Because You Love Me....

I have a new song on, for the beginning of the blog... "Because You Love Me", You can take it, anyway you want.... I think of God, John, our Children, Critters, Family and Friends... Without them, life would be so, cold....

Angels....

I am on the sizzling skillet, this morning... But Had to send A HUGE Thank You, to Cathie, {this girls art} She sent me a package, because she cares... She is amazing... Cathie called, and said she was sending me something... I expected a cool image of her garden, or a fun, interesting something, she had found... Nope, it was something that I truly needed, and she was kind enough to to think of me.... This blog, has been a God Send... Angels... Angels...They are truly everywhere... Cathie is an Angel, no doubt... Thank You, my Sweetness... Barb C. I opened up my 'Streams' this morning to read...." I will turn your Mountains into Roads'.... This happens, with Angels like Cathie... When we keep climbing, and falling, yet brush ourselves off again, it's the Angels, like Cathie, when you are on the ground, at the foot of the Mountain, they are the ones, with the hand outstretched, putting you back on your feet....I thank God, for having our paths cross... I thank God, for the Mountains, they make me strong... And, the Road, where I can walk, for a while, with the Angels... Barb C.

John and Dale.... Looking the Situation Over...

The Guys had great fun diggin' round all the scrap, and gnarly fragments! I got a kick out of them... What Scroungers! I guess it takes one to know one!

Loadin', Junkin', Diggin'.... and 'Horsein' around....

Oh my.... It just doesn't get any better than this....It was the most beautiful day, here in Iowa, yesterday.... I have been taking Scout, { our horse} out of the pasture, and letting him eat the sweet, new grass, that is in the yard... He loves it, and it's like therapy, for me... Knocks the stress level down, an octave or two... I had to go get the other 2 loads from Duwa's Auction, in Wellman, but couldn't til 5, or so...so.... got some stuff done around here! Had a few visitors, throughout the day, and the afternoon was uneventful.... Dale F. decided he'd like to go see Junell and Dwight, in Wellman, so John drove the little Ford, and we took the flatbed, and made quick work of getting the auction treasures loaded, and home... I have been storing things at Dale's Farm, for some friends from out of state, and some of the bigger pieces needed to go to Dale's... Mark came over and helped unload, and it was a long day for all... But... when we were leaving Wellman... we were invited to go dig through a 'burn pile'.... oh my gosh... The sad thing is, he had just burned... The good thing is, tin and iron doesn't burn.... I waded in, but had my silly rubber garden shoes on, already with holes in the sole... so, was mighty careful... wire, nails, bed springs, glass...smoldering... But, Dale and John had boots on, and we had sooo much fun! We found some really cool stuff! I'm goin' back! It's going to be a long week...I'll be running every direction, through Saturday... I plan on being in the Shop, on Sunday... I feel like I'm being chased by a Steam Roller! It's always like this, this time of year... Shows, and Memorial Day Weekend Sale, around the bend... I have picked up more shows, trying to keep our heads above water, as so many have, that sometimes, I think, I'm meeting myself coming, and going.... Thank God, I love what I do... What a blessing this Gnarly Old, Old stuff, has been to all of us...None of us are getting rich...{ monetarily} but we are staying alive...{ we have been so blessed, in gathering, and selling... I am so thankful, to all, who attend the shows, and shop us...without those Angels, things would be mighty tuff... I am so thankful, to all of those equally Angelic Souls, who call, and give us the opportunity to buy, and think of us when ready to sell... I hope we have been helpful to them, as much as they have been to us...} I picked up my "Streams in the Desert" Just now... What I turned to, like every single day, I open it, to find the most perfect message... today is no different... " My grace is sufficient for you." { 2 Corinthians 12:9} "When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, Our Father's full giving has only begun".... This is only a snippet, of the the message... But it is so true...If we simply have faith, keep moving forward, we will survive, and hopefully help others on the journey...The Angels are always sent our way, if we give notice... and when difficulties come our way, are too much to endure, hand them over, to the One who can carry the load...{ this is one point, I still stumble with...} Somehow, I am blessed with enough strength, and endurance, to run this crazy marathon...Try and help others, who are on their own 'marathon', and give Thanks....That's life... Let's go Live it! Barb C.

1836 Ledger...

I spied this old ledger in a box of stuff at Duwa's Auction, Saturday.... I love these old windows into the past... Someone used it as a scrapbook, during the Civil War, and pasted clippings concerning the war, and all of the sadness created from both sides... The Blue and the Gray... on the first 20 pages, or so... I haven't had time, to sit down and thoroughly go through it, find out where it is from... I can see "Canton", but I don't know what state, at this point... The way things are going, it could be winter, before I have enough time to really scope it out... It must have been from a General Store, it tallies up merchandise, like 'calico', 'buttons', 'tobacco', 'sheep sheers', 'flour', 'nails', 'sugar'.... Seems, fabric, especially calico, and buttons, are listed repeatedly, on most every page.... I could get lost in this old book.... I am headed to Wellman, to get another load, this morning, then, back again... Just got off the phone with Sharon, {Sweet Repose}and { Wild Thing} We are hooking up, sometime tomorrow, at Sisters' Garden, {Sisters' Garden} so I can get a batch of her wonderful soap! Check out her blogs, and try some...She'll send it right to your door! Her soap is AMAZING! { Men seem to Love it on their skin, too!} Sisters' Garden, near Kalona, Iowa, carries it, and Gatherings, in Anamosa, Iowa, as well... I would love to, but, ah... my little mice would find it quite delightful, I am sure.... They Love soy candles, too... Well, I guess, they have to eat too... I'm headed south... Hope Everyone has A WONDERFUL DAY! Barb C..

A Beautiful Sunday...

John took the camera, and shot dozens of wonderful images, around the yard... These are a few of my 'fav's'...

I didn't get the truck unloaded.... But, spent time with Peg, Liz and Nick... Had great folks stop by, fellow blogger, 'T', and her hubby, from Washington, Iowa popped in, we had a nice chat. Had some Professional Photographers, stop in, and ask if they could do some photo shots, I think for a wedding, or graduation... I always let them... I am so happy to see young folks, WANT to be a part of this gnarly old stuff! Neighbor, and friend, David called, as we were loading Peg's truck... I have promised to get to his house and pick up a bunch of block, I think since last fall...Nick and Liz, just happened to be here, and we went up, and got it done! I thought there where only a dozen or so, blocks.... Oh my gosh! The mud flaps where skinin' the highway, all the way home...Then, we had to unload, so Liz and Nick could use the truck, to haul the mower... Ooops! { like David said, it was perfect timing!}

I'll be headed back to Duwa's, sometime today, to get another load of furniture... Oh my goodness... I have no idea where it's going to go.... Guess I'll figure that out, when I get home.... The Fun Never Ends!!!

Go, Take on the Day!

Barb C.

Sweet Repose...

I wanted to send out a special "Thank You" to Sharon, from "Sweet Repose"... She took some beautiful images here, and wrote some very kind words, after she, Theresa and Craig stopped by... As dead on my feet as I was, I read her post, last night, and was so blown away, she said it, did it, photographed it, put just the right music to it... I slept like a baby... She has got it goin' on, and truly can capture the essence of her surroundings... It's that wonderful free spirit, and deep soul, she encompasses... Thanks Sweetie... Sharon is an amazing woman, creative, beyond belief... always coming up with something new and exciting, with gnarly old stuff... Sharon is a True Artist....

Thanks again...

Barb C.

Be sure and check out her blogs, and order her wonderful soap, Sharon makes from scratch! Sharon sells some of her things, and soaps, at Sisters' Garden, on Hwy 1, between Iowa City, and Kalona... Go See!

A Day at Duwa's!

Here is an image of 'The Gang' at Duwa's Auction, Saturday.... From left to right, back row... Brent H. { 'Sisters' Garden', Kalona, Iowa} }... {trying to hide} Bud S. { 'Renates' Amana, Iowa}...Dwight Duwa, Auctioneer and Janelle Duwa, Clerk, and EVERYTHING ELSE! She is amazing! {'Duwa's Auctions', Wellman, Iowa} Next to Janelle, is Sweet Renate S., Bud's better half, and owner of 'Renate's'...Then, Wanda, from {Gatherings}{ check out her blog!}, in Anamosa, Iowa, with her very Sweet husband Terry{ who is ever so thankful, Wanda didn't purchase the big 21 drawer piece}... The two Gals in front, are Duwa's Auction Gals... They make it run like clockwork...It was a great day, and this is my first load of three... Oh my... With Gold Rush, and my Memorial Day Weekend Sale, just around the corner, it's time to hunt, and gather! I was so thankful, to all of the folks {Angels} who helped load the truck! As always, Dwight furnished refreshments, then we headed for Kalona, had supper, and visited... It was great! I'm so glad Dwight called... I probably wouldn't have known about the sale, otherwise...{ seems I never have time to read! So, unless someone calls, I don't know about them... I guess those 'Antique Angels' have a way of letting me know about the 'good ones'!} I was so tired, last night, I truly don't know how I made it home.... Peg is stoppin' by, this morn, and several other folks, who called yesterday, while I was at the Auction... It will be a long day... But, a Great Day! I had better start Livin' it! Barb C.

Some of Todays Gatherings...

The photos don't come close to showing how cool these Old Iowa Treasures are... They are pretty gnarly.... The old counter has 21 drawers, all of it's original fancy cast hardware with slots for a label... It has an unusual graduated top, it's about 9 feet long, by 7 1/2 feet tall... It really didn't like it's picture taken.... It's way happier in person! This Gnarly Old Cupboard...well, it truly looks like a bag of bones, in this image.... Oh my gosh, does it tell a story when you stand next to it... I absolutely fell head over heals in love with this 'Big Daddy!' Believe it, or not... this could go right in the house... I love it, that much...

Again, if you could see this cool, very unusual table in person, you would see why I waited all day for it to sell!

The Gnarly Old Counter, will be spruced up, and look like a million bucks, when John gets done with it!

A Huge THANKS to Sharon { Sweet Repose}... I haven't read her blog yet, it's after 9:00, I've been on the road since 7, this morn, after a wonderful, yet gruelling 20 hour day, yesterday.... I have received several e-mails, concerning her blog...I am headed there now.... I'll have more from the Duwa's Auction, in the morn

Barb C.

A Day in Chicago...

Here are a few images, to tide you over! Dwight Duwa {Duwa's Auction Services} called Thursday, and and thought he'd have a few things on his Sale, today, I may like.... So, I'm on the run, bright and early... I'll write about the AMAZING SHOW, and all my friends! Scarlett, Val, Roxanne, Mary Ellyn, Al, and spending a great day with my two best girls... Liz and Peg!

Wish me luck, at the auction!

Barb C.