A FUN Day at GOLD RUSH!!!! Images TONIGHT!

Whew... It's been Crazy!!! I still have all sorts of totes to get out.... Had too much fun seeing everyone...{some came to the show, because they are followers!{ they didn't realize there is a third show, at Gold Rush...} and found out by reading the Calender...It was great meeting them, face to face! Sweet Folks!!!!} The traffic was pretty steady, and, a bit surprising...This is the smallest show of the 3... but... the best to buy at.... and I wasn't disappointed! { I'll share with you later!}

Saw many of the regulars... and that is GREAT! Catherine, and her darling Husband, from

Des Moines, stopped for a chat... What a cute couple... Well... except for Catherine.... She said Fall must surely be in the air.... In August, I was bare footed, during the show... Now, in September, I'm in stocking feet.... Very Funny.... Ha Ha....

We all went out to 'Michael's', { My 'Happy' Place, in Rochester, and was joined by the Canadians! I LOVE Those Girls!!!! They had me laughing so hard.... I nearly fell off my chair... Mark thinks they may be crazier than us... Hmmmm... I don't know.... but... I would say... we are running neck and neck!

I'll get the booth all wrapped up today...

Come see us!!!

Hope you have the most amazing Saturday!!!!

Barb C.

Still...Life in the Fast Lane...

Just a quick note...

Come see me this weekend, at Gold Rush... In Rochester, MN. We've got the truck loaded, and ready to rock!

I'm Sorry I haven't answered any comments...

Robin...I'm holding the rolling pin for you..

I am sorry... the little white chest of drawers is Sold...

Kay... I can't wait to see ya...

Jan...{summer sundays} I'm looking foreword to seeing you, at the Fall Harvest Sale! {Tell 'Sis', and Debra {common ground} Hey!}

Amy N., Hope you have a blast... {something tells me, a 'blast' is never far away when you are around!...}

Marlene... The Dry Sink is Sold...{I can't wait to see ya, at Gold Rush!}

I am running on fumes... many... many more miles, today...{ But... had a great dinner with John, Wanda and Terry... along with a little 'nip'... ahhh...}

I may be headed for Minneapolis, in the wee hours, then on to Rochester, to set up, at Gold Rush... I'm Flippin' a coin....

I'll keep ya posted on the show!

Barb C.

{ I flipped... I'm sleepin' in... I'll do my shoppin', here in Iowa,{ in the Morn'} and at Gold Rush, this weekend!... Oh My...I just know something is waiting for me... right around the corner!!!!}

Hope to See Ya... and Be Sure... to get to Sisters'... You will be inspired!

Sisters' Garden "Fall Open House" DON'T MISS IT!!!!

O.K...If... by some strange reason... you have never been to Sisters' Garden... on Hi Way 1., only minutes from Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City, Iowa... I am so incredibly sorry, for you...It truly is food for the soul...

Barb H. along with her wonderful, dear Friends, Neighbors and Family, will be hosting a "Fall Harvest Open House", Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. 'til 5ish, this weekend.. I, as you know, will be gone... I visited, today, and made a few little contributions...This Event will be Amazing....

{ Only second, to her 'Christmas Open House'!!!! Don't you Dare Miss That!!!! I NEVER DO!!!!} Don't deny yourself, a most wonderful, relaxing adventure, as this promises to be.... Barb has a special gift, let her share it, with you... you will be amazed... { You will be Thrilled with her Mid Western, Affordable Prices!}{ Check out the blog...{sistersgarden} I follow, and so does Sharon...{sweetrepose} they are both, amazing!!!!

I love her dearly...More than words can say...

{I put on 'I Hope You Dance'... for Barb H. She and I have always connected with this tune... we just want Everyone to "Dance"... and... Never forget, to give those Heavens above, more than just a 'passing glance'... and always... when you get the choice, to 'sit it out... or dance...

We Hope...You 'Dance'}

Here's Barb H.

Surrounded by tons of great stuff, coming in, by the minute, for the Fall Sale!!!!!

New Arrival... Amazing, double sided counter...oh my.... Tons of Great Stuff... The Lawn is Overflowing!!! Barb has the most wonderful variety of pumpkins, gourds and squash... as well as wreaths, and the most beautiful Mums... I bought 5, for Gold Rush... and Pounds of Baby Boo Pumpkins...

Ya Hoo! Plan to spend a lot of time... and for Pete's Sake... Take the Truck! Bloom, is Barb's 'Sister' store, to Sisters' Garden... It is Incredible... Sweet Pal, Brandon, has his own room, upstairs, at Sisters'... He was working tirelessly, today, for the Open House... Cool...Cool... Cool... Check out Brandon's Blog..."house things"...You Will LOVE HIM!!!

The 'Fast Lane' ....

Headed to Des Moines, early, yesterday afternoon... I was sooooo tired... oh my... wasn't sure I could stay awake, on the road...No sleep...was finally catching up with me... I had to get the 10 French chairs, and beautiful Mahogany table home, well actually delivered to it's new home... Just as we were getting ready to load it... It poured down rain... and wouldn't stop.... It's 4 hours, round trip, to Jo's... I really didn't want to leave empty handed... so... I waited and waited... called friends, to see where this unpredicted 'front' had come from, and where it was headed... It rained for hours... Buckets... It was nearly 10, before Jo and I got everything on... Then, I had to deliver....and unload... oh my...I didn't get in bed, til 1:30.... A sweet Gal, from Texas, wanted to shop the store, so I had to be up, bright and early... Jo had wanted me to stay over... Trust me... there was nothing I would have loved more... She is so sweet... Fed me a wonderful supper... But oh my... on the way home... I needed tooth picks, to keep my eyes open... It was a long, long night.... I'm on the road again, today... Back to Des Moines...{at least 2 more loads..}and... more deliveries... a gal called a bit ago, they are headed for Junk Bonanza, and are scouting for a new 'show' idea ....wanted to stop by... this afternoon... oh my...The shop is ripped...I haven't slept, much, for days... Oh my... I Love Surprises!

{I'm leaving for Gold Rush, early Thursday Morning... oh my... truck isn't loaded... oh my... The Fun Never Ends...}

Barb C

Treasures from Jo's....

I am on my feet RUNNING, this morning! Didn't get home 'til 1 a.m., and I have a Gal, at my door, already, this morning! I'll fill ya in later... For now, here are a few of the treasures from Jo's Auction...

Barb C.

Life in the Fast Lane... I have Great Company....and...ahhh...'We ain't no Quitters'......

These are the Most Darling Girls.... {left, Linda... center...Jo { her Auction}... right, Bev...

Bev and Linda, are My Canadian Pals!...Aye?...}{ Yes, Lynn... I have allies, north of 80, as well as south...Hope you, and yours, are doing well... Our thoughts and Prayers are with you...} This Auction went on and on and on... Amazing! {Hey... what's that Dude, doin' in my chair?}... The Nerve! Cool... Cool... Cool Stuff! Ya see... Some Folks can take the 'Fast Lane'... and others... well... not so much....

Life in the Fast Lane....Antiquing, is Not for the Faint of Heart....

Well... it's 12:30...another 19 hour day...another 350 miles... Both, me, and the Gnarly Head... are taking a deep breath...{ I have to laugh at the commercials, that portray Antiquing, as a kind of 'Sissy' way of life... to the Macho, Sport Dudes... Ahhh.... Bring 'em on.... Let me have 'em for a day or two...and a Show, or two... I'd have 'em cryin' like babies....} Cheers!

Barb C.

{I had to move 'I Ain't No Quitter', up to second song....It has gotten me through, this last week... and reminds me of so many... in my life, that I have had the privilege of knowing... that, also, 'Ain't No Quitters'...}

The day started off, at 4 a.m..... Had to get showered, and run... Had to load a dry sink, to deliver... Then pick up Dale, and fly.... It was Jo's Auction today, in Des Moines... I had promised her I would attend, but... with all of the 'life', that was presented to me, the last week... I wasn't sure I was going to make it...But...after the Canadian Girls, Bev and Linda popped in, yesterday... and I spent time, in the shop, working....and...getting reacquainted with my place... I was ready for an adventure... and Boy... Did I find one...Oh My....

Dale told me Valley Junction, in West Des Moines, was today... so we hit the road runnin'. and was there by 8, or so...I found some great stuff! I had never been, so it was a real treat! I bought a darling bird bath, with a gnarly, old bird, that perches inside the bowl...I've never seen one like it! A pair of rusty old shoe display carts, that would be Great, fitted with glass shelves! A darling chaise lounger, in French Style, from old pal, Sheila...{It was her mom's...it's really in mint condition...} a Sweet, early 1900's folding wire plant stand...and from Scott...{I love him!} A Very Cute, French stand, 2 marble lamps...the coolest French Shade, and a funky early 60's Globe... Then...as I was leaving, I bought the Gnarliest, little, Old, Old, Wooden Trencher... Oh My!!!!! Oh, I forgot about the bisque flower pots, and Great Old Bench... My, My!!!! Dale and I pretty much had a load on... But... There was another little thing, we had to do... Go to Jo's Auction...Just south of Des Moines...

We arrived around 10:30...it started at noon...We had no idea, there would be so much stuff... and... great stuff... Oh my... I got into REAL TROUBLE!!!! I bought, and bought and bought and...well...Bought...The ring had split, to 2 Auctioneers...{and they were the nicest guys...} Tho, Dale was bidding for me, in the furniture, I was literally running back and forth, and, my Flip Flops, were simply, in the way... so...off they went... and I was back on track...{ I'm such a Hick...} I had piles and piles of stuff, Jo was throwing sheets over my treasures, and I kept goin'! Oh my...

Dale and I were totally fried, by the end... It was a long day... and... there are going to be many more, long days, ahead.... I couldn't get anymore on the truck, tonight... so, I'll take the Ford, and Box Truck, tomorrow, and Tuesday... and hope... I can get everything on.... I'll have more images tomorrow... as I sort, at Jo's... I was buying so much great stuff, by the box full, that I really don't have a clue what is all there... All I know, it ranges from Primitives, to Victorian... Tinware...to, Majolica... and...all very cool... after all, It was Jo's Auction...and she's one of the Coolest, Classiest Cats, I know...

Barb C.

{I have just popped the cork, on the dusty bottle of Gnarly Head... I deserve it.... Wish you were here, to join me...

Cheers...} This is the beautiful fog, that ran for miles, along our early morning journey, following the Iowa River... it was Lovely... Here's a shot of the Ford, as we were leaving Valley Junction, this morning... oh my... These are the gnarliest cast iron Hand Moulds... Very old... I have a Sweet, friend, in mind, on these... Ahhh... Majolica.... I bought this darling blue and mustard pie safe... no doors... but... great display!{ I bought at least 4 cupboards... maybe 5.... I don't remember... It's all a blur... a bare footed, 'Gnarly Head' blur....} I Love these funky, tufted chairs! Jo used these in her dining room... and they are spic and span!!!{ Comfy, too!} Sweet Little Dry Sink! Darling French Vanity...WAAAAAY Cooler, in Person! This is the Darling Chaise, I bought from Shelia.... I carried it in, tonight, through all of the obstacles, of the Green House, and Rabbit Hole... I got it inside, and protected... but, it'll have to 'stand tall', for the night... I was done....It was GREAT seeing everyone, today.... Bev, Linda, Kim, Jo B. and her family, Catherine, Shelia, Stevie, Scott, Laura, Jo-Dan's... I could go on and on...Even being so far from home, it felt like home... I love Jo... Just being around her... is a 'Good Thing'...

A Beautiful Day... a "Drift in the Light"...

Meet Stan... What a Cool Cat... Stan does Lighting, for Musicians, all over the World...{the best of the best, musicians...} He is also, an amazing Artist... We are fortunate to have him based here, in Eastern Iowa.... I had written earlier, about his breath taking Light Show, "Drift in the Light", which was a HUGE SUCCESS!!!! Thousands enjoyed this extraordinary Event!.... {That I didn't get to...because of 'Life'} Stan had borrowed the 'Gnarliest Chandelier', to be included, in his show... {it's not for sale.... believe me...he tried... but... a promise is a promise... Thanks, Tommi, from "Fuel"...} I so enjoyed visiting with Stan, when he picked it up, a few weeks ago... He truly 'beamed', when he was sharing his vision... I can see why... The images, below, are from snaps Stan gave me... PLEASE check out the website...{driftinthelight.com} {they will be adding more, to this site, soon...it will be amazing...} My images are nothing, but a teaser... Stan brought a wonderful handwritten, 'thank you', and gifts, when returning the Chandelier...{thanks Dale F..... another opportunity to play with the Gnarly Piece! Perfect timing!!!}...The Gifts.... Totally not necessary... Just having some of my gnarly things, included in Stan's Amazing Show, was more than enough! { Well... Stan can always bring me some of Tommi's Famous Coffee Beans...oh my... check out 'Fuel', when you go visit Mt.Vernon...} I recognized several other pieces... and... one even had belonged on Dale F.'s Barn.... the Cupola.... Stan bought it at the Fall Harvest Sale, here, last year!

I'm so proud of Stan... Stepping out, and doing his own Art Show... Just think... Mick Jagger will someday say... "I knew Stan when..." A Very Cool Cat!

{ Thank You, Stan.... You will never know, how much this means to me... The things I Love and Cherish, being 'Spot lit'... when, so many...dismiss...Thank You...Thank You...Thank You...}

My Love to You... and can't wait to see your next 'Over the Top' Show...{I won't miss it...Promise...}

Barb C. Stan came bearing Gifts...Oh my...

I never knew how much I missed this Gnarly Old Gal... 'til she was swingin' 10 feet up, in the Shop...Welcome Home...Wonder if she's gonna be a little snooty, after having all the attention? I don't think so... She's a humble Old Soul... Here's Stan, and Dale... Thanks for helping getting The Old Gal, back in place...

Gatherings Open House!

Check out 'Gatherings'! I am a follower... Wanda is having her Fall Open House, and It is Amazing! Or, so I hear... I have been tied up, and couldn't get there... So... Go For Me!

Gatherings is located Downtown, Anamosa, Iowa...{ on Main Street! You Can't Miss It!!!! {319-462-6070}

Early Red Dry Sink...

I needed to get an image of this old Dry Sink on, for some friends, that have been anxious to see it... It looks way better in person... It's from the last half of the 1800's... It's Iowa Farmhouse... It measures 45 T., 48 W., and 19 D. a Great size....{Irene says Hello...}