderful, isn't good enough. I know there is a reason, for all this hard work, and finagling, to get by. And, one should never worry, and always have faith...I do, but the Lord helps he, who helps himself...so I'll keep the Faith, and keep twisting, as well... If you have any grand thoughts, I'll listen!
Linda, the gal who stopped in, with her mother, this week, left me with a wonderful quote...
" Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning how to dance in the rain"...... I'll just keep on Dancin'!
'til next time,
Barb C.
p.s. or snow, whatever the case may be... it is snowing like crazy, here this morning...glad I brought all the plants in!

" Is This Heaven?"....Yes... this is Iowa....

I captured this image, at Polly Ann's,{ she is sooo creative} A reader asked where her store is... it is in Mt.Vernon, Iowa. Only 15 minutes east of Cedar Rapids.{Polly has a blog spot, {pollyanns}and is one of my followers, just click on her site, and meet the girl!} All the shops Peg and I visited on Tuesday, were in Mt.Vernon. I kid you not, this Wonderful Eastern Iowa Territory is Loaded with the best Antiquing, Anywhere! I have travelled all over the country, and there is no place like home.... I truly believe, we have an interesting heritage here. When folks settled here, from the east, they planted very deep roots, in the rich, black soil, of Eastern Iowa... They didn't move on, many generations have lived, and stayed here, we are a frugal group. We save everything. We are the first re-purpose'rs, so wonderful things still exist, that folks settled with...We are quite spoiled, and think these treasures are everywhere...not so...We take much for granted, because the antiques are so readily available to us...{not too smart...}
A 60 mile radius of Cedar Rapids, and a couple of days to gather, will fill a Semi, with affordable, wonderful, treasures...I Promise! I would love to take all of my readers on a week long cruise, via Farm Land... You would leave inspired, meet the most wonderful Folks, have all of your partners mad at me, because you had to rent a Penske, to get all of your gatherings home, and at your departure you would ask, "Is this heaven?" my reply, "Yes, this is Iowa..."
'til next time,
Barb C.
p.s. who ever was the writer for that movie,{Field of Dreams} never lived here, and definitely never antiqued here...

Oh No... Oh No...

I felt like "Ralphie" in the movie "Christmas Story", when he broke his glasses, shooting his B.B. gun... I went to take an image of Alice's Cool Witch, and this is what I saw... Alice and Peg asked what was wrong, hearing the 'Ralphie' tone in my "Oh No's", and I said, " My camera is broken...oh no....oh noooo..." Alice said, "come here..., let me see...", I walked it over to her, all broken hearted....{This damage could have been done, at so many instances, I had carried it in my front pocket, all during the Sale, and it was in my purse, when I dropped it on the Kitchen floor, twice last week... it hit Hard! All of the horrible accidents it had endured, came flashing through my mind...} she glanced at it, and said, "there's something in the shutter, it's stuck..." I looked at it... it was a piece of tobacco... can't imagine where THAT CAME FROM! Oh my Gosh! I carry soooo much crap in my purse, I won't throw a cigarette butt on the ground, so they go in my pocket, or purse, and there you go, my camera had been violated, by my Nasty, Bad Habit! I am quitting in November. Poor little camera.... I gently removed the tobacco from the shutter, and all is right with the world....
{ Hey, it did make for a pretty Cool Image!}

Peg, at Alice's Wonderland

Peg and Clohe, had a wonderful time, digging through beads, at Alice's! Alice keeps a wonderful variety on hand, and I had to get Peg there, I knew she would get into all kinds of trouble! { oh yea, she did!}

Alice's Darling Store!

Alice always finds the Coolest stuff! She keeps her Store very Neat and Tidy, it's very cool, very organized...{ I need to hang around with her more, maybe her sense of structure will rub off on me...} everything looks like sculpture. She has a terrific eye, and I never leave empty handed! Peg had a Blast, gathering beads for her 'Gourd Project', Alice specialises in beads, and has them all sorted, and ready for you to gather them up, and make your own creation!

A 'Snippet' of Polly Ann's

Peg and I spent a lot of time here, at Polly's. You have to. Her shop is kind of like mine, in one respect, it seems to go on and on... All sorts of nooks and cranny's, Polly, and her many Dealers, do a wonderful job in having a huge variety of cool things. Truly something for everyone. Beautiful vintage furniture, farm related items, children's things, fabric, kitchen collectibles, painted furniture, oak pieces, retro pieces, the list could go on and on...The BIG difference in our Stores, is size... This store is HUGE! Peg and I were on a tight schedule, so we couldn't spend the day, but we had a great time wondering through, and gathering lots of fun, affordable stuff! Polly and her Father, Bob, work hard to find great antiques, and keep the prices very good... They do a wonderful job... Peg, Polly and her husband Bob, and I enjoyed lunch together, at 'Skillet', the food was amazing, as always, and the conversation was wonderful!

FUEL!

Tommie's special brew, 'Rocket', kept me alive all last week, this is her wonderful Coffee Shop, in now known as one of the "Coolest Small Towns", according to Budget Travel Magazine! Mt. Vernon, Iowa... I told you, it is really a fun place to go! Lot's of Art and Antiqueing! {and the best Food and Coffee anywhere!} Tommie, along her Mother and Daughter, make all the Sweets, and serve them with a Smile! {who wouldn't be happy at FUEL, just breathing the wonderful air in her Shop makes me smile!} Tommie also has the coolest antiques, just my style! Funky Folk Art, Crazy Quilts, Religious Artifacts, and just plain Gnarly Things! Gotta Love It! { Tommie is also one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out. Having her photo taken, well, it just isn't happening... this is the best shot I could get.... she is soo fast, waving that folder around!}

Intense...Peg counting out her dough, for her Motherload of Gourds!

I promised Peg, that I would take her to the wonderful Pumpkin Farm, by Vinton... She totally went Crazy!!! She was mumbling to herself, eyes darting, every which way, nose twitching, pacing, carefully stacking, wrapping them in the softest blankets... She was like a kid in a candy shop, and all the candy was only 25 cents a pound .... Heaven for Peg, Heaven.... I finally found a bench, and just sat and watched her... I probably look just like that, at a Great Antique Sale! I introduced her to Bonnie,{ the Proprietor} and they became Fast Friends! We filled her car to the brim, and I kept reminding her, we should have brought the truck...But no... she didn't want any of them to get bruised.... Peg is an artist, and will be making all sorts of wonderful treasures out of them.. I can't wait to see what she does!
I love Peg, and after all her hard work, this last week, it was sooo good to see her having the Most Wonderful Time!
'til next time,
Barb C.

Peg, and her New Best Friend, Bonnie!

Bonnie invited Peg to jump on her Golf Cart, and take a ride, to the Gourd patch... The rubber on Peg's boot's were smokin' as she ran towards the Cart!

Linda and Fay... Daughter and Mom, on a wonderful Trip...

As Peg, John and I were frantically getting the tents cleaned out, we had some visitors... These Gals are from near Hermon, Mo. Linda spotted my Season Statues, by the front of my Store, and slammed on the brakes, and made a fast turn around![to her disappointment, they are not for sale...} However, we had a wonderful visit, they told me they had been driving for days, up into Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, and having a Great Time! { Linda told me, they didn't get a handicapped room, one night, and wound up taking a shower together! I was laughing soo hard, at their story, I couldn't hardly speak!} Fay had a stroke, a while back, so she needed a little help...Girls, Girls! What an adventure.... It truly is ALL ABOUT THE JOURNEY!
I had Linda in tears when they left... I told them, and I'll tell you all, if you live alone, you MUST have a 'Life line', it is a little gadget you wear, that if you should fall, or have a stroke, and can't get to the phone, or door, you simply push the button, and help is on the way...It saved my Mother's life many times...My Aunt, wasn't so lucky, she had a stroke, and laid in her bathroom, for 12 hours, the damage was irreversible...Please, if you live alone, I don't care how old you are, they could save your life, even if an intruder came in, help would be on it's way... Linda has been trying to convince Fay to get one, to no avail... I think those little Angels brought them to me for a reason, I hope I helped... We want Fay to be around for another Awesome Adventure!
I hope they have a fabulous trip home...I know they will...
Barb C.

Alice and Joy...The Colorado Gals...

These girls rented a U-Haul, and came for my sale... I don't think they were disappointed! I sent them on to other stores in the area, and they had a full trailer headed west! I love these Gals, they are sooo much fun, and I truly wish I could see their stores! Joy was a hoot! She kicked her shoes off, and climbed up into that trailer, to take advantage of every little nook and cranny! I hope they can come back, when times aren't so busy, and we'll hang out at all my favorite haunts!
[Thanks for everything, Gals!}
Barb C.

Emma and Alexa...{ Great Little Antiquer Gals!}

While their folks were gathering up the sweet cupboards {behind the gals} Emma and Alexa were finding their own treasures! I sent them home with prisms, that they simply had to have! ( maybe the next 'Keno's?} These girls were wonderful, they genuinely seemed interested in this old stuff! I love having children at the sale, and store. They are always so intrigued by old things, and it gives us the opportunity to share history with them. I encourage them to pick things up, and look at the wear on pieces, and explain how things were used, back in the day... I took an old weight driven clock to school one day, years ago, for my daughter's 4th grade class, pulled the dial off, and let the children gently move the minute hand clockwise, so they could hear, and see it strike, as the weight would drop, then let them wind it back up. One little boy took his turn, then just stood there, watching the movement, as the other children made the old clock speak, I asked him what he thought about that... with a mix of confusion and fascination, expressed on his young face, he replied " I understand, that when the minute hand passes the twelve, the clock chimes, and the weight on the string moves down, but what I don't see, is where do the batteries go..." Out of the mouths of Babes...
Peg and I are running to the pumpkin farm, this morning... I am pretty tired out. I will be taking all week to disassemble the sale, and have wonderful "Sale Stories" to share with you later in the week, or possibly into next week...The weather wasn't the best, but we all kept our spirits up, and had a lot of fun! It's kind of like a big Antiquer Family Reunion! Always sooo happy to see everyone, and visit. I am sooo thankful to all those who made the trip, whether they may be from near or far, Joy and Alice, my Colorado Girls, Sarah and Mark, from Duluth, all the Gals from the Des Moines area, Waterloo, and Cedar Falls Folks, and many from Southern Iowa, to my dear neighbors, and so many others who braved the weather, to come see us... Thank You, from the bottom of my Heart....And a huge THANKS, to all who helped out, and brought wonderful treasures, and hung in there, with me.... Lynn, Lea, Mark, Carolyn, Gayle, Dale, Tom, Paula, John, Liz, Justin, Kate, Val, Roger, Gerri and the Keleher's, lastly, Peg.... I truly don't know how I could have gotten it all done without her, she was truly my blessing...
'til next time,
Barb C.

Simply Iowa Pumpkin....{only Sarah...}

Our Pal, Sarah and her hubby, Matt pulled in Saturday morning, with this wonderful Simply Iowa Pumpkin, Sarah had carved... How Cool Is That! They dug around, and found some cool treasures! It's always so great to see them! She sends me all kinds of people, and does 'personal shopping', for one of her friends! { Sarah is an awesome promoter, I need to pay her more!} Colleen F. joined them, and it is always good to see her happy face! They braved the cold, wet day, to come play with us...
We were running all morning, and again, didn't close up 'til around 8:00. We had lots of fun folks through, and much went down the road, to find new homes!
Carolyn A. treated us with a fantastic chili lunch, with all the fixins, and topped it off with homemade cheese cake! It was wonderful!
I wish the weather would have cooperated, but the customers really didn't seem to mind a bit! They are a pretty tuff group!
Today is going to be great, the sun is even going to shine! Ya Hoo! We have been adding things, as other treasures leave, and filling in vacant spots, I'll try and get some images today, I was just way to busy yesterday!
Gotta Go!
Barb C.

We Are Un-Covering Today!

Finally, the tarps are coming down! We had a great day yesterday, and had Girls here til late! Elaine and Erica, from Sisters popped in, and it was a delight to see them! Sarah and Mark, from Duluth, MN, shopped and also are going home with a load! Blogger Pal, Brenda, and her family braved the rain...as did soo many! It was a very good day... {lots of new stuff coming in today!}
I woke up late, so gotta go! Hope to see ya!
Barb C.

One of my Favorite Things...

Our 'Vanna's', are holding up one of my favorite 'New Arrivals', if this doesn't sell, it's MINE! Sweet Peg, and fellow Blogger Pal, {this girls art} Cathie, are soo cute! Cathie found some cool treasures, and we had a wonderful visit!

The Rain Came Hard... So Did The Wonderful Customers!

You can not keep a True Antiquer down! All suited with rain gear, we had Folks from as far away as Colorado! {they came for the sale!}Those girls really dug in! They are coming back this weekend, to load, and do a little more shoppin! My Fav Des Moines Gals, Laura and Cathy made the wet trip,{ sorry girls, I think my hands were shaking when I took your pic...better next time} and we were bagging all of their lovely purchases, in garbage bags, running from building to building! { They witnessed quite a sight, as I was trotting to the Gazebo, with hot coffee in hand, rain pouring, I slid into home base! Man, I went down hard! A very nice man offered me his hand, I was laughing so hard, I couldn't hardly speak, the man said, "it's o.k., I work with the elderly, and I've seen people fall...., and you did it so gracefully..." Laura and Cathy just stood there, and said "Hey, you didn't even spill your coffee! Great priorities!" I said, "Where's the camera! That shot would have been PRICELESS!"

Peg came prepared, covered head to toe in plastic, we had to get extra boxes of trash bags, for customers, and we had people here til 8:30 last night! More treasures came in yesterday, and will be coming in today and tomorrow! As things go out, more comes in! We have a lot tarped, so way cool stuff will be out when the rain lets up!

I'm suiting up! Hope to see ya!

Barb C.

The Girls!

Oh my Gosh! I was sooo happy to see Lois, Mary and Chery! {sorry if I spelled your name wrong, Chery. This was the way my sister spelled her name, so you can correct me later...} Lois and Chery, are a 'mother- daughter' antiquing team! They are vendors at many great shows in the area, and have Fabulous treasures! Chery is an artist, and does wonderful Folk Art Painting! And Mary,{ in the center} well the picture says it all... Her Laugh is like none other's!!! Does she look like a gal who has just had a double Mastectomy, and is undergoing Chemo and Radiation? Ah, not so much... Mary truly inspires me, she is a walking prayer... We all Love her so...
I will write more later, and in depth, but it's after 7, and I have to get out the door!
Barb C.

Chandelier...Now, That's What I'm Talkin' About....

That's one Gnarly Chandelier! My Pal's, Tommy, {Holding the Queen Mother of Gnarliness} and Sweet Polly, { Holding her home made Margarita's, in that little red cooler} popped in for a fast visit, last night! What a Blast! Our butt's were draggin the ground, when these girls pulled up, their Energy was contagious! We all came back to life! Lot's of wonderful Laughter filled the air!
There's a long story that goes with the Chandelier, no time today, but soon!
We worked til late, tarping for the rain, it is truly a mess, so everyone will be diggin! It was quite beautiful, for a brief moment, and lasting all of 5 minutes, maybe 6. Oh well.. Looks like Saturday and Sunday will be o.k.
We had several people stop, and shop, yesterday,{ to get ahead of the rain!} so I'm digging out more stuff, and am going to try and make sense out of a bunch of sardine cans! Peg and Val worked sooo hard, yesterday, and the main buildings are passable! Their displays are darling! Thank God, for those Gals!
Gotta Go! Mark is going to be here at 7, to set his things up! Yikes!
Barb C

The Gang!

What would I do without my Pals! I am totally exhausted, but getting it done! My Savior, Peg arrived around noon, today and totally kicked butt! She has been whipping through buildings, like a 'Mad Woman', my friend, Lynn brought some wonderful corn stalks and the Coolest berries, like white Bittersweet! He helped move heavy stuff, and probably wished he would have stayed home! {we put him to work!} Tons of fun stuff came rolling in.... WOW! Gayle and Dale brought cool stuff in this evening, and Liz and Carolyn A. came out to lend a hand! We bought another 12x26 foot tent, and the guys got it all together, we're ready for the rain!{ it will be wonderful for the 4th of July, in Mt.Vernon!} Mark brought out a cool load, I'll get more images tomorrow! I have got to find the recliner!
Barb C.

Cleaning and Organizing!

My Pal Val, brought out some darling treasures, yesterday! I ran over to her home, and we loaded up some fun, Frenchy and Garden stuff! Daughter, Liz came out after work, and helped bring cupboards around, and set displays, even John helped clean! What a Guy! It sounds like it is going to be rainy, no matter, the tents will be bursting at the seams, and buildings full!!! One of my very best Sales, of all time, was on a rainy weekend in October... I had called the helpers, and said, don't bother coming out today, it's forecast to rain, so I don't think too many folks will be out.... Oops...I had people here, before 8 a.m., wearing rain gear, umbrella's and boots, I was running from one end of the property to the other, got soaked to the skin, had to run in and change clothes, twice... It was a great weekend!
Everything is coming together, my friend, Peg will be here today, from MO. And we will get'er done!
I'll try and get images on tonight, or in the morning!

Sweet Sadie...

Just look at the wonderful booth Sadie put together! {with a little help from Grandma and Grandpa...} She was a great helper! Lynn and Lea brought up wonderful Farm Stuff, and really made a darling display... They go to Farm Auctions and Shows, they gather the most interesting things! We sold tons of their stuff, at the Spring Sale, I'm so glad they brought up another load!
My area's are coming along, slowly... I'll keep chipping away, and it will get done!
til next time,
Barb C.

The Wonderful Pumpkin Farm!

If you are near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, you must visit this wonderful Farm! It's located 15 miles East, on highway 30, then 5 to 6 miles north, on 218, towards Vinton, watch for signs, it's a mile or so off of 218. All the cool varieties of pumpkins and gourds are 25 cents a pound, and some of the varieties are from the 1700's!
I Love this place!

Treasures... Friends... Thankful...

My wonderful treasures, my friends... {the cool stuff, is a bonus...} Carolyn brought me some darling Forget me Not, motto cups, my Old Friend, Julie got me hooked on these, and I absolutely love them... Then Polly brought me an entire basket full of Gnarliness! A wonderful, worn Photo Album, lovely old silver plate tea spoons, old diaries, and the coolest old hand made dolly, headless, but way cool! { I feel headless as the sale draws nearer!} What a wonderful day!

Gettin'er Done!

I was working away today, and had some wonderful helping hands arrive! My friend Carolyn A. and daughter, Liz... We got the Big Truck un-loaded! The tents are up, and things are goin' clickity click! Carolyn was a huge help, bless her heart...Sweet Polly popped in, bearing gifts, and Carolyn also brought food, Starbucks, and darling 'Think of Me' Motto cups... God truly has blessed me with wonderful Friends and Family....
Our Southern Iowa Friends, are coming up with a load in the morn, and everything is moving foreword! It's going to take some doing, but I think the Sale is coming together! My Pal Peg, will be here Tuesday, and she always makes it happen, what a whirl wind! Folks are calling, and it sounds like there is going to be some Wonderful Treasures pulling in!
I'm making a fast run, to Southern Iowa in the late morning, then back on the Sale! We should have it pulled together, a few minutes before it opens...Thursday Morning, if not, I'll just have to have the 'Early Birds' help out... So don't come early, unless you have eaten your Wheaties!
'til next time,
Barb C.

I Know how this Angel feels...

A photographer from California gave me this image, she had captured it, in a cemetery somewhere in California. I could totally relate to this Angel... The first time I saw it, was right after I had been working in my shop, all day and night, trying to make room for a Monster cupboard. { 8 feet wide, 8 feet tall and 3 feet deep, two pieces...BIG!} I was moving other huge cupboards around, getting tired, and weary, and lazy. I thought I would move a piece, without moving others, in it's way, surely I could squeak past... well, I didn't make it, it was like domino's... and the biggest casualty was a set of brown transferware, Old Mother Hubbard Nursery Rhyme Children's Tea Set... I collect this myself, it is almost impossible to find, anywhere... I walked up to the pile of broken, little dishes, that I should have kept, for myself, but couldn't afford to, walked out the door, where the Monster Cupboard was waiting, and threw myself over the top of the cupboards top, and wept... just like the Angel. I don't know how long I was outside, but I knew I had to go back in, and clean up the mess... I grabbed the dust pan, and picked up all the precious little pieces, as I sat there on the floor, I thought, I could glue these back together. I guess God knew I would love them whether they were in one piece or a hundred, and now I can afford to keep them.
I treasure those little dishes, they make me smile, every time I look at them.
There have been many occasions, since I received this beautiful image, that I have felt this way, but I look at those little dishes, and realize, with every hard blow, comes a soothing gift. It may not be what you could ever dream, or have ever imagined, it's better... I don't think those little dishes would have ever given me so much joy, if I had just kept them, in the first place. Sometimes, it truly is about the journey...
Barb C.

The Wonderful Document Box...

The Sign is Down!

I am proud to say, the back green house is done.... it was dark, when I finished up, so I'll try and get some images today. Only 6 buildings to go! {and 5 days to get'em done, oh, and the lawn has to be set, as well...} It's raining like crazy, so I'll be working inside the shop and front green house today! I had lots of visitors, yesterday, Steph, {Fern Hill} {if you could have seen her expression, when she walked into the green house, well, it was priceless...'stunned' would be a good description, it was still on the rough side, yesterday morning. She brought me a huge Starbucks, and was sure I could get everything done, by sale time...} Then Carolyn A. popped in, she was positive, and encouraging, but was trying to figure out her schedule, and make time to come help... I don't think she has quite the confidence that Steph had, on me getting this all done... My Pal Val, swung through, we walked over the property, I pointed out the buildings that we couldn't even get inside the doors of, and she said, "great!, I love it when you can hardly get in the door!", she is a riot...{ I want what ever she is taking...} Then Mark stopped in, he had called on his way out, and said he had found something, that truly had my name on it...when he saw it, he had to buy it, he just knew I would love it... He was correct... I love it, it is a keeper. It's an old, old document box, with a little divider, inside... the box is embellished with leather leaves and flowers... it probably dates from the mid to late 1800's, and it is awesome...
I visited with my friend, Tommy, yesterday, she's coming out to the sale, to shop. Tommy has the Best Coffee Shop! {Fuel} in Mt Vernon, I have mentioned it before, her coffee will, dare I say it, Give You Wings! She asked if she should bring me some, I didn't stutter....
It sounds like there's going to be some wonderful stuff coming in! Loads of cool stuff! I always tell people, I don't care what you bring, as long as it's Old, and priced to Sell!
I am getting pretty tired, yet, pretty excited... I think the sale is going to be Great! I'll be getting my ad's in today, gathering pumpkins, getting my flier's out and working in the Store. I'm really not worried about getting it all done. My heart is willing, I hope my body will hang in there for another week and a half. When I put it into perspective, it's like doing 10 Shows, all at once...Plus, being a promoter, of sorts. Thank goodness, all the folks that come and bring things, are seasoned, and extremely hard workers, this Sale is not for the 'faint of heart'! Several years ago, a friend of mine was set up here, and helping with people, { she had always worked corporate} right in the middle of the sale, she walked out... she said, "you are all crazy... this is way too much work, and not enough money..." We all just stood there, looked at each other, and started laughing, I turned around and said, "hell, tell us something we don't know..." Anyone who is in this business, at any level, will tell you it's incredibly hard, stressful work. But if you love it, truly love it, what is that worth...I'll tell you, it's priceless...
'til next time,
Barb C.

Wonderful Old Cupboard...

This Cupboard is sooo Cool! It's about 8 feet tall, and 30 inches wide, all square nailed, and pegged. It has it's original 1870's cast iron hardware, it is a Dandy! I am soo happy Cindy thought to call me, she said it was a 'Barb' Cupboard, she was correct!

Pete and Cindy with their wonderful Morning Glories!

Pete must love me... can you tell how much he LOVES to get his picture taken! These two are the best!

Well...

The day started out GREAT! I was getting a lot done, for an hour, or so... then the phone rang...
You know, there are only a couple of words that could pull me away, from a determined mind set, and one of them is 'HELP', from anyone needing it, or, you guessed it, 'CUPBOARD'... Well, thankfully, it was the later of the two... 300 miles, 9 hours, and 3 great loads of cool antique treasures later {including an awesome old, old Cupboard} I was home, collapsed in the recliner, were I slept...The Fun Never Ends...
My friend, Cindy H. called, and said she had the coolest old cupboard, strait out of the original old house, {1870's} in Monticello, Iowa... I made tracks, headed there, to see her and Pete, her hubby. They always find the neatest stuff, and have me pegged, on my likes! Then I had received another call, from my friends, Linda and Larry, {Painted Pony Antiques} they had a bunch of stuff, they were cleaning out, along with a wonderful old Wooden Pump, I've had a few over the years, and was happy to buy this one! Perfect for a Fall Sale! We get everything loaded, I'm headed home, and, well, I need to throw that phone away, at least during sale time... My friend, Charlie, from Southern Iowa, was on the other end... "Hey Barb, I went to an auction this week, got in a bunch of old stuff, and, oh yea, an old cupboard".... Am I being tested, or what? I put the Little Ford in Overdrive, headed home, John helped me un-load, then I headed South...
Charlie and I dug through the barns, loaded and loaded, visited and visited, until flash lights and headlights were required, then 90 miles home...
The back green house, well, the signs still up... I was thinking about that, as I was cruisin' down the hi-way... If I were going to a sale, what would I rather see, a shop all displayed out, clean and cool, or, lots of gnarly old stuff, piled everywhere, that you have to dig for, and get a little grubby doing it......Well...
'til next time,
Barb C.

The Sign is Still up...

The Sign is still on the door... I did get a lot done, wired some fixtures, cleaned and cleaned and cleaned, got groceries, and I'm up early, and ready to go, go, go! { I was out of Starbucks yesterday, but today, I'll drink a pot, and use the grounds like a wad of Skoal! Look Out!}
The biggest problem I have, is me. I have to clean everything, then set a display, eye ball it, like Picasso, move this and that, tweek, here and there, add a little red, have everything flowing....I just want to scream at myself! No time to be a perfectionist!!! I commented on my blogger friend, Jan's blog {summersundays} By Sale time, the place will look like a landfill, except for one small corner, that will be perfect...
I need 10 of me...Hopefully I'll get the back green house and front one done today.tic toc...
I'll have images later this eve.
My friend Polly {pollyanns] invited me to come help her display her porch, at her store, for Halloween, she doesn't have a clue, how incredibly SLOW I am! Maybe she should come watch me work...and bring a calendar...
'til next time,
Barb C.

This Sign will be Coming Down, Today! {say a little prayer}

Fun Stuff!

I love the little mirror, I have a 'thing' about gnarly mirrors! The little jarred piece that I hung on the old door, was originally for screws, in a work shop. How cool would it be in a sewing room, filled with buttons!

A Ways to Go...

Diggin' and Playin'...

I had a 'hanging' day yesterday... hanging doors, shelves, cupboards and cool old farm fragments... You couldn't see this wall when I started... I love the old work boots! They look so cool, just hangin' around!

Please Use South Door...

I worked on the north green house yesterday... I truly had a great time! I thought I'd tackle one of the biggest disasters first... I gave up on this area, after the Spring Sale, and kept throwing stuff that was in my way, out there... Then it pretty much was impossible to get through, so instead of organizing, I hung a little sign, Please use South Door... a gentle way of saying Caution... Do Not Enter!
I am getting on it this morning, and WILL have it done today! Tic Toc....I still have 6 buildings to go...{ focus....one mountain at a time...}
My posts will be short these days, but I will keep you updated on the progress!
'til next time,
Barb C.

I forgot to post this...

This is stunning... And Huge! I love the Print, but I think a mirror would be wonderful in this Beauty!

September Gold Rush...

This is a small part of the booth, we had sold a lot of treasures, by the time I could take a photo... The following images are of a few of my purchases at the show, as I mentioned earlier, this is the smallest of the three Gold Rush events, but the best one to buy at. The Gals from Canada, shopped it for 2 days, and were very pleased. I'm excited with the treasures I harvested, and can't wait to play with them when I start setting for the Sale!

1870's, Black Jelly Cupboard....

A Real Cutie! Tiny Dry Sink!

A Lovely Vintage Oil!

Darling Little Iowa Cupboard! Thresher's Wash Stand?

I think this could be a Thresher's Wash Stand, they would carry them out to the field, or simply outside, for the men to clean up, I've had 2 over the years, and this has the same feel. Whatever it's purpose, it's darling!

Cool Counter! It will be at The Fall Harvest Sale!

Friends...

Gayle N., Liz, Sarah, Mark and Colleen! We had a Great time, and as you see, my empty Marg glass, it wasn't empty for long! It's always a Fun Time at Michaels, we sooo look forward to this!

Me and the Gang, at Michaels!

The look on Mark's face, says it all, the Server was really cute!

Sweet Sarah, {fellow primitive collector} and my Darling Daughter, Liz!

I'm Back...

What a weekend! I was running late, Thursday, loading, and forgetting a lot! Of course I didn't realize I had forgotten anything, until I was too far away to turn back! We are allowed to unload Thursday eve, from 4 til 8, arriving at 7, with 3 big trucks, this seems hopeless, unless two wonderful people wonder in, and ask if you need a hand! We had all three trucks unloaded in an hour and a few minutes...impressive...no, a miracle!
It took us all of the day, Friday, to get the booth set, I truly could not have done it without Liz... Customers get into the show on Friday, {set up day} so, you set, and sell. It can be a little crazy!
The Show was o.k., but not fab, like August. { we got spoiled in August!} I think 'Junk Bonanza', in the Twin Cities, was a huge factor, it is a wonderful show, and many of my customers are vendors there. You can't be two places at once! { check out 'Fern Hill', Steph set up at J.B., and you will see how wonderful it was!} Many of my customers filled me in on that show, and said that there were several Fall Festivals in the immediate area, that always shrinks the crowd.
The booth went together very well, I love Fall... Loads of pumpkins and straw!{ my friend, Dale F., was kind enough to bring a bale of straw from his farm, and it was really cool!} We had straw hanging from the rafters! All over the floor, all over us! I had neighbors, on our little Island, dragging pieces of straw back to the booth, from the other side of the building, that had gotten tracked in their booth! {it was pretty funny...}
We had our usual 'Saturday Night at Michaels' treat! Sweet Sarah, Colleen, and Gayle joined us! We had a Marvelous time! The place was packed, but they always seem to get us right in, and keep the Margaritas flowing! The food is the best, anywhere! If you ever get to Rochester, Minnesota, you MUST dine at this Fabulous, Over the Top, Family owned Restaurant! { it looks expensive, but it doesn't cost any more than a 'chain' steak house, really! The atmosphere is unbelievable! The service is the very best, they treat you like a Queen, if your in your grubbies, like yours truly, or a Evening Gown!}
I had so many wonderful comments, about the booth. People that were just walking by, stopped, popped their heads in, and told us how much they loved it. That means soo much. They may not be into our kind of stuff, but they made the effort to comment. I thought about that on the way home, how much a kind word does for your spirit...
We sold several cupboards, show cases, brown transferware, vintage textiles, early glass, wooden trunks, galvanized pails, gnarly wire baskets, mirrors, vintage hardware, and lots of 'dibby dabbies'. I bought some cool stuff for the 'Fall Harvest Sale', here at home, I'm really pumped for this sale, my foot was tapping all the way home, wishing I was tearing into it, instead of driving! I have some great Ideas for the Store, but with only a week and a half, I'd better get crackin'!
'til next time,
Barb C.

The Sweet Canadian Girls, and their Treasures!

I told them next time, bring a truck! They are headed for Junk Bonanza, and Gold Rush! What fun these Girls are having! They were the highlight of my day, I truly enjoyed our visit...{ sorry Cathie, { this girls art} I guess we have some competition on our shadow box collection... there are more folks than you and I, who love'em!}

A Sky High Load... { I Love Those Chairs!}

Allison commented, all I need is Granny, in a rocker... I said, "hey, Granny and Grandpa, could ride side saddle, on the cool leather chairs!"

Where There's a Will { and ratchet straps} There's a Way!

My Buds' Allison and Kevin

They had to get pictures of this load, Kevin just stood there, in wonder... He had great success today, and we threw a Big Old Jelly Cupboard,he had found on his travels, on the top of the heap! I was ducking under trees, all the way home...

The Canadian Girls Took the Area By Storm!

I was so surprised when my friend and fellow blogger, Sharon {Sweet Repose} called today, and asked if I was open, she said the Gals from Canada wanted to stop by... I'm loading for a show, thank goodness Carolyn A. popped in, and was helping me pack! We were tearing up the place, but if the girls could stand the mess, I can always stand the company! { I did tell them, however, if they stayed too long, I was putting them to work!} We all had a great time! They found some cool treasures, and we even went out to lunch, and kept right on gabbin'! It is sooo nice to meet folks, that you just seem to 'click' with! Those Gals even talked me into showing them my messy house.... I don't let ANYONE in my house at showtime, ever... I was pretty much humiliated... The Girls were very kind...
I kept on working, then I received two calls, friends that had some fun stuff, and were cleaning out. So I took off, and gathered some great stuff! Several cupboards, mirrors, vintage prints, the coolest vintage barrel back, leather chairs,{ that I have been trying to buy, for years!} and a lot of dibby dabbies! Perfect for Gold Rush, and my Fall Harvest Sale! It's pushing 10:00, and I'm beat... I'll finish loading in the morning.{ we unload, and partially set up tomorrow afternoon...} We weren't going to take the Little Ford, but I'm tempted to just leave it loaded, and have Liz drive it to the show...We'll see...
I may not be able to post over the weekend, it depends on the hotel's wi-fi, if not, I will be back Monday!
'til next time,
Barb C.

Loads and Loads of Pumpkins!

Barb has brought in several unusual varieties of pumpkins and gourds! Don't miss her Open House, this Friday and Saturday.
It is going to be a Wonderful Event!

Beautiful Amish Grown Mums...Only 8.00 Each!

Cool Industrial Bins...At Sisters

The Canadians!

These Gals were great! They made the trip from Canada, to check us out! They found us on 'Sweet Repose', our buddy, Sharon's Blog! How cool is that! They are headed to both, 'Gold Rush' and 'Junk Bonanza', in Minnesota!

I should have been loading...

The last three days, instead of getting my work done, gathering things together for 'Gold Rush', I've been goofing off. Am I stressed, nervous, tearing my hair out? Nope. I've been visiting with my friends... Yesterday, I spent several hours with my dear friend Polly...I was so glad we had the opportunity to get to know each other a little better, it's amazing how many things we have in common. I think we could have talked for days...Then I spent several hours helping my friends at Fern Hill, load their truck for 'Junk Bonanza', after loading, we got a little loaded ourselves, on great wine and conversation, around the fire. We called our friend, Ed, from 'Leftovers', in Texas, and laughed until we cried! Priceless... The day before, I spent a big share of my day, as you know, with my friend, Don. It was hi-time I visited his wonderful store. A real treat... And today.... I went to Sister's Garden, popped in at Barntiques, on the way, and had a wonderful chat with Nancy, the proprietor, and Sweet Carolyn A., who is taking on a large space in the 'Barn', it's really a neat store, and I never leave empty handed!
I was greeted at Sister's, with the most wonderful Mums, that was my reason for the drive, I needed some of her beautiful Mums for my booth, and Steph, from Fern Hill, needed a bunch of them and Bittersweet, for her Show. Barb always has the best, and the best prices! So Barb H. and I picked out some beautiful ones. Barb surprised me with a darling gift, a little plaque, that reads 'At Rest', she had no idea that I have been collecting these for my bedroom, Barb said it was for my soul, my soul needs peace... She's right, she's always right. I think this 'goofing off', is my soul, seeking, and finding peace.
I always run it down to the wire, always, but I get pretty frantic, the closer my nose gets to the line... not today. No apologies, I'll get done what I can, and what doesn't get done, well, doesn't...
I made fast tracks, to Fern Hill, with the beautiful flora, picked up some cool pumpkins, from a Farm Market, hit the grocery store, then home, and found the recliner... I'll load in the morning....175 miles today, is enough...
On a sad note, some dear friends of mine, have recently had a sudden death in their family. Their entire family are in my prayers, and I hope others who read this, will include them too.
'til next time,
Barb C.

Amana Colonies Antiques... You won't leave empty handed!

I had a wonderful time visiting this Store, there is truly something for everyone. I spent several hours visiting with Don, and shopping. I observed others shopping, and loving the diverse inventory Don has collected, it absolutely is a 'must see', when visiting our area!

Our Friend, Don...

A Diverse Collection...

Toys!

Beautiful John Deere Watch Fob... Don Harvested from a Lisbon, Iowa Estate

This is a very rare find, it is in wonderful condition, and beautiful, with the brass against the mother of pearl... I'm hoping a friend of mine that collects 'John Deere', will add this to his collection! It truly is lovely!

Darling Patriotic Little Girls Dress...

Don and I went neck and neck, at an auction in the Amana Colonies, for this Darling! He was the windshield, I was the bug... He bought this wonderful, late 1800's or early 1900's treasure. It touched my heart, and I adore it!

This is the Coolest Thing! The Jars Swing Out, To Serve Contents... Candy, perhaps...hmmm. I love it!

A Wonderful Theater Piece...

A Wonderful Visit at Don's New Store...

I took a short drive yesterday morning, to Amana, Iowa. My friend Don, had found some wonderful cast iron book shelves, that had originated from the old Law Library, at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City. He wasn't sure about purchasing them, and I asked him to grab them, and I would take them, sight unseen. They are wonderful, heavy, but wonderful. I have been soo busy this summer, I haven't had the opportunity to check out his new Store, so this was a real treat!
Don is an amazing man, I've mentioned him several times in my blog, he is extremely knowledgeable in so many categories, and has truly been a life line to myself and others. Don is also one of the most honest, people in the business that I know. I send many people to him, when they have interesting merchandise for sale, that I have no knowledge on. I have no doubt he will treat people with respect, and be totally fair. He is in my book, beyond reproach.
Here are just a few of his categories: Country Store pieces, advertising pieces from everywhere, Civil War Memorabilia, Vintage Paper{ diaries, journals, letters, labels, posters, Business letterheads, postcards, calling cards, anything of importance to small towns, and communities} toys, from Disney to match box, games, dolls, movie memorabilia, lodge memorabilia, farm collectibles, original art work, folk art, vintage clothing, jewelry, apothecary pieces, pharmaceutical, and medicinal memorabilia, books, kitchen collectibles, Amana and Iowa City memorabilia, tavern and restaurant memorabilia, sports collectibles, 'Hawkeye' collectibles, political pieces, as I'm writing this, I think the list would be shorter, if I told you what he wasn't knowledgeable on.... I really can't think of one category, that he doesn't have some degree of intelligence on, concerning antiques and collectibles... Wow....
It was a real treat strolling through his Store, he is always willing to educate people on his collections, he is soft spoken, and though he could boast about his wonderful, rare finds, he never would. He could laugh at my ignorance, instead, he shares his knowledge, freely, and educates in a language I can process.
I hope you have the opportunity to visit Don, and just listen, as he walks you through his diverse collection. He is an amazing person, with some amazing pieces. His prices are always fair, just like he is. You won't leave empty handed, promise....
Don is located in the village of Amana, on the east end of Main Street, he may be reached at 319-430-5043 {dfj@netins.net} or come visit any day, except Tuesday, at the Store. You will love it!
'til next time,
Barb C.

Wimpy and Rose...The Dear Hearts...{ and the best Kolache makers anywhere!}

I had to get a picture of this sweet couple to share with you. I have known Wimpy for 15 years or more, he has been a 'Ring Man' for several local auctioneers in the area, and always calls me when he sees 'Barb' stuff, on one of his sales. Rose makes Kolaches for the near by churches, friends and neighbors. They are truly the best! My Mother is full blooded Czech, and all of us were raised on Kolaches, she never made them, it's quite a process, and some folks never get the hang of it. Rose does. I asked her if sometime I could come up and help her make them, and learn, she seemed willing to share her expertise, Wimpy, however disclosed, that Rose had a secret ingredient included in her Kolaches, so I asked her if she'd have to kill me, if I found out the secret, Rose just laughed, and said, no.
I hope I get the opportunity to learn, and carry on the tradition.
'til next time,
Barb C.

Down on The Farm...

I would have to say, one of my favorite loves, would be farm related things... From items that once lived a farm life, hog troughs, feed bunks, iron fragments from tractors and farm machinery, to things found inside the farm house, old cupboards, work tables, gnarly spoons, with the bowls warn down, from stirring gallons of preserves, and paring knives, that are paper thin...from a 100 years of use, the worn and well loved things, that are still very useful today.

Yes, I still use these wonderful, vintage, 'farm life' artifacts daily, they are not collected to simply sit, and be admired for the wonderful object that they have evolved into, though they could be considered an art form. They are still doing their job, and because of superior craftsmanship, are doing it well, a century later....

I wonder if the farm wife of a hundred years ago, would have even had a fleeting thought, that her favorite paring knife, or table spoon, would be admired, and used daily, by someone in the 21st century... Or the old metal pig trough, she threw the table scraps in for the pigs, would now grace the harvest table, filled with pumpkins and gourds, garnished with bittersweet...hmmm...

My friend, Bart, stopped in today, after he had hit a Great auction, we sorted through his treasures, and I found a wonderful old post card, from 1913, the year my Dad was born. It was of a beautiful group of pigs, that were going to be sold at action, from Washington, Iowa. { about 70 miles south of my home.}It's difficult to see, my camera isn't the best, but on the front of the post card it reads,'Sunny Slope, Herd of Pure Bred Hampshire Swine, C.A. Brook, Washington, Iowa.' I really appreciate images like this, it's like a window to our past. When I find old photos like this, it always gets me thinking about the everyday life, a hundred years ago, or better, in our part of the country, and the vintage, 'every day' pieces, that I have gathered, that most people don't give a second thought to, I love these things, they seem to bring a warm, comfortable feeling to our home.

I spent several hours at my friend Don's new shop, in Amana, today. It was my first visit, and his store is amazing. It will take me some time to tell you about it, so I'll post all the images tomorrow. My neighbor, Rose, who makes the BEST Kolaches in the world, called me earlier, and is stopping by with a plateful early in the morning, so I need to get to bed, it's after mid-night...{Rose's Kolaches for breakfast...mmmm....I can't wait!}

'til next time,

Barb C.

Old Cupboards...

What is it about old cupboards, that will have me drop everything and run... My friend Vi, called yesterday, to let me know she had gotten in an old, rough cupboard. I had customers visiting, friends that were on their way to see me, and I totally dropped everything, called my friends that were on their way, we'd have to re-schedule, invited my customers to either ride along with, {130 miles} or keep shopping and call me with any questions... I was out the door! One of my customers took me up on the ride, and we had a great visit, and totally corrected all the world's wrongs...

The funny thing is, my friends and customers totally understood. Go, Go, Go! They didn't want me to miss this old cupboard either! { I have the Best Customers in the world!}

When we got to Vi's, we walked out back of her store, and took a peek at this old Farm House Work Horse... The Old Gal is on the rough side, but the potential is there, the poor old soul, it just said, please take me home... I loved it, and when John works his magic, it will sing, and stand proud.

I hope to have 'er done this week for Gold Rush, if not, it will be wonderful for the Fall Harvest Sale, here at home.

A busy day awaits, so let's take it on!

'til next time,

Barb C.

Larry, Curly, and Moe... Oh, I mean Barb, Lori and Sharon...

{ click on the image to read the notes...}

Sharon, adding her own little note...

Un-suspecting Sharon...