Early Staffordshire.... {early to mid 1800's Serving Pieces...}

This...is a Darling...French Piece... Lovely....

This was made in 1836.... in Black Transfer... it's been repaired.... must have been Very Loved...by someone....
Beautiful....

This is part of the Collection...I purchased....last week....
I  Love this Old....So...so...Beautiful.....Staffordshire....and Ironstone....
I bought it right...so...it is priced...at a fraction..of it's value....
I want....Everyone...to be able to have...a piece of  Beauty....

The Large Platter...is the most expensive...Somehow...it...and most all of this... has made it through the 'Journey'....unscathed....Quite an accomplishment...for being... over a hundred and fifty years old....

Still waiting..for my hands...to bathe...a stack of  Old Wooden Drawers...and boxes....

Leather Bound....1860's and '70's  Iowa Law Books...cool...

I spent the afternoon...working in the shop.... getting new things... out....

If...you read my post, last night.... about my 'melt down'....{deleted...} sorry...

I realised...this morn...while answering an e-mail....

Though...we hustle and bustle...through life...and dismiss...being tired...and hurt....physically...and emotionally...even...seeing..and hearing..all the grief...in the world... we digest on a daily basis...but...have to keep moving on...or it will eat us alive...

So...I carry...a lot....as we all do... with me...

But...keep moving on...

 our Souls... don't.... forget...

and...The Soul...has to Purge..

I think...my Soul's...release Valve...

was ...and has been ready...to blow...for sometime...

and chose...to do so... just then....

by letting tears...fall...like rain....
while...simply...waiting...for a pizza...
{our Souls...apparently...don't care....where they are...when they let go... }

I have always...worn my Heart...on my sleeve...

and...like The Hatter...

My Emotions...are always...Bubbling...

very..very...close to the surface....

It wasn't any 'one'...thing...

It is...So.... Many...Things...

I can't change....

and...so many...I Can...

and..am Workin' On 'Em...

and...yes...Even God...must get the Blues...

Love..to You...

Barb C.

I'll be Open...Tomorrow... and...have some exciting news... I'll tell ya Tomorrow....

For Today...

I gotta...Mow...

The Fun Never Ends!

{Actually...I'm looking forward to it...Everything...is Beautiful.... It's...Spring...in Iowa...}
{ My friend, Amy reminded me... "We do not cry...because...we are Weak... We cry...because...we've been Strong....too long"... Thank You...Amy...and...Love...to You..and your Mom.... Prayers...to You Both!}

The Antiques...and Garden Fair!

Make Plans...Today...to Attend...Next Year!

Make No Mistake...

This is a BIG ONE!!!

Oh....My....

The Garden Show....was Beautiful...

Filled with....Most Amazing.... Treasures....

This was a Wonderful Setting...The Garden Chairs....were constructed with 8 feet tall Trelliss' for backs....Very...Very....Wonderful....

There was Most...Unusual Garden Sculpture.... Throughout the Show...

I Loved..the Simplicity..of the Green Apples... in the Large Compotes....at the Place Settings... in the Court Yard....

This was the Hudson Valley Seed Library Booth....{ www.seedlibrary.org } The Owner was sooooo cool... I told him...I was looking for Gnarly...Viney....Plants....that matched my Hair Style.... He Laughed...said he liked my hair... and...I should have seen His...before he cut it all off...He said...his...made mine look...Tame...very Tame.... oh dear....what a Cool Cat! All of the seed packets are covered by Original Art...They, themselves...are a Miniature Piece of Art...So...Very...Cool... {Organic...Heirloom...Open-pollinated...and non GMO... LOVE THEM!!!}

This is where my trusty Kodak...started acting up...sorry for the fuzz.... This is Al Linder's Booth...He Always brings the Most Wonderful Things! He said...he had a Wonderful Show... as he should have....very Cool!

This was a Darling Booth....

This was a Small...portion...of Ed and Michael's Booth... I...so...Love Those Boys....They are Good...for my...Soul... { www.leftoversantiques.net www.leftoversantiques.blogspot.com }My camera was giving me fits....I  took many...of their...Over the Top Booth... ..but...this was the only one that came out...Guess...you'll simply Have to Go See Them! They will be back at the Garden Show...next year...They had a Great Show..{as always...} and do Big Things.... At Their Store..In Brenham, Texas!!!

Ahhh....my Sweet Scarlett Scales....from Franklin, TN... She was out running...when we found her booth...but called when she returned...and I went back....so we could share...a Big Hug!!! I got to meet the Love of Her Life...Louie... I approved... He is a Darling! She also, had a Great Show....no surprise.... She is Opening a Larger Store... Can't Wait to See It!!! { www.scarlettscales.blogspot.com }

Allyson and I took in a tiny portion of the Gardens, themselves in... It was Cold...and Windy... I was So Thankful...for the 4.00 Trench Coat...I had found at the Church Sale...on the way!

I would love to tour the Gardens...someday....Just...the Gardens...wow...

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

It was a Wonderful Day....

Thank God...for my Old Boots....

I was hurting...a lot.... but....it would have taken a lot more than that...to keep me home...

Allyson and I....Enjoyed Ourselves...Much....

Once...again...I Thank Her.....for her....Gentle....Easy Goin'...

Company...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

Home....

Home...

As Dorothy says...

"There is No Place Like 'Home'...

My Ruby Red's....wouldn't begin to go on my swollen foot...

Only...my worn out...old Cowboy Boots...

but...no matter....

Those Old Boots...truly are...Made for Walkin'!

I couldn't have made it...without 'em...
They aren't Pretty...
but....
'Pretty Is....as...Pretty Does'
To me...they are Beautiful...

Images... Tomorrow...

It was a Lovely...Trip...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{ as Allyson and I unloaded...down the Rabbit Hole...oh my....Once Again...It Welcomed us...in...With...Open Arms...

So Good....to be Home....tired....}
{Thanks...To Allyson...for putting up with my Snoring...Smoking...Cussing...and...Drinkin'... oh my...
Allyson is a Psychiatrist...I tell everyone....she hangs with me... for a 'Study Subject'.... oh my...She...truly is...a Trooper!} {can't wait to read the book...}

Sweet Gnarliness....

Love This... It's a Shadow Box....with Feathers...and a Sweet Child's Print...Grungy....and Gnarly...Susan pointed it out to me...in her 'Project' area....oh my...I love it...As Found! {she said...she knew I would...: ) }

A Lovely Trip...through Illinois!

We had a Great Trip Through Illinois!

Spent a lot of time in Mt. Carroll....Great Shops...Great Food... Great Fun! We stopped a Church Sale....in Iowa.... and found some Neat Old Cook Books....I had forgotten my coat....and looked on the rack... and found a Wonderful....London Fog Trench Coat! Fits Perfect! { looks a little weird...with my sparkly flip flops...but all of the Church Ladies Approved of the Fit!} I'm going to try and get a shoe...or boot on...today....ahhhh ....doubtful....

We arrived in Chicago...in the early evening.... found a Great Hotel.... and had a Lovely Supper at

 PF Chang's.... Yum!

Will be heading to the Garden Show as soon as it opens... Oh Boy! Can't Wait!

Mt.Carroll is a Darling Town....

There is No Way...Allyson can pass up a Fudge Shop....No Way!!!  She bought a Wonderful Pine Needle Embellished Gourd Basket...as well.... soooo cool!

We had a Great Lunch....at this Coffee House... Wow... and..I bought a loaf of that Wonderful Bread!!!!

Allyson...and Susan.... Susan's Place...is....Amazing....

I bought a Huge Box FULL {much more than this...} of Romantic Staffordshire....Feather Edge... Soft Paste...and Ironstone from Susan... LOVE IT!!!!

You Will Love...Susan...and Her Beautiful Store....!

Allyson and I had a great time....with Susan....Allyson found a Great Miniature Chest....and a Darling Chalkware Cat!!!

We Have Arrived.... Chicago...is...Amazing....

Allyson...and I have Arrived...

in Chicago...

We had an Amazing Trip...

Found...some Wonderful...

TREASURES....on our way...

I have Images....but...two...most amazing...Grey Goose...Martinis...

have stifled me..{I am feeling...no pain...Thankfully... : ) }

and...we haven't hit the Garden Show Yet!!!!

{Ran into a Sweeeet Gal...who had been there...at Supper tonight... Gave her my card...and told her...she HAD to go Back...and Give Big Kisses...to My Dear Friends...that are Showing There!! I am Sooooo Bad!!!}

We Can't Wait...to See The Show!!!!

Wish You All...Were Here!

Love to Ya!

The Sanctuary...it makes you...Feel...My Love....

{The More...I listen to these lyrics...
It's like...the Rabbit Hole....Singing it...Straight...to MY....Heart....I think...we are a good...team... and...There's Nothing...I wouldn't do... For the Rabbit Hole..and it has never...let me down......When away...from it...I so...Hunger...for it's Warm...Embrace...there is not a doubt....where I belong...}
Polly and I walked to the Rabbit Hole...this Eve....

and I finished picking up...the corner...I had left...yesterday....

My foot....is much better.... still can't get my shoes on... but can get my flip flops on....

I visited with Allyson...and we're going to go...

I need to see...The Beauty...of It...she has never seen it....and is so looking forward to seeing the Chicago Botanic Garden Fair....

So...what the hay... if I need to sit...I'll sit!

Check out Ed Fulkerson on facebook.... www.leftoversantiques.net or.... Scarlett Scales { www.scarlettscales.blogspot.com } you will see the kind of Cool Stuff...they are bringing to the Show...or go to my calendar of events...for the show's web site....

I'll be taking many images... but there is Nothing...like seeing it in person....

Beautiful...Inspirational....

Hope...to see You...There!

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

{it doesn't look like...this corner...could have caused so much grief... but...I gotta tell ya... it was a FIASCO!!!

It looks...lovely... in person...

I had a gal...come through...yesterday...before I started ripping...and taring.... she made my day... her eyes...as big as saucers...and said..."This place is...So Cooool...."

...That is what keeps me pushing harder.... the kind... and...sort of stunned ....people.... that never expected....they...would be...like Alice....falling down...The Rabbit Hole....

It's all...Good...}
I have finally realised.... This 'Rabbit Hole'...is an expression...of My Love... for People...and...The Beauty in the Lost... Forlorn...Dismissed....Objects....that I hope..I may help others see...as I do...
Beautiful....
Yes...There is...Beauty...in The World...

This Little Piggy.....Stayed...Home...

Yesterday....

I should have simply....stayed in bed....

I got sucked down the Vortex ....the Rabbit Hole Creates...

I was Determined to get the Massive Church Crucifix Up...

So I tore into the Southwest Corner...

 If...anything could go wrong.... it did....I called John up to help manage the Hanging cupboard...and Christ....

What a fiasco...

My drill...died.... in the middle of  Everything....and wouldn't hold a charge....

The cupboard was crooked.... so after John left...I tried to get it straight....It fell on top of me.... It was like an Avalanche....

As I tried to keep my face from going through the glass.... everything behind me....fell at my feet....I couldn't move....as I was holding the heavy cupboard...in by arms....too high....and completely unbalanced....

When I finally set it down....on top of all sorts of debris....I couldn't get  the screws out of the back.... When I got the screws out...and struggled with the Old cupboard....back on the wall... the screws... I was putting back in...got twisted in the wall fabric...and pushed the cupboard...back on top of me, again....instead of going into the wall.... and...it was the same mess..all over again....

I pulled all of the fabric down.... and...swore....ENOUGH!!!

Then....Saving the Day....was Amy....she brought out Champagne.... and we sat in the Green House... and relaxed...

Miss Audrey popped in...and we all had a nice visit...

I left a bit of a mess.... but thought...

I'll get it....tomorrow....

ENOUGH!!!

I thought....I'd treat John...to his Favorite Pizza....for being such a good sport....helping me....{it was UGLY....getting Christ...on the wall...oh my...}

So...Amy and I went to the Star....and ate supper...and had a Great Visit!

Then... when I took John his Pizza....

The Hounds were barking and greeting me.... I was going down the stairs... with...the Big Pizza Box...in Tow....I missed the last three steps....

Made a Three Point Landing!

 Elbow...Left Side...and Foot....

I think....I broke my foot....

but....I never dropped the Pizza...!

I hobbled in to John....

handed him his pizza...

and....got sick....

I was shaking...

didn't even get out of my clothes....just went to bed...

put my foot up....

and hurt...all night...

I Think....all my Little Piggies....on my Left Foot...are

Staying Home...

Unless... the swelling goes WAY Down...

No Botanic Garden Show....for me... : ( :( : (

John thinks it's just a bad sprain....

and...if it's broken...doubt they could do anything....anyway....

Some Days....

It's Best...to Simply...

Stay...in Bed...

Love, to ya...

Barb C.



I'm OPEN TODAY!!!! 10 - 5 !!!!

Had lots of Treasures....find new homes, Yesterday....am bringing more in....TODAY!!!

So Enjoyed working in the Shop....and visiting with Everyone...

Daughter Liz, and Miss Scarlett Belle...popped in...

Barb O., from Park Place Hotel Antiques, Marion, Iowa... also... Great Seeing Her.... and having such a Lovely...Lovely....Visit...

Wanda...and Terry { www.gatheringsiowa.blogspot.com} also, visited...last evening.... Always Great seeing Them!...and several other Folks...throughout the Afternoon...

Had a long....morning visit....with Pegadoo... she is sounding....good....: )

{keep the Light...and Prayers Comin'!}

It was a Good...Day....

I got lots done...

a Good Feeling....

John is working on several projects...

Some...for the Rabbit Hole....some....for Gold Rush....some...for the Memorial Day Weekend Sale! We are Gonna have...some Grrreat STUFF!!!!

Hope You....Have a Most...Wonderful Day!

Love to Ya!

Barb C.

{remember...I will be CLOSED THIS WEEKEND! Make plans...to meet us at The Chicago Botanic Garden Antique Fair!!! We will be heading out, Saturday...Antiquing all the way....spending the night...in Chicago...Then...Taking in The Beautiful Show....on Sunday!!!! Hope to See Ya!}

This Darling Folding Garden Settee...was our neighbor's... Love...It! The Huge Cast Iron Farm House Sink....has Found a Lovely Home...Already!

Love...This Little Split Sofa! It can be used together...or as two separate units.... If it never sells... I won't be sad.... I Love...having a place to sit...and relax...Down The Rabbit Hole! They sure don't make Furniture...like they used to.... This is a  Dolly!

New Treasures!