The 'One'...that got away...

This is a Long..and Twisted Tale...so...know this, before you start...reading...

Long ago...in a far away Land...there sat...a Little Antique Shop...on the curve of the road....

A nice lady meandered, through the doors...named, Susie...one Sunny Day...

Susie was a Sweet Girl... She had a dear friend, she explained, that hailed from Southern Iowa.... where his Family Farm was Homesteaded....back in the mid 1800's...His Great...Great...Grandparents started out, in a Sod House...on the Prairie....

 In the latter part of the 1800's, they built a Big Farm House...moved everything...from the Soddy, into the 'New House'...then...some 60 years later...boarded that house up...with the contents...untouched... and left it...another, 60, plus years... then...one day, decided to doze the Old House down...with everything inside...

Susie, tho not an Antique person, was so concerned about losing all of the History... convinced the Family, there may be value, in the contents...they allowed her, to try and sell some of the  Treasures, that had been locked away...for so many decades...

When Susie shared her story, with me...I guided her, through the Old House...in my mind....told her what to look for...and be sure....and rescue...

Any Old Cupboards...for Sure....

Susie gathered all sorts of Great things...and I purchased most of them....the Family kept some... I  purchased a letter...written by the daughter, of the First Family...that told of her Journey, out West...back in the middle part of the 1800's..along with several images of the family...

There was an Old Cupboard, that came from the Original Soddy...but, she had let a friend have it...and it wasn't for sale...

I pined...about that cupboard...having never seen it...It still..somehow...Haunted me... and we talked about it...every time Susie, would come by....

I used to go Antiquing with my Friends, Linda, and Gary...back then...{they aren't in the business anymore...} They each, separately...told me, of a cupboard...in an Antique Mall, in Cedar Rapids...it wasn't for sale...but they loved it so....and one day...we all stopped there, together....

As we entered the Shop... we scattered, like mice....attempting to find the Best Chunk of 'Cheese'... I walked straight...to a Huge... Ox Blood Painted... Walnut Cupboard...I nearly dropped... it was priced so reasonably...I immediately bought it...

When we all met at the check out.... their jaws dropped.... They both said..."That is The Cupboard...but...but...it wasn't for sale..."...

Guess the owner decided to sell... and I was Very...very...Happy....

I called Sweet Susie...the next day... and told her, I could now...stop Pining...I found the Most amazing Old...Old...Cupboard....and would let the Sod House Cupboard...rest.... I was so excited...I described it to her...and...to my surprise...she was silent...

Susie said..." Barb...that's the Cupboard....That's the Cupboard...I sold to my friend..."...

Then...I went...Silent...

Susie was so happy...I got it... I put all the images and letter...with the Old Beauty....

It was a permanent fixture...Down the Rabbit Hole...

Sadly...I couldn't get it in the house...too tall...

Over a decade passed... The Old Cupboard... was coveted by many...{I even priced it, once... but the husband didn't like it...so...it stayed...Thank God! } and was Never for sale again....

Years passed......I met these Boys from Texas...they came meandering through...one day...{Ed and Michael...} We became Fast Friends! They stopped by...the Rabbit Hole...on their trips North...Ed Loved...the Sod House Cupboard so...and with every trip.... Begged me to sell it to him...

Nope... not for sale....

Until....{the stars must have been perfectly aligned...} on one of their visits...as they were leaving....Ed...once again...pleaded with me...He said how very much he Loved it...and promised...to never sell it...it would be Perfect...in his Kitchen....

I stood back...{I had always felt bad...it wasn't in my Home... where it so deserved to be...and...never would be... I could see...the Love, for it...in Ed's eyes... I let it go....

The 'One'...that got away...

But...The Story doesn't end, there....

As my friend, Gary, {the above 'Gary'...} was selling out....7 or 8 years ago... I was helping him... He had some Amazing Furniture...{expensive Painted Country Furniture}I called Libby, from Heart of Country...and asked for a booth, for him, that I would set, and display, for him...She was Happy to have us...

Gary had an Amazing Cupboard...I had wanted so...but...it was priced..close to 4000.00...Way...Way...out of mt league.... but oh my...I soooo Loved that Cupboard... It was the talk of the show.... Ox Blood Paint...Wirecloth... in the plank doors...The 'Walking Tour'...at the Show..talked about that cupboard...for 10 minutes... oh my.... I saw a man, Longingly... looking at it, during the show....and intensely visiting with Gary about it...I was sure...by the look in his eyes...he was going to own it...but...to my surprise...it didn't happen...then...a woman walked up....and bought it... But...when she saw the repair, that was made, on the back feet... she tore up her check...I felt so sorry for Gary...but...secretly...I was kind of happy....I could enjoy it...for a bit longer....

When Gary and I got back to Iowa... he shot me a wonderful price...on the Old Darling...and would even trade...on it all...for things, he liked, that  I had...

I was Over the Top Happy!!!

However...I have to sell... I wanted to put it right in the house...but...knew..I had to try and sell it first.... {Bills...Bills..Bills...}

So...I proudly displayed the Old Beauty...and a nice couple came in...and tried and tried to get me down on price....or trade....something they had... I did my best to work with them...but..my Love was so strong for the Old Cupboard...I wasn't going to bend...much...{it was priced...far..far...less than what Gary had on it..}

The Husband...was so angry with me..that I wouldn't trade... he stormed out...

That is when...I decided to pull the tag...and put it in the house....

It Belongs...here...

But...this..isn't the end of the Story...{I told you...it was a long...and Twisted Tale!}

On one of the Boy's Northern Trips....we went running...as we always do...to all of the Shops..in the area... Ed and I were visiting....while driving between destinations...he asked me...what cupboard I have...that is my very Favorite... I told him, that's so hard to say... It's like choosing your favorite Pet.... I said...I guessed..it would have to be...The Old Ox Blood Painted Food Cupboard... and I described it...a bit...He went silent...then said...:That used to be my Cupboard...it was in my House...and..in a weak moment...I sold it".... I said, bursting out laughing....  "You Liar!...you are pulling my leg!!! You Never Owned that Cupboard!!!! Describe it to me!..." To my surprise...he knew...every detail...of the Old Cupboard.... for Ed...it was the 'One'.....that got away...

Ed was the Man...visiting with Gary..at Heart of Country....I didn't know him, then...He wanted it back...but couldn't meet Gary's price.... I nearly...nearly...dropped...Ed shared some of the Old Cupboards travels, with me...it has criss crossed the United States...in the last 20 years... he didn't know where it landed, after Heart of Country...
Now...he knows...the 'rest of the story'...

After all of the years...I had known Ed...he had no idea...how close...he came to  be, to his old friend...with every trip...down the Rabbit Hole...

He and Michael, had even been in the house...but...it was in my bedroom...{the True...Rabbit Hole...and no one...gets in my Bedroom!}

I told him, I'd bring it to the dining room, so he could visit it...he said...:" I won't tell anyone about the whips and chains...in your room"...{ very...funny... My Bedroom...in those days... was a mega mess... everything...from bookwork...to work projects... no more!} {trust me...there are No Whips...or Chains!!! nor...have there Ever been!!!!}

But...I brought the Old Darling out to the Dining Room for him......for a 'Sweet Hello'.... and Loved it so much, with Mine, and Harold's Table...{another....long...story!}here, it stays!

Ed made me promise...to sell it to him, should I decide to....

Of Course I will...

So, now...I lovingly refer to it. as "Mine...and Ed's Cupboard..."

The End!

Stuff...

Lovely...lovely Pincushion...oh my....just came into the Rabbit Hole...The Hatter...would...Love It!

I blew through the Shop this morn... got the Truck unloaded, from yesterday's run....Big...Rain...is headed our way...

I'm working on projects, today...

Picked up some cool stuff, yesterday...and, Finally...finally...have a plan, in mind...for the Rabbit Hole...

I have been seeking Inspiration...and..nothing has moved me....

Everything...has seemed...cold...and dead....

Friends kept saying...'Just do it'...get in there...and put it back together.... Two of them are artists...I said..."O.K....here's a canvas...paint it...now...."...I'm not saying I'm an artist, but...in a way, I am...I have to have a vision....I have to be inspired... It's like telling a writer...to "Write"...just...write...

I can throw a booth together... in my sleep...{I think I have...a time, or two...}and...it will be Beautiful... but...The Rabbit Hole...ahhhh...it's part of me...it's my Canvas...It's my...Living Book... and...seems..I've had writer's block, for a long...long...time.

I think... I have finally... broken through...we'll see...

I put "Feist" on in the Shop...{Adele...ain't too Shabby...either...}she {they} get me movin'....

I have some Amazing things...coming in..{ahhh...really...}later this month...for The Garden Party...that I'm keeping...just...for that....

so...if you want to see them...and purchase them...you will have to come....

I owe...'The Portrait'...that much...

So...off I go...

Hope You...have a Lovely...Lovely...Day!

Robin, here is the Beautiful Violin, I told you about... it needs restoration...to use, but...wow...it's a Dolly!

What is it...about these...Wonderful...little Hand Made...Foot Stools? They always grab me... picked this one up...yesterday...Loved Every Single Thing...about it... From the Beautiful Hand Worked top... to the Primitive, base construction... So..Very...Soulful... oh...yeah...what it does...to me...

Lovely...Beaded Piece...thought it would be Perfect...on a Jean Jacket...oh...yeah....

Gnarly...Mid 1800's... Hanging Cupboard...oh my....

Barb C.

Horse...Power...

Scout is checking out.... The Cool Ford...

He came taring up to me...from across the pasture, this morning...then, looked over, at the Souped Up Ford...as if to say... "See... You ain't got Nothin' on Me!...and...she gives ME Treats!!!" what a Ham... Love Him...

{when he sees me...he always whinnies...and comes flyin'.... the Earth Shakes....he's a Big...Boy!}

A Sweet Friend...called...this morn...and asked....if I'd like to run...it was so easy...to say..."yes"...
We gathered a nice load, the tall urn, was a good, find...
We covered lots of miles...it was a good day...
I'll unload the rest...in the morn...
Hope, you all had a lovely day....
Barb C.

The Race....Is On!!! {Garden Party... March 30th...and 31st!}

The Race is On!

I have set the dates... to reopen the Rabbit Hole...March 30th and 31st...11-9,

 {refreshments...6-9 both eve's...} 

Sunday, April 1st, noon til 4.... 

{Mid West , and Collector's Eye Shows...only 8 minutes away....make plans to attend...they are Amazing... they are Sunday, April 1st,...only...} {more on those...later..}

My heart...has been very Heavy...broken...for the last several months...for so many...many... reasons...
{ I even started smoking again....and...I don't care...Sally is paid for...and...it is...what it is...}
it's been nearly impossible...to get in gear...

But...now... I have set the dates! so... I have to Rock....

Dug in...today...even bought a new shop vac...immediately got it plugged up... and...it blew up...{well...it Belched...Dust...Everywhere!!!!}

 {have you ever eaten a dust covered ice cream cone?....my teeth feel just like that.... YUK! My hair...skin...they feel like I've been taring down Country Roads...in Sally...with the top down... and....Everything...in the Greenhouse...is coated...with dust...YUK!}

 I remember the old shop vac doing that, to me, and Peg...

Peg...oh my... she was flying out the back door to get away from it!

 All I saw... was the Back Side... of  Bib Overalls.....Hacking...and Exaggerated....Coughing...as only...Sweet Peg, can do... her feet weren't touching the ground!

 {Pray...Pray...Pray...for Peg... it's getting..soooo hard....for her...

only...one more week...then...they will send her home...but....she needs strength...and...Light...}

I started...on the Monster Clematis... in the Greenhouse... Oh My Gosh... Talk about...Hacking...I was ripping and taring...all the dead stuff off... made....HUGE...Messes.... Ugly...very ugly...

It's going to take me...every bit...of a month... to get everything pulled together...but...I will...

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

{Please...no anti smoking...lectures... I know...I know.... I've heard it all... you're right...I'm wrong...I haven't written....about the last several months...in detail...but... please...don't judge....it's taken...every ounce of strength...I have... to get out of bed...in the morning...let alone...take on...'The Journey'...Thanks...to all who...have held me up.... God...Bless...You... Thanks...to those who sent gifts...of kindness... my way...and went out of their way...to keep things...turning...I don't know...what I would have done...without them... : )}

The Settee... Simply...Beautiful...

John just finished...this Beauty.... oh...my...
It is Over the Top!
Beautifully...hand pieced Vintage Farm Tin...with...every Seam...so perfectly... seamed...and soldered...
Smooth...No sharp edges...
and...So Comfortable...
It Is Lovely...
A True...work of Art....

Beautiful...at Every Angle...
Mid 1800's, to 1880's...Victorian Pieces...or...Empire Revival Pieces...from the Early 1900's...are sooooo perfect...for his Work...They are made well...sturdy...and...so incredibly...Beautiful...Elegant Forms...
Lovely...
You really...have to see these in person...touch them....feel them...
Very...Very...Soulful...
I have John sign every piece...they are Art....True...Folk Art....

I brought it outside, yesterday, for a photo shoot...but....it is even more Lovely...inside....
What I love about these pieces so....is they seem Perfect...wherever they sit... They look Amazing...in any room...

Melody, {Image Nouveau Photography, Marion, Iowa} popped out yesterday, for a Photo Shoot....{The Mad Hatter, in the Snow...we used the Wonderful Oval Bath Tub, as well...for a prop...{it was Cold....very...cold...and 25 mph winds... oh my...The Mad Hatter....was just Crazy enough....for such an ordeal!} Melody fell in Love...with the Settee....oh my...who wouldn't...? This is the only piece available, everything else, is sold... I have one more piece, for him to cover...and am always searching...for just...the right..'Bones'... not easy...they have to be 'perfect'....

I'd like to have something, for Gold Rush...and the Garden Party...the end of March....

We'll see...

Hope the Sun is Shining Where Ever...You are...

It's Blasting Away...here...in Iowa!

Love, to Ya!

Barb C.

{Hmmm...a Good Photographer...is...also Crazy.... oh my...you get the two of us together...and the Sky's The Limit! {oh dear...we could get ourselves into some serious Trouble!} : ) Her gears were turning...as we stood in the house..to warm up... her eyes...were glazed over... jetting around...sparks...flyin'.......oh dear.... I know that look...from the inside...out!

 Trouble!!!!

Simply...Iowa

It was Amazing...Waking to find....This...

The Trees...were Heavy...with Snow....

The 'Dancer'....takes it all...in Stride....

A Winter...Wonderland....

The Ford...was Chillin'!

The Bare Branches... were Singing!

Simply Iowa's Winter Sculpture...

The Fountain....waiting...waiting...for ....Spring....

The '49 Ford....Looks like a 'Ghost Truck'....

Entrance...to the 'Rabbit Hole'...when I walked through the door...it was warm...like, it knows....this won't last...Spring...is in the air...no matter what it looks like, just outside the door...

Love...Snowbound...Lawn Chairs....

I just hung those Bright Yellow Silks....in an old wire basket, on the Out House door...the other day... It looked a bit more...Springy...then... ahhh...wishful thinking....
Oh Well.... I Love it All....

It is a crazy day... I was going to make deliveries...but....not...today... My sweet little photographer friend, Melody, wanted to shoot some stuff... so...that's what we did... I can't wait to see what her eye caught....she is Amazing!
Hope you all have a lovely day.....the wind is howling....outside....feels good...to be...inside!
Love, to Ya!
Barb C.

Dibby Dabs...

Love...these sweet little plaster statues....This one...is very old...and almost....paper thin...
 She's dancing.....knowing Spring is coming....
 me...too.

Products used to have such Beautiful...labels... Who would want to hide them in a cupboard?

Found this Sweet...Vintage Heart Pin...while Wanda and I were breezing through the Kalona Antique Shops, {Kalona, Iowa}...the other day.... We found some fun stuff...on our Journey.....I pinned this on my Jean Jacket...immediately...very...Fun....

The shop...is ripped...and torn.... I'm digging into it...have some fun Ideas...and...some interesting treasures...that will be brought in...in the near future... I'm Closed...for now...going to reopen...with a Big...Open House...in a few weeks...it will be Good...Very....Good...!
Love...to ya...
Barb C.
{Peg is really struggling....send strength, her way...through your wonderful Prayers.... also, Julie....I had to delete all of my email, and purged everything...I began to read yours, for Peg... then, I forgot...and deleted Everything...please...resend....
I believe I have fixed my computer...if...anyone is getting advertisements, from me, for pharmaceuticals...please let me know....
Thanks to Pat, I changed my password...and now...sign out of my email...every time... something everyone should do...from time to time, I am told... }

Whew...a Long...Day...

After running...this morn...and fighting with the computer.....then...enjoying lunch with Mom...for her Birthday!...I made deliveries...Visited...with a Dear friend....and got stuck...in Rush Hour Traffic....on the way home.... Yuk...It's been...a long day...!

Visited these Cool Cats, yesterday.... they create Fun Stuff.... Great Guys! " JunkFx".... I so enjoyed our visit!

I snapped this.... inviting image...at Gatherings...in Anamosa, Iowa.... as I was breezing through.... I wanted to crawl right in the Picture Window... oh...yeah....

It was a Great Day.... but...I am...Exhausted... The Computer...nearly did me in...before I started....I'm hoping I have it all fixed.... I'd LOVE...to catch...whoever started that mess....{ I have heard...this has been going on...for a long time, with others....grrrrrr....}
 It was great visiting Wanda...{Gatherings} and...I am glad to have all my deliveries...done...for today...
I so enjoyed spending time with Mom.... I told her, she looked pretty good...for an Old Hag! She Roared!
It's...all..Good...
Love, to ya...
Barb C.

This Computer Stuff....makes me CRAZY!!!

I have been dinking with this lap top....all Morning....
However....
I...Think.... I Got It!!!!
Heading over to have lunch...with Mom...to celebrate...
Her 92nd Birthday!!!!!
Yippee!
Love to Ya!
Barb C.

If....You are getting Strange e-mails...from me...I'm Working on it!

A...Perfect...Sunday!

John was helping Justin 'J'...create a Masterpiece! Fun!

We went to breakfast...with the Kids! Started off the Beautiful Day... With the Fam! It was Great... and the rest of the day...followed suit! John and I took a drive...along the River... I worked outside... Spent lots of time... in Jethro... {had a new dodge truck...all souped up...growling... with... 'hemi'...plastered all over it...think...for a brief moment... he could hold 'Ol Jethro back...{ I was passing him...on a four lane...he didn't want me to...the FACT...is...I didn't even...have to down shift...poor dodge... I hit 4th gear....if...I would have grabbed....3rd...I would have lit the tires up...I wanted to pass him...not...break his sweet little mopar lovin' heart... : ) } { a very...brief...moment... : ) } {what was he thinkin'?...ahhh...Really.... : ) } oh...those dodge boys... : ) {once...again..."She'll Leave You With a Smile" was playing....as he was trying to Hold Us Back...oh my.... WE....left him...with a Smile...and... a short glimps...of TAIL LIGHTS!!!}...

{tee hee...}

Had some fun folks stop by the shop...tho I'm not officially open...I let 'em shop...

 { I'm planning a Big Grand Opening... in March... : ) it's....gonna be...GRAND!}

Visited with Peg, yesterday... She asked me, to ask you...to Pray... directly...to that cancer...{she named it... "Dirty Stinko"...{actually she named it...something else... but...we settled for this version...} and have it completely disappear! GONE!!!!

She has 2 more weeks of radiation...then HOME...for 3 months!!!!!

She is tired...soooo tired...but...like the little Pegadoo...I know...all too well... it fighting the Dirty Stinko... with her entire being...

I Hope...you will send prayers...to all...who suffer...today...she shares stories...from the Hope House...and Mayo.... so many...need the Breeze...from The Angel Wings...and I know... You...can make that happen...

I have a visitation to go to, today... My Best Friend's Mother, Doris... passed away... Geri, was my very best friend... many years ago...{soooo much...like Peg...and my Sister....Chery...} we talked every morning... I also, loved...and respected her Mother.... she was amazing...Worked with the Historical Society...and Authored 2 Books...one...I have a copy of... "Sod Town Bill"... about her early years, in the Blink of a Iowa Farm Town...." Sod Town" as a young woman....Doris was 96, and a Power House....always...

 Geri left us... several years ago....the Dirty Bastard...{cancer's real name} took her from us... We have got to Stop This...

Prayers...

Hope, you have an Amazing Day...

Love..to ya!

Barb C

Liz...and Miss. Scarlett... oh my...

Justin 'J'... had a bit of sugar...with his Coffee... oh my...Katie and John...helped him...stir up......quite a 'Potion'...while waiting for the food...

Nick...and Miss. Scarlett... Don't Blink...Daddy... soon... she'll be Running...then...another Blink...and she's asking for the keys.....

That's My Girl! Dig Right In!

{ one of the Cool things...that happened...yesterday... a guy stopped in...I have known for years...he said, I keep getting better looking...as the years pass... wanted to know if I'd had plastic surgery....{he was serious...or...wanted a Great Deal...on something... : /  } HA... HA... HA!!!! I said..."I'm so sorry... for his recent loss of vision!!!!" Never the less... it made me feel good...especially...since...I'm at LEAST...a size Bigger...than I was Last Year...this Time!!!! It made me...feel like getting back...on track... ahhh..then...I went and got us a D.Q. Blizzard...ooops!}

{what is it...about that song...it's haunting me.... maybe...I need to smile...a little more... workin' on it....}

: ) : ) : ) : ) : )

A...Lovely...Lovely...Day....

Allyson and I headed to a Great Show, in Rockford, Illinois....this morn....

It was a Fun Show! Filled with Great Stuff....Fair Prices....and Friendly Dealers! She and I so, enjoyed ourselves....

We both found some Awesome Treasures...

We hit several...out of the way places...and filled her Rav!

We met some great Folks...and seems...I knew, many Folk, at some of the hidden places....they had been to my shop! Small World!

I picked up a Cool...Old...Open, Dry Sink...and a Gnarly Bench...as well as Fun...'littles'! 

Between the two of us...we harvested a very respectable load!

We ate great food... had...Wonderful...Conversation... a Beautiful Day...

It's...all...good!

Love, to ya!

Barb C.

{ I am now on pinterest...and...e-mails went to everyone...I didn't send them...they went out automatically...soooo sorry! and...one friend...got something from Viagra...oh my.... Really...really..sorry... if you received anything...strange...let me know..I'll try and fix it... : ) }

A Baker's Dozen... Of The Gnarliest...Wax Grapes!

I always Hunt...these Early 1900's Darlings...soooo hard to find... To find...one cluster...is hard...to find...13 bunches... is...well... incredible....

A Long Time...Collector...of these...let them go.... I bought all he had...

Sister...Victorian....Crazy Quilts.... oh...my...

These Darlings.....are so sweet...how could I choose? They came from the same estate....on the north side of Chicago...and...both...are so...so...Beautifully done... both...odd sized...small...like a crib quilt... one, is 36x56, the other...34x62... both...are in amazing condition... for their age...in silk...and velvet... the hand work...is...Lovely...lovely...

There is something about a Crazy Quilt...that always...touches my heart... and when I saw these little darlings... hanging...on the wall... they were singing.... I couldn't choose...between the two...so bought them both...

They each have their  own strengths.... and were probably made by the same person...or...close relatives....

Here they are...side by side...the one on the left... is stunning...yet...the one on the right...was the one that first grabbed me... the embroidery...is beautiful....the piecing, of the one on the left...knocks your socks off... oh my...