Spring... Vintage Market Days 'Eastern Iowa'... History.

Arrived at VMD, around 8:30 this Beautiful... 

Mother's Day Morn, 

began Fluffin' The Booth.

; )

We'd left it in a bit of a mess, last night.

Was Grateful to see, Pal, Bill... and Steph had moved the Big Arch, front and center, while I was strapping down the Gazebo, on The Ford.

They Placed It... 

Perfectly!!

<3

Certainly not as Impressive, as The Beautiful Gazebo, but...

it was Much Better, than a Gaping Hole!!

; )

{LOVE Those Garden Arches!!}

: )

It was Pure Torture... setting up across from Our Lovely...

Paducah, Kentucky...Neighbors.

; ) 

Seriously!!!

???

: )

'Chocolate Moonshine'.

{seriously???}

They Have AMAZING Fudge, and Treats!!!

GADS!!

; )

Fun Folks!!

All of our Neighbor's were Amazing.

; )

<3

: )

Sold Many, Many... Mushrooms, of All Shapes and Size, over the last 3 days.

: )

The above, Young Man, Connor, picked my Favorite, today.

; )

Love That Teal Blue.

; )

Was Sooooo Excited to purchase the above, from Fellow Vendor, 

and Pal...

Dori.

<3

Have the Mirror image, of the above... 

Post Card... size.

The Post Card... dates from the early 1900's.

I've Treasured that old Post Card, for decades.

Keep it under a cloche, in the lower Bath.

<3

Don't believe the 'painting' or, 'print' of a painting, is as early...

No Matter.

Love IT!!

<3

Have a Perfect Spot, for the much Larger 'Painting'.

Love It.

<3

So Grateful...

Helper, Brandon, and Justin 'J'... were able to help me load out.

; )

Tho... there wasn't a lot left, it was still... a lot of work.

We got 'er Done.... Quick.

: )

<3

I'll write, in more detail... about VMD, tomorrow.

; )

I'm a bit 'Done'... for this day.

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Had an Interesting encounter, today... with a Gal.

; )

She stopped in front of the booth, and said...

"Barb!!!... Do You Remember Me!!??"

{always love it, when I'm asked that.}

; )

Uh.....

She said... "I'm Tina, from 'Linn Junction' days."

<3

{I... Lived on Horseback, in Linn Junction.}

{THAT WAS 50 Years Ago!! 

Several 'Lifetimes'... ago.

Miles, and Miles... and, Miles... ago.}

; )

Yes, I did recall... Tina.

; )

<3

then...

 I asked 'Tina'...

"How... in The World, did You... recognize me????"

; )

Tina's reply...

"Barb, you look exactly the same!! You haven't changed One Bit!!"

: )

Hahahahahahahaha!!!

; )

Bless Tina's Heart!!!

Hahahahahaha!!!

Apparently, to Tina...

I haven't 'Changed a Bit'... since I was 12 years old.

; ) ; ) ; )

Love It!!

<3

We Exchanged Many Hugs, and Memories.

; )

got... a little,

'misty-eyed'...

too.

Priceless.

<3

Always think of my Best Friend, Dorene, when I hear the above tune.

<3

Dorene, and I... Lived on Horseback, in the 1970's.

We were Inseparable.

: )

Dorene lived in Linn Junction, {N.E. Cedar Rapids} where I rented pasture for our Horses, Ponies... and Mules.

<3

We rode Horses... from Dawn, until Dark, every day we could.

; )

I was one of Dorene's Pallbearer's, in 1979, after she was tragically killed in a head on crash, on Highway 151, between Springville, and Marion, Iowa.

I've visited Dorene's Grave, most... every year, since.

; )

<3

so... often, wonder...

'Where', and 'Who'... She'd 'Be' 'Today'.

<3

<3 <3 <3 

Happy Mother's Day!!

We'll be Celebrating Mother's Day...

at

'Vintage Market Days'...

from 

10 'til 3!!

; )

Come... Join Us!!

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Vintage Market Days... Eastern Iowa, was Smokin' Hot All Day!!

Didn't have time for images, today... but, the Sweet Gals, above...

asked me if I'd get a picture of them, together... in the Simply Iowa Booth.

; )

Of Course!!

<3

It was a Fast and Furious Day.

; )

Had to run Home... and Load More on The Ford, around Noon.

ZING!!!!!

; )

Thank God, for Pal, Bill.

; )

He watched over my Booth, and his... while I Flew Home.

{Gratefully, I'm only 5 miles from the Show.; ) }

When I woke up this morning, noticed I'd missed a message from one of the Gal's who measured 

The Beautiful Garden Gazebo, yesterday.

Called her, early... this morning.

She was So Funny!!

; )

She said... she hadn't slept all night, thinking about that Gazebo!!

Said... She Had to Have It!!

; )

Told her... I could deliver it, after the Show, today.

: )

Thanks to 'The Twisted Sisters'...

<3

Pal, Steph... and her Hubby Marc, who... Just... 'happened' to show up, at the end of the day,

{'Lucky Them'... Hahahahaha!!}

<3

and 

Bill,

we made Quick Work, of getting The Gazebo down, and loaded.

{Talk about an 'A' Team!!! Holy Smokes!!!}

<3 <3 <3 

Priceless.

<3

We Really Should have a camera at these events.

'Behind the Scenes'

; )

What a 'Show'.

; )

<3

What an Amazing... Group of Dear Friends.

<3 <3 <3 

'Family'

to

me.

<3

Bill, and I had The Gazebo... delivered before 5.

The Show closed... at 4.

That's Quick.

; )

Very.

Thanks... to So Many Helping Hands.

<3

Vintage Market Days... 

'Eastern Iowa'...

Day 3...

Here We Come!!!

<3

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{I gotta tell Ya, I've sure met some Wonderful Folks, at this Event.

; )

Becky, the Promoter...

Awesome Vendors....

the 

'Customer's'

have been 

Over The Top, as well.}

<3

<3

The Love of Old...

runs deep.

<3

Vintage Market Days... Day 2, Here We Come!!

Sold the Beautiful Peacocks, yesterday... 

Glad they Stayed Together!!

; )

They've Found The Perfect Home!!

<3

Much... found New Homes, Day One!!

: )

Have several... Measuring for The Gazebo, and Arbors.

They are Absolutely... Stunning!!

<3

The Rabbit Hole... would Welcome Them, should they come Home.

; )

{already know Exactly... where they'd land. ; ) }

Hoping to be able to keep a couple Mushrooms.

These might be the last I can get.

: (

Better Git!!

Have to load, and restock... this Morn!!

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

: ) : ) : )

Vintage Market Days... Eastern Iowa, Day One. Holy Smokes!!!

; )

Bought that Lovely... Old Flannel, from Sweet Friend, Polly, yesterday...

during 'set up'.

<3

My washing machine is on the blink...

'Need Clothes'

especially...

'Clean' Clothes, until The Boy's can hook up the new washer.

; )

{the 'Life' of a Gypsy. ; ) }

{'Polly Ann's' Mt. Vernon, Iowa.}

<3

When I saw Polly's 'Creation'... well, ; )

<3

Sported her Creation, today...

will, all weekend.

: )

Had Many... Many... Compliments on it, all... day.

; )

<3

Day One...

at

Vintage Market Days, in CR, was Over The Top.

<3

Insane.

; )

The little Elf, along with many, many... much Loved, found New, Grateful...

Homes.

; )

When I walked past the 'Simply Iowa' 

ladder, 

where 

The Elf, had been...

thought of the Charles Dickens writing, about 

'Tiny Tim'.

; )

'a vacant seat'.

; (

That, it is... 

but,

that...

 little

 Elf,

 found

 The Best Home, today.

{even better, than mine. <3}

; )

The booth, is weary...

after 

'Day One'.

; )

That's a Good Thing.

; )

I'll 'Fluff', bring more in, in the morning.

<3

We All... will.

It'll be a 'New Event' in the morning.

; )

<3

Crazy... Wonderful, Insane... 

Day

at 

'Vintage Market Days'

{Eastern Iowa}

<3

Didn't have a Moment, to capture images.

{That's a Good Thing. ; ) }

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

<3

Vintage Market Days... Day 1, Here We Go!!

Ready to Roll!!

; )

Love... Love... Love...

this little Elf.

; )

If he doesn't 'find' a New Home, I won't be too sad.

; )

Hahahahahaha!!!

The Beautiful Garden Gazebo... breaks down to many pieces.

Easy to haul.

; )

Pal, Bill's Booth.

: )

He has some Cool Stuff. 

; )

We'll All... be Restocking Daily!!

Away... We Go!!

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

Can't Imagine... what made me think of the above...

'Tune'

this

Beautiful...

Iowa...

Morn.

; )

Hahahahahaha!!

<3

{a little too much Cuervo, last night...

perhaps.}

??

: )

We're Ready to Roll... at Vintage Market Days.

You can 'click' on the images... to enlarge.

; )

The 'Market'... is Full of Energy, and Beautiful.

<3

Know... We'll All be Restocking... Daily.

; )

'Simply Iowa'... 

is

Ready to Roll.

; )

Have some pricing to do, before the Market 'Opens' in the Morn.

; )

other than that...

We're Ready.

; )

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

<3

The above image, along with the two... below, are Pal, Bill's Booth.

<3

We're Side by Side!!

: )

Bill... has an Amazing Eye.

; )

Bill will be bringing Ton's More, Daily.

; )

Hope to See Ya!!

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

I always post a Tune... that 'Pops' into my head, while writing.

Somehow...

'Bad Co.'

'Ready for Love'... 

came to mind, while I was driving Home... from finishing up the Booth, tonight.

???

It kinda surprised me.

Haven't thought of that Tune.. for a long time.

Almost... posted an Alison Krauss 'Tune', instead.

{She's So... The Rabbit Hole's 'Voice'.}

<3 <3 <3 

Something... more, 'fitting' for the 

'Simply Iowa' Booth's post, perhaps.

; )

but...

that would've been against how I 'do'.

'Roll'.

; )

Love It.

<3

; )

{like, Patsy Cline, said...

"People in Hell... want ice water, that don't mean... they're gonna get it."

; )

I'm still chewin' with IDOT, and Fairfax, Iowa... City Hall...

along with a

 Beautiful...

Event.

<3

Gonna be leaning Hard on

Iowa's State Legislature...

very soon.}

; )

'Simply Iowa'

: )

But... First.

The Vintage Market...

'Simply Iowa' 

Booth, is Comin' Together!!

; )

Above are Vintage French Books, and Vintage Books, from Sweet Virginia.

: )

There's a Lot of 'Virginia' in The Booth.}

: )

{Love the Beautiful... Deeply Carved Claw Foot Desk/Table.

<3

It dates from the late 1800's, to early 1900's.

Those... sweet, little, old... concrete Piglets, make Perfect Bookends.}

Simply...

'Iowa'.

; )

Taking a few more Treasures, to The Booth, today... along with

FLOWERS!!

; )

Yesterday... well, was gonna write about it, last night...

hahahahahaha...

I was

 exhausted.

{Bag... of Bones}

: )

Concrete Floors, aren't good for me.

; )

Never have been.

After runnin' and luggin' on 'em all day, every muscle, and joint in my body Hurts.

: )

Just Standing... on concrete, all day is tuff.

Yeah... Boy.

; )

One of the reasons I've Always had Vintage Rugs, in our booths, over the years.

They help.

<3

So... was Up, bright and Early, yesterday morn.

Shortly after grabbin' a stout cup of Brew...

the phone rang.

?

Couldn't Imagine who would be callin' that early.

???

It was Tree Trimmer, Mahlon. 

: )

He's Amish... and a Great Guy!!

Mahlon was hoping to be here, Monday, before I started loading for Vintage Market Days, or next week.

He happened to be fairly close to Fairfax, yesterday...

so, he asked if yesterday morning would work, he could be here in half an hour.

Told him... I'd make it work... but, I wasn't dressed, and hadn't had a MUCH Needed Bath!!

: )

Told Mahlon, I'd throw some clothes on, and if could Hold His Nose, and, not get too close to me...

'Come On'!!!

: ) : ) : )

He Roared!!!

{Love to Make Amish Men Laugh!!

: ) : ) : )

They're Always So... Serious!!}

: )

Got dressed, went out to The Ford, and started working on things for the show, while waiting for Mahlon, and his Driver.

: )

It's been several years since I'd seen Mahlon.

He hadn't changed a Bit.

; )

He gave me some Good News. Mahlon thinks we can save One.. of the Big, Beautiful Trees in front of the house.

<3

Sadly... not the other.

I showed Mahlon, a few others, that were 'Gone', that needed to come down, sadly.

Mahlon, said...

"That's an Elm... have Ya looked for Mushrooms??"

{'me' look for Mushrooms?? I'm totally 'Blind' to Them. : (}

Mahlon... took one step, and said..

"Look!! There Ya Go!!"

WHAT!!!

: )

Yesterday, was my Birthday.

<3

What a GIFT!!

<3

<3

Told Mahlon, he should keep them, since He Spotted Them.

He'd Have No Part of It... 

: )

Mahlon said he'd walk 30 Miles for a Morel, but 'These' were 'mine'.

; )

Mahlon said he's found about 9 and a half pounds, this year.

I asked him if he sells them, "No... he said, I give what we don't eat.. away, to Friends.

 They are such Blessings."

That...

They

Are!!

; )

Scrambled a couple of Justin's Hen's... Farm Fresh Eggs with the Two... Big, Fat... 

'Blessings' 

for my

 Birthday Breakfast.

'Blessing'.

<3

Above is Becky, 'Vintage Market Days' Promoter.

<3

What a Doll.

: )

Pal, Bill... 'blabbed' it was my Birthday, yesterday...

{gads}

Becky gave me a 'Vintage Market Days' 'T'.

<3

; )

Better Get Hoppin'!!

; )

{but  first...

Coffee...

'Aleve'..

 and 

a

 Hot, Hot... Bubble Bath.}

; )

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{Thanks to Justin 'J'... for helping me load, fast... and furiously, yesterday morn.

: )

He's a Keeper!!

<3

Becky said... yesterday, 

"It's your 'Birthday'... and 'Here' Ya Are!!"

Hahahahaha!!!

Told Becky, think most every 'Birthday', and 'Mother's Day'... 

I've been on the road.

; )

That's what 'Gypsies'... 'do'.

I'm bettin' 'She'... understands That, well.}

; )

Vintage Market Days... Set Up Day 1.

Grandson, Justin... and I were Flyin', yesterday morn.

; )

The Ford was Wound Up Tight!!

; )

Brought in two loads. We ran to South Amana, to pick up The Beautiful Concrete Goddess!!

; )

<3 <3 <3

Pal, Bill... helped us set up the Gorgeous Iron Gazebo.

We also set up the Massive Garden Arch.

; )

Just... wanted to get 'The Bones' set, yesterday...

; )

I'm loading another... Pretty, Pretty... Garden Arch, this morning...

along with Load's of 'Fluff'.

: )

{smalls}

; )

It was Great... seeing so many Pals, yesterday... also, setting up.

; )

Great Group of Folks!!

Met some New Folks, too.

Several of them... commented how Much... they Loved that little 

Flatbed Ford.

<3

Me Too.

<3

He's 'Family'.

: )

Decades ago... when I gave John a ring, was kind of hurt... that he didn't wear it very often.

I... finally asked him why.

John said... he never wore rings, in his line of work, as he'd seen several Men, over the years, lose their fingers because of a 'ring'.

I understood.

<3

When he quit working on cars, he put on his ring, and never took it off.

<3

: )

I... learned, yesterday... first hand,

 {no pun... intended}

how incredibly right, John was.

Gratefully... when I hooked my ring, on The Ford's bed, the Beautiful ring, 

Friend, Deb... gave me, let go...

before my finger did.

; )

It was Still mighty painful.

; )

Pulled on my hand... arm, and shoulder... so hard... before the ring let go, I'm still...

'feelin' it today.

; )

Spun me around, like a Top!!

; )

but...

Still Have My Finger...

intact!!

; )

Grateful!!!

<3

Better Get Hoppin'.

; )

It's Show Time!!

: )

{Vintage Market Days

May 8 thru 10!!

Hawkeye Downs, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.}

Love to Ya...

Prayers for All.

Barb C.

{I've had Quite and Interesting Morning, already... as I write.

I'll tell Ya All... about 'It', this Evening.

Hahahahahaha!!!

: )

Gotta Fly!}

; )