Peg's Back!

Ahhh...Vintage...Mosaic....Concrete....Oh my.... One can never have enough....this just came in, to the shop, last night... Whooo Hoooo!

Peg and I hit the road a runnin'! She rode 'Shotgun', while I made deliveries...{she says she feels 100%... I'm not letting her touch anything.... she needs to get her strength back, before grabbing on to another concrete piece!} We are hooking up, again, today...and who knows where we will land! Peg has been working on her gourds, during her recovery... They will be here, at my sale, the first weekend in October... Here's your chance... they have been selling like crazy... They are... Amazing...

I'm going to be visiting an old friend, soon... who was raised 'Iowa Farmhouse Style'... and I'll be posting that, on the other blog...Some folks are having a hard time getting there... If so... simply go to my 'view my complete profile',{on the right side of the blog, down from my calender of events} then you will see 'my blogs', and click on 'Iowa Farmhouse Style'... you will also see, who I follow... they are all wonderful.... go visit them, as well!

Gotta Go!

Have an Amazing Tuesday!

Barb C.

The 'Melter'...

Here's 'The Melter'! Oh my... Went to visit Kate, on her Be-lated Birthday...She and Baby 'J'{Justin Jr.} were out playin' in the yard{Kate was working.....Baby 'J' was supervising!}....Justin was fascinated by the camera...He wanted to get a hold of it, in the worst way... He's 9 months...already... And... quite the little man...{well... not so little....} Seems like yesterday, his Daddy was this size... all I can say is... "Don't Blink"....

{driftinthelight.com} Check it out!

My Pal, Stan... who 'jet sets' all over the world, with the Rock Bands... doing the most amazing 'Light Shows', for them.... has his very own, unbelievable show, near here, in Mt.Vernon, Iowa.... I see some very familiar pieces... and am totally blown away... He is Amazing... Check out the images... See if you can find the enormous Chandelier, he borrowed from me... All I can say is WOW!!!! Thanks to Tommi, from Fuel, and Nancy, from Sollie's Castle... The Chandelier is truly where it needs to be... Then... Back.... cradled, down the Rabbit's hole, and swinging in the Mad Hatter's Den....

Barb C.

www.driftinthelight.com

Fall Harvest Sale...Around the Corner... oh my!

here's Dale...scoping out the treasures! This is a beautiful, blue and white coverlet...dated 1849...signed by the weaver, and to whom it was woven... it doesn't get better than this.... This is a lovely, late 1800's coverlet... It has Deer, on each corner... and wonderful Houses, around the edge... Perfect for Fall, and Christmas! This coverlet, is my favorite...Nope...No date... but it's so tightly woven... in red and green wool......It's heavy...and... very soulful...It's condition is amazing.... I would guess it dates from the mid 1800's... Love it.... This is the dated corner, of the blue and white coverlet...above... I love "Woved By".... The other corner is better... leave it to me, to pick the gnarly one! More butter molds...{this is a Strawberry...the lower image, is Cherries!}and wooden ware... It was a 'Country Week'! This is an early wooden form... to press a design on pastry... It is wonderful... Dale bought this great old hooked rug, at an auction, yesterday! I had to have it... Perfect for Christmas! I bought this little single drawered stand from him, too... Love It! Oh Baby... Talk about Romance... Whew! I Love this Look! Old Wooden Spoons... Nothing says 'Farmhouse', like a collection of Old Wooden Spoons, next to the Old Cook Stove...{well... maybe the scent of fresh cut dill, in the kitchen, and the old screen door slammin' at your behind!}

Where did the Summer go?....Where did the Year go?....

For the first time... in a very long time, I don't feel like I'm behind the Eight Ball... I've kinda...got it together... well... kinda! For so many years... seems there's always been some sort of 'drama', being thrown in my path... like a handful of tacks, under my bare feet...while trying to focus on the Sale... But... not this time... {I'm knocking on wood, throwing salt over my shoulder, and keeping the Bible close at hand....} I worked in the shop, yesterday...Dale popped in, and Linda M., it was good seeing them...also, Ken and Brenda,{ Kalona Antique Company, Kalona, Iowa} drove up to take a peek at the Beautiful Walnut Wardrobe....I love their stores... I always find the coolest stuff there... Linda and Dale were kind enough to help me carry in some of the gatherings I'd harvested last week.... Dale was disappointed in me...when he helps me lug, we usually spar, back and forth...when he pinched my fingers in the green house door... I didn't even yell at him... I must be coming down with something...{he was in shock!}

I've been getting many calls, concerning the sale... It's posted on the sidebar, under calendar of events...September 30th, October 1, 2, and 3.....8 a.m. til Dusk, daily! Feel free to call... I love to talk...oh my...

Peg is here, and we'll be hooking up, later today.... Can't wait! We have plans to go runnin', Tuesday, and Wednesday! Ya Hoo!

Hope Ya have the most Amazing Monday!

Barb C.

The Boys from South of 80...

The Boys from South of 80.... What a Gift....Tucker got his rig all loaded {thanks, Lynn} and strapped down... we added more, up North... It was a good day...

Had a great day... loaded and loaded... it was all good... Met a fine young man, today... Tucker... Ed had sent him up, to pick up a few things... and what a Sweetheart... 18, going on 30... Ed kept singing his praises... I agreed... But... I had to remind Ed... He is just like us... we both were 30, before we hit 18.... I don't think either of us, regret a moment of it...and probably why, we love Tucker, so... another 'old soul'.... I will have to say... as much as I spar, with my Pal, Lynn...about me, being a 'Northerner...'aye?'... and him, being a Southerner..'ole'...{oil}...all, at the boundary, of Interstate 80..... The Boys, from South of Interstate 80, are different... It's, "yes, Ma'am...., no, Ma'am...., thank you, Ma'am... and a lot of 'Sir's"... Pretty nice...

I spent the day, driving Sally... it was great therapy, between loads... The Fun Never Ends!

Barb C.

{as Michael pointed out... Tucker also built the 40 foot, fifth wheel trailer, he is pulling... and... He Drives a 'Big Daddy' FORD!!!!!{ I did the Mad Hatter Dance, when he pulled up, in that Awesome Truck!} He's 'The Man'.... What did I tell ya! 18, goin' on 30!}

Did You Ever Have a Dream....

Just a quick post, as I'm headed for the shower... Another long road ahead... another 300 miles....

Woke up, this morning, with tears running down my face...and Polly nudging me, to wake up... I had been dreaming, of Gold Rush... On set up, our Show neighbor, Curt said to me, this would be his last show... His legs have been bothering him, and the show was just too much... Curt's wife and sons did the booth, and he said he wouldn't be back at tear down... I begged him to come back, so we could have a few minutes... God only know when we will see each other again... He didn't come back...

My Dream...

I was tearing down, at Gold Rush... Everything was spinning around me... Like I was in the center of a Tornado... all of the other dealers, busy, busy....Wanda was there, doing last minute Gathering.... Barb H. purchasing a massive harvest table, from Tom R. and he was elated......Colleen smiling, and loading, even my niece, Ellen, who I haven't seen for years, was packing, at the show... They all seemed to be spinning around me....in slow motion...

I was standing perfectly still... at an alter.... Curt was sitting at it, higher than me.... there was another man, sitting at the alter, with Curt... Tho... I don't know who he was... but, in my dream, I seemed to know him, as well as Curt... I was facing the men... with my hands stretched out, on the alter, and was holding their hands...listening to them... gently, asking...almost begging them to stay....Everyone else, kept on their merry way... my booth...still full... and a mess... I just couldn't think about leaving...Finally I did... and turned to my booth, and saw Mark, smiling at me... his booth was all packed, and loaded...yet, for some reason, I knew, he would stay... and help me load...

Then.. my dream went back, to when I was 16 years old...and to a situation, that really happened...

I was driving the 61 Ford Flatbed... headed for the scrapyard... Dad and I had just put a heavy load of iron on...and I was flyin'...it was a beautiful Saturday morning... but I had to be on the scales before 11:00... I was on gravel, dust was rolling behind me... then, the old Ford died... right in front of a nice Farmstead.... I cranked on it, for a minute... but knew the old battery wouldn't take much more... so...I left 'er sitting, and walked up to the door of the Farmhouse... I knocked, and a nice lady, all dressed up, answered... I asked if I could please use her phone... I needed to call for help... My old Truck had quit... She looked me up and down...{ I was a mess... I'd just loaded a truck, and was pretty dirty... } she let me just inside the door... and asked me to wait there...she'd bring the phone to me... There were many people there... I could see them, all dressed up, and beginning to gather around a table, covered in a beautiful Damask table cover.... Then my eyes met, with a girl, about my age, sitting at the table... she looked at me, almost, looking through me... then down, at her plate.... It was my niece... Ellen... She never looked at me, again...she just sat there, staring at her empty plate... The lady was dragging the phone to me, getting the 30 foot cord stuck, on everything... I made my call, thanked her, apologised, for the intrusion then walked back to the old Ford...

I had no idea, this was my nieces fiance's parent's home... they are 7th Day Adventists...and had apparently just got home from Church... My niece was obviously ashamed of me... and the next day, tried to make up for it... ah... to no avail... She had all kinds of excuses.. blurting them out... one by one... I just stood there... I looked at her... and said..."I'm sorry for you....if the shoe would have been on the other foot, you would have been asked to join me... I would have found help for you...no matter...that's the way our family is"... She cried, and said how sorry she was... and tried to convince me, she didn't know who I was...blah...blah... blah... All I could say was... I'm so sorry... and, it was my belief, she had a Character Flaw... and, there wasn't any changing that... how sad...

I don't know what all of this means... All I know.... I have another 300 miles to go, today... I'm going to miss Curt... and, sometimes... blood, really isn't thicker than water...

Have a Beautiful Saturday...

Barb C.

{ Ellen sends a Christmas form letter, every year, addressed to my Mother, in care of me...{ Mom is blind, so I have to read it to her...} She goes on and on, about her wonderful, and perfect life... Her husband is perfect... her children are perfect...My life was pretty tuff, a few Christmas's ago...I sent Ellen a card, and asked her to send the letters to my Brother... Her Dad... Who actually cares about how wonderful her life is...Let him read them to Mom... {Mom would love to see more of him...} She still keeps sending them... Oh my...}

Whew... Another 300 miles...

The cab was full... the box was full...all the treasures, were racked and stacked inside each other... I have to go back, and pick up more.... what an awesome day... Funky Lamps... I hit the 'Mother Load', of the weirdest lamps, I have ever seen! I bought a pair of these... the shades must be 4 feet tall... Wanda said they looked like Missiles! Oh Dear....

Cool old painted bin.... Here is that Most Amazing Table.... Oh My!{ Thanks, Maisie...} Sweet Maisie... She is 83... and something, I have always wanted to be...and... will never quite make it.... a 'Real Lady'...What a Darling... One of the 100 sales, Wanda and I ran through! What a Wild Ride! Wanda, at our first stop... We Had a Blast!

Wanda {gatherings}, rode shot gun, and man... what a Great Day! We loaded the truck, 'til the tires were rubbin'! The day was a fast and furious one... but, very Grand! Met so many Great folk... One of my Favorite finds, is a 9 foot by 3 foot table... Wanda and I stopped at a sale, with little more, than a very sweet looking lady... and an old wing back chair... We walked up and started visiting with her.... She gave me a wonderful price on the chair... but... I was fascinated with her massive table... I asked her if she would sell it, and she didn't think so... Her late husband, James, had been the Mayor, of Mt.Pleasant, Iowa, in the '60's, and he brought the old table home, over 40 years ago... They were going to throw it away, at the Court House... It was the Official Ballot Counting Board, for the Elections.... James, like us, thought that would be horrible, to see the wonderful old table be thrown away.... so, they have had it for all of those years... I left my name and number, and a very fair offer, with her... when Maisie saw the offer, she decided, it was time to let the table go...We were both thrilled! I Love the table! Solid as a rock, with the coolest folding, saw buck ends.... Wanda liked it too! She thinks I should keep it, for shows... we'll see....

We were both pooped out, when we got to Fairfax,{around 10:30 tonight} and got her treasures all packed in her van... Oh my... What a day

I have another, very, very long day, tomorrow... I'll have lots to post, later... It's after 11, and I have to be up early!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Barb C.

300 miles... and the most important part of the journey... only a few feet

here are a few of the gatherings, I harvested yesterday... I just unloaded them this morning, to get an image for you... There is Lots more... and... some never made it home... but found happy homes, between here and Des Moines! These are 2, of three early samplers, I picked up yesterday...Gotta Love 'em

I was on the road, bright and early.... Had to run about 45 miles south, to pick up the 'Big Daddy' columns, for Jo's new house.... then, head west, 125 miles, towards Des Moines...It was great seeing Bill A., Nancy, {rug cottage} and Barb, {sisters' garden} I was running through, early, but, saw people moving around, at their stores, so I popped in! Then on, to Jo's... The load was heavy...tires occasionally rubbin' on the bed... but, no worries... I took the back roads, as far as I could...I just had a bad feeling about interstate 80... There have been many major accidents, on 80, in the last month... I set the cruise, at 70, {the speed limit} and, of course was being past like I was standing still.... About 90 miles into the trip, I had just been past, by 2 semi's, and had the rest of the 'Nascar' pack, drafting my rear end...I'm talkin' to Peg, on the phone... all of a sudden... all I see is white smoke, coming from the rear trailer duals, of both of the semi's ahead, and their trailers both sliding sideways, leaving black rubber marks, right at my nose... I tell Peg, "gotta go"... hit my brakes, and emergency flashers, and start looking for a way out... I've got semi's, and half a dozen cars at my back door, two, stopped at the door, can't see, on either side of the hiway.... so.. I opted for the median...Took the grass.... as I was driving through the dirt, I saw one of the semi drivers, in the center of the hiway, stopped, resting on his steering wheel, in shock... he was o.k., but his truck wasn't... his grill was gone... fluid spewing everywhere... then, I saw 4 more big trucks, on the right shoulder... with men, walking... had I taken the right side shoulder, I would have piled right into them... All I can think of, is the 4 trucks had stopped, to get something major off the road.... and had no time, before the next 2 semi's,{One, hitting the object, and annihilating his front end} and me, came upon them... it was on a knoll... and no way, could any of us see what was ahead of us...Oh Dear... I called 911, and the Highway Patrol was close, the dispatch said they'd have someone there quick.... I didn't hear anything, so hopefully, everyone got away safe... In 300 miles... the most important stretch of the journey, amounted to less than 100 feet... Angels...Angels...

As my old Pal, Julie, would say..."Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln... how was the play?" Well, the 'Play" was grand... Had a great time with Jo, bought tons of great stuff, in Des Moines...sold some of it, on the way home, and got it delivered, last night...and... I Am Alive...and...Well...

I'm back on the road today... a friend is stopping by, this morning to look at a cupboard, then, another 300 miles, or more, today! { I have to pop in, at our bank, and wish the President, Dave Neuhouse, a happy 80th! He doesn't look a day over 60! Really... He's sharp as a tack!}

Hope everyone has a Most Amazing Day!

Barb C.

Headed to Des Moines!

Headed straight south, to pick up a load, then, west, to see Jo, in Des Moines! It's going to be a long, long day! I am anxious to see Jo... {Jo's Brantiques, Carlisle, Iowa} She's getting ready for an auction, and is selling her beautiful home, and building a new one, and a new shop, on her other 50 acres...I can't wait to see the plans!

Jo put an order in, with me, a few weeks back, for 11 columns, for her new store, and home.... I found exactly that number, in one trip... How cool is that!

I have to be back, by 6, or so... Mark is coming to pick up a few things, and, I have to get a cupboard unburied, for another friend... I'm on the road, again, tomorrow... and Saturday... Oh Dear...

I'll see ya soon!

{check out the beautiful Red Raspberries, on my new blog, { Iowa Farmhouse Style}

{thanks to all have become followers!}

Have thee most Wonderful Day!

Barb C.

Beautiful Walnut Wardrobe... and Gatherings from Gold Rush...

Don't ya just Love this! This old Wardrobe is a 'knock down'...so...even tho it's a massive piece, it easily comes apart, and can be put in any room... even... up a winding staircase! It's quite early... the top, and drawers are all hand dovetailed...and you can see the beautiful hand planed boards.... it was found in an old home, in Marion, Iowa... It's solid as a rock, and truly Beautiful....

This is a 12 foot bar top... It was harvested from the Watkins Tavern, Watkins, Iowa...a small Farming Community... It is one piece... it could be easily cut down, to 9 feet... very, very wonderful.....

The tin dough bowl, was my purchase, from Mary, {Dark Horse Antiques...Janesville, Iowa} I Love it..... The white cast iron, urn pieces, I bought from Lois...It was fun seeing all the Gals! Chery, Lois and Mary are the most fun folk, at Gold Rush! Hands down! Here are a few treasures, from Gold Rush... I'm working a trade on the Wardrobe...{to purchase it} I Love it... If it doesn't sell, in the next few days... I think it will work in the spare bedroom...

Barb C.

Iowa Farmhouse Style...My new Blog....Check it out!

While doing Gold Rush, I visited with many women, who were hunting for certain things...I would ask, "how do you decorate? What 'look' are you reaching for?"...all of their replies were this..."well.. I don't know... it has to be old... or...really unusual... have 'real' old paint, or grunge, be worn, and well used, with wear...I also like to use pretty stemware, and pretty dishes"...I started thinking, and replied, to each of them.."The look you would find, visiting your Great, Great Grandmother's Farmhouse?"...A bulb went on, on everyone of their faces...throughout the entire weekend... I have used this term, for years, "A Blend of Early Iowa Farmhouse and Garden Style Decor, with a Touch of Romance", on my cards...This is my passion... Great Grandmothers Farmhouse...a mix of cherished treasures, she had gathered over her lifetime... This is what brings me home... my soul, to rest...I'm seriously thinking of writing a book, about it...Or... maybe, just a blog, about it... It's the way I have decorated, since I moved out, on my own, when I was 15.... I took all of the family photos, that Mom had stuffed in boxes, from the early 1900's, and started decorating around my vintage, sepia toned, farm family...There is something about old photo's...they can almost draw you right into them... I think my 'bulb' went off too....listening to everyone... I am inspired.... I'll keep ya posted! {iowa farmhouse style} if you go to my profile, you'll find my other blog, listed with simply iowa.... Barb C.

Bed Bugs....

Spent the day, here at home... bookwork... yard work.... errands... yeeesh.... Catching up with everyone, who expects me, this week... It's gonna be a "hurry up and wait" kinda week... yeeesh.... Spent Monday, resting... I couldn't sleep well, in Rochester....{just a few hours a night} Yes...we partied, more than usual... but.... I hate to say it... I think it was a phobia about the 'bed bug' situation... I stripped the bed, at the hotel, every night....flipped the mattress...{I never, ever leave the comforter on the bed, in a hotel, so that was flung off, and left in the corner...yeeesh!}examined the crevices, and joints in the headboard... checked around the plug ins, and switch plates...kept my luggage on a rack, and clothes in bags... have I gone 'round the bend? maybe so..... I'd wake up, feeling things crawling on me... yet... nothing was there.... every day, I hear another story, about the dreaded 'bed bugs'... They are being found in 5 star hotels, and upscale department stores.... yeeeeesh!!!!! I washed everything, when I got home... in Hot, hot water{ over 114 degrees to kill....}....paranoid? Ah... Yeah! You would think, someone who crawls around, in dirty old barns, with coon poop, rat poop, bat poop, spiders, mice, and all sorts of creepy crawlies.... really wouldn't let teeny, tiny little bed bugs, bug her... ahhhh... think again....If they lived in a barn... I'd have no problem... If they are invading my personal, sleeping space.... ah... not so much... {I'm itching all over... just thinking about it....}I visited with Jan, this afternoon, {summer sundays} I think we are on the same page... tho... I don't think she was quite as fanatical as I am... I'm on the edge, I tell ya... These things are the size of a ground black pepper fragment.... they can go 4 months, without feeding on your body... It's horribly expensive to treat your home, and then, it may not work.... They are working on a way to get rid of them...But, like Jan and I said....Whatever they come up with, will probably kill us off too... yeeesh... So... I may resort to sleeping in the FUSO...although, 2 of my friends got bit by a Brown Recluse Spider, while sleeping in a van....Oh Dear... I'll have images on, tomorrow, of some of the treasures I brought back, from Gold Rush... The truck is getting a tune up, and when it's done.... I'm gone.... On the Road again! Have a good evening... Sleep tight... and....well.... I'll see ya tomorrow... Barb C. {My friend Patty just called...{fern hill} and said I'm letting the media 'get to me'.... I'm like Chicken Little... 'The sky is falling!'...O.K....o.k. weeee'll see....{ this is coming from a woman,I saw jump straight up, onto the toilet seat, in her house, because she spotted a little spider....and wouldn't get down, 'til I caught it, and took it, outside...{I wouldn't kill it... she was SURE it would find it's way back!} So, Patty...REALLY!!!!! So...Patty...imagine...just for a moment... these are teeny, tiny SPIDERS....and no way of getting them out of your bed... Now...Sweet Pea.... Sleep Well...oh...I mean...Tight.... and don't let the Spid...oh..I mean Bed Bugs Bite!...}

Gold Rush....Here's a late post....{sorry} Now... I'm headed to bed....

Here's the load, we had on Lynn and Leah's truck, coming up, to the show... after our 'gathering expeditions'.... they went home, much lighter....

Here's Lynn and Leah, getting ready to head South.... I told 'em, if they didn't buy that Cupola Top... I was going too... It is soooo cool! I have one, all planted up, with herbs... Love It! Lynn found lot's of his 'passion'.... John Deere Stuff.... and was a happy man!

these sweeties, are Lannette, and Amy.... Bloggers! {cottage elements.com and junkologie.com} They purchased the wonderful industrial stools... oh my ... I loved them! We're talking about a blog party, next August, Gold Rush! Fun Gals!

The Massive wooden bowl, and the equally massive, hand dovetailed kraut cutter, went to a darling couple, on Sunday... They had looked at it, Saturday.... and luckily, the pieces were still there, for them.... That Bowl was on many customer's 'want' lists....

This is Madison... I think, quite possibly, the cutest little girl I had seen at the show... She needs to be in show business... She was the most darling child... I just wanted to squeeze her! { her mom sent her over, to purchase the vintage Des Moines pocket ledger.... }

This Sweet Gal, and her daughters came in on Saturday morning, bringing gifts... The Gal, had beat feet, after work, on Friday, to shop, as the show was posted to be open until 7.... and for some reason, they closed it at 6... which left her about 20 minutes to run through the buildings.... We tried to call the promoter, and see if she would give her a pass for the next day... but no one answered... It costs 5.00, per car to get in....... she was pretty unhappy... {So was I.... I needed much more time, to finish the booth... I thought we had til 8.... nope... they ran us out....} So, I gave her my pass... She came back, and had a great time shopping...I saw them carrying bags and bags! I'm not sure she would have come back... it was the principal.... I totally understood...

What a sweetie....{the home made banana bread, was almost as wonderful, as the sweet, organic tomato's, they brought me from their garden... ahhhh.... tomato's.....}

This is our Building, at Gold Rush...Gram North... I love it! I snapped it, Sunday Morn... On Friday, you could barely get down the isle... There are 7 or more buildings at this show... and Many outside vendors... It's way Fun!!!!{next year, Sandy!}

These gates were amazing, big...and tall...... Old Cemetery Drive Gates... I sold the pair, for 135.00... now...I wish I would have kept 'em...seller's remorse...I hate that...

The old store counter was purchased, to fill in... it was a great work horse! It sold to my pal from Charles City, for her store...{working women inc.} I'm sure it will be a great addition to their store!

sold most of what is in this photo... I loved that crock... and gnarly painting, behind it...... I sold almost all of the stoneware, and vintage, gnarly paintings I took... they went to the best folks... this huge 'Floral', went to a darling Gal, who works in an art gallery, in New York... She always takes some of my Gnarly Treasures back home with her!

This is a darling advertising jug, from the late 1800's, or early 1900's, that I bought on the way up.... it didn't sell... Oh well.... Every time I see it, I think of my two most favorite folk.... Ed, and Steph... hmmm..... wonder why.... 'Wine Merchants'... hmmmm......

Well... I'm back.....

What an Amazing weekend... Very little sleep.... but... sold, very well...I have been running on fumes, for days.... and I think the fumes are almost completely dissipated.... The booth, was a 'handful'.... Mark, and his daughters helped unload, and I helped them, with their load.... but I was on my own, getting it put together... it was a tremendous amount of work, and didn't really get put together, til Saturday morning...I had soooo much stuff.... big stuff, you could barely squeeze through the booth, let alone, try and put it together.... I needed all of the furniture, as I had 20 large totes of smalls... Becky, from Wisconsin, came to see me, early Friday morning.... and bought several pieces for her new store.... {When she gets open, I'll post the info! It's going to be Amazing!!!!} So, then I didn't have enough surface, for the smalls... Ran out, and bought an old store counter, {that sold, Sunday, but it did it's job well.... for 24 hours....} Most everything I bought, on the way up, and during the Show, sold.... I kept prices down, didn't make loads, but, moved a lot, and my customers should do well.... I'll have a better post, later... I think I'm typing in my sleep, now....I have an extremely busy, and laborious week ahead... so, today is mine....

I do want to say how nice it was seeing everyone...Bart, Janet, Connie, Linda, Becky, my little Canadian Girl, Lannette {Cottage Elements}, Amy {junkologie}, Laura, Catherine and all of the Special Folk, who make their way, to seek my booth out 'first'... Thank You.... Thank You... Thank You....

A Special Thank You, to Lynn and Leah....my Southern Iowa Pals...For hauling, lifting, lugging, helping set things up, and enduring a thimbleful, of the 'Mad Hatter' lifestyle....{ I called them, on my way home, last night... Lynn said they really had a great time... I know we enjoyed them, much....}

Thanks to all who hung out with us.... We are kind of 'Black Sheep', but.... we do... have a pretty good time...{Oh Dear...} {Amy, Ed and Tom.... well, they know what I mean...oh...dear....}

I'm going to go rest...

More later!

Barb C.

{ I just found out, John was very ill, while I was gone... He's feeling better, today....{ he never calls....nor, does he answer, when I do...} I think we are both, 'Resting'... today...all day.....

Nighty Night...}

Oh My Friends... This is why... I do, what I do...

Leah, and Lynn... Oh my... a long day... Lynn said. the great 'short cut', I promised, was 40 miles longer, and several hours more, than their usual route... but.... boy... did we have fun!

Here is Jeff, Mike, Leah and Lynn.... and... of course... the Wonderful, old Cupboard.... safely, and securely, ratcheted onto the bumper of the FUSO.... Oh my....{ Doesn't Mike look cute in this hat? What a Character!} I love the great jug, I bought from Jeff... I bought it, cause it reminded me of my friend, Ed... It's from a Winery, in Wisconsin.... Ed likes wine....

At first glance... Mikes Moving Sale, left a lot to be desired... However... We had a blast!

What a day! I did my usual, Steve Martin impression..." all I need, is this ironstone platter... oh, and this rug... that's all I need... and.. the crock... oh, the kraut cutter, and the wire broom holder... that's all I need... Poor John... he was trying to push me down the road... as I had all sorts of treasures, in my clutches... hey... I'm thinking of my favorite Gold Rush Folk... I want to bring only the coolest stuff! Anyway...I'm headed north, call my pals. Lynn and Leah, from southern Iowa.... they are headed to Gold Rush, and only 20 minutes ahead.... I know of a great short cut, and told 'em to hold their water... I was puttin' the hammer down, and I'd guide them through.... So, we hooked up, and away we went! We made our way, north, and stopped at Chester, Iowa... right on the Minnesota border... I found the most wonderful, early Cupboard, and Amazing Rope Bed... oh my... { I had sold a load, last night, { who would of thought?} and was short on stuff... I just knew... I would fill the void, today... I had NO Idea!} So, Sweet, Lynn, and Leah, helped me load the cool, old stuff, and we continued north...Then, we stopped at a great Antique Mall, in Racine, Minnesota... I went totally Crazy!!!! Bought a wonderful old. old cupboard, and tons of great smalls! Oh My! I asked Lynn, if he had a little room, in his truck... and he was gracious enough, to help me load, and haul the cool Cupboard.... Leah was great too! She lugged and lugged... oh my... So... North again, we headed... only... about one block... I spied a sign, that read... " Farm Antiques... Moving Sale..." I laid on the brakes, did a u-turn, on the hi way, {Lynn and Leah followed... oblivious, to the sign....} Lynn said all he saw was the 'Sweet Corn' Sign... oh boy... We drove, and drove... way out out in the country...the gravel roads were a mess! The 'Sale' signs kept getting smaller, and smaller... then... we finally arrived at an old Farmstead...a man walked out, Lynn, Leah and I, started digging through the barns... oh my....In one of the old sheds, I spied, in a dark corner, the most wonderful old, old cupboard... I asked the man, who was having the sale, if the old cupboard was for sale...He thought about it, for a few moments, and said he might....except... he didn't want to clean it out... it was full of oil cans....I said, I'd be glad to clean it out, so, Leah helped me fill many, many boxes, with all sorts of car lube stuff... oh my...Lynn found some cool stuff, as we were unloading...So... we all wound up, with some cool, old Gnarly stuff...{ and Mike... the owner of the Gnarly old stuff, was happy, he had made some money, and had customers, who loved all of it!} Well...there was only one problem... my space was all gone, and... so was Lynn and Leah's... the only option, was ratchet strapping, the wonderful old cupboard, on the back door, of the FUSO... oh my...

Just happened... Mike had a few ratchet straps for sale... 9.00 later... the wonderful old cupboard was safely, and securely, attached to the back of the truck...{ a first, for the FUSO...} I purchased several fun treasures, from Mike... His Top Hat...{ was on the sale} is a vintage one... I loved it, and I told him I would buy it, if he would let me get a picture of him wearing it... He was happy to! What fun! We all had a Wonderful Day!

Lynn and Leah, helped us get the furniture set, in the booth... but... boy... do we have an enormous mess... Ed called, and wondered if we had had the booth set, yet... Whatever....

Lynn and Leah, joined Mark and I, for a 'Gin and Tonic'..., after they closed the building, at 8:00.... We all sat at the bumper of the Fuso, and swapped Antiquing Stories...oh my.... This is why I do, what I do... What a day... and... the Show, hasn't even started... Oh my....

It's 12, midnight... and we have to be up at dawn...

Good Night!

Barb C.

{ It was great running into Jeff, today... He and I must have a Hound Dogs Nose, for Great Sales! Come see us, at Gold Rush!.... Gram North!}

Whew... What a day!

{This is the most Darling couple.... So full of energy, and enthusiasm! We had a wonderful visit! I sent them all over, and hope they have Great success in the area... I have no doubts! Thanks, Debbie, for following my crazy journey!} Barb C {This is a partial shot, I took earlier, today... Some of these pieces, sold, this afternoon...So... I've made a few calls, and will be filling in the Gaps! Yeah!}

{ this is a cool old Jelly Cupboard, my Pal, Bart, called me on.... It came from an Estate, in central Iowa... It's really Gnarly!}

{this is the 'Sister' Dry Sink, from the Northern Iowa Farm... It's Walnut, under that paint... a very neat old Piece!}

Well... the truck is pretty much loaded... I just need to grab the stoneware, and wooden bowls... tool box... drill... and whatever else catches my eye... and... I'll be on the road again! Can't wait to see everyone! Had some sweet folks stop in today! Lots of visitors! Kenny and Debbie Berry, Blog Followers, from Missouri, made a stop here! What a Sweet Couple... Wish we would have had more time! They are going to try and make it back for the Fall Harvest Sale, the first weekend, in October! I'd love to see 'em! Then it was back to loading.... I think it's going to be a Great Show!

I'm heading for be... it's almost 10:30... and I have to be up by 4:30.... Yeesh...

Hope to see ya in Minnesota!

Barb C.

{ I forgot to mention, how nice it was to see Amy N. She is such a Sweet Heart.... She drove all the way out to the shop, to pick up a doilie, for her Grandmother...Amy had seen it, a while back, and her Grandmother has been a bit blue, so she's sending it to her... How Sweet is That! I told her to just take it... but... she insisted on paying me... I only agreed, when she said, " have a drink on me, at Rochester"... well... when she put it that way.... I will be calling her, from Michael's, and toasting Amy... What a Dear!}

Barb C.

Black is Back!

We're getting projects finished up... oh my... Man... where is all of this stuff going to go... Yikes! I must be having one of my mental break downs... When I'm under the gun, stress is at it's highest point....I put on the brakes... run everywhere, I don't need to be... and.... color my hair... do de do....Usually something, well.... drastic....{ I may cut it all off too... and go super spiky! Not this time.... I told John, I'm letting it grow, til I can walk on it... He didn't think I'd live that long.... whatever....} So, I went black...when I looked in the mirror, I realized... I fit in somewhere between Gene Simmons, Steven Segal, and, Lily Munster...Oh well...I like all of those characters... so... what the heck! I'll have another post, later, with some of the stuff going.... Just thought I had better warn all of my Followers, that will be attending Gold Rush....Black is Back... and the booth may look a little... Goth.... Barb C.

My Girl...and the Massive Victorian Chair...

I'm getting a pair of these chairs... Love 'em! Polly.... well... These Chairs are substantial... but... so is Polly.... I can tell... she Loves her Old Wing Back, best.... I think she looks good in this chair, tho... Of Course, Polly knows, she'd look good in anything... What a Gal! Barb C.