So Many Things Got In Your Way....No Time Today...No Time Today...

Sweet Cathy's...'Green Endeavors'.... She was kind enough to order Curly Willow... for me... on very short notice....what a Dear!

This is ONE of the Amazing Florals, you will find, at Green Endeavors... This is a Topiary...and at least 9 feet tall...Oh Yeah Baby....Over The Top!!! They also have New and Vintage Garden...as well as Antiques... It Is Lovely...

FUEL....When in Mt.Vernon... You MUST Visit Tommi...and FUEL.... You will be Jazzed for the Day!!!!

A Darling Mirror...From Sweet Polly... Oh My....I So Enjoyed the Day....{worn.... Velvet....oh...my...........{sigh....}

Found the Wonderful Vintage Pins, at Schoolhouse.... across from Polly's.... I started getting compliments, almost the moment I pinned them on the Old Tattered Carhartt Jacket..! Carolyn W. had them...and they are PERFECT for SPRING!!!!

Early...{mid 1800's} Staffordshire.....See...This is my BIG FRICKIN' WEAKNESS!!!!{actually...one,... of many...frickin' weakness's....oh dear...} 

Oh My...Romantic....Staffordshire....

Yes... I will be using much of what I purchased today, from Carolyn W.,...at The Garden Party...for Servers... oh...MY! 

{I'll have images of Alice's 'Treasures'...and Carolyn A.'s, as well...soon... COOL STUFF!}

Alas...{sigh...with a weary hand...at my brow......}another non-productive 'Rabbit Hole'....Day...
But...was Grand... in all other respects...
Started at Green Endeavors... {on hi-way 30, across from Palisades Park...Mt.Vernon...} This new Garden Center...is absolutely AMAZING!!!! I'll be writing much more about them, soon... It will blow your socks off...
Then.... I really intended on heading back to Cedar Rapids... and Home... work.... but...When I got to the end... of Cathy's lane...{Green Endeavors...} It was either... west... {home}{the structured....responsible....direction...}... or East.... Antiquing...in Mt.Vernon...}{the FUN.... SOCIALIZING....GNARLY GATHERING... EXPEDITION....DIRECTION!!!}
 The Little Ford...decided to Head East....{oh dear, what can one do...}.... Spent the day in Mt.Vernon....Alice's Wonderland....{ found some very cool stuff...} Skillet...{great Lunch!}.... Fuel...{ahhh.... Tommi's}{not to mention.... very cool Antiques...that Tommi Hand Selects!} ......Best Coffee in The State!{AND! Her Mother's Scrumptious Baked Goods!!!} I shared  a bit of my Lunch...with Sweet Tommi...{'Fuel' Proprietress...} Lovely... Lovely.... Then...on to Sweet Polly's...{Pollyann's}... Spent Hours...shopping...and visiting.... Her Store is the Best I have ever Seen It!!!! {Be Sure and Look Her Up...at The Collector's Eye, Sunday, the 10th!} Wow!...Then...the Schoolhouse...{it is now Filled with Wonderful Shops!} Carolyn W., What a Beautiful....Gentle Spirit.... I found such amazing...Early Treasures there...  She and her Darling Son....John... have the most incredible knowledge... I Love Shopping With  Them!!! { earlier, while I was having lunch with Tommi,
John W. called, from Smokehouse, in Amana... wanting to stop by my Shop.... I said he should stay home...in Mt.Vernon...I was in HIS backyard.... we all laughed!} I ran out of time...wanted to stop by Wolfe's... and First Brick... I don't think my little pink purse could have taken another Shop...oh dear....
Carolyn A. is having a Yard Sale...she invited me to stop by.... oh my...{the Little Ford, was Agreeable...{God...I Love That Truck! the pink purse...ahhh...not so much.....} Carolyn A. has some Great Stuff... I bought some Gnarly Treasures...and...am... pretty much...Penniless...what's new....
As Pal, Mark, would say..."I'm the Winner!"..... I  am... really....
The day was...'Priceless'...
Love to ya...
Barb C.
{post title from the Wonderful, Danny Elfman's 'Alice' lyrics.... I had to put 'Lady Marmalade'...as only....Miss. Patti LaBelle, can do it...on...as lead, tonight.....Guess I'm in a 'New Orleans'.... mood.... I'm ready to go back...oh...yeah...Baby...}

So Near...So Far...So In-Between...

This Lady...hangs above the doorway... in the Greenhouse... She is nestled in a group of old tarnished silver...tea pots and platters... She seems pretty content...

Perfect words...to describe how the shop is coming....{again...lyrics by Danny Elfman's 'Alice'...} It's been difficult to get much done...in one swipe.... Interruptions.... Polly had to go to the Vet...that's an hour and a half... road time... {seems MUCH LONGER...She isn't a good rider...oh dear...} She is going to have surgery, in two weeks... oh dear... That took the wind, out of my sails...this afternoon... but...went down to the shop...and worked 'til 9:00....That was enough...for today...I'll get on it, in the morning... I have to pick up a Load of Curly Willow...in the morning... then get back on the shop.... It's coming....I get lost, there... and... it feels good...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

This is a very cool fountain top... it's hard to see...in this image... I hope to get it going... for the Garden Party!

This old Church Light...has hung in the Greenhouse...for a long...time... I love it... It's Beautiful, at night...

So Many Doors...How Do You Choose?... So Much to Gain...So Much to Lose....

Joyce and Bob...Dear...Sweet Folks... They have collected Antiques...and Telephones... for Years.... The phone Joyce is holding, is mine.... a Gift from them....I love it.... They call when they are thinning out...and I fly! They always send some Fun Stuff Home...with me...

Love 'em....!

Oh My... A Day...Completely Lost...

Well...not completely... Saw Dear Friends... Gathered Fun Treasures...Stopped and Visited with Daughter, Liz...and..'Miss. Scarlett'... fixed the computer{phone company came out...}... Scout got His Pedicure...{rescheduled from a week ago's Blustery Day..} and.... made some deliveries... but.... I didn't set foot... Down..'The Rabbit Hole'...
Wish I could take the snap shot, from my head...the image, that I see... when I look around the shop...It's all Perfect... and...completely done...
 Reality...well... ask the 'Rabbit'... {March Hare}...{Peg}...oh dear.. the tea cups would be flying... oh...my...
I'll say it again...
No Worries...
It'll get Done... it always does...
Love to Ya...
Barb C.
{title from Danny Elfman's wonderful Lyrics...'Alice'}

How Can You Know This Way or That...You Choose the Door...You Choose the Path...

{lyrics...Danny  Elfman's...'Alice'...}

The 1870's Iowa Farmhouse,  Dry Sink...Welcomes... through the Shop Doors...Peg moved it, inside...{from the little porch} and... it has Truly Smiled...

Sweet... tiny pincushion... oooohhh ... love'em!

Tiny...Child's... Metal... 1880's Tea Set...{fragmented} amazing... they have stayed together... 130 years...

Ahhhhh.... The Old Baby Doll...and the Cow Jumping Over the Moon... Whimsy...

The Ladies Birthday... Enough Said....

I chose the above 'Alice' lyrics... because they soooo fit the shop...today...doors...pathways....

had some very Brave 'Alices'...fall down the rabbit hole...today...

I have a Very...very hectic week ahead... I may not answer the phone...and posts, may be brief... Messages...Comments and E-Mails... are Welcome...I'll get back to you...when I can catch my breath!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

"Such a Long...Long Way... To Fall..." ahhh... The Rabbit Hole....

Nothing has went as scheduled...today...
 Spent an hour...{or better..} man handling two Boudoir Chairs...and Sofa...
 Round...and round... in the same, small niche... down the 'Rabbit Hole'...
"Must make them fit... Must make them fit..." oh...dear...
Then had very Sweet Interruptions... from the Vintage... Upholstered... Merry-Go-Round....
Oh...Dear...
Amy...and Sweet Lydia... came calling... {the nest} a Darling Duo.... {they even signed the "Barbie All Grown Up"...case...!} I love those girls... Amy will be having her Open House... very soon... I Can't Wait! Cool! Cool!
Then...back to the Merry-Go-Round...
Sweet Polly... rang...{pollyanns}...was driving by.... Had a Wonderful Gift... For the old Mad Hatter.... She knows my Passions... and one... is... Brown Transferware... oh my... what an Angel....Love It!
Rose, called to pick up her prior purchases... all good...{Love Her...}
Then...Mike and Jim...it was Great to See Them!... It's Been Way Too Long!
They were so fun to visit with...{actually.. I did most of the talking... Bla...Bla...Bla... oh my...}
Then... Dale... popped in... and... that was the end... to my day...
I had planned to go to Wanda's....{gatherings} Spring Open House... and.... make deliveries...oh dear... too many irons... too many fires...
I visited with Wanda... made my apologies...for not getting there...however... She Never Even Missed Me! She Kicked Butt! {her store is...AMAZING!!!} What can I say... I'm a Loser!!!! {I can guarantee... I will roll in, next week... and still find the most Wonderful Treasures....she always has Great Stuff!}

Here is Amy's {the nest} Calender....Her store is Darling! A MUST SEE!!!! {click on image, to enlarge!}

http://www.thenestonline.com/     http://www.thenestonline.blogspot.com/

Sweet Lydia and, Sweet Amy's {a.k.a. Lydia's Mom} 'brand' on the 'Pink Thing'... SWEET! {Lydia starts Kindergarten, this year!!!!}

One...down filled... sofa...

{one... of the 'Boudoir'...chairs.. oh..dear....

I've decided... it's a Dirty Martini...and... a reflecting time...on a most... Amazing...Day...
Love to ya...

A Darling Gift... From...Darling Polly....{pollyanns} We had a very nice visit...Hashed out the Worlds Problems...a bit.. Polly is such a Gentle Spirit....Love Her...

Ahh...The Angel...In The Fountain...

I have watched, in wonder... as the Old Fountain, in the Greenhouse... has transformed... I keep adding water... but... never really 'clean' it... I  have let Mother Nature do Her Thing...It is amazing... the Moss... that has grown, all over... the seeds, I poke in it... grow...and grow...

It's ALIVE!

Barb C.

It's Getting 'Tight'...Down...'The Rabbit Hole'....

Oh...Dear....

I bought a small sofa... and 2 boudoir chairs... yesterday.... Peg has to go home... {for sanity's sake} and she said... this is the first time she has left the shop worse, than when she came... it truly 'IS'.. Destroyed...

However... I see it completely done.... no worries... It has to get really...really ugly... before it gets really...really wonderful...

The above sofa... is one, I am racking my brain, trying to find a spot for.... I LOVE IT!!!!

{it's a little over 6 feet wide... 3 feet tall... and around 3 feet deep...may not get through the Green House Doors... oh dear....}

Peg just stood and shook her head.... "no way"...{concerning the 3 pieces, I brought home with us...} See... I...can...Always... Find a Way....{it's that 'Scarlett O'Hara' thing..." God As My Witness!"....oh dear...} {speaking of 'Scarletts'.. Scarlett Belle is doing GREAT!}

I have deliveries to make... and...Gatherings 'Spring Open House', to check out... if I have any energy left... I'll tare back into the shop.... I reassured Peg... I will get it done...

Dale popped in, yesterday... as Peg was saying I couldn't get the sofa and chairs I had just bought, in the shop area... she had just emptied...

Dale's eyes met mine... he said, he had better move... they were coming in...{he knows...} ahhh... yep... They don't look pretty... yet... but...they are IN... and Will... Look Pretty...

Have an Amazing Day!

Barb C.

{Peg has given in... said the Shop whipped her.... What she doesn't understand... is she has reached into the depths, of the little shop... and this is a MAJOR FLIP!!!! What she has done...she has opened up a door...to another thought process... we could have skimmed over the Shop... and it would have been fine... Now.... there is no choice, but to DIVE IN!!!! and FLIP!!!! It's been a Long...Long Time! YEAH! It's All Great!

Peg looks a little overwhelmed...{well alot... Overwhelmed... me... no way... it's all UP from Here!!! Peg has MOVED MOUNTAINS... this Week! Oh My!!!! She is AMAZING!!!}

A Glimps of the 'Rabbit Hole'...

{ GATHERINGS...ANAMOSA, IOWA.... SPRING OPEN HOUSE...TODAY!

DON'T MISS IT! CHECK OUT  {gatherings} {I follow her blog!}

{Wanda's open house runs through the weekend!!! I'm goin' tomorrow!}

Here is Peg.... last night... finally sitting down....and... still tweaking... She kept saying..."People have no idea"... I just smile....She is right... People who don't have a shop...or do shows...truly... have no... idea...but...the grunt work, is a very small part of it... 

Oh my... we have laughed...and grunted.... groaned... ate dirt.... then...laughed...again...{I mean BIG BELLY LAUGHS!!! 'til your side hurts... "laughs"}... 

The shop isn't even close, to being put back together.... Peg has worked her tail off...all week..and... this is her last day, here... {she'll be back, for the Garden Party the 8th, 9th and 10th...with a new batch, of Amazing Gourds!!!} I will have it all done...

She looked so sad, yesterday...knowing, she was going to have to leave...and, not having things more in shape.... Peg... had no idea....what a disheveled, trinket box, she was falling into...

She and I are 'detail driven'... you can see it in everything she does...I can't work, with many people...Peg, is one of few...

 She said, I need to have a 'follower', work with me....{believe me... Peg isn't a 'follower'....She is an Incredible Artist....with Amazing 'Vision'...} I don't need a Follower...... I need to have a 'detail driven person'... Her Artwork, is the very same way...to her......as the Little Shop...is...to me... it's all down to the tiniest detail...that is, what makes them so incredible....My Shop...'Is' my canvas...My expression, of a Living Art Form...It's taken me years, to figure this out... The Booth...at  every show, I do... is my canvas...maybe... that's why, I take things, very personally...and work equally hard, whether it may be a small, one day show... or.... Heart of Country... it is an expression, of who I am...and..how I see, all of the Soulful Gatherings...when I put them together... they sing like the Church Choir....Like... Peg's Beautiful Gourds... Steph's Amazing Fabric...Stanley's Incredible Paintings...

I have taken the rap...and have always said... I must be difficult to work with... I burn up show partners... pretty fast...But...looking back... the Partners I had... that had an artist's eye... and Passion, for these Wonderful Treasures, from the past...well... we worked hand in hand... 

It's not about the work... the heavy stuff... the dirt... it's about the 'Vision'...'.Passion'.... the 'Art Form'....and... most importantly... the 'Soul'....

I have been in a 'Block'... as Peg has kept going... People who know me... know... I always get it done... Sadly... just as Peg, is getting ready to head home... I laid awake last night...with all sorts of plans... I simply could not 'Think'...this week... but I'm getting it...

I'm looking forward to Spring... The Garden Party... Gold Rush..{even knowing... I'm all alone, this time... I know it will be just fine...a wonderful challenge...} Then... The Memorial Day Weekend Sale... I'll be running Hard.... but... it's going to be a Great Year....

Hope Everyone Has an Amazing Day!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

{I can't begin, to Thank Peg... enough...she has helped get the Creative Juices Flowing.... Has made huge Headway... and am I'm energised... I think... tho, all of the work she and I have done... isn't what has motivated me... the most... it's been the laughter...

Seems...it gets harder and harder... to laugh....with 'life'...

once again...

 it's all about the 'Journey'...}

{I have just thought of something.... the Folks, that visit...with a Creative, Artist's Eye... can't wait to get into the Little Shop... and stay for a long time...

Those who don't... don't stay long... Interesting... it's the 'right brain'....'left brain'... thing... I'm thankful, to the ones, who don't appreciate.... I buy from them...}

{The little camera, and I were tired... last night... so...the images are a bit blurry... like the photographer...}

Scout...and Steph....

I have had some folks inquire about Scout....He is doing much better... His eye  is  getting better... The Vet isn't sure why it flares up.... but I know it hurts him, when it does.... So I always have her give me Lot's of Pain Meds...along with his eye ointment...  It may be something with him, that is chronic...
Steph "ran" over to visit, yesterday...I'm such a loser.... I wanted to walk with her... but... I pulled a tendon, in my right leg... {I have Major issues, from my heel to my butt....too many Big Daddy Cupboards? ahhh... NEVER!!!} So.... after I get through this Garden Party...I'll see if I can get back on track....
Steph is keeping at it! What a Gal!!!!

Found the Camera... I'll have some shop images tonight!
{I had to put this song on for Steph.... she thinks she needs to lose some weight... really....??? She is LOVELY!!!! Beautiful!!!! oh my...{Scout Thinks So!!! All The Boys Do!!!}

Run!!!!

Oh My...
Ever tried standing on a 6 foot ladder...that's standing on a trampoline?... well...I have...
I was trying to figure out how to hang a lampshade... from the ceiling...{10 foot ceiling}...above the 50's couch...that is wedged...and NOT MOVING ANYWHERE...problem being... I can't reach the ceiling...{even standing on the back of the sofa...}so I kept flipping the ladder around... over... behind... to no avail... {all the time... Peg was saying...and pacing back and forth.. {the Rabbit says No...Too Dangerous... no...no... no... I can't watch.. this will never work...ect...ect... ect...}
Finally... she gave in... knowing I wasn't about to give up.. and helped position the ladder... on the very... very springy sofa... and against the wall... oh my... I climbed to the top...with 6 feet of wire.. the drill and a couple of screws... got a screw in the ceiling...and wire wrapped... {I had kicked one shoe off, so I could keep my footing... of sorts... on the back of the sofa...when I began to climb... when I started climbing down... Peg said.."Wait!"... and was trying to grab my shoe, that was on the seat of the couch...so I wouldn't step on it... {but see... when coming down...off of a BOUNCY  Ladder.... one has to move quickly.... I moved Quickly...Peg.... not so much.....
I caught a glimpse of her expression... in one of the old mirrors, that is hanging on that wall...{It brought back wonderful memories... of a Hot Day.... in Southern Iowa... Pushing the Little Ford...down a Tiny Town, Main Street... with cars...lining up behind us...and another expression... in a mirror.. that will be forever burned into my brain..oh dear...}
Peg's hand... and my shoe... both got pounced on....Poor Peg....She said...."I just couldn't move fast enough".... with such a bewildered expression....of course... The Sick Person...I am....COULD NOT STOP LAUGHING!!!! {what is WRONG with ME!!!}
Her Sweet Little hand is scuffed... but o.k.... Poor Peg....
Then...when I was vacuuming... I thought it was blowing a bit of dust... just as Peg walked up... the Vacuum Belched off it's filter...{I always wondered if you could get by, without a filter on a shop vac.... ah... NO!!!!} The entire front of the shop, was DUSTED!!!! and Peg...She was RUNNING OUT THE BACK DOOR!!! Coughing...and hacking... oh my...I just stood there... all you could see were my eyes... I looked like a solid dust ball... oh dear... I'm still choking up crap, this morning!
Still haven't located my camera.... I know one place it isn't....In The Vacuum...
Love to ya!
Barb C.

Working 'Down the Rabbit Hole'... oh dear

Sweet, Peg was nearly at 'Wit's End'..... I have never seen her this way.... she asked about, redoing a wall....in the front, East corner of the shop... I had dozens of Victorian Scrap book pages, applied to the wall...and a long shelf...attached over the pages...{I work in 'Layers'... always...many...many layers...} so all would have to come down...I said..."You do, whatever you want..." I helped take the 7 foot shelf down...we could barely move..in the tiny corner...filled with...well...everything that had once been in place...on, and under the shelf...
This entire destruction, began with Nashville... and Paul Bunyan, taking a vacation.... oh....dear...
almost...well.... the entire shop, has been turned upside down....
I saw the 'Mad March Hare'...nearly  lose it.... when the paper towels came up missing... and neither of us could find them...ANYWHERE!!! it was nearly the straw...{they were found, a couple of hours later...}
Peg's ears were twitching...I was waiting for the tea cups to start flying!
I have posted Big 'Closed' Signs on the doors...{with the promise, of the Garden Party, on the 8th and 9th :) }{had Lots of folks digging around, Sunday...Brave Folks!}Farrier is coming this morning.. giving Scout, a trim.....the Vet... to check his  eye...{I've been doctoring that...for a couple of weeks...} Storms...are brewing.... Hail... maybe... this afternoon... and... they say 80 mph., winds... oh my....{ Glass Greenhouses... oh my...I get a little nervous... with this kind of forecast...}
I have misplaced my camera...Dear Lord... I hope it isn't in the shop.... It may be weeks...before I find it...
Have a Most Amazing Day...
Love, to ya!

This is a Vintage, Grant Wood Print...a snapshot, of Iowa, in the 20's and 30's... I Love Grant Wood's Art... I don't remember the title of this piece...it doesn't matter... it just brings back so many childhood memories...ahhhh Springtime... in Rural Iowa...

Barb C.

A 'Rachel Ashwell' Book Signing! AT.. Leftovers Antiques... March 26th!

I have been so Crazy Busy.... I just saw "Leftovers Antiques" Blog.... {go check it out!} Rachel Ashwell, is doing a 'Book Signing' at their Amazing Store, in Brenham, Texas... {the Boys always have many wonderful activities going on, before and during, Round Top!}
Some day... I will make it to Round Top! I just have to see it... ONCE!
I can't wait to see Rachel's New Book! I'm Sure it's Amazing!
So many Great Folks... do Round Top...TOT, {discarded and forlorn} Cindy B., from Smokehouse Antique Mall, in Amana... Scarlet Scales, Franklin TN.... oh my...Great Folks! Some day...
Hope Everyone has the MOST OVER THE TOP.... ROUND TOP!!!!
Love.. to ya!
Barb C.
Peg rolled in, yesterday... oh my .... we have Much... ahead...here... down... the Rabbit Hole...{I peeked through the door, as she walked inside the Greenhouse... to see her first reaction... to the carnage... that Begins outside.... well... it was.... 'Priceless'....{of course... she said..." oh... no worries"...oh dear..
{we went over to see Sweet Scarlett... and gave her a little...'squeeze'...and...Gail's Beautiful...New Digs.... Oh My... My Friends...are So... Frickin' Cool!!!!}
A Busy week Ahead!

{I have this Gnarly 'American Queen' Gibson Girl...in the spare bedroom... I Love It! It's from the late 1800's, or early 1900's... and is simply....cool!}

Love to ya!

Sweet.....Scarlett....

Mama...and...Scarlett...{is that her first wink? oh my.... a chip off the Old Block! {both of 'em!}

Daddy...Nick... He is going to be a terrific Dad.... I am Proud of him... He has taken very good care... of My Favorite Girl... and... I can see... will be Amazing... with... my newest, Favorite Girl...

Grand Dad.... enough said....

Miss Scarlett, and I.... have one thing in common...

 Crazy Hair!

 Oh my... The Fun...we Will have Together...

Miss Scarlett...24 hours old...

 oh my... the Journey that awaits...

 Wonder if she knows... the Protection that Surrounds her...

 for some reason... I'm pretty sure she does... as she looked into my eyes...

and...held tight... to my finger...

I think she knew... what ever comes... has to come through, Me...

{and... her Mama...}

{then her Dad..Grand Dad...and...6'3... Uncle...oh...my...}

{and... the Angels... of course!}

That's a pretty Big Wall... oh my... I sooo... feel sorry for her boyfriends...Yeeeeesh!

We are Blessed....

Love to Ya...

Barb C.

UNI-DOME and Bourbon Street...{Scarlett images, tonight!}

Heavy... stuff.... and... comfy chair... to relax, in the shop...ahhhhh...

Chandeliers riding shotgun!

Allyson...with our 'Lute'...from UNI! 

 I have to laugh.... seeing my little 'Pink Purse' sitting on the ledge... smiling at the camera... {oh dear...{I think anyone who knows me...knows... I'm not much of a 'Pink' person..}this pathetic little thing...was all I could find, in a pinch, when the old black one gave out...{it's really a make up case... like the last one... perfect, for all of the crap I must have to survive...inhaler... check book.. debit card... cash... patchouli...change..pens...a big, fat marker...for the signatures... receipts...lens cleaner...gum...hand sanitizer...lotion... business cards... phone numbers....Aleve....more receipts...... everything from... super glue, to lip gloss...I pray I never confuse the two...oh dear...{ when I open it... it's like a 'Jack in the Box'... I remember dumping it, one time... my friends were all on their hands and knees, trying to find all of the debris, that some how, vomited...all over the floor... it's amazing...what a little bag, can bind, together... almost...like a Hay Baler...... oh dear...} So...Daughter, Liz... signed the bottom....as a joke.."Barbie...all grown up!"...it got me thinkin'... I should have friends, start signing it!!! Oh My.... The Bank, has signed it...{stamped}... and I have gotten Great Signatures...from the Coolest of Cats!

I had folks at the show, thinking, I had purchased it there...as a piece of Folk Art... It is lookin' kind of Gnarly! Who'd a Thought!?

It was Great seeing everyone! Dale... Mary Ellyn...Linda... Sweet Polly...and Bob......Julie and Gail....the Canadians... Carol and Chuck... George and Terry...Dave... soooo....many friends!

I bought some Fun Stuff! and so did Allyson! Yeah!

This is the Fabulous "Bourbon Street"... {at 314 Main Street, Cedar Falls} Oh my...the Food Is Amazing!!! {they don't make Cajun Martini's...so...I had a plain old 'Dirty' one... with lots of olives!}

We had a great evening....

Liz says we can come visit....today {she had said, she didn't want any visitors, until they get home... but she is so Proud of the Beautiful Little Peanut... she is willing to Share! I bragged, throughout the Show, last night... and brought all sorts of Happy Wishes home for Liz and Nick!

I'll have images of Sweet Scarlett, tonight!!!}

Love, to Ya!

Barb C.

Scarlett Belle Has Arrived!

Daughter, Liz....has a Daughter Herself...
at around 11:00... this morning...Little Miss Scarlett, made her Debut!
Ahhh....Life....
{images...soon...}
Love to Ya...
Barb C.

A BUSY DAY!!!

Cleaning out the Ford.... then... looking at some 'Stuff'....Then, Allyson and I are headed to UNI-DOME Antique Show, in Cedar Falls! {it opens this afternoon!} I have done that show, over the years...and it's always Great seeing the 'Northern' Iowa Folk, and some of the Minnesota People, make their way, too!
I have never really 'Shopped', the UNI-Dome... {when I do a show.... I'm there to sell... and I don't run around too much!} So...This will be Fun! Allyson and I will catch Supper, at "Bourbon Street", {a Great New Orleans style restaurant, in the Old Downtown District, Cedar Falls...{and maybe visit the Voodoo Lounge....{oh dear!} I'm looking foreword to it!
{wonder if they make Cajun Martini's... anything...like K-PAUL'S... in New Orleans?... I better check it out...}{Allyson is driving...}
Have a Great Day!

"Love One Another"

I am always drawn to these punched paper, Victorian {1870's or so...} Needlework, Motto's...

{Berlin Work}

You will see, much Victorian, and Glass, at UNI, along with a variety of interesting Antiques.... Clocks... Beautiful Art Work... Stoneware... Art Deco...some Country.... some Retro... {fun stuff, as well...Polly, {Pollyanns} always has an Adorable, pastel Booth! Filled with Something for Everyone!} {Polly Rocks!!!}

A little bit of everything...at UNI... and Lots to Choose From!

Hope You Can Attend!

It runs through Sunday!

Barb C.

Happy Birthday Justin!!!! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy Birthday...to a True Irish Lad! {NONE of that Crazy 'pin wearing'... Stuff, for Him! or... picking up girls.... he has the best one... at home! ahhh... the Luck of the Irish!}
 Son...Justin's 26th! He doesn't have to wear Green... He has my Dad's Wonderful...Mischievous...Irish Twinkle... in His Hazel Green Irish Eyes! {and... a Shamrock, permanently tattooed, on his head...
oh dear...what a Leprechaun!}
Hope Everyone has a Beautiful St. Patrick's Day!
Happy Birthday... Justin!
Love to Ya!
Barb C. a.k.a. Mom...

Curly Willow...oh dear...

I am totally Hooked...on Curly Willow.... Peg and I used it at 'Heart'.... it was absolutely Perfect, for the 'Rabbit Hole'! Gnarly as can be... I'll have images tomorrow.... I gnarled bunches of it, around the entrance, to the South Greenhouse... very.... cool... I will order tons more, for inside the shop... It looks like Gnarly roots, growing from the walls...
Steph {stephanie brandenburg studios} got me hooked on it.... years ago... when we did 'Heart', together... {Fern Hill}...
I had a very busy day...lots of work... I pulled a tendon, in my hand, a few days ago...and... another, in my leg... last week... so... I'm a bit on the 'gimpy' side... but... still... gettin' 'er done... just... a bit slower....{climbing ladders really... suck...}
I'm unpacking some very fun, stuff... I want them to be surprises, for the Garden Party... so... I haven't been posting many images...{sorry}....Soon...very soon... I'll share....
Love...to Ya!

{I'm sorting through, my Victorian Calling Card, Collection...I bought them...years ago... It's time, to send them on, to others...}

Barb C.

Abe said..."If You Look for the Worst...in Someone...You'll Surely Find it"... I say... IF You Look for the Best... It's Right There...

As I walk... through this Journey... called..."Life"... Tho...{some days }meager..... I feel 'Rich'...
 It truly is... about the Journey... and the  People...you meet, along that Journey...
I will say... the Good in Folks... soooo ... out weighs the ...well... questionable...
I hope... when confronted... by... tuff folk... you stand back... and put yourself, in their shoes.... and... give them, the benefit of doubt....a bit of understanding... and...accept them...
{Judge Not...lest Ye be...} no matter...oh my...
Give 'em... a BIG SMILE...and..even..a Hug... Just... let them know... they are Loved... no matter...
{ this does not, mean to subject ones self, to bad behavior... I choose to stay away from hurtful places.... there is something called 'self preservation'....I Pray... and hand it over...{sometimes, it takes Angels, with 2x4's, to get me there... oh dear...}
Amazing...
God Bless....
{enjoy...the Ride...}

Ahhh...No One... Knows this Lesson... Better, than...Sweet Steph...{stephanie brandenburg studios} Steph Always seeks out the Best, in Folks...She came buzzin' by... with... fine... French Wine...in hand...then...Us... hashing out... the Crazy...World...Issues... ahhh... a Much... needed Escape...Friends... that...Is... what it's All.... about....

Putting...'White...on White'.... Awaiting... 'Spring'...with all of Her Colorful Glory!

{Amazing... what transpires... at the Tailgate... of the Little Ford...}

Barb C.

Taking Stock....

It is an Amazing Day.... outside....I Feel Spring! Polly and I went for a walk... and snooped a little... Oh My.... {friends tell me, I don't need to buy, another thing... that I have tons of Great Stuff, right here...I never believe it.....I Believe It!} I started checking out the sheds.... oh my... I'm gonna be doin' a little shoppin' in my back yard.... Who Knew!

I'm putting the Word Out, for the Garden Party.... I Want to See Faces!

This 'Garden Party'... is just a fun, couple of Evenings... relaxed... Antiquing... Hanging Out... {not a plant sale...but... will have some great planting ideas! and thanks to Val, some early plants!} The Shop will be Flipped.... and will be Welcoming Spring...Down The Rabbit Hole!!!!

Come Join Us!!!!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

{see calender of events, for times..}

Frick....

Frick & Kaupke

Roasters of Fine Coffees

Grinder of Diamond Spices

{pat'd October 19th, 1897}

I had to laugh, when I saw this, neat old scoop, at my pal, Bart's house...{had to buy it}

I'm good at saying 'Frickin'... awhile back, I had an old friend, who is a retired school teacher...say I ought not say that... {I say... it's far... far better than the other word...that may come to mind!} I said he should take it up, with Bugs Bunny.... and Yosemite Sam.... Sam was always, "Frickin Frackin" about something....My friend, scratched his head... and said...'hmmm'...

Have a Great Day!

Barb C.

{a Special Thanks, to Steph... and Tucker... Thanks to their Hard and Fast work... we made an afternoon of loading... go Fast! and Smooth! It was great having supper with Polly and Bob {Pollyann's} Tommie {FUEL Art Expresso} Mark and Liam!}

Saved...by a Gnarly Old Quilt...

It was a very cold...and Blustery...Iowa Day...Wind gusts...it seemed 4o mph, or more...a perfect day, to haul glass...oh dear... I stopped at a shop, that I had given up on.... due to a friends, urging...I had run into, while picking up the cool glass topped table...and funky, folding table...

I'm glad I did... found a sweet dry sink...  a gnarly old quilt, on a frame.... {and lots of Great Smalls!}PERFECT for the Garden Party!

But... Angels where whispering in my ear,{along with Carole...} to go to the 'sworn off' place.... That old quilt, on the frame...was waiting there, to save me...and anyone behind... Had I not stopped... and found the quilt, on frame.... that had to be strapped, in front of the big...heavy...glass top... I would have lost it.... on the Interstate.... with overwhelming traffic... The ratchet, that was holding the glass piece, cut, in two...{I watched the kind man, helping me load... run my strap, through the wire mesh, of the truck... I knew better... but didn't re-tie... the mesh cut the strap} Thankfully... I had ratcheted the quilt, in front, of the glass... they both, still, nearly went, with the strong winds... {I was going 50,  one eye, on the road... the other, on the rear view mirror...and caught it, as soon as it let go...} It was ugly... in the wind.... on the Interstate... trying to re strap...I pulled the little Ford, way down into the ditch... didn't want to get sucked under a Semi! Whew!!!

It was a Great Day!!!!

I'm Alive!

I'm unpacking smalls, tomorrow!

Barb C. 

On the Road... Picking Up...

Liz and I spent a lovely day, together...Took old Sally out for a spin...shared a wonderful meal... and enjoyed each other....
We did a little Antiquing...and I'm headed to go Pick Up the Harvest....{Sally isn't much of a Pack Mule...}
I'll have images later...
Go... Enjoy This Day...
Barb C.