Memorial Day Weekend Sale... Things are Rollin' In!!!

Things are Taking Shape!!!

So Much... Awesome...Old Stuff... is finding it's way... down, the Rabbit Hole!

This is a Tiny.... Snippet! 

See below post, for more details, or... check out the Event Calendar, to the right. 

Make Plans...to Attend!

Rain or Shine!!!

Wear Your Grubbies!!!

and...

Bring a Truck!!!

Rain or Shine!!! Wear Your Grubbies and Bring a Truck!!!

'Rain or Shine!!! Wear Your Grubbies and Bring a Truck!!!'

That advise has Always been at the end of every 'Simply Iowa's' Home Event ad.

 Cross Creek Antiques {Simply Iowa } Fairfax, Iowa, has conducted

a Spring and Fall Sale for over 20 years.

They both run for 4 days.

What began, as an 'Antique' Garage Sale, to raise money for 'Summer Adventures' for the Kids, and Back to School needs, in the Fall, quickly grew and grew and grew.

Most Folks have Garage Sales, with 'modern' household items, but we've used Antiques, in our home, always, so our 'Sales' were different than most.

People loved coming, and soon friends and neighbors were joining in. 

There is a Wonderful Group of Folks, who share our Love of Old...things, who bring very unusual, and interesting 'Finds' to the Sales.

We never know what's coming in. 

People come from all over, to attend. 

Sometimes the weather is rough, so we've  added several Big Tents, over the years. 

Seasoned Antiquers never let the weather, hold 'em back... tho. 

Some of our best sales, have been the rainiest.

Some things arrive, straight from Barns and Estates at 'Sale Time'.

 No time to 'clean', so, wear your Grubbies.

Some Folks who have never attended, make the mistake of bringing 'the car', the first time. 

They have no idea, how these Sales 'Sprawl', there is much.

There are 8 dwellings packed Full, along with the lawn.

There's everything from old Farm Cupboards, to Farm Junk.

There are Loads and Loads of 'Smalls' too. 

Bring the Truck.

Most anything you might find on a turn of the last century Iowa Farm...is represented here.

In the Spring, {Memorial Day Weekend {Friday thru Monday {8 a.m. 'til Dusk Daily }

 we like to have lots of Garden items. 

Wash tubs, pails, urns and 'plantable' items.

In the Fall, {'Fall Harvest Sale' the 2nd weekend in October }

we like to have 'Nesting' pieces for the 'Home'. Mantels, Harvest Tables, Cupboards, Textiles,

though, we have those, in the Spring as well.

We keep adding things, daily.  Some folks come to check it out, every day.

This Memorial Day Weekend Sale, as always, will have lot's of Furniture. 

Many Primitive pieces. {Rough and Ready } Folk Art, Harvest Tables, Upholstered Furniture, 

{Great for Photographers}

Church Windows, Vintage Lighting, Crocks, Clocks, Jars, and Who Knows...What! 

It's always exciting, to see what finds it's way here!

Below, are a few images from prior Sales.

Yes... there is Always....Always...'Much'!!!

Make plans, to Attend!

{Simply Iowa also conducts 'Pop Up' Sales... throughout the Summer, {July 2nd. thru 4th } or anytime, Big Loads, or Estates find their way to us!!!

Look for us in The Collector's Journal, simplyiowa.blogspot.com 

and Simply Iowa Facebook  }

These Beautiful Church Windows, and the pieces in the below images will be at the Memorial Day Weekend Sale, along with many newly gathered Primitive Pieces, and Farm Gnarliness. 

This Old Cupboard is Awesome! A little over 7 feet Tall... with a Drawer... and Original, Cast Pulls!

The Old Hen's Nest... can sit, or hang! Love It!

Tons of Gnarly, Vintage Statuary!

Old Clocks!... and Much... Much... Much... MORE!!!

Dido - White Flag (Official Video)

Onward and Upward!!!

Took the day...mostly 'Off'...yesterday.

Polly made it through the night, and...seemed better and better, as Monday...rolled on.

: )

{I'd Begged... The Lord.... to take her Home... through the wee hours... of Monday.

oh dear... It's so hard on her... when I leave.

She is better, than I've seen her, in a long time... this morning. <3 

She's wagging her tail.. and climbed up on the side of the bed... this morning...to wake me up! }

One...Day... at a Time. : ) 

I didn't find anything 'missing'... from the 'intruder'.

When I got Home.... Sunday night, like always... Polly was laying at the door, waiting for me.

<3

I have an idea.... when 'whoever'...

 opened the door.... was also 'Greeted' right away... by Polly.

but...

Not... in a 'Loving' fashion, like with me. 

I doubt... they made it two steps inside.

That's why... the main door and breezeway door.... was open. 

I'd bet... the intruder.... wasn't thinking about shutting the doors, behind them.

but... worried, mostly... about their... 'behind'. 

: ) 

From now on.... when I 'Have' to leave... I'll have someone... stay here.

Katie comes several times a day.... to 'care' for our Critters'... when Liz is also gone, with me.

but...

I'll have to have a 'Home Sitter'. 

Thankfully.... I don't have another 'Away' Event... until August, Gold Rush. 

{Someone, broke into our Neighbor's Home...last year... and lived in their house... for several days, while they were away. 

Strange Things... happen..., even in the Safest Places. }

Onward....and Upward!!!

I'm Setting my  Sights...

on The Memorial Day Weekend Sale!

MUCH...to get Done!

Much... will be coming in!!!

Gold Rush... was pretty tuff...for me.

but... I bought well... and will have some Awesome Things....

for The Memorial Day Weekend Sale...

{as will Others... who are coming! : ) }

Tho... Gold Rush... wasn't what I'd hoped....in one way, in another.... it was a Blessing.

I was So Inspired....by a regular 'Customer'... on Sunday.

She, and the way she manages herself....and her Family Business.... really... made me think.

: )

I've always admired her... and her Mother in Law.... over the many...many... years, they have shopped with us. 

It was such a Gift... to visit with her.

It was like a 'Light Bulb'... lit up...in my brain. : ) 

I, was pretty fragile...at times... during this 'Gold Rush'.

{I...honestly... was thinking about...'Throwing in the Towel'... finding another direction... I...just didn't know...which way...to turn. 

yes... I was very close... to putting that 'white flag'... in the air. }

Thanks, so Much... for Wonderful... Neighbors....and Customers....

'Friends'

for 'being there'. <3

The Lord... sure Blesses... me. <3

I unloaded the bulk of my luggage, this morn.

Glanced at the Lilacs... that, before we left...were so Beautiful... and, are now.... fading away.

{always makes me sad. }

Then... I looked out the Kitchen window.

Saw the 'Miniature' Lilacs... my Best Friend, Geri... gave me for my Birthday... years ago.

{Geri passed away... nearly 10 years ago. }

She gave me, like always... her Fabulous 'Jello Cake'... and... a tiny little shrub...

'Miniature Lilac'....

: )

I thought, it would stay a small... shrub.

so... I planted it...by the Hen House, and Out House.... 

where I could always see it... from the Kitchen Window. : )

Ooooops!

It's a Monster! 

but...

has the tiniest... clusters of Lilacs... : ) that, bloom later, after... the Big Ones... have went away.

what a Gift... they are. <3

They, Made me Smile... this morn.

and.. think... 'remember'... Geri. 

and... ponder.... some of the Wonderful.... times, we shared. 

: ) : ) : ) 

I'm gathering myself up... LOTS of Things to Do!!!

Love to ya...

Stay Tuned... 

Memorial Day Weekend Sale... Info... 

coming Fast! 

Barb C.

{The Customer... on Sunday...also encouraged me.. to write a book. She thinks, I could. : )

{but, she Mostly... inspired me... concerning The Rabbit Hole. <3 }

 Then... I spoke with a Friend, from a Wonderful... Periodical... who called, about advertising the Memorial Day Weekend Sale... and said... I should, maybe... write stories... 'Freelance'  for them. : ) Hmmm. : ) }

Home.

Just pulled in...a little while ago.

May Gold Rush 2016 is 'History'.

It was a tuff show. 

I'm So Thankful... to Daughter, Liz... Miss. Scarlett.... Barb and Becky...

for Helping... so Much... at Gold Rush.

I'm Thankful... to Son, Justin...and Daughter in Law... Katie, for watching out... over Polly and John's Kitty's.

Polly is so sick.

I hurts me...so, to leave her... when these 'events'... come.

I have no....choice. Zero.

Evidently.... someone... who knows me... or, reads this, or FB, ...

knew I'd be gone... and decided to break in to our Home... Thursday night, after Katie left.

Justin gets here, every morning... at the crack of Dawn.

He found Polly... wandering...outside. {Thankfully, she didn't get on the road. }

The doors...were wide open.

Polly...is old, and very... ill.

but...

She's Still... very...Protective, of our Home.

Whoever... came in, left... in a Big....Hurry.

I'm too tired, to look and see if anything is missing.

I was Thankful... to see... my Girl.

I'm 'Home'... with Polly.  Whoever... you are... 

my best advise...

Don't try it...again. 

Barb C.

{I knew about this... Friday morning. Justin had everything..... under control, by then. There was nothing... I could do... but... keep working. 

I'm not sure, Polly is going to make it through... the night. 

She's here...at my side, as I write.... but... she's so... weak. 

Whoever... did this... all I can say is....

'Bless Your Heart'... 

You're gonna Need... Every 'Blessing'... You, can get. }

Johnny Cash - Get Rhythm (lyrics)

Gold Rush!!!! Last Chance!!! Show is Over...Today, at 4!!!!

Come Shop!!!

Loads of Great Stuff.... left to be Bought!

I've Gathered up...some Fun Stuff, Here!!!

{Memorial Day Weekend... just days....away! {at the Rabbit Hole! }

Thanks, So Much...to Liz....Barb and Becky...for helping pull this Monster Booth.....at Gold Rush...Together!! 

oh dear....

What a Gift.... They All Are!!!

Love, to ya...

Barb C.

Carrie Underwood & Steven Tyler ~ Undo It & Walk this way 46th ACM Award...

Miranda Lambert - Old Sh!t (Audio)

Gold Rush!!! Oh My GOSH!!! You Won't Believe.... The Simply Iowa....Booth!!!

Holy Smokes!!!!

We got the Trucks unloaded.... and in the booth.

then...

The LOAD form Wisconsin... came in.

OH MY GOSH!!!!

Old....Painted Cupboards.... 

{Some of The Best.... I've seen, in some time. <3 }

 Store Counter.... Tables...and Chairs....

Incubator.... 

Market Wagon... Gnarly...Concrete.... Advertising.... The Sweetest.... Early... Hanging....Corner Cupboard.... {oh dear!!! } 

Painted Jelly Cupboards...

Boxes... and Bins....

I could go ON and ON...AND ON!!!!!!!!!

yes...

: )

AWESOMENESS IS PILED HIGH!!!!

{Liz kept saying... "Mom... we aren't gonna have enough 'room'... for this stuff..."

all I could say was....

"Yes... We Will : ) "

oh dear... : )

{and... my phone died.... no images... tonight. : ( }

Come In The Morn. 

Show Opens at 8!!!

You'll have to DIG!!!
{and... 'Climb'....Over Mountains... of Old... Sh!t...  : ) <3 }

:)

Love, to ya...

Barb C. 

The Hollies - Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) [v2] [Lyrics] [1080p] [HD]

The Simply Iowa Trucks...are LOADED Heavy!!! and... we have a HUGE Load of Primitive Farmhouse Furniture...meeting us there, for The Simply Iowa Booth! Gold Rush!!! Rochester, MN.

Come See Us...

at GOLD RUSH!!!

Olmsted Fairgrounds...

Rochester, MN.

THIS

Friday Thru Sunday!!!

{May 13th thru 15th!!! }

8 a.m. Opening... every day!!!

We're in The Gram North Arena!!!

This Event... is So Much Fun!!!

It's Huge!!!

Lot's of Great Finds!!!

Our 'Simply Iowa' Booth... is gonna be FULL... of Newly Gathered....

Awesomeness!!!

Oh Boy!!!

See ya There!!!

Love, to ya...

Barb C.
{don't ask me..'why'... I posted the 'Long Cool'... tune, above. : )
It's just... been on my mind...all....day. : ) }
Love It.

''You won't remember me.'' Alice and the Mad Hatter saying goodbye.

"LIVE" It's All In The Movies" Merle Haggard

little things...

I worked down the rabbit hole...today.

Michael, {Peg's Beloved} stopped by...to see me.

He had some things... Peg had wanted me to have.

Peg, has 'Given' me...so Much.

I was taken back... by this visit.

She wanted me to have some of her Dad's... old Hardware.

: )

{He, loved 'Antiques' throughout his life...too. : ) }

Mike, also brought more... of the Old Statuary... Peg and I rescued, from the Creek...so many years ago.

I'm working on 'Special' places...for them. : )

then...

Mike handed me... a little velvet pouch.

inside...

was the sterling bracelet... I'd given Peg.

oh my.

I'd bought that bracelet... from Friend, Jo... 

When I saw it, I Immediately thought of Peg.

It was so Intricately done... 'fine'.

It reminded me... of how Peg... always...always... worked down...to the Tiniest... 

'detail'... on whatever...she put her mind to. 

: )

Peg...Loved It!

Shortly, after I gave it to her...

she stopped by, on her way Home...from her Daughter, Sara's.

I met her, in the drive....

she...looked at me... and Burst...into Tears!!!

She said...

"Blahhh...Blahh...Blah...BLAH!!!!"....

?

{I thought... she was trying to tell me... her cancer had returned.... I couldn't understand...a Single...Word... coming from her!!!}

I said.. "WHAT??? What's going On????"

"BLAHHHHHH Blahhhh....Blahhh Blah.....: ( "

oh dear.

WHAT????

I finally got her...to take a Breath.... and Tell Me... What... she was So...

Worked Up...about.

"I LOST....The Bracelet..."... and Sobbed.

: )

oh my.

: )

I Roared!!!!

Hahahahaha!

Is THAT...all????

: )

oh my.

: )

Peg...was devastated.

said... she and Sara... had backtracked... EVERY...single place... they had been, the day she lost it.

Peg said... she knew... she shouldn't have worn it... as, the clasp... tended to open, and she was going to have a chain... put on it.

BUT...She Wore It Anyway!!! And...LOST IT!!!

hahahaha : )

{I had to laugh... because... she Scolded me... for leaving one of her Beautiful Gourds....she'd made for me...

 in the rabbit hole... over night...

and a mouse... devoured Peg's Favorite Bug she'd placed... inside. : (: ( : (  

{I was Sick... and Crying... when I called her... and broke the news... : ( 

Now, Peg...understood.... how Shit...'Happens'!!! : ) }

No Worries!!! : )

Peg... was inconsolable.

oh dear.

Two days later... Peg called.

Michael... had Found... 'The Bracelet'... on the floor, under the recliner...at Sara's.

: )

Peg spent... a LOT... of money... having a chain... put on, and all of the joints redone... by a Jeweler...in Missouri.

{oh my...: ) }

She Loved...that little bracelet.

now...

it's come back...Home.

: (

It's so tiny... like, our Peg.

and...so Beautiful... : ) 

like...

our Peg. 

Michael and I laughed... and cried...

over...and over, today... as we visited.

oh my.

He said... he didn't think... it has all 'set in'... yet.

I told him... I'm not sure, it ever will.

I was Blessed.... with Little Justin....and Miss. Meadow, before...Michael stopped by.

I'm Thankful... for Them.

<3

'Life'...

Life... in it's Youth.

Smelling...Lilacs....

: )

and....Racin' around.

<3

Love...to ya.

Barb C.

I found the old keyhole covers....in Peg's Dad's.... hardware.
They... are 'special'. : )
I'm keeping them... with Peg's Bracelet. <3

One of Peg's... 'Rescued'... pieces of Statuary.
<3

Katie...and Miss.Meadow...Lovin' on The Old....Lilacs. <3

Little Justin... in The Buggy, his Daddy... fixed up for him. : )
<3

Bill Anderson and Mary Lou Turner - That's What Made Me Love You

Jake Owen - What We Ain't Got

Fifty Three

Fifty Three.

my...oh my, how time...flies.

I spent this day, taking care... of my Polly, and helping an old Friend.

Liz and Miss. Scarlett, met me for lunch. : )

We ordered my Mom's Favorite... meal.

Hot Roast Beef Sandwich, with Mashed Potatoes and Lots of Gravy!!!

: ) 

Polly, has been struggling, but... still... wags her tail, and keeps a watchful eye...over me.

: )

{we watch over... each other. : ) }

I hadn't made any plans for my Birthday. I usually go to What Cheer, for the Flea Market....

when it falls on my Birthday... but, this year... it really didn't interest me.

When my old Friend, Jerry... called, yesterday... asking for a hand, today....

I thought, that would be a better plan.

He's 81, and his 'Beloved'... is battling cancer.

It was Good to see him...again.

He's such a Kind...Soul. : ) 

We tried to recall how many years, it's been.

We thought... at least...6.

oh my. 

'Time'... flies.

Jerry and me... go way back. : )

He used to be a 'Ring Man'... for one of my Favorite Auctioneers. : )

I drove the Gypsy Ford...today. : )

I...Love...that old Ford Truck.

She 'Bellers' out of her Stacks...... and Stomps. : )

{it never fails... every time, I take her...anywhere... someone...asks me...

"How do you get in that Truck???"

I was asked... three times, three times...this afternoon. : ) }

Thanks, to Son, Justin... The Old Gypsy... has a Wonderful...

'Sound System'... that plays... my Most Favorite Tunes.

LOUD. 

: ) 

Drowns out...Every Single Thought...in my head.

{therapy}

Liz... gave me a cd. a Cupcake... and a Bottle of Champagne.

: )

{I'll enjoy the Champagne.... when Miss. Scarlett goes home. : ) }

Birthdays...don't mean much to me. 

never have. 

They're just a reminder...of another year, gone by. 

The Losses.... the realization... of everything, I didn't get done, and should have.

I think about my Dad. 

When he was 53.... he was toting around a three year old, little girl...wherever he went. : )

oh dear.

{makes me feel good, 53....doesn't seem so old...when I think about him,

 and all he did....up into his 70's. <3

He could swing up and over a 4 board fence, one handed... 

when he was 60. {I can't do that...Now. : )

 Gives me somethin' to 'shoot for'. : )  }

I laid in bed, last night... thinking about my prior 'Birthdays'.

One year... I got a Beautiful Saddle, {I was 12 }

{I knew my Folks... spent every penny, they had.... to buy me that Saddle. I still have it. }

One year... John, painted my old GMC Truck... Blue. : ) I was 22.

<3

One year... Mom... bought me a Birthday Cake, with a Truck on it... that had Stalk Racks... and a Horse, in the back.

I was 16. : )

One year... my Brother, Larry... took me out to Supper... 'Wherever'...I chose to go.

I was 15. : ) 

{we ate Chinese...at a little place, on First Ave. in Cedar Rapids }

<3

I, usually... take off, on my Birthday. 

Hit the road... by myself.

: )

{The Highway... is Such a Gift. : ) }

I have been so Blessed, throughout my life. I...'want'... for nothing.

{I have... 'little'... to some, {maybe...'most' }

 but... I've always felt... so 'Rich' and 'Blessed'. : ) }

These days, what I 'want'... I can't have... no matter...how Much... I 'wish'.

I've never been one, to 'envy'...anyone.

I'm always happy, for Folks... when they do well.

: )

Growing up...and, over the years... I suppose,

looking back...

 to most... we were 'poor'.

but...

I never saw, or felt that.

I...always... felt, we were 'rich'. : )

after losing....so much... these last couple of years...

I see, how Incredibly Rich... we were. 

That... kind of 'Wealth'... can't be bought.

It's 'Priceless'. 

Love, to ya...

Barb C.

{No... I've never wanted, anything...anyone else...had.

I was always content, with... what... we had.

: )

I'd Give... Anything... to be as 'poor'... as everyone...always thought we were.
For the 'First' Time... in my life, I 'want'...
more...
than what I have.  }

Old...Mustangs...

and 'Back Roads'....

Peg.... <3

Polly...<3

Admiral... <3

Mom...and Dolsey. <3

My...Sister, Chery. <3

Dad.. and Justin <3

One, of Many... 'Valentines'... from John. <3

John... Runnin' the Table. <3

My Brother, Larry. He's the one... sitting at the table, behind... with Brother in Law... Jim, holding the red cup... next to him. <3 

John... like always... 'Rescuing'... what someone... 'Threw Away'...

'Jethro'. <3

John.... and Jethro.

<3

The...Old...'Gypsy'.
<3
'Lifesaver'