The Illinois Run....

Well...it started off...a bit dicey.... I was hurrying....and scurrying....{did manage to wash that gray out of my hair...while taking a quick shower....this morn....man...was that over due...or what...} I was flyin'....had Scout to tend... deliveries to make.... and two pick ups...one...nearly to Chicago... So....as I was Runnin' Hard....taking care of Scout....I noticed the Ford was gone...so...got Scout done... then....ran to the Bank...in Sally...by then...I was running later than I should be.... but....figured John must have needed the Ford for something....then...I waited and waited....finally....I could wait no more...nearly two hours...so... I started unloading the little Ford...it had some heavy stuff on it....then...I loaded it back up....with the deliveries.... I gotta tell ya...by then... I was not in a good frame of mind.... I was going to have to take the Ford with nearly 200,000 miles on it....hasn't been serviced....since...who knows....years....with a Big Load... to Chicago....I was just tieing down the load....and getting into the Ford....when John comes rolling in....We unloaded....and reloaded....and...I left...I wasn't sure I was going to make it home tonight....If I didn't make it to the last stop...before 5:30....I would have been sleeping in the truck.... I beat feet....and somehow....made all of my stops....Picked up some cool stuff... and....for not totally blowing my cool....this morning...{I did blow...a little... poor Steph got the brunt...I vented on her...when she called...oh dear...{funny...she understood everything I said.... hmmm...}I treated myself, to a Lovely Supper...in Davenport, Iowa... at The Lodge...{The Castle Lodge... on Hiway 74, and Kimberly...}
They Have Amazing Food....and the Atmosphere....is Wonderful....They were playing Mozart... I strolled in...in my Gnarliest Flannel... and....all was right with the world....The Chef came out...and visited with me... and my Server was delightful! I don't know why....folks insist on going to a chain.... when for the same money....you can have the best...of the best....
I went to Peru Antique Mall...today...in Illinois....as I was paying...I told them how much I Love their Mall...The nice Man said..."It's Bright....and Clean!"... I'm sure I got one of those looks on my face.... like I do....when my gears are turning... knowing I had better choose my words....very...very carefully...{Peg loves it...and bursts out laughing...when this happens....it's a Mad Hatter Thing...I'm kind of like a Mood Ring....I can't help it...}

These are a few treasures I gathered.... at my first stop.... it actually turned out to be a Very...Good Day!{Love The Buggy! I have All Sorts of Things in Mind...for that Darling.... Christmas....Linens....Vintage Quilts....oh...my/....

My 'Happy Place'...in Iowa.... it's just off of 80, on 74, in Davenport...turn east, on Kimberly...you can see the Big Turret, from the Hiway...it's sooo cool!

I really like the Man...and...he has never been to my store... so....I said..."Well... I have a Shop...that is Dark....and Dusty....and...I Love it...it's not the Bright...and Tidy..." I said..., "that makes me Love your Mall...It's the Cool Stuff In It!!!!"....I think that is what we have in common...cool stuff...and diversity! From Early Primitives...to Victorian....and Lovely...Lovely Glass.... I LOVE IT ALL!!! and...It All Sings in Perfect Harmony...when put together...If it's Old...and has Soul...it's Home....whether Bright and Tidy...or..Softly Lit....and Soulful.......it's all Good!
I stopped at Coal Valley...and saw the Girls there...it was Great seeing Eileen...I bought a Darling Primitive Toy Cupboard from her.... and look foreword to seeing her at the Bishop Hill Show!
You will be happy to know...as TORQUED OFF...as I was...when I left.... this Morn.... I thought of John...While I was eating my Unbelievable Supper....and ate 3 bites of the Amazing Prime Rib...{yes...it was as AMAZING...as I remember it to be...and yes...I still plan on eating my Boca Burgers...in the Morn...} 3 bites of the Garlic Mashed potatoes....{with butter...sour cream...and the potato skins....YUM...and beautifully garnished....}...most of the Asparagus....{what can I say....} and 2 bites of the KILLER....DROP... To Your Knees...{told John, as he was dishing up his nightly ice cream, with it...The BEST CAKE YOU WILL EVER EAT!!!!} CAKE!!! and took the rest home, for John...{he just buried the Cake...in a mountain of New York Vanilla...and went back to the t.v.} Man...
Oh Well....I soaked in...the Best of the Best....and...scratched a few more 'to do's'...off the List...
Love to Ya....
Barb C.