My Coat of Many Colors...

{This image, is of an Angel... in a cemetery, in California.... An old friend took this image... The Beautiful Marble Angel, has thrown her body, over a stone, and is weeping... I connected with her, immediately...My friend, gave me this image... and I'll always cherish it... and understand it... I know this place...all too well...} My friend, Stan, stopped out, this morning, to borrow the Gnarly Chandelier, for his 'Light Show'.... I didn't get all of the details, yet... as you know, I wasn't in the most talkative mood this morning... and, we were both drenched in sweat, after taking down, and loading the massive piece...{ that was at 9:30 a.m.} I am so happy for him, tho... He is so excited, about this show... Stan does lighting, all over the world, for the Major Music Industry... But, this display, is his work of art...He was beaming, as he shared his vision... This brings me, to today's Journey... After Stan left... I bailed in the Truck... called my dear friend, Charlie...Why Charlie? He's a very wise, and non judgmental soul... He doesn't fall for 'clicks', or care what you drive...or wear...he's incredibly smart... and calls a 'spade a spade'...he's a very gentle spirit... I asked him, if he would be home, as I was heading South... he said, "yeah"... I told him, I just had to get away... and... I'm on my way... When I arrived, he was sitting under the shade tree, at his wonderful, peaceful home... then, walked over to greet me... as I got out of the truck... I told him, I just needed a non judgemental friend... he walked up, and gave me a big hug...We spent the next several hours, digging through his wonderful Barn... It was 106 degrees, with the heat index... but, it was the best therapy I could ever have... We didn't talk much... just about the great old stuff... the Soulful stuff, he gathers... The stuff, Charlie and I truly love... and so few understand... The tears I shed, today, aren't for me... I couldn't care less, what people think of me... It was about the shop... I guess it really is a part of me... Like Stan, beaming, over his artistic 'Light Show'... That little Shop, is my piece of art...My, 'Coat of Many Colors'...letting it's soulfulness, shine... I fight for the acceptance, of it... to no avail... It's like the 'Coat of Many Colors'... Dolly Parton wrote, and sang about... I too, felt I was rich... then, to hear the others laughing, and making fun of me.... well... It's been a bit painful... I'll have to finish, tomorrow... Barb C.

Just a Closer Walk... I'm Headed South...

It's funny... When Angels with 2x4's start swingin', one can only duck, for so long... I ran into another dealer, the other day... She went on and on, about my little shop... How many she sends my way... "Some, well, they really don't like your store...Oh... but I do"... Then I get to thinkin about, how many, probably say the same thing...{ very hollow} The lady I visited with, kept saying all sorts of things, then, sugar coated them...very sweet... I guess I am naive... I look for the good in folks... I admire what they do... especially, when their work represents, who they are...I always try and help other folk, in the business... Maybe, I'm just too thin skinned... Maybe, well, I need to be... I am, who I am... and the little shop... well.. it is, what it is... I need to find comfort... from someone, who loves me, just the way I am...Never judges... So... I'm jumpin' in the truck... headed South... Talk with the Lord, and have a closer walk, with Thee...I have found out, in recent years... people, are rarely what they seem...How sad... You never know, who has the knife, and who has your back...{ and... you will be surprised, by some... you really thought, had your back...}God Bless, the True at Heart....And... my prayers are with the Hollow Souled Ones... I'll sort this out... Yes... I'm smilin'...Pressed on all sides... but not crushed... Barb C. {Isn't Patsy Great... I love singing her songs...}

Prop Me Up...

Gracie's Cottage just commented, about this all time, Juke Box Tune...Daughter, Liz, was about 5, when this song came out... she would sing it at the grocery store...at auctions... "Plop me up, b'side the juke box if I die...."..."fill my boots, up with sand... put a stiff drink, in my hand".... Something, well, just didn't seem right, when a darling, big brown eyed, long haired, little Angel, sang this song, without missing a note... I got a few looks, as well... Ahhh... Liz... A chip off the old block... My tune of choice, when I was 3... 'These Boots are made for Walkin'... Oh boy... Barb C.

Juke Box Blues!

My Creative Pals, Deb and Tom, from the 'Old Creamery Theater', were cleaning out their props, and called, to see if I wanted anything! Of course! I LOVE CREATIVE PEOPLE! Decorators, Actors, Stylist, Artists, Musicians.... They are the Coolest Cats! The Energy, that these folks have, is overwhelmingly contagious! I love just being near them! Anyway... They had the old Juke Box, I had sold them, years ago, for the 'Patsy Cline' play, and I knew I could sell it for them... And, I did! Almost everything I picked up, from them, had found new homes, in a matter of a few hours! I'm keeping the Massive Wreaths, they'll be fun, for the Holidays!

I have another Creative Friend, coming in the morn... He is just back from London, and wants to borrow the Gnarly Chandelier, I bought from Tommie{Fuel} that is NOT for sale, in the shop... He's doing a 'Light Show'... I'll have the entire scoop, tomorrow...

My Love to Ya!

Barb C.

{ here are a few answers, to questions...}

Janet... The tiny sink, is going in my house... if it doesn't work, you are 2nd on the list...Can't wait to see ya, and the 'Gang', at Gold Rush!

Kim... Sorry about the Cat damages...Ohhh... Those Cats!

WW... I have been to 'Winds Reach'... I love those Boys, from Urbana... I have got to get to their shop, and take some pics!

Wanda {gatherings} You never 'win' with cats... they will always get even... The Crazy, 'Pussy Cat Rag', song... well, I had to do a little diggin... but... it was worth it... Love It!

Betty G. ... What can I say... I Love You...

To Everyone, who has inquired about the Darling little Bins... They are all Sold... Thanks for all the interest... Keep watching... there may be more surprises coming!

It's War...Me, and the Cats....

The house, has been, well, a mess, of late... not a horrible, 'hoarder' type mess... just... I haven't been able to see the top of the table, for weeks... bills... new stuff, headed for the shop, more bills... yeesh... So, it was too hot to work outside, late, this afternoon..... it took me all of 20 minutes to get things put away, and the table put back in order...{ why do I always procrastinate...} Now... as you know... I am a huge animal lover... however... I really don't like cats in the house... we have 4... Mama... Phil, Lil, and Baby... Mama was brought in, by son, Justin... about 12 years ago... Phil and Lil, are her babies, and Baby, is the last to arrive... I would have them indoor, outdoor, but, we live on a major hi way, and they would never survive...They worship John... Follow him around, like pet lambs... me... well let me tell ya... I am their slave... They break everything I love the most... My favorite Ironstone pitcher, was the last casualty... I saved one shard, to remember it by... My shoes were under the table, a few mornings ago... when I went to put them on, one shoe had a massive hairball, spit up in it...{ They must have saved up for weeks... it was stuck like glue...} I am the official litter box cleaner... I don't allow them on the counters, or table...{they Never attempt it, while I'm around...I'm sure they party, all over the counters, when I'm gone...I always clean everything, over and over, just in case... I have left my lap top open, and they walk all over it... who knows what they have sent out, over the web...} Tonight, as I was walking through the dining room, to go downstairs, to eat supper, I was completely surprised by Phil....he had his huge body, sprawled out, on the nice clean, freshly scrubbed, table...and not just any place, on the table... oh nooooo.... at MY coffee sippin', phone talkin', bloggin', favorite place, in the entire house, end of the table...... He just glared at me... I let him stay... Polly was right beside me... she never leaves my side, when food is involved... if I had swished him off, Polly would have chased him, and there goes another piece of ironstone...... I have shared many of the stories, of the 'Cat Trials',{some, are very, very ugly...} with Peg... Her advise... lock John, and the cats in one room of the house... or, have them all move to his shop... He truly is, the 'Cat Man'... They all sleep with him... when he walks from one room to the next, they all follow... My Old Pal, Julie, and I did a survey... as women would talk about their boyfriends, and husbands... complaining, about this, and that... we asked them, "Does your better half like cats?"... We found, men that like, or well tolerate cats, make excellent partners.... why? Well... women are a lot like cats... Independent, moody, loving, {on her terms} and will cough up a hairball on your shoe, if you don't give them the attention they want! Happy Trails... Barb C. {Don't worry, Mary...{a.k.a. Cat Woman}{Dark Horse Antiques} You know how much I love animals....Grrrr...They are safe... Grrr...}

Fern Hill... oh my....

{this is the Court House, in Sigourney, Iowa... Sally and I, took a trip, Sunday Eve, to friends, Lynn and Leah's... I had the top down, and it was an amazing drive... I held my camera up high, as I was driving, and got some cool shots, of the Southern Iowa Country...{ I knew that convertible was good for something....I just had to be careful... the wind is strong, while toolin' down the hi way!}

Spent the morning on the run... It was great! { I wayyyy overslept... ahhh... the most amazing Storm blew through... Thunder and Lightning... I just snuggled in... what a gift....} Then, went to Fern Hill... That Store is to Die For...{Well... at least get mortally wounded for...} I have never seen it look so incredible... I wasn't the only one... The Shop was 'Buzzing' with folks, seemed there was always a line, to pay! Amazing! They have re-set, and have the most amazing display of Vintage Quilts... { As I was standing by the Vintage Quilts, three sold, 'Boom!' to a Mother and Daughter...They were Thrilled!}{check out their blog's... I follow them!}

When walking in, they have a Gigantic arched Architectural Piece, to walk through... it is like another world... One of the customers said.."It's so deceiving, the outside of the building...{a wonderful, mid 1800's South Amana, General Store} when you walk in the door, you have no clue, what an amazing experience you will have!" another said, to one of the Gals... "We were referred here, from a friend...I am SOOOO Glad we Stopped!"...

Fern Hill, and Stephanie Brandenberg Studios, have been in countless periodicals... Check out

'Country Gardens', for one...{Stephanie and Fern Hill are regular contributors!} they have seed boxes in, this month...Architectural Digest, and many, many Quilting Magazines...{Steph is an Artist, and designs her own line of Fabric! Fern Hill carries between 3500, and 4000 bolts of fabric, on the 3rd level... oh my... the quilters go Crazy there.... Patty, only buys the most unusual!}

Go visit... It's an Amazing Journey! { It was good to Brandon! Check out his blog{ 'house things'}

I'm on the go, again, today... Lots to do... My post yesterday, was sent to me... It was necessary, that I write it... I never know why... Guess it's not for me to know... I was blown away by what I had read... It is so true... I live it...What comes out of, all of the unbelievable hardship, is more than you could ever dream... But... one must have Faith... keep looking up...and hand it over... You may not see the blessings, today, tomorrow, or next week... but... God is Never late...From a child, I have known, everything happens for a reason... Then... my Dad died... I just couldn't understand... What good, could possibly come out of death... None... that I could see... Then, as time went by... I realized, all to soon... we are here on this Earth, for only a blink... There is so much more, waiting, ahead...I am comforted, knowing Dad is in Heaven...and, I'll see him again, someday....We will all, be together, someday...{Critters, too}

If you are being 'Pressed Hard', today... Smile... You are the chosen one...And, remember, steel must be tested, unmercifully, to pass the strength test, before it can be used to build the most awesome structures...

My Love to You...All...

Barb C.

"We are Hard Pressed, on every side... But, not Crushed"

We are Hard Pressed... On every Side.... But.... We Are Not Crushed...

I read this, this morning... in 'Streams in the Desert"... Seems I was sent right to this... What a wonderful truth...When God works in our lives... and we take Him, into our Heart, we have the misconception, life should be a Rosy, stroll through the Garden.... No... what would we ever learn, meandering through the garden....He will send us challenges... a rough and rocky path.... to strengthen us, so we can endure... I read, a while back... when we meet with God, it won't be our beauty He is wishes to see... it will be the Battle Scars... God has nothing worth having, that is easily gained...there are no cheap goods, on the Heavenly Market... Difficult times and places, are our Schools of Faith, and Character...

Now... go out... and Smile, when those Angels with 2x4's, are swingin' away! It's Amazing what you can learn, while being knocked down to your knees...

Barb C.

Oh My... Before... and...After

This mid 1800's Walnut Stepback, sold, last week... John went ahead, and gave the surface, some nourishment... it was sooo dry.... It turned out amazing.... wish you could see it, up close.... Wish I would have thought about keeping it, a bit more carefully.... Oh well... I love the new home, it is going to be residing in...

I'll be working on the 'Gold Rush' load, this week... getting things ready, and all spiffed up... I'll be posting things, throughout the week.... if anyone has interest, in something specific, please e-mail, or phone...{simplyiowa@yahoo.com} {319-241-1348} We'll be working on harvest tables, drysinks, and all sorts of Country things.... I am sad.... Don't think I'll be able to pull off the Mad Hatter Booth, at Gold Rush... Too much Country...I'll do it at the Fall Harvest Sale, here, in October... Peg and I had a Great time with it, in the Spring... I always have a Mad Hatter look, so to speak, anyway... But... I really like to do it up right, with a lot more 'funk', and Gnarliness... When actually calling it a 'Mad Hatter Booth!'... We'll have fun with it, here in the shop! I've picked up some fun dibby dabbies... There will be a great mix, in Rochester... I'm looking so foreword to seeing everyone... Michael's... Oh Boy!!!

Barb C.

Early Stoneware... They Have 'Muchness!'

Gathered this wonderful old Stoneware, for the most part, today... I love the decorated pieces...and the wonderful, old Batter Crocks... they still have their original tin lids, on their pour spouts! The Jug's handle is gone,{but the Beautiful Bird, makes the old Jug sing, anyway...} and the heavily decorated 6 gallon, Saltglazed Crock, has a few cracks.... but... like I'm getting pretty good at saying... It is, what it is... they are priced accordingly... they are.... amazing...and retain their 'Muchness'... Barb C.

Speaking at the 'Old Sleepy Eye' Convention....

I had a wonderful time, speaking at the Old Sleepy Eye Convention... So many Great Folk! I gathered a few totes of treasures, and set a display up for them, to see what I am so incredibly passionate about...I spoke on the Wonderful book, 'For the Love of Old'... Barb H. {sisters garden} gave me this, several years ago, for Christmas... I will always treasure it...The author, Mary Randolph Carter, {Polo Ralph Lauren} Validates, what I have done, for so many years... I have spoken on this subject, before, and I think people are finally able to appreciate, worn, mossy, mended, chipped, frayed, tarnished, gnarly and well loved things... It makes me feel good... I e-mailed Mary Randolph Carter, a year ago, and thanked her, so much... for giving me armour... It's been a struggle, for many years... being the 'Junk Dealer' in Fairfax... well... times, they are a changin'! The same folks, who used to scoff at my old, gnarly stuff, are grabbing it ahead of me at sales...Oh my... Chips and cracks, well, they aren't near as important to some, as they used to be... Ah... Finally... Folks finally realized... this stuff is old... and, by all rights, if it was used, like it was intended... well... may have a chip or two... after all, a hundred years, or more... is a mighty long time.... to be left unscathed....In my opinion... if it isn't worn... what a dull, uneventful life... I love things, and people, as you know... that have lived a colorful life... they are always the most interesting! Mary was so kind, and e-mailed me back... she was very happy, I loved her book so... She is a good soul... I was stunned, by all the wonderful Old Sleepy Eye... From Flour Sacks, to Pitchers... Oh my... It was so cool, seeing such a group, all together in one place... A Very enjoyable Afternoon... This was my display... My, it's so easy to do a table top... Took me about 20 minutes, to throw this together... I took old, dark ironstone... a gnarly oil painting... tarnished, old silver...gnarly, old paint brushes... whisk brooms... Cool Books...Make-do pin cushions...wonderful bird's nests, from my pal, Charlie... an old gnarly clock... lovely old Crazy Quilts... handmade lace, from the late 1800's... and the concrete boys... I think I covered most of what I do, and Mary wrote about.... Chipped, Faded, Mended, Mossy...well loved 'old things'...And... our favorite line, today was..."It is... What it is..." This is a Staffordshire Platter,{1850's} I pulled from the Old Dairy Cupboard, this morning... It's been broken in two, and repaired, many, many years back... oh... but I loved it, no matter... The lady I bought it from, years ago, has since, passed away... She saw the good in it too.... I'll never forget her... a very wise woman....

This is a snippet, of the Convention...I didn't ask how many members were attending, but, I would guess around 45... It was a nice turn out! I was glad to see my old friend Bill, I didn't know he was a member... Cool! Everyone was so nice... They seemed to enjoy time we spent together... I loved seeing all the Great Stoneware! Oh My!!!

Thanks to Mark N. he popped over, and helped me pack up fast... We were heading to a sale, and were on the run...We came home with a very nice load, from the sale...

I am exhausted... A long week... and tomorrow is no better... I have a huge load on the truck, I need to have it unloaded, to go get another load, in Amana, at 9:30... Oh My... The Fun Never Ends!

Barb C.