The Final Day of the Sale....

It was wonderful.... I truly am blessed... Great friends, bringing great stuff... Great customers, providing happy, appreciative homes, for the fun stuff, beautiful weather, ahhhh... what more could we ask for.... I was thrilled to see so many familiar faces... I have missed a few, and hope all is well.. after things slow up, I'll give them a holler...{ funny, how you worry about folks....} I have had a super long day, and am exhausted... Took a bad fall, yesterday, and think I may have bruised a bone... If it doesn't get better, I may not go to New Orleans, on Friday... I was on my feet, a lot today, and my knee is so swollen, I can hardly bend it... So, this will be short...

THANK YOU!!!! EVERYONE.... YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!

Barb C.

A Day, Full of 'Muchness'

Sweet Lydia... and Sweet Liz... Oh my gosh... Lydia, is Amy's daughter, from The Nest... and of course, Liz, is my daughter, and the creator, of my wonderful, Mad Hatter Hats... Lydia and I were inseparable, the other day... she stuck to me, like glue... we had such fun... she loves me... and I love her... But... then, today, she met Liz... and was totally taken by her... She wanted to be hanging with her... I was sooo deflated... Until, it was time for them to go.... Lydia came up to me, threw her arms wide open, and gave me the biggest hug ever... I Love That Child... She is absolutely Amazing... I would love to keep her forever... She reminds me of Liz... 5 years old... what a great age... This is Gary and Sheri... They are business partners, and really fun to listen to... They are both fun, and crazy... They spar back and fourth, like Dale and I... All in fun! Good Folk...

Now, here are two Cool Cats... Taking on the Antique World... Gary S. and Tom V. One could learn a lot, just taking in their conversations... Fun, fun!

The cute Mustard Cupboard sold... and went to a great home... The little walnut stand next to it, stays with me.... It's from the 1840's... sweet little turned legs... fragments of old oil cloth, on the single board top's edge...{ that is now, 2 boards... it has a big, crooked split down the center, from age, and shrinkage} and has a darling, hand dovetailed drawer... And it wreaks of mouse... It has since the day I found it... Oh my gosh... I dearly Love, this little stand...Stink, and all... Talk about 'soul'... I hope it never sells... some day, a bath....

This is a sweet Chimney Cupboard, Tom brought out... Dale is thrilled, as you can see,to play 'Vanna'.... It's a darling piece... I couldn't decide if I wanted to buy it, or the Gnarly old Pie Safe, he brought to the sale... I bought the Pie Safe... {gnarliness always wins....} This is still available, at a very sweet price!

A Hoofless, and bob tailed Horse Wind Mill Weight... I just love him... He didn't sell... Maybe he needs to stay in my house, for a while... I have never owned one... This Pony, I could afford... He's amazing...

Another, Mad Hatter... I had no idea, their are so many! This little Gal, came especially to see the Mad Hatter's Table... She was a Doll...

The Mad Hatter...

Life can be so crazy... Or, dare I say mad... It was great today... Tons of folks through... Kids, and babies, older folk... One gentleman, made it out, first thing this morn... He had called last night... had seen the sale ad, but all he was looking for, was a glass shade, for an old floor lamp... He was a bit difficult to understand, but, I told him, I was sure, we would have one here... He pulled in, bright and early... He told me, he had broken his wife's lamp, the day before yesterday... and if he didn't find a shade, before she had seen what he had done, he'd be in hot water... This man, was quite up there in years... He was precious... he didn't want to upset his wife.... I found him one, that fit perfectly.... I charged him 3.00... I didn't want to charge him anything... but... I knew that wouldn't wash with him... So, 3.00 was perfect.... He left, a very happy man... He made me happy too... Just seeing how much he cared about his wife's feelings... It was a very good day... We wind it up, tomorrow... I think it's going to be a Great Day... I can just feel it! Hope to see you! Barb C.

Sisters, and friends... what could be better...

This Young Lady, and Fellow Mad Hatter, bought my absolutely perfect, Mad Hatter Chair... I was totally broken hearted... I bought it from Tommi, and wanted to use it, the rest of the year, for display... but, I always have to price things... remember... bills... bills..... This Sweet Gal, had bought a Mad Hatter Hat, that Liz had created, recently.... so, I guess, it was fitting for her to have his chair...I'll have to go visit it in St.Louis, I guess...

Day Three.... It Is.... All About the Journey...

It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day.... My mind is racing, as I try and relay, all of the lessons, life taught me, today... { here is a 'droplet'...} 1. If you want a better price on something... don't pick it apart... say how much you really like it... then ask, for the best price... Chances are, you'll go home with it... happily... The other way, well, I'll send ya down the road, for a much nicer version, in much better condition...for a lot more money... but... it will be... 'perfect'.... Mine, well, it needs to stay here, after all, it really isn't good enough for ya, anyway... 2. I have a dear Customer, who is a Clergy...{ I don't belong to an organized religion, but I can recognize people who love God... and he's one of 'em...} I love him so... God sent him, my way, and now is sending him, to another location...{ he popped in, yesterday, and shared this new journey, with me...} It's funny... In total...over the last few years, I have spent less than a half hour with this amazing man... I am going to miss him so... It's a 'God' thing... I gave him, a treasured little Cross, I have had in the shop, for many years... Just wanted him to have a little remembrance... He popped in, again today, and as I walked him to his car, he showed me where he put it...it hangs, on his rear view mirror... I'll never forget him.... 3. I love this business... Love the people... After we all ran around, covering up stuff{ rain tonight...} We all sat around, visiting, in the sultry air, that makes the corn grow... sipping Margarita's that Tom and Paula brought, and discussing today's events... I realized, these are, 'the good old days'... How blessed we all are, to experience, another day, another breath, another conversation...and... be surrounded by friends...{ old and new} I guess, I really am, like the Mad Hatter... I wear my emotions, very, very close to the surface... I feel very blessed, today... Barb C.

Day Two... GRRREAT!

This Fella, was a real character.... He and his wife, came rollin' in, late in the evening... Found an old tractor seat, and we haggled for a bit... He said if I'd share my beverage, he'd take the seat...I'd do most anything, to make a deal... and keep the customer happy... So, I'm seatless...and, he has a new office chair... Now... how cool is that????

We had loads of fun... Lots of great folks, basking in the beautiful, Iowa, Spring day.... Started off, without Peg... I was tempted to call her, this morn, 'round 5, and say, "Hey... Where are ya! Your not still sleepin' are ya?... You were supposed to be here an hour ago!".... But... I didn't have the heart... Yes, yes... it would have been funny, when she realized, it was her family day... and not Sale day, for her.... Tee Hee! Sweet Vicky surprised us, with the very Best cinnamon rolls, ever! Oh my gosh! They were HUGE... But, somehow.... they all got devoured! Thanks sooo much! You are an Angel!!!! Peg and her daughter, Mel, and their friend, Monica, popped out to see the place... and witness the location, where Peg endures her torture.... They were so dang sweet... Mel, is just Exactly like Peg.... I know Peg was really enjoying their time, together... { Mel lives in Florida... Peg sure misses her...} Had lots of friends pop in... Vivian and Fred, from Williamsburg, Iowa... Joyce, and Rob, from Marengo, Mary Zeran, with hubby... Mary Ellyn, from Dubuque, Carole and Jerry, Kathy, Dave and Kelly, from Vinton... Julie Mc., Amy...I am so tired, I can't think... If I have left a dear one out... Please, forgive... { and tell me! I love you all!} I really need to hit the sack... No supper... John didn't pick up anything, and I'm too tired.... We are out of everything... but, maybe a can of beans... John had cereal... yuk... Ahhh... the glamorous life, of an Antique Dealer... Folks are bringing lots of new arrivals, in the morn... Come see! Sweet Dreams... Barb C. I loved this Gal's stroller... it was covered with all sorts of rusty, gnarly purchases.... and she even squeezed the baby on board! What a woman...

The kids, bailed right in Lynn's neat old wash tub... they played for a long time.... Cute, cute, cute! Here's Pal Deb... She tried on John's 'Hulk' fists! I put them on, too... I just wanted to punch someone.... We all agreed, we could have lots of fun, with a pile of them! Deb brought out some really fun stuff... She has a great eye... and always..... I mean always..... Cracks Me Up !!!! I Love Her!!!! Here's the Gals... Peg, Daughter, Mel, and dear friend, Monica! We all decided, Peg should be titled, "The Gourd Lady", and she Must get a lap top!!!! We are gonna keep working on her!!!! Peg has had great success, selling them, and for good reason...THEY ARE AMAZING!!!!! Here's half, of one of the beautiful rolls, Vicky brought us, this morn... Oh my... They were wonderful... Mark had no problem, scarfing this one down! Thanks again, Vicky!

Ahhh... The Love Birds.... Sarah, and Matt... They are always so much fun to be around... They really are getting their beautiful home, furnished nicely, with Antiques... They are way ahead of the game... Most younger folks, don't start collecting, til much later! They have much fun, and truly enjoy each other... And, we all enjoy them...

A Beautiful Day....The Sale has been Amazing...

Oh Vicky... You are as bad as I am... Thanks for coming....

Here's Brandon... Checkin' out the Mad Hatter's Table... It was good seeing you... Fellow Mad Hatter....

This is Pal, Laura's, young Man... and studying, Mad Hatter... He does a mighty fine job!

This is a great old country store cupboard, that came in, tonight... and a not so great image... You simply must see it for your self...

A new display, in the shop... It was hit, pretty hard, this morning...Carolyn and I, stayed way late, putting it back together, with fun, new arrivals!

Here's Don! He's a Cool Cat! I have watched him buy, the coolest stuff, over the years... He's a great guy... I would love, someday, to see his collection... It must be amazing...

I always forget, while we are getting ready for the Sale, why, we work so hard... It's for the people... My customers {friends} are the very best... I tear up, just thinking about it... Oh my... Vicky, Coral, Amy { and sweet Lydia... oh my... } Polly, Gail H., Tammy, Anita, Tommi, Cindy, Paula, Peg, Carolyn, Gayle, Mark, Roger, Brandon, John, Allyson, Stanley, Klarika, Wanda, Jean, Betty {and I mean Betty!}, and Mary, Tom, Don, Lynn, Leah, Bud, Colleen, Cathy, Laura...{ Colleen...Thanks for the amazing brownies...she obviously didn't read the blog, the other day... so.... if she didn't know, I'm trying to be good... then her brownies don't count. right?} Dale, Allyson, Mary S., Chery...... I could keep going on and on.... Some are bloggers, too, and we have fun with that... So many have visited today, I feel like I know them all... Kisses... lots of kisses... We were so busy today... I had my wonderful friends, writing their own tickets, and bagging their treasures!... Oh My... They are truly the best... Not one, complained... They helped carry and lug, and are so amazing...My new friends from Wisconsin, Becca and Daryl were here bright and early... They are opening a new Store, and are hunting for display pieces... We were happy to help them out...They are a wonderful, young couple, and very enthused about early pieces... They are great, and will do great! When they get open, I'll post about their store... It promises to be wonderful...it's been a very, long day... But so much fun... We have had more stuff, come in this evening...{ thanks Dave!} And we are all putting more out, in the morn! We hope to see ya!

Barb C.

Spring Sale Eve....

It's a full Moon... and Peg and I worked non stop.... Tons of great stuff came rolling in... Peg and I worked by flashlight, on the Mad Hatter's table, 'til 11:30.... We aren't done yet...I don't think I have ever seen so much stuff, here, at any Sale... Oh my... Everything from vintage textiles, to Harvest Tables...I didn't know I had so many picture frames... of every shape, size and condition...Lace, linens, show cases, garden stuff, folk art, hooked rugs, wooden bowls, glass ware, stoneware, farm junk, concrete, advertising things, quilts, reel lawn mowers, iron beds, wash tubs... I need to stop... I could go on, all night... we started with sweet little areas... uh... not for long... the entire lawn is COVERED!!!! We had folks bringing fun stuff, until dark... My, my... It's 12:00... and all is well... I am hitting the sack... Hope to see you all, this weekend... and for Pete's sake... wear your grubbies... and bring a truck!!!! Barb C. Peg, working by flash light!

Liz, wearing the Mad Hatter's hat, she made for the sale! What a tallented Gal... I love her....

Liz's sweetheart... Nick...He was a big help, unloading the truck!

My two favorite Girls... Mary and Chery... I am so glad Mary was up, to bring some of her fun stuff, for the sale...

Here are a few images of the Sale...

The Gang... Gayle, Mary. Jo, Chery, Maurina, Peg and Dan.... Fun Folk...

I haven't counted how many old cupboards.... but there are a lot...Every shape and size... some, ready to go... some as found... Plan to spend plenty of time... There is tons of stuff... and, new items added, all weekend... Ya miss a day... Ya miss a lot!

The Shop... at 'Sale' time...

{ This painting is darling... I recently purchased it, and it will be the Shop Mascot, for a while... I think this woman and I have much in common... You could find almost everything she is carrying, in The Shop...How Fun!}

These are a few shop photos... It's really coming together... Peg has been the major factor.... She has been a huge help... Along with Carolyn A. We had tons of wonderful things brought in, today... Lynn, from Southern Iowa, brought in a huge stock trailer full... He helped us move stuff around, and was a big help! He showed up, early, this morning, with a beautiful box of donuts.... after I saw my picture, I ordered them out of my sight... { Thanks Lynn... it was the thought that counts.... Everyone else enjoyed them, much...} Mark, Dale, Carolyn A., Deb, Sherry, Tom and Paula, and Bud, brought some wonderful things... Tomorrow, Gayle, Roger, Jay and MARY AND CHERY!!!! Will be bringing in more stuff... { Mary left a message, she and Chery are going to make it after all!!!! She sounded Great, on the phone... I'm so glad to hear she's all 'Perky'!} It's all coming together... I'll be posting outdoor images tomorrow... Peg totally gutted the Hen House... It was time... I'm working on the Mad Hatter Table... My fanny was really draggin', today... I'll put in 'high gear' in the morning... It's going to be a wonderful sale... Everyone has really brought in great stuff... My Hat is Off, to Them... Thanks so Much... It's almost 11, and I've had enough... Sweet Dreams... Barb C.

Sherry...and Her Fun Stuff...

Sherry is an Amazing Photographer, from Iowa City... She is also a Darling Woman...Very creative, and has a Great Eye... She's bringing out some more stuff... I had to purchase the Cake... It was something the Mad Hatter, would love... I know I do... I yelled at her earlier, for taking my picture, and she said, "Sure... you don't want me to take your picture... but I have to have mine taken...." Ah, Yea... Look at my picture... then Sherry's... Really... Really.... She's a beautiful, elegant blond.... now, look down... REALLY!!! If I looked like her... I'd be jumping in front of the camera! Oh well... Have a Great Day.. Barb C.

I Just Want to Cry....

Friend, Sherry P. Popped out, and brought some wonderful things... She is a well known Photographer, from Iowa City... She was playing with my camera, informed me, it doesn't have many options, { this is a very good thing, for me... point and shoot...} and preceded to snap pictures... I said NONE of me... As I was putting my images on, this morning, I saw this one... I simply wanted to cry... and am crying... How the H... did I let this happen...I almost deleted it... but thought, no... This will be my 'before' image... What a fippin' Goddess...I am so mad at me... And thanks, to everyone, who still loves me, anyway......I truly had no idea... This is not who I see in the mirror... the camera, and the scale, never lie... { I would love to say, it's my cheap camera... or the photographer... { she is amazing... I have seen her work, and this was the worst one, of me...}But... Tom looks great, his van looks normal... {what you can see of it...and everything else in the image looks great....so, I guess, that leaves just me, to blame... no wonder everyone looks shocked, when they see me, after the long winter... I knew I had put on some weight... but really... } Lori just left a very nice comment...Please... no more... my eyes will be all swelled up, for the sale... I won't be able to see...}

Tom... The Cool Cat...

Tom and Paula brought out their usual, over the top, wonderful treasures... and at great prices! They clean out, twice a year, and bless us with their overflow...Thank You!!!!

A 13 Minute Post...

{ These wonderful pieces are from Tom...he always finds the Coolest Stuff!}

I will give you 13 minutes, this morning... Oh My... The days are getting long... Even the Energizer Bunny,{Peg} is feeling the strain... We can't seem to get out of the shop... It just keeps sucking us back in.... Devouring our time..... Moved in a Gnarly, old, old Harvest Table, yesterday, to find it grew, 2 feet longer, as it entered the shop... It was like trying to fit Moby Dick, in a sardine can! I'll bet we spent, cumulative, 5 hours, trying to make it work... It's in... I am proud of it, and love where it is...ah... nope... but... we're the winners! Folks are starting to roll in with treasures... I hired the Boy's, { my Son Justin, and his friend, Derek} to bring in 3 loads of concrete...{ urns, and planters} John and I just stood back, and watched 'em.... Oh my... I thank God, for those young men... so do our backs... Lynn, from Southern Iowa, is bringing a Barn full, this morn, Jay, from C.R., is coming with stuff, later... Dale F. is rolling in, tonight with some great primitives... Mark is bringing things, tomorrow...Carolyn A. has already brought some neat stuff, and I can't wait to see Peg's wonderful Artwork, all on display... It's gonna be a full house! Yeah!!! Oops...times up... gotta hit the shower! Have an Amazing Day! Barb C

The Energizer Bunny...

Peg, a.k.a., the Energizer Bunny, worked circles around me, yesterday... Carolyn A. came out, and landed a wonderful hand, and brought some very cool things, for the sale...We got a handle on the Store, and Gazebo... the tents are up, so.... click, click, click... It was extremely warm, here... the temp sign, down the way, said 94. I think everyone got a little drained... We put in a long 12 hours, and called it a night... I am going to pick up a load or two of urns, then start in, on the other buildings... We may get a little rain, this afternoon, but, I think everything will be fine... I am so excited about the things that are coming! On a sad note, Pal, Mary S., Dark Horse Antiques, Janesville, Iowa, called, and said she is having some health issues... and won't be bringing a load down... On a Happy note... She and Pal, Chery,{ hope Lois can come too!} is coming down to see us, Friday, and Shop!!! We all love them so... We'll take 'em anyway we can get 'em! I will be putting images on, tomorrow, of some of the treasures, coming in... I don't want to show you today... don't need a stampede!!!{ cool stuff... I'm not just saying that, either...} Have a wonderful day!!! Barb C.

My Cross...

{I bought this Old Cross, here at my sale, a few years back, from Tom and Paula... It's folk art, made from match sticks and has seen, better days... I fell in love with it... I imagined, if I could see my Cross, it would be similar... a little rough around the edges...a break, here and there...Shards of mirror, so everyone who looks at it, sees a little of themselves in it, just like they are, in my heart...and, perfect, for me...} I am running, again this morning... Peg isn't here yet... She usually beats me to the shop... What a Whirl Wind! I wasn't going to post, this morning, have so many directions to go... But, my spirit was feeling a little parched, and I realized, I haven't been reading the Word, or visiting with God, lately... So, before I had done anything, this morning, I sat down, and read a little, in my Streams in the Desert....{Parched.... Streams in the Desert.... no pun intended...} It was the strangest thing... I had a visitor, the other day, and as she was leaving, we started talking about how some folks have it soooo easy... everything, just handed to them... why, they wouldn't last a minute, in our World.... Then, I recalled one of my favorite stories, in Streams... About a woman, who asked the Lord for a different Cross...{ and I shared it with her... Someone else, must need to hear it today... I turned right to it, this morning....} She said to the Lord, " why can't I have a Cross, like the one, that person is carrying.... it's is all covered in jewels, and gold... I would be so much happier, with that one..." The Lord smiled, and said, she may have that one... When she picked it up, it was so heavy, she could barely walk... She knew, this was not the Cross she could carry.... But, then she spied a beautiful Cross, another person was carrying... she was sure, this one would be perfect for her... It was covered with the most beautiful flowers.... vines, twisting around it's beautiful form... Ah... but when she attempted to carry it, she discovered beneath the beautiful flora, were piercing thornes, that tore at her skin....Finally, she came to a plain Cross...without jewels or any carvings, and with only a few words of love inscribed on it. When she picked it up, it proved better than all the rest, and easiest to carry... As she looked at it, she noticed it was bathed in a radiance that fell from Heaven....Then, she recognized it, as her own, old Cross....She had found it, once again, and it was best of all...You see... God knows best what Cross we need to bear...and we never know, how heavy someone else's Cross may be... We envy someone who is rich, with a cross of gold, adorned with jewels...but, we don't know how heavy it is. We look at someone whose life seems, so easy, and who carries a Cross covered in flowers.... Yet, if we could actually test all the Crosses, we think are lighter than ours, we would never find one better suited for us, than our own....{ August 29th} {Carrying his own cross. { John 19.17} I felt this needed to be said, this morning... don't know why... Hope everyone has the most wonderful day... I'm drinking lots of coffee... Thank God, for Peg.... Barb C.

Whew....

Peg and I worked in the shop, all day... a 14 hour day... We totally annihilated it... to get new arrivals in... oh my gosh... It was sooo hot, today, the floors were sweating, {as were we} in the shop... I was hoping we'd at least have the shop done, today... But, I ran out of steam.... We worked 'til around 10:00, and I had had enough.... Had nice visits from many... Carolyn A. popped out, yesterday and brought some cool stuff! The wonderful old stool is my fave... I am keeping it, just to use when I'm on the computer... I always stand, in the kitchen, when I am on the blog, and it's been working on me... so, this little stool is a life saver! I also posted the beautiful Peonies, John picked for me, today... they are amazing... Pal, Joseph, from Dubuque stopped in, and totally surprised me... He is such a gentle spirit... Had a very sweet phone call, from a fellow blogger, tonight... I wasn't very sweet... I was running on fumes... We'll have to visit, after the sale... Shelly H. popped in, yesterday, and took several photographs, of the place... I wouldn't let her roam, into the shop... I haven't seen them yet, but I'm sure they are great! She left a comment, on my last post... check her out... She's a Sweetie!

I'm closing, for tonight... I can hardly type, and need to fix supper yet...

Sweet Dreams...

Barb C.

{ I just looked at Shelley's blog... {scrapper girl} Oh my.... she is amazing... what Great Eye.... Thank You.... Barb C.}