The Blessing of The House is Contentment

The Blessing of The House is Contentment...Amen....

I bought this hand done wall hanging a while back...I've never seen this motto... but... really love it...Nothing could be more true... Ahhh.... Contentment....always reaching for it...but, rarely grasp it....and, nearly impossible to hold on to...as, someone is always trying to take it away from you, as soon as you get a hold of it....

Barb C.

What to do...When it's -4 outside??? Buy Massive Cupboards, and Junk...

Friend Ray, from Chicago, brought this AMAZING Cupboard, this morning...Oh Dear...It's so much fun, Playing outside, when it's Below Zero....

These Terra Cotta Corinthian Tops, are Massive! 2 Feet Square! WOW!!!!

Let There be Peace on Earth....

I've had folks e-mail, and ask who is singing this lead song....It's the Amazing, Vince Gill....{If you scroll down, to the bottom of the page, you will find the 50 plus songs, on my list! some of them...well, a little crazy....}
I'll be posting later!
Barb C.

Memory Tree....

Well...again...my Tree didn't get done... but... I got a Memory Tree done, for a Dear Friend... I was trying...and trying to figure what to get for him...{I have another thing for him...but... it didn't seem to be enough...there is not 'enough' of anything, in this world, to thank all of my dear friends....}I have been trying to do one of these for each of my friends.... so far...in three years... I have done three.... I had this one done, in short order... it's for my Dear Friend, Dale... I sat down, at the shop...with all of the fragments I have collected for these, strewn all over the table....These are 'Memory Trees'...so..each one, is personal... I sat, and pondered.... What does Dale Love... hmmm... better than Antiques... ahhh...Chocolate....Candy.... Sweets... oh, yes.... so... I went to my candy jar... and pulled out handfuls of Dove Chocolates... Bells, and Hershey Miniatures....well...I sacrificed...and ate handfuls....why? For the beautiful aluminum wrappers, of course.... I covered the base of the Big Bottle Brush Tree...with torn fragments... {the Doves had wonderful motto's, on the inside, that were perfect, to use as a ribbon, on the Reindeer's neck... and banding vintage ornaments, stuck into the tree!} I made Swag Garland, Ornaments, Tiny Candy Canes... and even the Star, on the top, with the candy wrappers!

I started thinking about Dale...What else, do I see...when I see Dale...Well...here are a few things...

I made a make-do topper, from old, old Garland, and a broken Tree Topper, I saved...because Dale, always, always finds me, the most Beautiful Toppers...and gives them to me...the Pink ornament, on the very top, is for his Granddaughter, Addie...{He is the Best Dad...and Grandfather!}

The clip on bird...well...Dale used to shoot at birds, on the farm...I was mortified, when he told me this... and scolded him...grrr....I think I have rubbed off on him, tho... he feeds a pet bird, at work...nearly out of his hand...during his 'dinner'....and...looks so forward to seeing him...{ he says I rubbed off on his Mother...Coletta, too... she saved numerous little frogs, this Fall, at the Farm, while cleaning the Barn... and wanted Dale to be sure and let me know... She is an Amazing Woman...Dale is very Blessed to have her!} 

The Old Toy Wooden Pin, looks like a Bowling  Pin... it reminds me, of how much Dale loves to Bowl....{and, the day he pinched his finger, while helping me unload a Massive Cupboard... all I heard, was 'MY BOWLING FINGER!!!!"...I gotta tell ya...I lost it....sorry, Dale...}

I found a vintage ornament, of a Choir Boy.... Dale is Catholic...and..I'm sure was a Choir Boy...{He still is...he just doesn't know it...}

A Tiny White Porcelain Mouse.... Dale stopped by, just after I found my pet Mouse, dead...in the shop.... I was inconsolable...he scooped him up...and buried him, behind the shop for me....

A vintage, Toy, Cast Iron Skillet... Dale has become quite a good cook, since his divorce... and, I think enjoys it... He's come a long way...

An Old....Old, needle, and thread... again... he has learned much more, than even he knows... and keeps everything together, much more than he gives himself credit for....

A Vintage Toy Orange...Dale Loves Orange Pop...

An Old Horn Christmas Ornament... Dale Loves Horns...{inside the horn...I put a sprig of Bittersweet, originally from my Sister Chery's Farm... Life is Bittersweet... but...we are still here, and have another day...Today...{that's more, than Chery has....lets make it the best, we can...}

and, last, but not least....a Gold Heart Charm... Anyone who knows Dale, knows he has a Heart of Gold...and would do most anything, for anyone... He is Loved Much...

I couldn't Love Dale more, if he were my Brother... He will always be one of my Closest Friends...
Barb C.
{shhh... if you know Dale... please don't mention this... I haven't given it to him, yet!}

And...Rudolph Smiled...

I didn't get the Tree done, yesterday... I made all of my stops... spent a little more time, with friends, than I had intended... and...a bit longer with Mom, at the nursing home...it was nearly 8.... I felt guilty, carrying in groceries, then, walking down the stairs, to see the unadorned tree...and...just being too exhausted to get going on it... but... then I looked at Rudolph...and his nose, shining so bright...{ I remember painting the bulb, last year. and gooping red paint all over...but, seeing it shine, makes it all worth while....} He seems as tho, he was smiling...and saying..."If I'm the only ornament, that makes the Tree this year...It'll be Perfect! No Worries!"...

It had been a very long day.... I bought the massive Hardware Store Bin, from Barb H., at Sisters' Garden... Deb and I loaded it.... Oh dear... It got away from me, going down onto the bed of the Ford... {We had the 9 foot, double sided Monster, standing on it's end... Deb and I were letting it down...and it got away... It would have snapped my arm, at the elbow, if I would have tried to save it... Deb's hand was under it...my heart jumped in my throat... but... she got it out without injury...oh dear... I felt like such a loser... I wish I could have just held on....I'm glad she's o.k.} Below is an image of it, on it's top.... It's incredible....in many so many, many ways... Barb H. asked me how heavy I think it is.... {remember when I said, I swear, a bit too much....} The word that rolled off my lips, when asked that question... just after it went crashing down on the bed of the Ford... nearly bringing the Ford's front tires off the ground...and making a Sonic Boom...

I searched for the correct answer...hmmm...how heavy? all I could muster...and then Blurt Out...with intense sincerity...was....."IT'S F...ING HEAVY....."...

I know...It's the Christmas Season... so... God, excuse my profanity....{Barb and Deb...got a good laugh...It's a good thing, they have a Great sense of humor... and accept me, with my profanity, and all my other shortcomings...}

I'm nesting Scout's stall, this morning...a Blizzard Warning is out, for our area....and it's turning much colder...Below zero wind chills... I will wrestle with the counter, on the truck... then, work in the shop, today, and tomorrow...Come Visit!

Barb C.

Sisters' Garden....

{I Love this Tree!!! Very...Very...Cool! It gets to Shine, one more time!}

I made all my scheduled destinations, yesterday..... and then a few more...I wanted to get another look at a wonderful Hardware Store Nail Bin,  Barb H. had...and see if it might be a Nashville thing... I fell in love with it....all over again.....{It was Love, at first sight} It needs a little 'this and that'....but it's amazing....The Store was on it's ear...and bustling with people! Loads of stuff finding new homes, and sure to bring lots of smiles, on Christmas Morn! Be sure and stop by, it's food for the Soul...

Have an Amazing Saturday!

Barb C.

The Tree....is UP!!!!

I was a real 'snip', last night... when trying to get the Tree up.... The house is one big fur ball... dust everywhere...cob webs, hanging from everywhere...if I could figure out how to light them...they'd make amazing garland! Seems I am always on the run... and the house slips.... I just couldn't put the Tree up...on a mountain of dirt... so...I was cleaning, vacuuming...waxing furniture......and getting nowhere, it seemed... I barked at John... because, I was mad at me.... my shortcomings...not his.... He helped me pick up, and dust... I finally said, lets quit.... I'll get up early, clean, then he could come up, and help drag the Tree out... and...that's what we did... I'm in a better frame of mind...made my apologies...for my bad attitude... and....the Tree is up...lit...and Rudolph, is wired in! John is going to Lilly's birthday party,{his Darling Granddaughter} so, I'll have the evening to decorate...I'm heading to Sisters' Garden,{if you are in need of a Harvest Table...Sisters' Garden, and Gatherings, both have an amazing selection of great Iowa Farm, and Harvest Tables!!!} then the Nursing Home...then...I'll be decorating...and taking in the Season... It's going to be a Cold, and Snowy weekend...YEAH!!!
Images, tonight!!!!!
Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barb C.
{I gave up on doing much more cleaning.... it is...what it is....}

You Simply Had to Be There......

And...I forgot my Camera! Oh my.... I delivered the Wonderful, Huge, Civil War Era, Massive....{did I say this was a BIG Wardrobe? 7, plus feet tall... over 5 feet wide... 21 inches deep...made from native, Iowa, Thick Cut Lumber...Massive Crown... with, I think 10 pounds of square nails, holding it all together...!!!}  Oh my....to Cedar Falls...{ nearly got annihilated, on the interstate, en route...ah...but that's another story...all I could see, in my mind...if I couldn't get the truck stopped...was piling into, a mass of vehicals ahead of me, and that Beautiful Wardrobe, flying out of the back of the flatbed... over my head...going 30 feet in the air....end over end, and crushing someone, a football field, ahead of me... what a gnarled up mess... good thing the brakes work good...but... I'm sure there are four very flat spots on my tires... man...my little Ford was sliding sideways, with cars, and semi's in front of me, and on both sides......the rubber was a squeelin'!!! I didn't look back... I shutter to think, what was running up my back door....yeeessshhh!}
 The Sweet Little Gal, who bought the Beauty, had folks lined up, on her end, to lift.......you see, it was going on a second story....{did I tell ya this is a BIG DADDY?} When I arrived... her Helpers hadn't made it there, yet.... she offered to help unload it, and I could head out...{My gears were turning.... there was no way, I was leaving that wonderful old friend, in the cold... and... what if.... it wouldn't make it up the two staircases, ah... I was waiting....} There were supposed to be four guys.... only two could come... {it was all John and I could do, to get it out of his shop...a straight shot.... oh my...} So I backed the truck up, as close as I could get, to her house... we still had to carry it, about 40 feet... then, flip it on it's side... then, through the entryway...oh dear... then...up the staircases...barely squeaking around the corner, of the first landing....it was too tall to get under the fixtures.. they had to come down....then..it was too tall to go through the door... so...we laid it on it's back... then flipped it on it's side... then...once in the room...flipped it on it's back.. again....then...on it's feet...WHEW!!!!{ My Little Friend, saw a man jogging down the sidewalk, as we were carrying the old Wardrobe, from the truck... she chased him down, and asked if he could lend a hand...he was a HUGE HELP...Thank God for Kind Strangers!{ he may run a little faster, the next time!}} {her husband showed up, in the nick of time... oh my.... it was like shoving a Massive Christmas Tree, down a very small chimney... the wrong way....} We pushed...{gently...gently...150 years old, remember....}...shoved... twisted...turned... grunted and groaned... but...between the 6 of us...{many moments... only 2 of us...no room for more bodies...} got it in it's new home.... They all decided, I should have been an engineer... and I learned, the tiniest people, are very, very mighty....my friend was my lifting partner... she was really tuff!} Oh my.... You would never believe it... we truly moved that rubber tree plant... and we really, really looked like a bunch of ants, next to that Big Daddy!!!
I've had one interruption, after another, today...all good... but, still haven't even started on The Tree... oh dear... I WILL have it done, today....
Have a Great Day!
Barb C.
{Oh my gosh... it's after 1:00...it's gonna be a long...long...night....}
{ That Massive Wardrobe, came from Southern Iowa... My Pal, Charlie rescued it, from a Farm House, that was going down... He carried it, on his back, down two flights of stairs, and saved it.... Charlie has moved Many Rubber Tree Plants.... !}

The Old Painting...

I bought this Old Painting, from a neighbor, at her garage sale, maybe, 20 years ago.... It had been found in an attic, of an old Church, that was going down....no stretcher...they had it hanging by it's canvas, with stick pins, into the garage wall... It's condition, is on the ruff side...but, no matter.... I have always had it hanging, somewhere in the house... it was in the bedroom, for many years...then, when John got the addition finished, it move out there....it's pretty large... over two feet wide, and four feet tall...It touched my heart, the moment I laid eyes on it.... I did a little research on it, shortly after I bought it...to no avail... Folks thought a Nun probably painted it...or at least a woman....it isn't signed....They thought the artist was an amateur...I think the artist was amazing... He or She...really touched me....I've had friends offer to restore it...I guess...ultimately...it just fits best in the house..'as found'... I guess, I don't see the damage when I look at it... just the Soulfulness...
I'm on the road, today.... Tree goes up, tomorrow! Ya Hoo!
Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Barb C.

Victory...

With This as Your Standard You Shall Have Victory...

Knights Templar....
I picked this vintage piece up at my friend, Bob's shop {Third Street Resale}... several weeks ago...It had foreign writing on it...{Latin} that I couldn't decipher...but the Cross spoke plainly... { I was hoping the words weren't bad, and I wasn't advertising something... well... not good... over my Heart} I had a good feeling about it... I knew it must be Lodge related... but... it said something to me... I attached it to my trusty Wrangler Denim Jacket, and wear it proudly....
As Peg and I were walking in to the Grocery Store, last night, we walked towards a man, all bundled up, heading out, into the cold... Peg was ahead, and walked past the man, but as I was walking past him, he grabbed my arm, spinning me around...He pointed at the badge, then looked into my eyes, and asked if I am a Christian... I smiled at him, with a nod, and replied, "Yes, I am..."  He shook my hand, and said, he is too... then he asked what denomination I am... Well... I said, I don't belong to any, Organized Religion... But have many conversations, throughout the day, with The Father, and The Son... and I know Angels are always around us...He looked puzzled, for a moment...then he got a big smile, on his face..."Me Too!", he said, while shaking my hand...all the harder...
You know... It doesn't matter, if you are  Christian...Jewish...Muslim...Spirituality is a personal thing...I am so thankful, that we Simply, Believe...I can't imagine, God wanting us fighting in His name....{ and, I believe, we are all praying to the same Father...say what you will...}Oh my...He just wants us to Love, one another...and Visit with Him, once in a while....He's just waiting, for us to Look Up...
I came home, and looked up what the embossed words said, on the badge.."In Hoc Signo Vinces" it means, " With This as Your Standard, You Shall Have Victory".... I can say that... But... what I am really saying is..." Look Up...He'll Take it From There"....
Have a Wonderful Day...
Barb C.
{ I love the movie, 'Michael'... the Angel, that was a bit, on the wild side... He drank...and smoked...{a little}...and was a Warrior... I think this life is a Journey... a learning experience, getting to the Other Side...My Lord.... I stumble, fall, make bad decisions, drink a few Martinis, Margaritas, Gin and Tonics...{ah, you get the picture...} I swear, more than I should...and...lose my temper...but... I keep trying, to do better... I keep looking up...I'm not a Holy Roller... I am, a Believer...I think, that's why, when people pass away...after a long battle...like my Sister, Chery... I know, from the deepest part of my Soul, Chery is in a very, very Wonderful Place...and...we will all be together again, someday...{I have a very hard time with the Animals, tho..... I can't comfort them, with this knolledge...and it breaks my heart.... they just don't understand...but, they'll be there, too...}
I watched a story about Elizabeth Edwards, this morning...What she has learned on her journey, is amazing...I hope people will listen...Every one of us, are going to leave our bodies, some day...and...I always loved the commercial that said, "There are two times in your life, you won't care who your neighbors are... when you are born, {with rows of babies, side by side} and, when you die...{picture of tombstones, in a cemetery} Let's get along..."
Barb C.
It's 5 p.m....John just told me, Elizabeth Edwards, passed away today... My prayers go out to her loved ones... I know, she is in the arms of the Angels....