Dale, Allyson and I... are headed for Bishop Hill!

We are leaving, in the wee hours... I really shouldn't be writing, and sippin' UV Blue, and ginger ale... I should be in the shower...and then in the sack... However... I wanted to fill you in, about this darling show... It's in Western, central Illinois, and is very sweet...I am sure, we will have a wonderful time... always do! It's primarily Country... but fun... on the small side, but, always has good quality! I spent today, workin' in the shop... and Green house.. it was pretty toastie... So... around 3, I was filling up the fountain, in the green house... and sweating... my eyes were burnin' from all the sweat... I hadn't had a soul in... so... I turned the hose on me... from the top of my head, down to my toes... as luck would have it... a customer pulled up... Here I am... looking like a contestant, for the 'Simply Iowa Wet 'T' Shirt Contest'.... oh my... Lucky me... it was only our Banker's wife... pulling up, in her Lincoln SUV....Really... Lucky me... it was our Wonderful Banker's wife... Donna...{ Small town Banks... Gotta love 'em... I really Gotta....} Donna was also, my Junior High Home Ec, teacher...{she looks younger than me... I hate her!} { No... really... I love her...} I was still, quite embarrassed... she was wonderful, and found a gnarly old planter, that her dear husband, will hate... and blame me... so... it was a gift...no one argues with a gift... and certainly won't hold a grudge... I delivered it, to their home... then, came home...I spied Sally... she was calling my name... grabbed some great CD's, put the top down, and hit the road! Sally and I took a spin.... went to see Dale... and Mark...I am trying to get rid of my Farmer's tan... for the first time, in a long, long time... I have a Muscle Shirt on... No one covered their eyes and ran... so, I must be o.k. Have I said, how much I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!.... Oh my.... I feel totally LIBERATED!!! I had 2 people, at the gas station, this afternoon, say how much they like the car.... All I could say is...ME TOO!!!!... I asked John to take me for a spin, tonight, he declined, said it was too hot, outside... Oh well... If it's just me, and Sally... We'll be just fine... Hope Everyone has a GREAT SATURDAY! Barb C.

Oh My... Those Texas Boys... Where Do They Find Their Stuff....

You must.... check out {leftovers antiques} they follow me... I follow them... Their Christmas Ornaments are the most darling little things.... I just came up for lunch, and checked out their blog.... I about fell over... Someone, spent a lifetime, making them...and then obviously cherished them... they appear to be in perfect condition..... they are Simply...Sweet... Where do they find this stuff? Barb C.

It is... What It is....

the right side, crown piece is gone...

it has heavy wainscoting, for the back... with great old paint...

these are the flour bin hinges, and the mouse chew...

inside the flour bin... a few spidies, but good...

red paint, on the side.. this may be the original color, or on top of the white... John was helping... we had to unload the entire truck, to get this to the tail of the FUSO... he wasn't waiting for me to dissect this cupboard... the white smear on the flour bin side,{directly under the drawer} is spray wax... I wanted to slick up the old bin, to help it slide...

this is the base side... cut out for a trim board...

Janet wanted to see some detailed images, of the old farm cupboard, I bought on the 4th... It needs a bath... it needs hinges on the bin... they are rusted through... we will put the 2 door latches on...{ closest match we have of them}for the quoted price.... the hinges would be extra... it has some red paint, on the left side... It measures, 59 inches wide, and about 6 feet tall, and 20 inches deep...It still has it's original dough boards... and is sound... no dry rot... just a few mouse chews... The bin, is dirty, but, sound... the drawers are heavy, there is nothing flimsy about this old cupboard... I'd say it is from the turn of the last century... It is... what it is... in my opinion, for the money... it's a 'no brainer'....That's just me... I don't mind scrubbing an old cupboard... Actually... I enjoy it...But... That's just me...

Barb C.

Me and Sally Hit the Road! Found Sweet Amy... and...'The Nest"

Here is Amy's Calendar of Events! Check this Darling Store out!!!

This is, Sweet Amy... She does an Amazing job... Her lawn, was Darling....

This is her Store... I wish I could have gotten around earlier... People were not leaving empty handed... Amy said the morning was crazy!

Amy has the Sweetest Vignettes, throughout the Wonderful Old Farm House... Oh My!

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet!

Oh yeah... Me and the Mustang, had our Maiden Voyage, today... Had to go see my very special friend, Amy, {fellow blogger} { the nest} as she was having her Occasional Sale! I didn't realize, exactly where she is from... it was a jaunt... a beautiful one... Her Shop is near Sperry, Iowa...{ close to Ft.Madison, and Burlington..right on, hi-way 61....very near the Mississippi... It's a beautiful place...} { Janet... I will get images of the cupboard, tomorrow... Had no help... it's going to require lots...It's buried...} So, the drive, was amazing...top down.... and I'm fried... With the wind blowing...Hair, standing straight up... in a gnarled mess...{ I must have looked like I had a red squid, on my head... hair, everywhere!} I didn't feel hot... and... it was overcast, all day... oops... oh well...I'd forgotten, how wonderful a Convertible is... Had a 69 Camero Convertible... I drove it to work, for about 6 months... 'til I came home one day, and it was gone... John had sold the engine... I was heartbroken... It was so rusty, it had no floors left... but still, it would smoke the tires, like no other! And so fun to drive to work, in the wee hours of the summer mornings...Ahhh... the Crazy Days... Before Children...

I had a great time, at the Nest... Found some fun stuff... and had a very nice visit with Amy... She is such a gentle spirit...That same contentment, is very evident, as you meander through her store...She had everything just right... down to the tiniest detail.... little down feathers, sandwiched under glass, at her check out... perfect.... I loved all of the grapevine, and tree branches, that appeared to be growing through the walls... very cool.... The Nest, was so peaceful, and lovely.... Can't wait, 'til the next Sale...

Barb C.

Mustang Sally...

Ohhhh Baby.... This is MY Little Mustang... I have wanted one, since the new body style came out, in the 90's... This little Sweetie, is an '01... Not new... but... never the less... Wonderful, in my eyes...{ I think this year, '01, resembles the 68...} I started searching for one, many moons ago... I don't make a lot of money, and tend to give away, much that I do make... But... never gave up hope... I knew, there would be a day, I'd own one...{ after all... I did quit smoking... at around 50.00 a week, this Darling is all but paid for!} There were three things, I said, I would never have, in a Mustang... 1. Silver, in color... 2. an automatic transmission...3. a convertible... But... The Good Lord thought differently... And... I LOVE IT!!!! Dear friend, Don J. gave me first shot, on this little darling... and, I'll Love him forever, for it... { I even gave him a big, sweaty, after 'Barn Diggin', 'Horse Doctoring', un -showered Hug... Sorry, Don... But... Thank You... From the bottom of my Heart...} Mustangs, have always been a passion for me, as well as an elusive dream... I have owned, before I was 18, a 64 1/2, a 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 , and 74.... They were all headed for the scrap... My Dad would let me drive them, 'til they died, and then, cut 'em up... Oh my... The Love Affair, I have had, my entire life, with these Little Darlings, could fill a book... I have waited for them, to come down in price... but, they seem to hold their value, very well... and like the movie, "Gone in 60 Seconds"... Mustangs, have been a curse, to me... Just like Eleanore... I remember the 64 1/2... It was out of California... 3 speed, on the floor... Hi Performance 289... Pony Interior... Got picked up, the second day I owned it, for a loud muffler, and had to sell it, to pay the fines... I have never forgotten that car... This little Sweetie... needs a tune up... a little body work... brakes, eventually... but... oh my... If she's no more, than a lawn ornament... She will always be loved... There's just... something.... about a Mustang.... I just looked out the window... and still... can't believe... my "Eleanore"... is looking back, at me... I feel truly... blessed... Don't the two little Fords look like, they have always been meant to be?.... Happy Together.... What a Darling Couple...They were even created the very same year... Barb C.

Diggin' thru the Barn... Oh Boy!!!

Pal, Bud S. {Renates Antique Gallery, Amana, Iowa 319-622-3127} Invited me along, to come dig thru some barns... It was wonderful... We went thru the old farm house... and barn, as well as an old country school, that had been converted into a shed... I wondered... how long, before these days are 'no more'.... The barns, and hen houses, a thing of the past... how, incredibly sad... We had a good time diggin... It was so hot, and humid... everything had fifty years of dust, chicken poop, coon poop, and who know what else! Herds of spiders and bugs, like I have never seen... and an adorible field mouse, that came jumping out of a drawer, and had us all doing the 'cah cha cha'! Would I trade the morning diggin', to be shoppin' at a fancy department store... ahhh.. NO WAY!!!! We were covered in everything... When you dig around in barns, and pull stuff out, and you are hot and sweaty...you come out pretty gnarly...with hair, full of crusty stuff, and cob webs! LOVE IT!!!! Bought some wonderful wide boards... Knew if I waited long enough, they'd come to me... 2 very nice, old, old barrels... perfect for a Fall display... Gnarly old wooden chicken feeders, an old farm gate, cool, local yard sticks...{one on hold, for my favorite John Deere Folks} an old hanging cupboard, that was original to the old country school...it's missing one of it's doors... but I don't care... It's a sweetie! I'm filthy, dirty... and headin' for the shower! {Had a great day, yesterday, with Pal, Gail H. After I had a gin and tonic, or two, and Gail, a Corona, or two... we caught up on everything, and figured out all of the World's problems... what a wonderful afternoon... Just received the sweetest comment, from Polly...{pollyanns} This would have been her Mother's Birthday, today... She misses her so... I know exactly how she feels...My prayers are with Angel, Polly...} Barb C.

Back to Work..Here at Home...

Spent the day, yesterday, working around the Shop, and getting the Little Ford, unloaded... Peg stopped out, on her way home, to MO. I always am sad, to see her drive away... She was totally wiped out... Just needed her own bed... then, her own couch.... she said... The heat, and fast pace, of a one day, July Show, will suck the life right out of you...Not to mention, the last 2 hours, of taring down, in double time... we were flyin', to out run the storm... We had it done so fast, we ran and helped others, get their stuff thrown in their trucks... and still, made it... Everyone made it...whew... No shows, until August Gold Rush... Dale, Allyson and I are going to shop, Bishop Hill, Saturday.... It's a darling little country show, in Illinois...But, for now... I need to get caught up... Bills... bookwork...resetting the Green House, {it's pretty much been stripped!} I have deliveries, to make... Tho, I have nothing on the Show Calender... life will be busy... I have been invited to speak, at the Sleepy Eye Convention, early August... I did this for the Regional Questers Group, a few years ago.... I remember, my beloved friend, Eudora, talked me into speaking there... I had been asked before... but, they always had a theme, they wanted me to speak on.... I know a little, about a lot... I am no expert, on any one thing... So, always declined... So, when Eudora asked, and the Questers let me decide what to speak on... Well... That was right up my alley... I had just received a book, for Christmas, from Barb H {sisters garden} that she thought, had my name, and hers... all over it... Oh my... It is titled, 'For the Love of Old', by Mary Randolph Carter.... I had been dismissed, by so many antique people, as being the 'Junk Dealer' in Fairfax, that opening this wonderful book, written by such an amazing woman, who was a huge part of 'Polo, Ralph Lauren'... I felt like I had been handed my degree... { Libby Kramer, {Heart of Country} also had faith in me, and Julie... with our Old Iowa Farmhouse Style... She took a chance on us, and we have been invited back, for 10 years... Thanks to Libby... you are missed, my friend...} So with Book in hand, my theme, was about Old, and Well Loved, Things... I, as Mary, love, chipped faded, mossy, mended, rusty things, and fragments, of those things... I am NOT SHABBY CHIC!!!! I have been catagorized, with this term, for many years... I do NOT RE-PURPOSE! { not that there is anything wrong with that...it's just not my journey...} I Love Old Things... Just As They Are....As Found...Sculptural Fragments... Pieces that have been mended, a hundred years ago, because they meant, so very much to someone... Things, that have 'Soul'... Apparently, some folks, didn't think I would be well recieved... and came to the huge gathering, to see my wings clipped... by the Questers, some, who are very fussy, and seek perfection...To their amazement, that didn't happen... I was well recieved, and I think some, may have concidered my old 'stuff', not worthy... but, I believe, very few... and that's o.k.{ they are the folks I like to buy from...} I was so honored, to speak to them, it didn't matter... Eudora, was a fabulous writer... and had written for many magazines, and periodicals... she was so worried about me... told me to be sure and have my notes... Just before I was scheduled to speak, I found her, in the crowd, and told her, maybe she should leave... I didn't bring notes... I had just gotten in, from Chicago, in the wee hours of that morning, and was scrambling to get all of the props there, let alone, have notes ready... So, I spoke for 45 minutes, off the cuff... You get me talkin' about this wonderful old stuff... and the wonderful people,{ like, Eudora} that I have met on this incredible journey, with this wonderful old stuff... I could talk for days! I am anxious, to speak with this group, as well... I don't know much, about Old Sleepy Eye... I have had a few pieces, over the years, and loved it... It is named after Old Sleepy Eye, the Indian.. From Minnesota, and there was a Milling Company, named after him... It has his image on a lot of the stoneware... and is very collectible...and, beautiful...as well as useful... It was loved by the Farm Wives, of the late 1800's... I just sold, my last piece, a large pitcher, during my sale... spout, broken, cracked, and stained... oh, but so beautiful... The young woman, who bought it, was going to put 'black eyed Susan's', in it... the blue, of Old Sleepy Eye, and the mustard yellow, of the flowers, will be stunning... I visited with Mary Randolph Carter , author, via e-mail... She is exactly what I thought... a very gracious soul...Hope to meet her, someday... Well... Gotta go...pal, Gail H. is on her way out... can't wait! Hope you all have a Marvelous Day! Barb C.

Truck Drivin' Mama... only Peg...

My Darling Husband, John... was a 'no show', when it came time to load, and get the vehicles home... So with a storm headed our way, we 'hauled it', in double time, getting everything loaded, and massive tent down, and put away... { it was supposed to go in John's truck...} He didn't answer the phone, so, Peg stepped up, to the plate, and drove the FUSO...{ my one, and only friend, that has ever offered...What a Gal!} Peg doesn't drive a stick, so options were limited, on the other vehicles... She was a trooper... even through the Monsoon, we hit, on the way home... I was very proud of her! I was happy to see, all of the bloggers, and followers!!! Big Hugs and Kisses! Barb H. {sisters garden}... Kathie, {this girls art}... Brandon, {house things}... Nancy and fam, {rug cottage}... Polly, {pollyanns}, Ginger, {virgina rose}... Mary and Hubby, {mary zeran designs}... Amy, {the nest} Wanda, {gatherings iowa}... and SO MANY FOLLOWERS!!!! Wow! THANK YOU!!!! It was so nice Seeing you All! I forget, this is, my life, really... My Diary... I'll be honest... I don't tell it all...{ I'm saving those details, for the book...just kidding...I don't need a bounty on my head...} This is, my journey... and yes, you may have to read between the lines... my closest people to me, know the 'rest of the story'....... God Bless them, for holding my hand, through so many of the trials, of this Journey, called 'Life'...{ they all know, who they are, and how very much, they are Loved...} Tom R. said to me, as he was helping lift, some of the heavy masses, into the FUSO, "You are a workaholic..." I sat down, on the step bumper, of the Fuso, for a moment... and replied.... "It takes one to know one, Sweetie..." We all... Equally work our selves, into the ground, for this Wonderful Old Stuff....{oh yeah... and try and 'stay alive', and keep the bills paid, and help others... when 'push comes to shove'...} It's our friends and families, who are the real Heroes... They don't have the same, crazy passion, as we do... yet, they come, lend a hand, lift, push and pull, with the same determination, as us... Why... because, they Love us... We, truly are, the winners...{ so, very blessed...} The show wasn't as good, money wise, as last year... It was so confusing for folks... Hansen's Grove, has been split, in two different places... a storm was predicted, all day... with a possible 2 inches of rain... { I didn't get out 70% of my 'smalls', for that reason... If the tent took off, I didn't want to sacrifice the treasures....I think many folks felt the same way....} But, I was still, very happy, with the Show.... Everyone I talked to, said the same... They will all be back! It's going to be an Anual Antiquing 4th of July Party! Yeah!!! Thanks to all, who lended a hand... Kim Wolfe, {Wolfes Antiques, Mt.Vernon, Iowa was a top rate Promoter... Thanks for everything...} It was a joy, seeing Everyone... My Love, and Thanks to you All... Barb C.

The Rain Held...It was a Great Show!!!!

This was Tommie's Booth, right in front of her wonderful Coffee Shop, and Bakery... FUEL!!!!!Oh my gosh.. Tommie and her Mom, saved me, Sunday morning... I was Out of It.... They came buzzing through our booth, and asked if I had expected them to bring coffee? {The disappointment was all over my face, I am sure, as they slipped through, empty handed...} They felt so bad.... So, agreed to deliver me a 'Tommie's Special', Brew.... and asked what I wanted in it...{ This is how 'whacked' I was.... all I could say, while scrambling for words... was"ah...water"...} They laughed, and in no time, they brought me my 'JOLT'! I made it through the day!!! THANKS GIRLS!!!!

Ahhh, one of my Sweetest Neighbors, at the show! Ginger! {fellow Blogger} {virginia rose} She and her darling Hubby, Garth, are always so much fun...

This booth belongs to a Darling Girl... Jan... and Fellow Blogger...{gracies cottage} Oh my Gosh... I loved all of the unusual treasures she carried...

Sweet Cathy R., She and Tom, are also our neighbors.... They had thee most wonderful stuff... I loved the Rope Bed... I wish I would have gotten a picture of it... It was amazing... The best one, I have ever seen... Oh my...

Our booth... well, half of it... we had tons of gnarly garden stuff, to the right... we sold tons of it... I bought a wonderful plant stand, that is tall and gnarly... It's shaped like a tree... I put all of the Staffordshire tea pots, and bowls on it... It's perfect for display... hope it never sells... I also bought the wonderful old stained glass window, with the star...and an 1840's Empire Chest... { I LOVE EMPIRE FURNITURE!!!!} The most wonderful Photographer's chair... It sold, to pal Lil... It's a perfect fit, for Gals like us! {Mad Hatterish, I mean,,,}

Here's a shot, down one side of Main street, at the end of the day... { too busy, before....} This show has doubled, since last year... it's going to be an amazing 4th of July Event... It reminded me of a quaint, little Outdoor, Paris Market... The town is darling, and so historic... Wonderful food, and drink... Just Sweet as Pie... We are doing it, again, the Good Lord Willing, and really looking forward to it...

Here's a Darling, I bought, over the phone, at 5:30, Sunday morning.... It needs a good bath, but, that's it! It has 4 doors across the top, 6 drawers, 2 doors, and a wonderful, working bin... Thankfully, it's 2 pieces... it's HEAVY! And, not all that big... Maybe 6 feet wide, and a little over 6 feet tall.. But a Stout Lad, to say the least!!!

Here's Bill! He reminds me of John, in so many ways... His better half, Kathie, is standing in the back.... We think a lot alike... She is a fellow blogger { this girls art}... She is absolutely Amazing... Love them Both!

Here's Peg... Wiped out... She sold and sold her Wonderful Gourds.... People were just drooling all over them... They are... Truly Amazing... So is Peg...

This is the Empire dresser, I purchased, with the Beautiful Window, behind it.... I wish they wouldn't have started cleaning down the old varnish... I may try and match it, or, simply chalk it up, to the 'Journey'... I LOVE the Amazing Hand champhoring, dovetailing, and planing...A few scars, well, are to be expected, I guess, when you reach a 170, or so....

Whew...it's Gonna Be a Great Show

Oh my... We have the big stuff set! 10 foot showcase,{Beautiful....}A huge, stained glass window... Gnarly concrete... Gnarly garden stuff... cupboards and counters... harvest table... work tables... 2 wonderful, huge wooden wagon wheels....lots of tin farm stuff...just loads and loads! They are calling for rain, so come prepared... tarps, rain gear... { Peg and I just threw in a few extra lawn and leaf bags, if you are in a pinch!} We are unloading smalls, in the morning... There is soooo much fun stuff, at this show...It's making me crazy I can't shop much... {I'll admit, I did find a few fun treasures when I snuck away, a time or two!!!} Oh my... Come see us, in Mt.Vernon, you will have a BLAST! Barb C.