Open Today...12 - 4 !

I'll be shuffling around...the Rabbit Hole....this afternoon....
If you have a minute...stop in!

Barb C.

Hmmm...Look what I Just Found....Under the Tree....

As I was cleaning house, tonight... I spied this Massive Box.....under the Tree... In John's Wrapping Paper... from John....and all of The Kids....oh my...I Really....didn't Expect...This...... Hmmm...

Christmas....

Full of Surprises....

A Great Day...in The Shop!

Had a Lovely Day... Kathy, from Plaza Antique Mall, in Dyersville, popped in, to visit... She brought Her Wonderful Mom...as well.... What Soulful Folk.... What a Treat!!!! {and...some darling bottle brush trees!!!}
I snuck out, put a sign on the door... to ring me....and we had Lunch, together! {Kathy bought me lunch....what a stinker!!! no...she is a Doll...she went home...with some Great Old Salt Glazed Stoneware! Merry Christmas Girls!}}
We had a long over due visit.... The Plaza Mall...has never looked better.... Kathy works so hard.... and, it shows....
Thanks, to the Sweet Sisters... who rang me...and shopped, unchaperoned...'til I finished lunch.... what Sweet Hearts.... I truly do...have the Nicest People, wonder through the Rabbit Hole....
It was nice seeing, and meeting everyone...One Gal, came in with her parents.... as she was heading out...with her purchases...I asked her, where she is living now...{she's visiting, for Christmas}... she said, L.A.... I asked her what she does there..."Set Displays"...I said..."Oh....I want Your Job"...{as I said it...I rethought it....soooo many people want my job....I gotta tell ya...most that go with...go once... to a show... it is grueling...and...being on the road...every day...tho, I love it so...is exhausting...and things don't get done, when I'm always gone...} The Gal, said exactly what I was thinking...We understood each other...
It goes back to my favorite story, in Streams...about a woman wanting someone else's cross... and the Lord said, "go ahead.... you may have the Big Beautiful one... with the Jewels dripping from it....you are so attracted to"... when the woman went to pick it up...it was so heavy, she could barely lift it.... then... she spied one, with Beautiful Flowers...and Vines.... that...was the one for her.... but, when she grabbed ahold  of it... she quickly let go... tho...it was Stunningly Beautiful... it was full of thorns... and she couldn't hold onto it.... she then, decided...her, little, simple cross...that the Lord had Blesed her with...was indeed... the very best...
It was a good day....Allyson is coming to visit, tomorrow eve....to sit around the Tree...and I get to hear all about her trip to Germany! {Mmmmm....I Smell Rum Balls!....}...{Spiked Egg Nog...and Rum Balls...Life is Good...!}
Peg shared the day, with her Family, in MO... Please keep her in your Prayers... and Positive Thoughts...and...Light!
I took a video of the shop, today...and am loading it... I don't know if it's going to work...but after watching it.... I see MUCH...I need to get busy doing...oh my.... oh my... oh...my....It was a Real Eye Opener... The Rabbit Hole...Truly is a Reflection...of Me.... and...it's worrisome.... I gotta get On It...and...I Will...
A Real...Eye Opener...
Love to Ya...
Barb C.

In The Shop...Today! 11 - 5!

I'm headed down to the Rabbit Hole! Nope...I didn't get my cards done...but...I will... {they may not arrive at their destination...'til the first thaw.... but...I'll get 'em done!}
I have got to get some stuff sold...or Christmas is going to be mighty slim...and...if it is...it is...We have Much...to be Thankful for! A roof over our head... Great Children...and Grandchildren... Loved Ones... that are So Amazing...our Beloved Critters...{soul mates....} and...we are Breathing...
When I say...I always have to keep the 'Pins in the Air'.... I'm not kidding....with all that has transpired this Fall...{few folks know all of it...} my pins have been totally out of sync...
But... I think Finally...I have found my Legs! {with a little help...from The Man Upstairs... and a whisper..in my ear.... {the Angels....Angels...} so...
I'm getting back on track!
Sooo Much To Get Caught Up On!!!!
and...The Shows Start...in January.... Yikes!
{I'll have the entire Show Season Posted, soon!}
Have a Great Day!


The Tree Top... I put about 20 toppers on it... I keep adding more, every year.... I sold a few of them, yesterday...One...was one of my very Favorites...{ I don't have anymore like 'That'...one....} but...it's headed to a Most Wonderful Home...how Great is That!

Barb C.

Back To Work!!!!

I'm working, here at Home...Today...
Shop, tomorrow! {and Sunday!}
Oh My! Soooo Much to do....



This is a Little Tree....my friend, Charlie gave me...a few years ago.... somehow...it had been left outside.... for a long time... he ran across it....in a box of stuff...or...maybe, on the ground...at a Farm Auction...  knowing how much I Love...worn, and Once Loved...Survivors... {not to mention..Charlie Knows....my Love for Old Christmas...} he saved it for me... a few years ago..... It may be.... my very Favorite.... I think.... it needs someone, to 'love'...it... more than the rest....



I found a spot on the Tree... for Miss Scarlett's First Ornament..... I picked one up, for 'J'.... I'm going to let him hang it.... oh my.....



This is a tiny vintage wreath, I have plopped on the top of an old silverplated spooner... that still had some of Liz's Babyshower Flowers in it.....that...I couldn't bare, to pitch.... They seem Happy, to Adorn...the tiny Wreath....Glad I didn't pitch 'em.... They make me smile... ahhhh ... Yellow!



Sooooo....Little Time!
I'm doing Christmas Cards...TODAY!!!!
Love, to You...
Barb C.

Still....Dizzy....

Whew... another whirlwind...day! {yes...I had to put...'What's Your Name' on as lead....for a while...sooooo sorry...{now removed....}The Special 'K' bus....to pick up Mama...had to wait a few minutes, on me...this morn...I was running 90 miles an hour....down a dead end street!{ and a few minutes Late...} {from the lyrics, of a country song...I wasn't Really running 90 miles an hour....tho...I suppose...I could...if...it wasn't against the law...of course... : ) } ahhh...yeah.....that 'dizzy'...thing....Me and Jethro...spun a 'U' turn in the Nursing Home Parking Lot...and I was on a dead run....across the lot...and through the doors....Got Mom's coat and hat on....and away we went! and...made it...in Plenty...of time!
I So Wish...Mom could take a ride with me, in Jethro... we would Rock! {'What's Your Name'... Lynyrd Skynyrd...oh yeah....blaring from the Muscle Car Speakers...oh yeah... {I know this sounds...crazy...but...I know my Mama... and...she's a pretty tuff bird...oh my...{the Book... I'm tellin' ya...it will be a 'Best Seller!'...}
I'm trying to soak in the Fragments of Holiday Spirit.... but...my mind keeps heading to Nashville.... Heart of Country.... {well...the massive Church Alter,{It's going with, to Heart...in little more, than a month...}..is Like a White Elephant...in the room....kind of takes me there...as I sit...gazing at the Tree...oh my...}
I have been gathering...wonderful...Farm Primitives.... my first choice...on the Gallery, style Booth... I will construct.... but... when the Alter arrived... everything changed....I had to go 'Garden'... I was headed down a 'Garden' path... But... tho... it may seem Crazy....and maybe...a bit  'Dizzy'... I'm gonna go for it....I'm going to Pull...All of It...Together!  This' Heart of Country' Booth...won't be Farm...and...it won't be...Garden...it will be...
                                                                  "Simply Iowa'....

That...is exactly...what I know.... Hard Core Country...As Found... Primitives...Farm...Architectural... Beautiful Glassware... Romantic Staffordshire.....Moss Covered Concrete Statuary...and...The Most Soulful Treasures...I can Lay My Hands On!

Whew! I have Found My Legs!

as Sponge Bob would say...

I'M READY!!!!

See Ya There!

Love, to Ya!

Barb C.

{Mama...had a Great Appointment, with the Surgeon....He said the Graft was 100%...unheard of...and with skin...that was 91 years old...He was blown away! He said she has Amazing Skin....{that's my Mama!}Peg...is spending a few days...At Her Home!!! It's all Good!...and...I got some news today.... that answered a lot of questions...{The Book....it'll be in the Book!} as...I knew...it would all fall together.... God works, that way... I have put it all...in His Hands...He has shown me...the Way...{as..I always knew He would...} and...I feel...Soooo Good...I'm Movin' On!}

{Oh yeah...I also...was blessed...with My Sweet Scarlett's Company.... and...Daughter, Liz's company...this afternoon.......Tell me...what could be better... ?

I gotta tell ya... when the puzzle pieces..fall in place... they...truly do...

God Bless Us...

everyone.....}

North...and...South...

Seems the day started out...all backwards....Breakfast was scrambled...unintentionally.... I was getting bookwork done....could not process...and realised...I hadn't had any coffee, yet... so...was grinding the beans... and watching my breakfast catch of fire.... got that taken care of...realised...I don't know when I need to meet at Mom's for her appointment...no one had called, to confirm...for Thursday...so...I called the Nursing Home... they hadn't made the appointment.... or scheduled the bus.... hmmm...I turn, to get a cup of coffee....and see, clear, hot water brewing....and the grounds....sitting on the counter.... I told the nurse, from Mom's.... "no worries".... see what she can do.... my day wasn't going any better than hers....She called back....and had everything together.... I was going to hit the shower...then...the phone rang...it was Pegadoo...she and Mike, were on their way....  So... I got my hair and teeth brushed....scraped the dried food particles, off of my old sweat shirt...and ran out the door.... Peg doesn't care...what I look like{or smell like....}...and Mike...well... he'll get over it!
It was Great Seeing Them... Peg was given some high powered antibiotics, in the hospital, over the weekend... and has a bad case of thrush...and canker sores, in her mouth.... as she was showing me, her new way of speaking...in her...exaggerated style...she had me rolling....Oh...My.... Only Peg.... She is...Priceless.... Carol Burnett has Nothing...on Peg......
I had to pick up some things I had left bids on, at Duwa's Auction....before 5... as I was thinking about it...something clicked... I had also ...maybe... left a bid, last week, in northern Iowa...at Hoges... did I? did I?.... I called Marvel...and Yes... I had... she wasn't worried...she knew I'd be around.... Oh My Gosh! I was worried...I had Forgotten!!! And... I had to beat feet! To get to Southern Iowa...then...Bounce...up North.... No Shower....I jumped in Jethro....and Flew South..{I got Smalls, in Wellman...}...Then...came home, switched vehicles....and headed north...., to Coggon...another auction was going on, at Hoges......I ran through...said 'hello's'...and didn't get too close to anyone...{whew}.... Loaded up....then...headed home...it was 8, before I got done....a long day....I spent nearly as much on fuel...as I did on merchandise....oh my...
Tomorrow...I'll be with Mom, most of the day...
Then...I'll be getting the shop pulled together...and be Open... Both...Saturday...and Sunday...


This is a Christmas Gift...from Peg... {I so wish she wouldn't get me anything!}It was at the gift shop, at the Cemetery, where her Mother is....she said.."It's a HEART.... I had to get it for you...." {sigh...} that Peg....I do...Love her So....

 I hope to get my Christmas Cards Done...Friday.... oh...my...where has the time gone???
Have a Great Thursday....
Barb C.
{ I am...sooooo Dizzy...my Head Is Spinnin'!}

The Time to Buy an Antique...Is When You See It....

I have, as of this morning...had five people wanting to buy the little Chimney Cupboard...They all had inquired about it...the last few weeks....then, once it was sold...yesterday afternoon... it could have been sold, 5 times... I actually had to go through the facebook times, and email times, to figure out who was first...
I am baffled... that Cupboard...should have been sold...before it was unloaded, from the truck.... it is Awesome.... the price was a steal.... I priced it, by what I paid... if I can make a little...I pass the good deal on...{hoping, that the folks I bought it from, also, makes a little....}
Most everything I post, is for sale....{unless, I say it's in the house... then, it may not be.... but...if I'm in a bind... everything is on the block... {most} I have people's names on things... I will call... when I have to let go...}
The BEST way to secure something...is a phone call... {319-241-1348} I am on the computer...a couple times a day.... at best...but...I will see it in the eve...
I don't like text messages... I like to hear a voice....
I am happy to hold  things...for a short length of time... and send images...
The Best thing to do...is come visit....I can be here...most anytime... and...who knows, what may be waiting for you, down....The Rabbit Hole....
I feel so sorry, for those, who missed out...
Hopefully...there's a Better One...around the Corner!
{tho...this one... is pretty good....}
Love, to Ya!
Barb C.

Hmmm...did I say....Soulful....oh my...

As I was putting things away....and off the Table... I opened this 1880 Cookbook....to see this Tiny Baby's Hand...{Ruth}...Everything I buy...whether it be for me...or the Rabbit Hole.... has something.... about it...some little voice.... like this.... It's The Soulful Objects...that whisper, in my ear... I had forgotten, about this... priceless... priceless...

Stuck...in the '80's... 1880's...that is... Sifting Through...letting go....

I took the day off... and...rested.... towards evening...I started going through the Old Cupboards....{two shelves...of an Old Cupboard...} getting Christmas cards out.... I hope to get them sent, this week... we'll see...

It was calming... going through my gatherings... from years passed.... I'm going to be selling some of my treasures.... I hate, to part with them... but....sometimes, one must do...what one must do...

I ran across a Dickens Illustration Book....from, the 1880's....it's beautiful.... they are all loose...and could be framed.... I see so many people I know...in these Characters... oh my...

The Staffordshire Sale Book.... is, I would guess...from the late 1800's or early 1900's... it's offering an 18th and 19th century Staffordshire Collection, for sale...I LOVE....they price the broken pieces...and make little excuses for them...hmmm.... back in the day... folks knew a good thing...no matter!

The Cookbooks, are from 1880, and 85... I have several, from that era...so hard to find, anymore....

I don't know...yet what I'll be letting go of.... I told Mark, today...I should just open the house....and price everything...what stays...stays... and is meant to...what goes... well... guess it needed a new home.... He thought it would be one heck of a sale...

after just digging trough, a couple of shelves...I have to agree.... there is some pretty cool stuff, here....Diary's... Ledgers...Photo Albums... Early 1800's Scrap Books...oh my....Soulful...Soulful...Stuff...

I told Mark... I wasn't sure if I could let go of any Cupboards...yet... but...who knows...

I may Just Have an Amazing Heart of Country Booth! 

or...maybe...just keep filtering into the Rabbit Hole...

Hmmm...

Love to Ya...

Barb C.