Flatt & Scruggs - "Foggy Mountain Breakdown"

Holy Flippin' Monkeys!!!

I soooo wanted to share the images, of today's...

"Ride"....

: )

But... my computer won't cooperate

so...

I'll try, and paint a 'Picture' for you... with... words.

{I could post images on my Barbara Conner Facebook page. : ) }

I...heard the Banjo's Ringin'..... as I flew down the rabbit hole... this afternoon.

yes... Flatt and Scruggs...

Foggy Mountain...Breakdown.

: )

I sold a couple pieces of furniture... this week, from the rabbit hole.

It's Funny...

The First Question... I get, from Folks....when they visit....

"How do you get things in..and out...of here???? "....

{the second... is... "Where do you Find... these Things???" : ) }

oh my...

: )

I'm getting ahead of myself......

This afternoon... I had a Wild Hair....

With Snow comin'....

and... having sold... a couple pieces... of Furniture, yet to be picked up....

I...thought... I'd better get it Done...

things...moved out... and in... before we have to wade through Snow.

I called Justin and Brandon.... and had them Grab.... the Big Corner Cupboard... in storage.

I ran to the rabbit hole... and started Clearing the Way!!!!

Oh My....

I was at a Dead Run....

Movin' and Shakin'!!!

I calculated... everything... down to a Fraction.. of an inch.

Yes...

The Big Cupboard would fit.

wellllll......

I forgot to look Up.

: )

 The Boys.... and Big Daddy...came through the Green House....

with...not too...much sweat.

{yeah... there were things... Movin' and Shakin'... I hadn't anticipated....

I felt like an Octopus.... as I'm sayin'..."WHOA!!! Whoa....Stop!!!!"

and catching things... as they teetered!

Holy Snikes.!

{These Boys... are Awesome... but... They are Like BULLS.... }

As they tried to Bend... the Old Corner Cupboard... through the Back Door.....

well....

Trouble.

I had cleared a path... yet... it was Tight.

so...

I said...

"Let's take the Door off".... : )

No Bending...

we popped the pins....

yep... the Massive... Back Door came off....

a Straight Shot...inside.

 : )

Before the Boys arrived... I had moved a Big Piece out....

I knew... the depth of the Old Corner Cupboard would Squeeeeeze through the same path....

what I didn't account for....

was the height.

oh.... no.

We had it Wedged... in between a Pie Safe... and another Massive...Cupboard...

and, realized...

we couldn't stand it up.... kick the bottom...in....because of a Door.... that I put up... high... as a shelf.

It would have taken an Hour... to take that down.

oh...dear.

By then, Justin was pinned...

Brandon ran around to the front door, to get around him...

 {all other passages, were Blocked... by Debris... I had thrown... to make a 'Short Path'... : )

The Front Door... was Locked....

By the time, I got to the front...

Brandon, was at the Back...

telling Justin, he couldn't get in...

: )

By the time, Brandon... arrived at the Front Door...

the second time....

I...had it Open. : )

Brandon and I... Ooodst... the Big Cupboard....

into the corner....

but... were about 6 inches... short.

We had to Move the Mountains...I had unloaded, earlier....

Unload, and Move... another Big Cupboard....

then...

Justin and Brandon... got the Big...Corner Cupboard... in Place.

or...

was it?

: )

hahahahahaha

oh... my.

It was upside down.

: )

Holy Snikes!!!

in the smallest... of places....

they had to Flip.... The Giant....

to It's Feet.

{sigh...... : ) }

what a Ride.

Brandon...had cut his hand... Justin... was Bruised... and Beaten...

I...was Frantic... trying to catch things... as The Bulls... Charged!

{and steady the top...to another cupboard... on my shoulders... that was also resting...on top...of the laying down... Corner Cupboard. : ) }

yeah....

 : )

oh...my.

I told the Boys... we should have had a video camera.

We'd be.... Rich.

; )

I had to call Peg...tonight, to tell her... of this...Tale.

She said she was Exhausted....just listening to it.....

{Peg... has Ridden This Ride... Many Times.... : ) }

o.k.

To answer the First Question....

How, do I get things...out, when they sell.

When Folks Buy... a Big Piece...

I tell the Customer...... to go grab a Beer... or...Lunch.

Give me an Hour....

: )

I'll have it ready to Load....when they return.

 : )

It's 'Magic'...

 getting things in and out.

: )

To answer, the second question...

"Where do I Find... These Things"....

I don't...

They...Find...me.

 : )

Love to ya....

Barb C.

{Mary...is still undergoing tests. She sounds...so....Much...Better. : )

Thank You...All... for Your Continued...Prayers. <3 }



Alison Krause "Stay"

Mary.... update.

Mary...sounded much better, today.

: )

I... was Blessed... to hear... a little... bit....

of her...

Signature... Boisterous Laugh!

: )

They are putting her... through...heck... 

to try and find... what is causing her... debilitating...symptoms.

oh my.....

She wants me to Thank... You All...

for your Continued... Prayers.

: )

Peg and Jan... called her last night.... and sent Power...of Prayer....

and Love...to her.

God Bless...Them. <3

and...You.

Love... to ya....

Barb C.

Stacy Westfall Live like you were dying

Calling in....The Angels....

I received a call.... from our Friend, Mary Sellon.... 

this afternoon.

{She is in Black... standing next to Our Peg... at John's Memorial....last July.}

I... have never heard Mary's voice... the way... I heard it, today.

Mary... is frightened....  and... asked me... to Please... Call in...My Angels.

She is in The University of Iowa Hospital, in Iowa City.... stricken with a very....scary....

unknown illness.

Mary has been through, more... than most people I have ever known.

{Mary called me the other day.... was worried about me. Said she'd come... 'help'...do anything... that I needed. oh my.... She reminded me... of Mom. 

They Both... have had such a Tough...Journey...

{Mary... had a double mastectomy... then chemo... that damaged her heart.... then...she had to have a pacemaker.... then... fell... and hurt her knee.... then...she contracted a virus... that nearly killed her... last Fall.... yet... she forged...ahead...and... Laughs... her Signature...

Heart Warming...Laugh... in Spite... of it all.

 {all of it... just like...Mom...} 

 and... even,... when... so weak... offers to lend a hand... in any... Any...Way.

 {Just Like...Mom. }

I shared my thoughts... with Mary, the day she offered to come... and help.

She said... "After hearing about your Mom... I think... we would have had a Riot... together!"

yes... they would have.

: )

Mary... is an Angel... herself.

She is such a Kind...Soul....

She has rescued countless... cats..... and has Given Much... for their Care.

She is a Horsewoman, like myself.... and also shares...

 The Love.. of Old.

: )

yes...

 Mary... is a Gem.

I told Mary.... sternly... to Not... be afraid.

Get On Top... of that mountain... of fear.

I ask you, to Please...

send your Prayers... for Mary.

May...God Bless Mary... and...All....

who suffer...

Love to You...

and...Thank You...

{Do What You...Do...Best. 

Beat Those...

Pound Those....

Beautiful...Wings!!!}

Barb C.

Opening... in February.... : )

Pure....Gnarliness....

Plain...and Simple.

I'll be posting hours... along with the rest of the details...soon.

Love... to ya...

Barb C.

The Anamosa Show.... : )

The Anamosa Show.... was Lovely...

as Always. 

Cecilia and Jon... along with their Family, do such a Great Job. 

Thanks, so Much to The Kids...

Liz, Kelsey, Sarah and  Brandon... for Helping!

Mark and I.... had the 'House' built..in about 8 hours.

It was Great Seeing....so Many Faces.... I hadn't seen...for so long. 

There was a Good Crowd... and the other Vendors... are always... a Joy. <3

{Thanks, to Dan O. and other Sweet Neighbors... for lending a Hand... as well... }

I bought some sweet Treasures, and sold some.... to the most... Soulful Folks....

It's always... so heart warming to see their faces... light up... when they find that Perfect... Treasure.

: )

When I pulled in... at Home.... Sunday night... I was Beat....

but... bailed in Sally... had to make a run...into Town.

When... Sally and I finally... pulled in the drive... and could call it a night....

I... sat there... and let 'er idle.

We sat nose to nose...

with Ol' Jethro....

he... looked as if... he was shining back... at us.

It's amazing... the places one's mind...wanders.....

at an idle.

oh my.

I took the day off, yesterday....

watched Martin Luther King Jr. documentaries throughout the day.

One,.... had the clip posted below...of Bobby Kennedy... breaking the unthinkable news, to a mostly... unknowing crowd... of several thousand....in the Ghetto of Indianapolis...

 off the cuff... straight from the heart.... while standing on the bed, of a Flatbed Truck.

He had been warned not to go there...there were riots... all over the Country...

 yet... he forged on through.

{Indianapolis, was Peaceful... no riots... after this. }

As I listened to his... 'speech'.... I wept.

Seems...it's as perfect today...as then.

He and King... were really... Something.

As...I watched... it haunted me... that a few short weeks later....

Bobby, too... would fall.

oh my.

It also...reminded... why... I love these 'Old Souls'...

The tattered.. worn...chipped... repaired...bent... rusty... fragments... of our past.

They have Survived... through what Our Country... has...somehow...

 muddled through.

{also... chipped... bent... worn....and repaired.}

They have seen and heard... all of it....

they remind... us, to carry on... forge ahead....

and...

it's truly... all about The Journey.

This little Dump Truck... was my Christmas Gift... from Lynn and Lea.
: )
yeah...
they know... all about...
'The Journey'....
I bought a little Iron Bus... from Jeff at the Show. He brought it Sunday, for me... after I'd asked him.... if he had anything...in 'Rusty... Gnarly...Toy Trucks'
The little Bus...{still packed} is from the early 40's... and had been buried... somewhere... for a long... long... time.
Though, Jeff... I'm sure... thinks I'm Crazy.... for wanting this Gnarly Stuff....and won't bring it...to a show....{too Ruff}
I had to laugh..later....after thinking about it.
He said... the little Bus... had been on his window sill at Home... forever.
: )
See.... somewhere... inside.... the little worn... shell of rust.... touched him, enough.... to have it perched...in his Window!
They... will Steal Your Heart.... without you...even knowing it. : )
Soulfulness.

This...little Old Tin... Spice Box.... is one, I purchased from Lynn and Lea....
at The Fall Harvest Sale.
It... wasn't quite...this Gnarly... when I bought it.
: )
I saw it... the night before the sale, and bought it....to keep.
It was late, Sale Eve.... when they pulled in...
I was so.... tired... I sat, as they unloaded.
I put the little Spice Box...next to my chair....
then...
it was Dark....
Early the next morning... as Folks were coming to The Sale....
I had to back the Ford, out... of the Yard.....
I...saw the little chair... I'd been sitting in, the night before....in my mirror... as I carefully backed out....
but... not the Spice Box.... just in front of it....
until I heard  the 'Crunch'.
: (
I...was sick.
I Love... that little Spice Box.
: (
I immediately thought...
 "John can fix it!"....
then... realized... my 'Fixer'...
isn't here... anymore.
: ( : ( : (....................
So... as I held...it.... in my hands....
I realized.... I still... Love It....
no matter.
: )
I hung it in the kitchen.... on a Gnarly...little cupboard.
A Friend, popped in... the other day...
She's a Designer... and Decorator....one of the Best.
as she was leaving...
out of everything...in the House.... she was Stopped...in her tracks...
 by the little Spice Chest.
she said... "Oh My Gosh! What is This??? I LOVE IT! "....
: )
Well... That... Has a 'Journey'...
and... a lot... of...
Soul.
That... now... includes a little of mine... and The Ford's.
: )

I hope...you'll take six and a half minutes.... and listen to Bobby's speech...

at an... 'idle'...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

The Greatest Speech Ever - Robert F Kennedy Announcing The Death Of Mart...

Treasure of The Day. Late 1800's Tramp Art... Footed Chest. : )

Love This.

It's headed to the Anamosa Show, Sunday...

If... it makes it... through the show.....

it will be offered on The Rabbit Hole... on line.

for a few days...

then...

down the rabbit hole. : )

It's wonderful....

even the bottom...of the base.... is... wonderful.

Folk Art...a.k.a Tramp Art....

pieces... touch my heart.

They were fashioned by Folks... back in the day... using scraps....

or... cigar boxes... whatever was at hand.

My John... was a Modern Day... 'Folk Artist'....

oh my.

{as is... Our... Peg.... : ) }

Children... Men and Women... created pieces... for Loved Ones.....

with... very little to work with.... structurally...

 but.. a Lot... of Genius...

Heart...and Soul. 

yes... 'True... Artists'.

 <3

Love... to ya...

Barb C.

{gathered a few other... little 'surprises' for The Anamosa Show... as well.}

: )

{See Calendar of Events, for Show Details! }

Robert Plant & Allison Krauss - SISTER ROSETTA...

Gathering....for the Rabbit Hole... on line. : )

oh my....

I'm gently gathering.... 

Getting ready to start posting 

images....

for...

The Rabbit Hole...

on line.

: )

These days....this world seems to revolve around the internet.

So many Folks... I know... are, and have been...for years... selling their 'goods' on line.

I, have found it... very difficult, for many reasons.

Here, are a couple.

One... I only buy things.... that touch my Soul.

{unless... it's filling a request, for a Customer.}

I... tend to to see... and feel... things, most... dismiss.

Yet... when I bring them Home... they always... always... 

find their way... to the Most Perfect Hands.

Always.

That comes...from... 'touching'... and 'feeling'.... : ) 

I Love... to see the faces... of Folks........ when they, as I did.... 'feel'... the Soulfulness.

Two.... The Human... Connection.

The Human Connection.... gets lost... 'on line'.

An email... can Never... replace the tone... in one's voice....the pause... in a sentence.

the... mist... in the eye.... that I... have been so Blessed... to witness... in another's...

and... 'well up'... in my own.... when Hearts... are Touched.

: )

Yet... I have to make some choices....

If... I am to 'keep'... the gears turning....and...greased... I have to find... other sources.

Shows... are so... difficult. On So Many... Levels.

They take me away... from the rabbit hole.... and...so much... that 'needs' my attention...now.

I will continue... to do The Anamosa...Show {Good Times... : ) Great People}
my Beloved... Gold Rush....
 Junk Jubilee....{Love It...} 

and...

the Two... Big Sales here,

 at Home....

 {Memorial Day Weekend.... and the 2nd Weekend in October...}

along with the Holiday Open Houses...

{4th of July....Christmas Open House in December...}

and.... have The Rabbit Hole.. Open... 5 days a week... with set hours.

I...hope.... and Pray... this will be... enough.

The Old... Soulfulness.... and Their... 'Keepers'.... have carried us...

I'm counting on them... and The Lord... to continue... : )

oh my.... 

there is a Load... to carry.

I... have been... immobile...for weeks.....

completely...

'Still'...

{simply... couldn't find my legs. }

 This... is what... I have been guided... to do.

I...don't know... what tomorrow... holds...

none of us... do....

but...

in my Heart.... I feel... this is the right choice.

{I...have been invited to do... some.... Amazing... Shows....

and... am... Thankful... for the Opportunities. <3 }

but...

my Heart... tells me... I need to offer... the old Soulfulness... on line...

and... stay the course. : ) }

I...hope... through my 'words'... I..can..somehow... convey...

 The Beauty....

Soulfulness... 

of what I...offer... 'on line'. 

Don't expect too much.....bling.

I'll tell ya... what I know....

 it is... what it is.

I won't tolerate... 'belly achin'....

I'll give you the facts....

to the Best of my Ability.

: )

I require...payments... fast.

I..am always...dancin' on the edge of a razor blade.

and...

If... you desire... 'perfection'.... 

: )

this.... isn't the place for you. 

: )  

I..will...Always.... be Honest.... and Fair.

and... know... I will always... prefer hearing your voice...

: )

rather than a text... or e mail.

but...

I'll respond to those... too. : )

So.... here we go. 

: )

Today.... I sorted through some Wonderful... Early... Pieces...

from The Amana Home....

where we did the Estate Sale...

last Fall.

and... have just... begun to unpack them.

Cathy, the Amana Historian.... helped me so much....

with the History... of the Beautiful... Amana Colonies....

then... brought some very Early... German Books... from Amana....

that, I am going to share.

Some of these Books, date back from before The Colonies were established, in the mid 1850's.... here, in Iowa.

Some... are from Ebenezer, N.Y.,{printed in Buffalo N.Y. } where the Colonists Settled prior to coming West.... to Iowa.

Some of the Books... were Printed in Amana. 

I...Love Those.

{The translation of the word

 'Amana' 

'Believe Faithfully'... }

The Settlement lived Communally, in the Seven Villages....they created from the Prairie.

The Colonists were self sufficient... 

even printing and binding...their own books.

: )

The original pieces... from The Amana's.... are dwindling....

sadly.

Fewer, and fewer.... Amana Homes.... have much of their original 'content' left.

but... in reality.... what home does?

We are Blessed... these fragments of History.... have held so tightly.... for over a hundred and fifty years.

Many of the same Family lines... still, reside... in The Colonies.

Thanks, to so many of them... these Treasures were, and... some, still are...kept... safe... within the Original... Amana Homes.

{Google 'Wikipedia 'Amana Colonies' 

it has a Great Summary of The Amana Colonies. }

The Books... I am posting.... have never been anywhere.... but...

Amana... or have traveled to the Settlers....from Ebenezer, N.Y. 

until... now.

I, know... these...like all of the Old Souls... will find the hands... they are supposed to.

In a perfect World.... they would stay here.... but... that's not about the Journey.

The Museum has what it wants...

Families... have kept, what they...want....

so... now... Folks like us....

who... Treasure... History...

and... have the Love of Old...

within our Souls....

will be the 'Keepers'...

for a while.

: )

Some of these books... are worn.... a few... the bindings are loose....

some... have discolored pages.... some... still have the 'make do' book marks... inside. 

They should be....worn. They were read... and read...and...read.

yet... they are in most... Beautiful Condition.... for their age. 

Most... have Marbled Covers.

From sepia tones... of Browns.... to Greens...

These Books... were made for The Amana People. 

They won't be found... all over the World.

All of these books.... are of 'religious'... Christian... teachings.

They are all... in German.

They are 20. each, postage included.... for U.S.
plus
7% sales tax, if shipped in Iowa {1.40 }
I will ship on Mondays.

These are in the order listed below.
1 to 5 from left to right.
Click on images to enlarge.

#1 Printed in Buffalo N.Y. in 1852
Near Ebenezer, where the Colonists first settled in America.
It has the original owners name, handwritten inside....
It has a worn, sepia.. marbleized cover...with leather  binding.
The little slip of paper... was a 'make do' book mark. : )

#2 is Printed in Buffalo N.Y. in 1852
It's cover is an unusual Teal Marbleized color... with leather binding.

#3 was Printed in 1900 in Amana.
It has a Lovely... Mocha Swirl... Marbleized cover...
with leather Binding.

#4 was printed in Amana, 1918
It has an unusual Red Swirl, and Tan... Marbleized cover, with Leather Binding.

#5 was printed in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1852
It has a small... red cord.... for a book mark. ; )
The binding... is a little ruff... but... it is... what it is.
Old.
: )

If you are interested in any of these.... you can email me... fb on simply iowa
or... call.
All of the details are listed on the Calendar of Events, to the right.
I'll be posting items weekly.
Stay Tuned!
Thanks...
Love...to ya.
Barb C.

Take It Easy Lyrics

The Girl... and The Most Amazing... Flat Bed... Ford.

If... The Shoe... Fits. : )
After dancing down...the last few years....
of me.... and The Ford.....
I... almost... believe....
I...can take  This One.... on.... too.

Tryin' to Out Run.... The Storm... with an Amazing Cupboard... on the Bed... of The Ford.

Had 'er Tarped....
just Before... the Hail... came. : )
yeah....
I don't know if the lead song should be...
Eddy Arnold "I Really Don't Want...to Know"....
Marvin Gaye... "Let's Get it On"....
Tennessee Ernie Ford.... "16 Tons"....
or.... the one...I chose.
The Eagles... "Take It Easy"... : )
Yeah.
I'm runnin' down the road..... tryin' to Loosin' my Load. : )
oh my....
Some... Day...
I'm gonna write about this...
 'Load'.
: )
For today....
I'll have to say....
I...am Proud of a Little Ford...
a Little... Flat Bed... Ford.
Whose Driver... is...Crazy... with a World... of Trouble....
Biting... at our... Heels..... : )
oh my.
: )
yes....
It's All... About... The Journey.
Love... to ya.
Barb C.

ZAC BROWN BAND - COLDER WEATHER (Official Music Video)

2015..... The New Year... New... Direction.: )

Simply Iowa...

Kicks off the New Year.... with

The Anamosa Show!

Sunday, January 18th!

Located at 600 E. Main

Anamosa, Iowa.

Hours:

9 a.m. 'til 3p.m.

adm. 2.50

{ 'Early Bird'

7:30 a.m. 'til 9 a.m.

adm. 5.00

{Worth It! } 

Mark and I share a Booth there.... along with about.... 40 other Great Vendors....

It's a Fun...Diverse...Event.... that offers....

Something for Everyone!

{Including Great Food! }

There are some Wonderful Shops... in Anamosa to visit... as well. : )

I put the contact info on the calender of events.....

Make Plans.... to attend. 

I will have Set Hours...beginning  in February... down the rabbit hole.

AND...

I will begin offering more items... 'Treasures'... on line.

I'm still working on the details....

{see calender of events}

Exciting!

Thanks... to Everyone... for Supporting... me...Mine....

 and The Rabbit Hole.

Hope You Know... how Very Much.... you mean to me.

may...

God Bless You...

and, as always....

I send

my...

Love... to You.

: )

Barb C.

{Keep those Beautiful...Wings... Poundin' : ) }

This Old... Sow....

makes me Smile... 

She's....

'simply....iowa'. 

: )

I captured this image... on a much... warmer.... day.

It's beyond... cold outside....

It was 14 below....... this morn.

Simply....

Iowa.

: )

Holy Water....

Liz and I... took down...

Christmas....

The Blue....Tree....

yesterday.

It's quite an undertaking.

As I...was kneeling down.... tucking, the most fragile.... ornaments, inside the old Cupboard....

next to where John's.... Ashes... are resting.....

{inside an Old...old.... wooden Chest....in...an Old... Wooden Document...Box.....}

I...picked up The Book... that Friends had signed.... during John's Memorial.

It...rests on top...of the Old... Chest...with a Vintage...... Eagle....on top....

of The Book.

It's the first time... I have opened The Book... since that day.

I...gently...opened it....then sat...and read the names..... many... many... names.

One... Friend... wrote...

 "So Proud... to be John's Friend"....

I... broke down..... completely.

I...tried to read it... to Liz... but... choked.........

oh my.....

oh...

my.

The cats... had broken...the ornament... I had found, for John...this year.

I...had placed it... on the old Chest.... with The Eagle....

and...

Book.

It... was a Heart... with Stars and Stripes.

I'd noticed...they had broken it... days ago.....

but...

left the broken... fragments..... until yesterday....

somehow...

it seemed fitting....

it....was broken.

As... I swept up... the pieces....yesterday,

I saved the largest fragment....and tucked it....

 inside the Chest.....

oh my. 

It was 42 degrees.... in the Kitchen.... this morning....

I... haven't changed the setting... on the furnace, John programmed.

and...

honestly....

it didn't feel...cold.

I...guess... when you're numb....inside...and out....

 there isn't much... that can penetrate you.

Certainly.... not... the cold.
I... Miss... My Friend.
My...Soul Mate.
The Love...
of my...
Life.
I found a quote... that says it.... Best.


"There's a Reason...
Two People Stay Together....
They Give.... Each Other...
Something...
Nobody...Else...
Can."


Exactly.

oh.....my.

Miss. Scarlett came to visit tonight.

She is spending the night.

As I was turning out the lights....

just now....

I see...

Miss. Scarlett kicks off her Boots....

next to someone... else's.

: )

I.... had such a 'Melt Down'.... this morning...

what a Gift.... this sight was. : )

Love....

to ya...

Barb C.

The Song Remembers When

silver....

I was invited to a Friend's Home... for Supper...Saturday.....

I always... always... enjoy, visiting with her. 

{and... eating her... Amazing...Food! }

I...also...get to visit... some of my Dearest Old....Friends, when I go.

: )

Over the years, some of my most...Beloved old Cupboards....

 Farm Pieces...

and John's... Masterpieces....

 have found their way, to her door. : )

{I had to laugh.... as I was strolling through her Home... visiting... 'Old Friends'...

just before I left...

I saw an Old... Ironstone Bowl... with Sea Shells...

sitting... up high... in one of my Dear Friends...Shelf..

{Old...Farm Cupboard. }

{I had gathered the Shells... on one of our 'Trips'...}

piled in it...along with one of John's Tin... 'Curly 'Q's' atop....

and...

one of my.... Stogies... inside the Tin...cut out.

{a Joke... because... I am sure... I am... her ONLY... Smoking...Friend. : ) }

I...Gifted that to her... a couple of years ago....

it... made me laugh...because.... she left it...

'as...found'...

{I thought.... she would have dumped it... out, and used the Bowl....}

I...Do...So...Love...My...Friend. : ) }

The last time, my Friend, visited me.... she asked if I had any Coin Silver....

she would like a few pieces.

I...don't have any in the shop.... now....

It worries me... to have it there.

So Much... of the Vintage Sterling... and Coin... has been bought to be melted down....

That.... breaks... my heart.

but.... I do....have a few pieces in the house. : )

I went through.... mine, in the old...tool chest... and took a handful... I thought she might like...with...

Coin Silver... was created from old silver 'Coins'... back in the late 1700's through the mid 1800's....

by... Tinkers... and Silversmiths.....

I read, the Early...American Folks... wanted Nothing... British....

so... they had Coins... melted down.... for their eating utensils....

Early Coin Silver... has always fascinated me....

It's so thin... and light....I, prefer it over Sterling....

Sterling has a bit more silver content than Coin....

but... Sterling... doesn't have the 'feel'.... in my opinion.

I...use it for every day.... along with Pretty Silver Plate I've gathered...

Nothing matches... it doesn't matter. : )

Usefulness...Beauty... Comfort...

well... that matters.

: )

along with the...'Soulfulness'... that only... time... can create.

I, personally... love... the Old Spoons... that have their bowls... worn down.... from years and years....

of...

Stirring. : )

{these.... for most... would be sold... for scrap....

makes me... sick. }

Three, in the below image... are Coin...

Two.... have Surely... been...

 Work Horses.

: )

Hope, you had a Great....Weekend....

filled with Comfort, and Joy.

Old Friends....

and...

Soulfulness.

Love to ya....

Barb C.

I...bought this spoon... years ago... because it had the elaborate... engraving on the back....
it's... Beautiful.
It...reminded me... of John.

This is a Pie or Dessert Fork...
it's not 'Coin'... it's Silver Plate...
but... I love the 'Banner Buggies' advertising on the handle. : )
Banner Buggy Company was located in St. Louis...
The Company built Buggies... from 1910 to 1915, then... went on to build Automobiles....

This is Coin... the below image, is the bowl.... you can see... how it was hand made...
by a Tinker...or Silversmith....
Some... is monogrammed... some... is not.
I like monograms....this one says 'Meloady'... : )
The monogrammed ones... seem to have a personal... feel... and, they make me wonder...who... they were gifted to.
What their 'Owners' life was like... where they lived... what meals... were enjoyed... and conversations they heard....
at the Tables they resided..... : )
I would imagine...this one was made in the early 1800's....

This is the 'Maker's Mark'....

I have researched... some of the names..... on the backs... of the Coin.

Some... was made in the East... some... from the South....

I have a few, that were made in Germany..... as well.

Several of my Favorite Pieces.... I bought from a Dear...Friend.

He, knows so....Much... about this Time Period....and, has shared a bit of his Knowledge.....

with me....

Those Pieces.... I...Treasure.

I've gathered old...silver, silver plate and coin.... since I was very young.
Somehow.... handling... and using... these old pieces.... brings comfort....
to me... always...has.
I...Love... 'Sugar Shells'....
{the fancy one... hanging on the Sugar Urn...in the shape of a 'shell'... : )