Me and Sally Hit the Road! Found Sweet Amy... and...'The Nest"

Here is Amy's Calendar of Events! Check this Darling Store out!!!

This is, Sweet Amy... She does an Amazing job... Her lawn, was Darling....

This is her Store... I wish I could have gotten around earlier... People were not leaving empty handed... Amy said the morning was crazy!

Amy has the Sweetest Vignettes, throughout the Wonderful Old Farm House... Oh My!

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet!

Oh yeah... Me and the Mustang, had our Maiden Voyage, today... Had to go see my very special friend, Amy, {fellow blogger} { the nest} as she was having her Occasional Sale! I didn't realize, exactly where she is from... it was a jaunt... a beautiful one... Her Shop is near Sperry, Iowa...{ close to Ft.Madison, and Burlington..right on, hi-way 61....very near the Mississippi... It's a beautiful place...} { Janet... I will get images of the cupboard, tomorrow... Had no help... it's going to require lots...It's buried...} So, the drive, was amazing...top down.... and I'm fried... With the wind blowing...Hair, standing straight up... in a gnarled mess...{ I must have looked like I had a red squid, on my head... hair, everywhere!} I didn't feel hot... and... it was overcast, all day... oops... oh well...I'd forgotten, how wonderful a Convertible is... Had a 69 Camero Convertible... I drove it to work, for about 6 months... 'til I came home one day, and it was gone... John had sold the engine... I was heartbroken... It was so rusty, it had no floors left... but still, it would smoke the tires, like no other! And so fun to drive to work, in the wee hours of the summer mornings...Ahhh... the Crazy Days... Before Children...

I had a great time, at the Nest... Found some fun stuff... and had a very nice visit with Amy... She is such a gentle spirit...That same contentment, is very evident, as you meander through her store...She had everything just right... down to the tiniest detail.... little down feathers, sandwiched under glass, at her check out... perfect.... I loved all of the grapevine, and tree branches, that appeared to be growing through the walls... very cool.... The Nest, was so peaceful, and lovely.... Can't wait, 'til the next Sale...

Barb C.

Mustang Sally...

Ohhhh Baby.... This is MY Little Mustang... I have wanted one, since the new body style came out, in the 90's... This little Sweetie, is an '01... Not new... but... never the less... Wonderful, in my eyes...{ I think this year, '01, resembles the 68...} I started searching for one, many moons ago... I don't make a lot of money, and tend to give away, much that I do make... But... never gave up hope... I knew, there would be a day, I'd own one...{ after all... I did quit smoking... at around 50.00 a week, this Darling is all but paid for!} There were three things, I said, I would never have, in a Mustang... 1. Silver, in color... 2. an automatic transmission...3. a convertible... But... The Good Lord thought differently... And... I LOVE IT!!!! Dear friend, Don J. gave me first shot, on this little darling... and, I'll Love him forever, for it... { I even gave him a big, sweaty, after 'Barn Diggin', 'Horse Doctoring', un -showered Hug... Sorry, Don... But... Thank You... From the bottom of my Heart...} Mustangs, have always been a passion for me, as well as an elusive dream... I have owned, before I was 18, a 64 1/2, a 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 , and 74.... They were all headed for the scrap... My Dad would let me drive them, 'til they died, and then, cut 'em up... Oh my... The Love Affair, I have had, my entire life, with these Little Darlings, could fill a book... I have waited for them, to come down in price... but, they seem to hold their value, very well... and like the movie, "Gone in 60 Seconds"... Mustangs, have been a curse, to me... Just like Eleanore... I remember the 64 1/2... It was out of California... 3 speed, on the floor... Hi Performance 289... Pony Interior... Got picked up, the second day I owned it, for a loud muffler, and had to sell it, to pay the fines... I have never forgotten that car... This little Sweetie... needs a tune up... a little body work... brakes, eventually... but... oh my... If she's no more, than a lawn ornament... She will always be loved... There's just... something.... about a Mustang.... I just looked out the window... and still... can't believe... my "Eleanore"... is looking back, at me... I feel truly... blessed... Don't the two little Fords look like, they have always been meant to be?.... Happy Together.... What a Darling Couple...They were even created the very same year... Barb C.

Diggin' thru the Barn... Oh Boy!!!

Pal, Bud S. {Renates Antique Gallery, Amana, Iowa 319-622-3127} Invited me along, to come dig thru some barns... It was wonderful... We went thru the old farm house... and barn, as well as an old country school, that had been converted into a shed... I wondered... how long, before these days are 'no more'.... The barns, and hen houses, a thing of the past... how, incredibly sad... We had a good time diggin... It was so hot, and humid... everything had fifty years of dust, chicken poop, coon poop, and who know what else! Herds of spiders and bugs, like I have never seen... and an adorible field mouse, that came jumping out of a drawer, and had us all doing the 'cah cha cha'! Would I trade the morning diggin', to be shoppin' at a fancy department store... ahhh.. NO WAY!!!! We were covered in everything... When you dig around in barns, and pull stuff out, and you are hot and sweaty...you come out pretty gnarly...with hair, full of crusty stuff, and cob webs! LOVE IT!!!! Bought some wonderful wide boards... Knew if I waited long enough, they'd come to me... 2 very nice, old, old barrels... perfect for a Fall display... Gnarly old wooden chicken feeders, an old farm gate, cool, local yard sticks...{one on hold, for my favorite John Deere Folks} an old hanging cupboard, that was original to the old country school...it's missing one of it's doors... but I don't care... It's a sweetie! I'm filthy, dirty... and headin' for the shower! {Had a great day, yesterday, with Pal, Gail H. After I had a gin and tonic, or two, and Gail, a Corona, or two... we caught up on everything, and figured out all of the World's problems... what a wonderful afternoon... Just received the sweetest comment, from Polly...{pollyanns} This would have been her Mother's Birthday, today... She misses her so... I know exactly how she feels...My prayers are with Angel, Polly...} Barb C.

Back to Work..Here at Home...

Spent the day, yesterday, working around the Shop, and getting the Little Ford, unloaded... Peg stopped out, on her way home, to MO. I always am sad, to see her drive away... She was totally wiped out... Just needed her own bed... then, her own couch.... she said... The heat, and fast pace, of a one day, July Show, will suck the life right out of you...Not to mention, the last 2 hours, of taring down, in double time... we were flyin', to out run the storm... We had it done so fast, we ran and helped others, get their stuff thrown in their trucks... and still, made it... Everyone made it...whew... No shows, until August Gold Rush... Dale, Allyson and I are going to shop, Bishop Hill, Saturday.... It's a darling little country show, in Illinois...But, for now... I need to get caught up... Bills... bookwork...resetting the Green House, {it's pretty much been stripped!} I have deliveries, to make... Tho, I have nothing on the Show Calender... life will be busy... I have been invited to speak, at the Sleepy Eye Convention, early August... I did this for the Regional Questers Group, a few years ago.... I remember, my beloved friend, Eudora, talked me into speaking there... I had been asked before... but, they always had a theme, they wanted me to speak on.... I know a little, about a lot... I am no expert, on any one thing... So, always declined... So, when Eudora asked, and the Questers let me decide what to speak on... Well... That was right up my alley... I had just received a book, for Christmas, from Barb H {sisters garden} that she thought, had my name, and hers... all over it... Oh my... It is titled, 'For the Love of Old', by Mary Randolph Carter.... I had been dismissed, by so many antique people, as being the 'Junk Dealer' in Fairfax, that opening this wonderful book, written by such an amazing woman, who was a huge part of 'Polo, Ralph Lauren'... I felt like I had been handed my degree... { Libby Kramer, {Heart of Country} also had faith in me, and Julie... with our Old Iowa Farmhouse Style... She took a chance on us, and we have been invited back, for 10 years... Thanks to Libby... you are missed, my friend...} So with Book in hand, my theme, was about Old, and Well Loved, Things... I, as Mary, love, chipped faded, mossy, mended, rusty things, and fragments, of those things... I am NOT SHABBY CHIC!!!! I have been catagorized, with this term, for many years... I do NOT RE-PURPOSE! { not that there is anything wrong with that...it's just not my journey...} I Love Old Things... Just As They Are....As Found...Sculptural Fragments... Pieces that have been mended, a hundred years ago, because they meant, so very much to someone... Things, that have 'Soul'... Apparently, some folks, didn't think I would be well recieved... and came to the huge gathering, to see my wings clipped... by the Questers, some, who are very fussy, and seek perfection...To their amazement, that didn't happen... I was well recieved, and I think some, may have concidered my old 'stuff', not worthy... but, I believe, very few... and that's o.k.{ they are the folks I like to buy from...} I was so honored, to speak to them, it didn't matter... Eudora, was a fabulous writer... and had written for many magazines, and periodicals... she was so worried about me... told me to be sure and have my notes... Just before I was scheduled to speak, I found her, in the crowd, and told her, maybe she should leave... I didn't bring notes... I had just gotten in, from Chicago, in the wee hours of that morning, and was scrambling to get all of the props there, let alone, have notes ready... So, I spoke for 45 minutes, off the cuff... You get me talkin' about this wonderful old stuff... and the wonderful people,{ like, Eudora} that I have met on this incredible journey, with this wonderful old stuff... I could talk for days! I am anxious, to speak with this group, as well... I don't know much, about Old Sleepy Eye... I have had a few pieces, over the years, and loved it... It is named after Old Sleepy Eye, the Indian.. From Minnesota, and there was a Milling Company, named after him... It has his image on a lot of the stoneware... and is very collectible...and, beautiful...as well as useful... It was loved by the Farm Wives, of the late 1800's... I just sold, my last piece, a large pitcher, during my sale... spout, broken, cracked, and stained... oh, but so beautiful... The young woman, who bought it, was going to put 'black eyed Susan's', in it... the blue, of Old Sleepy Eye, and the mustard yellow, of the flowers, will be stunning... I visited with Mary Randolph Carter , author, via e-mail... She is exactly what I thought... a very gracious soul...Hope to meet her, someday... Well... Gotta go...pal, Gail H. is on her way out... can't wait! Hope you all have a Marvelous Day! Barb C.

Truck Drivin' Mama... only Peg...

My Darling Husband, John... was a 'no show', when it came time to load, and get the vehicles home... So with a storm headed our way, we 'hauled it', in double time, getting everything loaded, and massive tent down, and put away... { it was supposed to go in John's truck...} He didn't answer the phone, so, Peg stepped up, to the plate, and drove the FUSO...{ my one, and only friend, that has ever offered...What a Gal!} Peg doesn't drive a stick, so options were limited, on the other vehicles... She was a trooper... even through the Monsoon, we hit, on the way home... I was very proud of her! I was happy to see, all of the bloggers, and followers!!! Big Hugs and Kisses! Barb H. {sisters garden}... Kathie, {this girls art}... Brandon, {house things}... Nancy and fam, {rug cottage}... Polly, {pollyanns}, Ginger, {virgina rose}... Mary and Hubby, {mary zeran designs}... Amy, {the nest} Wanda, {gatherings iowa}... and SO MANY FOLLOWERS!!!! Wow! THANK YOU!!!! It was so nice Seeing you All! I forget, this is, my life, really... My Diary... I'll be honest... I don't tell it all...{ I'm saving those details, for the book...just kidding...I don't need a bounty on my head...} This is, my journey... and yes, you may have to read between the lines... my closest people to me, know the 'rest of the story'....... God Bless them, for holding my hand, through so many of the trials, of this Journey, called 'Life'...{ they all know, who they are, and how very much, they are Loved...} Tom R. said to me, as he was helping lift, some of the heavy masses, into the FUSO, "You are a workaholic..." I sat down, on the step bumper, of the Fuso, for a moment... and replied.... "It takes one to know one, Sweetie..." We all... Equally work our selves, into the ground, for this Wonderful Old Stuff....{oh yeah... and try and 'stay alive', and keep the bills paid, and help others... when 'push comes to shove'...} It's our friends and families, who are the real Heroes... They don't have the same, crazy passion, as we do... yet, they come, lend a hand, lift, push and pull, with the same determination, as us... Why... because, they Love us... We, truly are, the winners...{ so, very blessed...} The show wasn't as good, money wise, as last year... It was so confusing for folks... Hansen's Grove, has been split, in two different places... a storm was predicted, all day... with a possible 2 inches of rain... { I didn't get out 70% of my 'smalls', for that reason... If the tent took off, I didn't want to sacrifice the treasures....I think many folks felt the same way....} But, I was still, very happy, with the Show.... Everyone I talked to, said the same... They will all be back! It's going to be an Anual Antiquing 4th of July Party! Yeah!!! Thanks to all, who lended a hand... Kim Wolfe, {Wolfes Antiques, Mt.Vernon, Iowa was a top rate Promoter... Thanks for everything...} It was a joy, seeing Everyone... My Love, and Thanks to you All... Barb C.

The Rain Held...It was a Great Show!!!!

This was Tommie's Booth, right in front of her wonderful Coffee Shop, and Bakery... FUEL!!!!!Oh my gosh.. Tommie and her Mom, saved me, Sunday morning... I was Out of It.... They came buzzing through our booth, and asked if I had expected them to bring coffee? {The disappointment was all over my face, I am sure, as they slipped through, empty handed...} They felt so bad.... So, agreed to deliver me a 'Tommie's Special', Brew.... and asked what I wanted in it...{ This is how 'whacked' I was.... all I could say, while scrambling for words... was"ah...water"...} They laughed, and in no time, they brought me my 'JOLT'! I made it through the day!!! THANKS GIRLS!!!!

Ahhh, one of my Sweetest Neighbors, at the show! Ginger! {fellow Blogger} {virginia rose} She and her darling Hubby, Garth, are always so much fun...

This booth belongs to a Darling Girl... Jan... and Fellow Blogger...{gracies cottage} Oh my Gosh... I loved all of the unusual treasures she carried...

Sweet Cathy R., She and Tom, are also our neighbors.... They had thee most wonderful stuff... I loved the Rope Bed... I wish I would have gotten a picture of it... It was amazing... The best one, I have ever seen... Oh my...

Our booth... well, half of it... we had tons of gnarly garden stuff, to the right... we sold tons of it... I bought a wonderful plant stand, that is tall and gnarly... It's shaped like a tree... I put all of the Staffordshire tea pots, and bowls on it... It's perfect for display... hope it never sells... I also bought the wonderful old stained glass window, with the star...and an 1840's Empire Chest... { I LOVE EMPIRE FURNITURE!!!!} The most wonderful Photographer's chair... It sold, to pal Lil... It's a perfect fit, for Gals like us! {Mad Hatterish, I mean,,,}

Here's a shot, down one side of Main street, at the end of the day... { too busy, before....} This show has doubled, since last year... it's going to be an amazing 4th of July Event... It reminded me of a quaint, little Outdoor, Paris Market... The town is darling, and so historic... Wonderful food, and drink... Just Sweet as Pie... We are doing it, again, the Good Lord Willing, and really looking forward to it...

Here's a Darling, I bought, over the phone, at 5:30, Sunday morning.... It needs a good bath, but, that's it! It has 4 doors across the top, 6 drawers, 2 doors, and a wonderful, working bin... Thankfully, it's 2 pieces... it's HEAVY! And, not all that big... Maybe 6 feet wide, and a little over 6 feet tall.. But a Stout Lad, to say the least!!!

Here's Bill! He reminds me of John, in so many ways... His better half, Kathie, is standing in the back.... We think a lot alike... She is a fellow blogger { this girls art}... She is absolutely Amazing... Love them Both!

Here's Peg... Wiped out... She sold and sold her Wonderful Gourds.... People were just drooling all over them... They are... Truly Amazing... So is Peg...

This is the Empire dresser, I purchased, with the Beautiful Window, behind it.... I wish they wouldn't have started cleaning down the old varnish... I may try and match it, or, simply chalk it up, to the 'Journey'... I LOVE the Amazing Hand champhoring, dovetailing, and planing...A few scars, well, are to be expected, I guess, when you reach a 170, or so....

Whew...it's Gonna Be a Great Show

Oh my... We have the big stuff set! 10 foot showcase,{Beautiful....}A huge, stained glass window... Gnarly concrete... Gnarly garden stuff... cupboards and counters... harvest table... work tables... 2 wonderful, huge wooden wagon wheels....lots of tin farm stuff...just loads and loads! They are calling for rain, so come prepared... tarps, rain gear... { Peg and I just threw in a few extra lawn and leaf bags, if you are in a pinch!} We are unloading smalls, in the morning... There is soooo much fun stuff, at this show...It's making me crazy I can't shop much... {I'll admit, I did find a few fun treasures when I snuck away, a time or two!!!} Oh my... Come see us, in Mt.Vernon, you will have a BLAST! Barb C.

A 4th of July... Thimble full....The Truck is Loaded Heavy!

This little guy, is amazing... Old... Old... Old... Fountain Top! Here is about 2 minutes, of picture taking... We are going to have a fun load... Peg and I filled totes with all sorts of treasures... From wonderful quilts, to gnarly Mulberry Staffordshire... It's going to be great!....We'll have everything from the coolest old concrete, and metal lawn stuff... to farm junk, and even a wonderful,large, old, old cast iron cauldron... no cracks.. amazing! I didn't post the furniture... but... I'm taking a wonderful, harvest table... an old step back cupboard... a cool, old Victorian Parlor table, with cast, dolphin feet, a small Amana Cupboard, and tons of 'this and that'... You'll just have to come see! We had so much fun, last year! This show is so laid back! I'll be wheelin' and dealin'... I made a purchase, today, and that's why I am so far behind on loading... Bought a MUSTANG!!!! Peg and I were taking it out for a test drive, this afternoon... Top down, and Aretha blaring... My red hair, was straight up in the air! Pal, Don J. had it... I am a Mustang FREAK! So... when his daughter decided to 'up-grade', I begged for first shot, on her car... He let me know, and I love it... It needs a little lovin'... We are a perfect pair... Just a little 'ruff' around the edges... Peg and I had a blast... We didn't think to take pictures, til tonight... too late... We'll get some, as soon as I get it home... I'm sooo excited! So... I'm fillin' the 'Mustang Fund' Jar! { Actually, since I quit smoking... I've been saving... about 50.00 a week... won't take long to have her all paid for! Ya Hoo!!!!} Can't wait to see ya, at the show! Rain or Shine... Bring the Truck!!!! Barb C. This little guy, is super gnarly... Love Him!

This is the wonderful old Cauldron... The man I bought it from, said his Grandmother made Lye Soap in it... It's wayyy coooool!

This is one of the best Martin Houses I have had in a long time.... Love it!

The fireworks sign, came from an old Man, in MO. Perfect, for the Holiday!

These are the cutest metal bins... They could be used inside, or out... I'm cleaning them out, for only 12.00 each!

Huge Oval Tub! Great for parties! Fill it full of Ice, and Cold, Sparkling Refreshments, and the Fun Will Never End!

Funky, Unusual, Iron Rotary Hoe Blades! They are cool, in a garden, or hanging on a wall... I like 'em perched on a fence post!

This is a wonderful oval tin door, that would make an awesome sign, or,table top... it's at least 4 feet wide... soooo very cool!

This would also, make a great round sign... it is at least 30 inches in diameter... and is Wonderful... {the gears are turnin'!}

Skinny Dippin'.....

Yes, yes... I'll be posting, later, about the Gnarly stuff, we are taking to the show... Peg pulled in, last night... and oh my... Her Gourd Bowls are unbelievable....They will be at the show, in Mt.Vernon... Jan, from {Summer Sundays} left a sweet comment, on my 'Country Sunshine' post, that her Mother would have never let her skinny dip.... Do you think my folks knew, what us girls were up to? Ahhh... Nooo...{thank goodness...} But, Never the Less... we had so much fun.... Once, the neighbor boys followed us... thought they were taking off, with all of our clothes, on the bank...{ We'd undress in the water.... Yeah, yeah... Iowa Girls like to have fun... but we are still modest....} They stood at the bank, and whooped and hollered.... swung the clothes around... asked us what we were gonna do... and just kept heckling....What the boys didn't realize, not all of us were naked... So... those of us, still wearing clothes, chased 'em down, and gave 'em a good thrashing....They didn't try it again... BOYS! Peg and I are loading the truck, today... images, this eve... Barb C.

I Was Raised on Country Sunshine....

This is a darling iron bed, I picked up, the other day... a friend of mine is looking for one... so... here it is... I don't know if I'll take it to the show, or not... I might just enjoy it, right here....

click on the image, for a better view...

cute little cart....

I received a lovely e-mail, from pal, Sue, yesterday... and it got me thinkin'... About growing up, how I was raised.... My childhood...This song, by Dottie West, pretty much says it all... It always has... I remember thinking that, the first time I heard it... I was around 9 years old... I grew up, barefooted...skinny dippin' in the pond, basking in the hot, July sun.... we loved walkin' the creek.... looking for crawdads, and fishing... riding the horses, bareback, just swing up, and go....The years have taken me, all over this country... but, I'm always ready to come home... I guess the old saying is true... "you can take the girl, out of the country... but, you can't take the country, out of the girl'...

I feel honored, to have been able to experience this, as a child... and so very blessed...While writing to Sue, a shiver went up my spine... Are those days gone... forever... Will any other generation, ever experience the days without electronics...I don't ever see kids outside, period... Oh, what they are missing... Maybe, it's my age... I talked to Peg, about it, last night...We decided, our childhood was the best...Not much money....not many toys { we made our own} but, the World was our Oyster....Maybe, we all feel that way... just about different things... I don't know... I guess... we need to find happiness, where we can...

Life is...what it is....

I'm heading out to get a load of limestone, this morning, then getting everything loaded for the show.... I have concrete to pick up, and lots of garden chairs, and gliders to load on the little Ford... So the stone has to be taken care of... Sounds like it may rain, Sunday.... I'm glad we have a tent this year.... Peg and Liz will be helping, and Peg is bringing her Gourds... I can't wait to see them....It's going to be a Great Show... It poured, half the day, last year, and we had a Great Show! { and we didn't have a tent...} I've talked to several people that are doing this show... and oh my... There is going to be some Wonderful Stuff!!!

I'll have a list, and images, either tonight, or, in the morn!

Have a Great Day...

Barb C.