This is a Lovely Mid 1800's desk....in Walnut...I don't usually buy a slant top...but it was such a little Charmer....and when the top is open, the lid creates a substantial flat surface.... I thought....the inside would then expose, whatever I wanted to display, within...{even plants...if I wanted a Garden Look!} {I can see it...with a sprinkling can, and Bisque Pots, on the open Lid...then inside, I could place some vintage seed packets, in the cute cubbies.....and some sweet little potted plants, nestled in shredded coconut basket liner... It's All Good! {plus....I LOVE WALNUT!!!!}....oh yeah baby....!} {when I shared this idea with Dale....he rolled his eyes....'What Ever'... Dale....Alyson LIKED the idea!} {Dale didn't like the little desk...says he can't sell them.... well...if it were all about money.....I'd be long...gone....it's about the feel...and the Soulfulness...of some of these Old Treasures.... The little desk, reached out....and wanted to come visit Iowa...It has Soul....so...if it sits in the Rabbit Hole....for a while.... it will be welcome...{Raspberries....to Dale!!!}

Bought this Darling Old Cupboard, in Alpha, IL., at our first stop....Cathy had it....every time I walked by her booth, someone was wishing it didn't have a 'sold' tag on it! I think she should have had a dozen of them! That Little Alpha Show, was very Fun! We found some neat stuff!

My little Galesburg Pal...told me to go to the shop in Ladd,...We found all sorts of treasures! I bought a Great Wooden Bowl...This Wonderful Window...the Old Walnut Desk...and the Lovely 1850's, Paris Book....and...Everything was 15 to 20% off! A July Sale! Yee Haw!!!!

This is the Trencher, on it's end.......It's A Big One!!!! Love The Gnarly Dry Original Surface!!! The Iron White Rabbit, is Gail's....I think I should buy it from her...and use it as a store fixture.... he is so Charming....as the Door Greeter, at The Entrance to the Rabbit Hole!

I bought a Huge Round Wooden Bowl, at Sweet Annie's, in Bishop Hill....Love it! I told Dale and Alyson, I thought it was going to be a Wooden Bowl Day....and Boy....Was it Ever!

This Neat Old Architectural Fragment, is in Great Shape!  and...about 6 feet wide....Pretty Cool!

The Sun was Amazing....we watched it come up...a Bright Orange Ball....and set...a Bright Orange Ball....it was truly Breathtaking!

We hit two shows....and 6 shops, throughout Illinois.... Lot's of people, out and about....Bishop Hill was Beautiful, as always....we ate some awesome rolls, at the Bakery, before the show! Saw lots of friends....and had a very nice time...

I'll have more images, as I unpack...I snapped these last night...as we unloaded...

I'm thrilled with the Massive Trencher....it's very heavy...and old....could be imported...but...it has a good feel....different, from so many I have seen... I have been searching for something just like this, for the Huge Collection, in the Shop, of Old Wooden Fruit!!!!! PERFECT!!!! Yes...it is for sale...but, I hope it makes it, at least through Gold Rush!!! {Perfect on one of the Massive Green Store Tables....Maybe I'll do All Wooden Ware...on one of them! Wowza!!!!!!!

I found some Great Ironstone... Gnarly Tin Stuff....Cool Old Chalk Pieces...another neat Castor Set.......A Very Respectable Load!

Alyson found some neat treasures, as well....and she wanted the Amazing Ironstone Tea Pot, I found at Alpha.....so, to her home it went!

Dale didn't find too much... but.... he's got a lead on some things, that he's saving for....so...if something didn't jump out at grab him, he passed...

The three of us are going back out shopping, next Saturday...another...Long....Long....Day!

Yipee!!!!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

Bishop Hill Show....

Alyson, Dale and I had a Lovely Summer day....in Illinois....We found Treasures.... and I'll share them with, in the morn...I've been up, and running, since 3 a.m.....it's 10 p.m. That spells....a Long...Long....Day.....

It was Great Seeing Everyone! { Special Thanks to my little Galesburg Pal....I Loved the Ladd Shop!}

Good Nite....Gracie...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

Summer....

This is one, of two, Wonderful Old Gate Tops....I bought over the Fourth... I was surprised they didn't sell...They are quite large...nearly 3 feet wide....and a couple feet tall....

That's why I buy what I Love.... I'll enjoy looking at them, until they find another home....

 Speaking of which....I sold a darling....and ever so Gnarly...upholstered chair, this afternoon....I keep buying the Gnarliest....most Tattered.... Upholstered Furniture...{with the most Amazing Bones...} in hopes....I'll get to enjoy them, in the shop....and no one could possibly be tempted...by the Tattered Old Beauties...Their only requirement is to provide a Soft...worn...Comfy....place....to kick back....and relax...for me...and my Friends...

Guess....there are Cool Folks out there... that Love Gnarly...well Loved Things... as much as I....

I ran across these lovely old Silver Plate Treasures....this afternoon....I tried.......to put the tiny tea pot back.....but....I simply could not.... It spoke to me.... it's dated 1898, and is so Darling... it had to come back, to the Rabbit Hole....The Tray is Lovely...and tho, you can't tell by the image... it's a very odd shape...Long...and Narrow....and...I've never had one, like That Before...so....it had to come home with me....and...the Castor set...{I have all of the bottles....} well...the price was too good to pass up.... so...Down the Rabbit Hole, Goes It!

I keep taking images of the Big Fountain....The Flowers keep Blooming and Blooming....It makes me smile....every day......

The Guardian Angel has found Her Place....She Greets Folks, at the Gate... Perfect....

Love....love....love....love....The Hollyhocks....really....all the Summer Flowers...The Queen Ann's Lace, is beginning to Shine....oh my....I do Love that....only....it makes me sad.....Summer, will soon be Fall.....and seems....it's been so Cold and wet....for so long.... I can't let my Heart believe....Fall is coming soon....

We made it through the Funeral...Liz and Scarlett came, and sat with Mom and I.... The Folks who criticised me, for waiting two days, to break the news to Mom, never came to the Funeral, at all....or even the viewing...Bless Their Hearts.....{the second song...well...it's Dedicated to Them!!!! {bless their hearts...}

I visited with my Cousin Judy, today....I will keep in touch with her... Her Family is Wonderful....it's sad...the only time we get together, is when someone passes away....

 Mom, and I were both exhausted, after the Funeral....I got a killer headache....came home, after Mom was all settled in.....and that's where I stayed....I'm physically....and emotionally....drained...

Had many obligations to handle, today...and got most of them done....

Another Funeral, tomorrow....John's Cousin....oh my....

Alyson, Dale and I are headed to a Show, on Saturday, in Bishop Hill, ILL. We have to leave here before Dawn... 

Oh Dear....

Love...to You...

Barb C.

{the second song....well...it's really.... for me....I've always loved it....much truth...and... Bless all of their Hearts....in Peyton Place....}{a Great Reminder...when you are getting ready to 'Cast...that First...Stone.....} oh dear.....

He Says It Best....When He Says Nothing at All....

Spent the day...yesterday, Running...I was so worried about a friend,  I kept calling {I had a nagging...unsettling feeling....}...the evening of the 4th...after the show....to no avail....then was up early, on the 5th....checked my messages, to see if my friend had called....{no....} then....tried calling again....nothing....around 8 a.m., the phone rang... it was my friend....at the Emergency room...wanting to know if I could give a ride home....{what is it...about premonitions?} My friend had been badly injured.....but was incredibly blessed....Angels....Lots of Angels....We went to breakfast...and discussed all of the parallels...{God Winks}...that had been laid before us...it was uncanny....
Then...came home....worked....and got ready for my Aunt Helen's Viewing....John was going to come, but as we were getting ready to walk out the door, he found out his 59 year old cousin, had just passed away.... he wanted to get with his family.... oh my...
I went to the Funeral Home....and saw so many folks I haven't seen Forever....They had home movies playing....from the 50's....My Dad and Mom were in some.... I couldn't believe it.....Dad looked like Jack Kennedy.... Tanned.... a Big Smile....so Laid Back....Mom....looked like Barbara Stanwick, with dark hair..... My Cousin, Judy, said I look like my Aunt did, in those images... hmmm...maybe a little...
Today....I'm getting me, ready...then heading to the Nursing Home, to get Mom dressed, and ready....then a Wheel Chair Van, will take her, and I'll meet her at the Funeral Home... It's going to be a long...long...day...
I don't know anything about John's Cousin....man...what a shock....and my friend and I just got off the phone....we were counting blessings....I'll be back to business.... tomorrow...
Love...to ya...
Barb C.

As I opened my 'Streams in the Desert', this morning....to see what message was for me, today....I opened it to "Sing...to the Lord,  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything. {Ephesians 5:19-20}....and I realized....that is exactly what my friend and I had been doing since the accident....the parallels... the blessings....it was like a huge puzzle...we put together, over breakfast... how Everything....fit so perfectly together... the God Winks...even my Aunt...as I looked at all of the images they had taken over a lifetime......I said...how Blessed they all were...to have such an Amazing Journey.... and...also...what joy, they must be having....being together again...just like the movies, we were watching....not in old...sick bodies....but in fine, Strong Spirits... oh yes...I have no doubt.....

Love to You All....

and......remember...to watch for the God Winks...They are always there...

With..the Angels with 2x4's...if you don't pay attention, to the Winks!

A Lovely 4th of July....Simply...Iowa...

A Lovely 4th....We worked, getting set up, until late, on the 3rd... so 4 a.m. came mighty early.... but the drive to Mt.Vernon was Beautiful....

It was Great seeing everyone....both Vendors, and Shoppers...

Kim and Glen Wolfe, {Wolfe's Antiques, Mt.Vernon, Iowa} do an Outstanding Job, Promoting...

Mark and I had a Great Show....Mark Sold Like Crazy....I was Happy for him....I sold much of what I had bought, on my way to Mt.Vernon....and lots of smalls....I didn't sell the huge Store Table...or the Soulful Old Work Bench.... so to Gold Rush, in August they will be...

Everyone was Blown away...by them...and they were a wonderful draw, to the booth.... and spurred many conversation!

The Weather Was...Perfect.... It was really....a Stress-Free day....Thanks to Mark's Kids for Helping....and John...{Justin, too...} It was Awesome having so many hands... things got done...Quickly...

I so enjoyed visiting...Wish I could have gotten more images of the Show....It was Packed, with GREAT STUFF...Great Vendors....Great Customers!!!! Perfect....

I got Much Positive Feedback!....Yippeee!

If you couldn't make it....Plan, for next year.... it's sooo worth attending!

If You Did....come visit...Thank You!!!! We Loved Seeing You!

Love, to ya....

Barb C.

{special Thanks to Alice and John, {Alice's Wonderland} for feeding folks, on set up...very kind....and Vikki, for running to get me a JOLT, at FUEL....ahhhh..{Sweet Tommie.....what would we do, without FUEL...}..and being such a Sweet Angel....

I Loved  seeing Chery, and Lois...{my Killing the Blues....Girl...}Neighbor, Cathy...always Great seeing her....{she makes me Smile!}Ginger...and Garth...{Virginia Rose} Gail...Wanda and Terry...{Gatherings}... Tom and Tom....Cathy and Paula... Polly and Bob...Val....and Roxanne...Sarah, and Matt... Colleen...Dale...... Kristi...Audrey {Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats}...and Their Darling Family! Barb H. {Sisters' Garden} Patti and Dale {Fern Hill} Linda... Carolyn A,.... Anita and Judy { Iowa Junk Gypsies} Jerry and Carol...{Jerry has the sign on his back...wanting SIGNS!} Bud and Renate...also, Renate, from Cedar Falls... Dick T., and His Crazy Harem Girls! and...so many Blog Friends...{Thanks!}I know...I'm Missing folks...{Jeff...Nichole...Dave....Tammy..Sue...Sandy...Lee....Rick...Karen...Bob...Tracie...Cindy...Jerry... Gary....Shari... Marsha...Don...Lou...Does it sound like EVERYONE in The Iowa Antiquing Community Attended?....well... I think a Big Share of them DID! WOW!!!}

Thanks...To All....For a LOVELY 4th!!!!!

{and...Amy...Sweet Amy...who brought me a Darling Horse Pin....another...Angel!!!!}

The Fisher Boy...

Justin 'J' was out this morn...with pole in hand....we were loading.... he was getting ready for a day on the Lake.... ahhh....to be just shy of 2.... and...have a Cool Sponge Bob Fishing Pole.... Life is Good.....

A Wild Ride....

It's late...I'm exhausted....gotta be up EARLY!!!! The Show in Mt,Vernon Looks Amazing....Ton's of Great Stuff!!!! The booth is pretty much set...I just need to price! Oh Dear...It is Great seeing All....

I was Glad, Dale and his wife bought the 'Boot Sculture'...It so belonged with them!!!!

I didn't get this image of our booth til way late....better ones tomorrow! {our booth is about 60 feet wide...it's BIG!}

Ohhh...Cool Stuff...

I have been packing and loading, today....I'm pretty pleased with what's headed to Mt.Vernon....{sorry Janet...I don't have a planter like you are looking for...but...I am sure there will  be one waiting for you in Mt.Vernon....COME ON DOWN!!!!}
Just got off the phone with Kim, the promoter....It Sounds Grrrreat! I am taking lots of Bigs....and lots of Smalls...fun stuff...Old...Old...stuff.... Soulful....Stuff....{Mark and I have a HUGE booth...yee haw!!!}
I know it's going to be a Good Time...it Always is...in Mt.Vernon....
I'm soooo looking forward to seeing everyone.....Customers...and Vendors...alike...
Hope to see YOU there!
Love to Ya!

Barb C.

I tried to sell the Old Workbench...as found... but no one saw it's Beauty....like I did... so...I scrubbed...and scraped....and waxed.... it's quite lovely....of course...it was...before I touched it....

I left some of the old white paint...it's part of it's journey....after all.

I LOVE the HUGE DOVE TAILS!!!! ahhh...hand made....

I spent a few hours, yesterday...and a couple...on and off... today, on the Old Gal...and...I gotta tell ya...She Sings....I'd put 'er in my house...{if I had an inch...} in a heartbeat....She'll be struttin' her new 'Look'....in Mt.Vernon, on the 4th!!!!

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

Whew....what a day....

Got a call from my Cousin, Judy....we were trying to figure out where to have the After Service 'Gathering'...Everywhere is soooo expensive....The Funeral, is Wednesday.... so...I offered to have it here... 50 to 125 people.... oh dear...I was thinking out loud....I'm scrapping....and cleaning...I'm a horrible procrastinator...{as you all know}... the set up..for the show...Sunday...I'll load tomorrow...the show...Monday... get the house cleaned and yard done...and buildings ready...and food done...on Tuesday....oh dear....Then...Wednesday morn...get Mom ready at the nursing home...and get her to the Funeral....and...back to the nursing home.... then...get ready for guests...oh yeah... I'll make it happen....Peg said she'd be here...from Missouri...to help...{Bless Her Heart!}
But...as I was at the nursing home...breaking the news, to Mom...Judy's Husband, Don called...and said they are going to gather at a restaurant....who ever wishes to come.... and just visit....is welcome.... They didn't want to put me out....I assured him...they weren't...{guess thy don't know how talented I am, at dancing on a razor blade...} Don said...that my offer was one of the nicest things that had happened through all of this...How sweet was that....
I was a little relieved....but... disappointed...as well... I would do anything for Family....{and Friends...}I know I'm not around much...always on the road... but....when push comes to shove... get out of my way...I'll make it happen...and.....I would have made it happen.... with a little help...from the most amazing friends.... and fam.....
I'm relieved for a Big Reason....Mom....she took the news...very hard.... I was heartbroken, for her....I knew it would be this way.... Sister, Merry Jo....wondered why I was waiting.... well... let me tell ya....I Never run towards a Heart Break....ever...
Brother, Larry, doesn't think Mom should go to the Funeral....
 Mom wants to go....and...She Will Be There....I have a van lined up, to drop her off...and pick her up....I can't transfer her, anymore....her legs simply say no.... I bought her a nice outfit....and will do her hair and makeup....
It will be a very hard day for her....
I felt a bit of her....leave me...when I told her about Helen....They were so close....when they were Girls....and NOTHING HURTS ME MORE...than to see My Mom... cry....we sat....and wept...together....Mom didn't know I was crying.... she's blind.... I kept talking to her.... reassuring her...about our 'Journey'... but ...oh my... I was broken....{this...is why...I waited...I can't take it...}
I was busy...busy...with folks, today....and Horse issues... {Scout is doing much better}
Whew...what a day....
Love to ya....

Barb C.