Our thimble full, here at home.... of the Opryland... No, there's no massive waterfall, or giant palms... but... it has a tiny bit, of the 'South' and Southern inspiration...I'm so Thankful, I had the opportunity, to see it....and to be inspired...

A Tennessee Tribute....

I put Patsy on, to sing to our friends, in Tennessee...I changed my personal image, to an image of our home...

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel, and Nashville, Tennessee so inspired me, as we were beginning to ad on, to our home 10 years ago... This Grand Hotel, had just the 'feel', I was reaching for..

I always felt 'welcomed' there... It truly was.... my 'happy place'.... my 'rabbit hole'...

my minds, 'wonderland'.... very sad.... May God Bless Everyone who is suffering.... Our Prayers are with You.... Barb C

My Winner! Admiral....and the Soggy Invite.....

This is my 'Old Man'.... Admiral.... He was 28 years old, when this was taken... You can see how incredibly smart he is, just by looking in his eye.... He was quite a 'ham', and loved being included... He died, suddenly, in July, 6 years ago, I remember standing outside, watching the fireworks, here in Fairfax, around the 4th... He was standing next to me... As they sent the fireworks up, he watched, and stood, taking everyone one of them in...His head and eyes would follow the beautiful displays.... it seemed so strange... like he was almost saying, "I want to remember this".... he passed away, two weeks later.... I miss him so...

Here's the invite, Ed sent... Amazing....{ a little soggy, from the tears, Patty and I lost, cause we couldn't be there... taking in the festivities!}

The Derby...

The day started off on the run... picking up loads of concrete, delivering stuff, visiting with Ed, { leftoversantiques.net} and catching up.... He and Michael had a 'Kentucky Derby' Party, Saturday... Mint Juleps, Carriage Rides, live Jazz, Scrumptious Cuisine and a Miniature Horse, meandering through their Massive Store, wearing a Pink Derby Hat....See... this is why I LOVE THESE BOYS!!!! They totally think like I do! When ya think you've pushed it over the top... YOU GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOVE! Their Wonderful Store was on it's EAR!!! These Guys are the most Gracious Hosts... I know, cause I have travelled with them, and visited their home.... They know how to entertain, and don't skip any details.... Patty had stopped by, on Sunday {fern hill} she mentioned the party, in Brenham, Texas... At the Boy's Store.... We are both huge Derby Fans, and were 'boo hooing', about not being there, to take it all in...Ed said, it was absolutely Fantastic! Everyone had a great time! Since I can remember, I have always dreamt about going to Louisville... and seeing the Derby... I love Thoroughbreds... Had one, for a best friend, for 28 years... They are the most Wonderful Horse... Their heart, is so amazing... they don't want to let you down... They are born, with a winning spirit...Maybe, someday... I'll be standing there, with a big floppy hat on... Mint Julep's in each hand, and taking it all in! I remember, as a child, on Derby Day, where ever Dad and I were, we'd find a t.v., and watch the Derby, that first Saturday afternoon in May... Sometimes, it might be a little tavern, in a small town we 'happened' through, or a friend's house, we might be visiting... but we Never Missed it... I'm glad the Boys, did it up right... Only the best for this Special Occasion... I would be concerned, if anyone else would try and throw a bash, for the Derby... I knew these Guys, would make it as Amazing, as the Event, itself... Barb C. They sent me an invite... It's still a little soggy... from all of our 'boo hooing'... It's the thought that counts... yeah, right.... { On a Sad Note}... { I was so sad, to see the Beautiful Opryland Hotel, under water, yesterday.... My heart aches.... That Hotel, was, my 'Happy Place'....I know that seems silly... And I certainly don't mean to say, my heart doesn't go out to all, who have lost so much more, than their 'Happy Place'... God Bless them.... I just want to say... That Hotel touched my soul... I was so inspired by it's Grandeur, and Gracefulness... It was as close to the Old South, as I could ever be.... The 'Cascades', were on the news, last night.... I wanted to cry.... That is my Happy Place.... The Cascades.... The waterfalls, revolving bar, 5 star restaurant, best service, anywhere .... True Southern Hospitality... They never let us down....{ I always requested to stay in the 'Cascades' area... I thought it was the most beautiful place, in the entire hotel....} We worked so hard, at Heart of Country, the only way, I could take the grueling schedule, was knowing, I could find that 'Happy Place'... at the end of the day... Everything might be closed up, we worked so late... but, just setting at the bar, listening to the water, all the lush greenery, it seemed to feed my soul, and enable my tired old body, to take on, another day.... I visited with Patty, yesterday... Back in February, or March, the weather, and Winter was getting to both of us, there was a Garden Show in Des Moines, and at the last minute, we jumped in the truck, and went.... I said to her, and she remembers it, vividly, " Ya know, instead of heading to Des Moines, I could turn this truck around, and head South, to Nashville... We could be there, by the end of the day... sitting at the revolving bar, sippin' a Gold Margarita, and soaking in the 'Spring', that is waiting for us, anytime, in Nashville"... She knew I was dead serious.... Our winter was so long, and hard... We were both physically, mentally and emotionally drained... I knew, just 24 hours, in that Happy Place, would bind up, all of our wounds...Just knowing, it was standing there, waiting, if things got too unbearable... a wonderful place, I always knew, in the back of my mind, I could run to..... Well.... no more... Everyone says, the Hotel will make it back... My fear, is they will try and make it 'better'.... That never seems to work... I left a message for my sweet friend, Scarlett Scales, in Franklin, TN. She lives only a half hour south of Nashville... I haven't heard back... My prayers are with her, and her family....We know, all too well, what a flood can do... Cedar Rapids, and the surrounding area, is still trying to recover, and it's been 2 years.... My Prayers are with you....} Barb C.

Ahhhh.....Lace....

I have many 'problems', when it comes to things I am passionate about... Hand Made Vintage Lace, well, I'd say it's pretty darned close to the top of the list.... This is a smidgen, of what I harvested, this last week... oh my... It is truly wonderful.... I could play with it, all day....

A Sunday Stroll 'Round the Lawn...

I cannot get over, how incredibly Gnarly the Bittersweet is, this Spring... I love it... It's a "Wild Child!"

The Herbs are growing like crazy, in the old Cupola Top... I had tried to sell this one, for a couple of years, and no one seemed to have any interest... Then I planted my Herbs in it, and everyone wanted it... But now, it's a keeper... It sits behind the shop, when the tomatoes are ripe, I grab a few, and pick a little rosemary, and sage, with a few chives, sit under the tree, and have a great little meal... All is right with the world....{ I just got in a smaller one, we'll see if anyone wants it... if not, it'll get all planted up, too...}

The Shop's Patio...

I walked down to the shop, early this morn, to capture a few images, for you... It is so beautiful, this fine, Sunday Morn...Here is the little patio set, Liz had at her house... She traded it in, a couple of weeks ago, for another set... I love it... So does my friend Patty... It really has been sold to her, for over 2 years... I said when Liz is done with it, her name is on it! John needs to do a little repair on it, then to Patty's it will go...

The Little Season Boy... Lovin' the Morning Sun....

The Clematis...Lovin' the Greenhouse!

Thought I had annihilated it, last fall.... nope... It's singin'... everyday, another foot!

Sunday Mornin'....

Spent the day, yesterday, unloading, and working things into the store... John, bless his heart, pulled the Big Truck down to his shop, and is getting a fire under my fanny, so we won't be rushing to get the finishing touches, on the truck, at the wire, on Thursday.... I have to get the totes out, and totally repack... I have been gathering so much new stuff, I need to get some of it loaded... It's Mai Fest, in Amana, so things have been hoppin'! Joy and Zoey, from Colorado were in the area this week, and are taking wonderful loads of stuff home with them! It was so nice seeing Joy again... she is such a gentle spirit... And, great meeting Zoey.... we shared a dinner, and had a fun visit! Alice,also from Colorado, popped in yesterday, with her Darling Daughter, Susie.... They crack me up! Dale F. popped in, I had sold the wonderful round tin ventilators, that he and I shared, so he has a little weekend cash, to go play! I almost bought his share out, last week... I had placed them at the end of the drive, John and I really liked them there.... Oh well... They went to a good home, just up the road... Pegs flowers she planted around here, are really looking beautiful...I'm trying to keep the weeds at bay, but, I know when I'm gone, next weekend, they will have 'free reign'.... I'll be working part of the day, at least... Hope to take a little time off, before I start loading, and do Gold Rush....Just a day... even half a day, would be good... That 'ol Steam Roller is nippin' at my heals, it seems.... Hope you have a BEAUTIFUL DAY! Barb C. { My prayers go out to those Folks from the South... From floods to tornadoes, and that horrible oil slick... God Bless them, all of them... and all of the Animals, and Sea Life....I just now opened my 'Streams in the Desert', this is a small portion, of what I read...{ this message seems to always find it's way to me, just when I need it most...} " Combat comes before victory. If God has chosen special trials for you to endure, be assured He has kept a very special place in His heart just for you. A badly bruised soul is one who is chosen."... "Grain must be ground to make bread." {Isaiah 28:28} Being a blessing of His, often requires sorrow, on our part... Poverty, hardship, and misfortune have propelled many a life to moral heroism and spiritual greatness... It's the weights on the old grandfather clock that keep it running....