Ahhh...Louie's Cousin...and a 1952..unopened Bottle of Champagne...Life is Good...

Allyson and I had a Lovely Day...ate an Amazing Meal... at Augusta...in Oxford... Joe...the Sweet Heart...was our Server...{I Love Joe....He is Awesome...} I had a Mushroom Po-Boy... oh yeah... Baby... These folks are from New Orleans...and know how to do it right! Everything is Fresh...and Made as You Order...all the breads...and desserts are made Fresh Daily! Oh My...Love It!

We spent a bit more time, eating and visiting...than we had planned... so we missed Sisters' Garden...and Rug Cottage... at the End of the Day....So..another Road Trip, is in Order!

When Allyson and I arrived, at The Antique Show.. in Kalona... The Very First Thing...I laid Eyes on...Was This Sofa.... Oh My Gosh!!!! Sitting perfectly...in the back end..of a Box Truck...I have always said.... If it's cool in the Back of a Truck...It's COOL!

I have been whining...ever since Louie Left... and I gotta tell ya... This Old Sofa...well...ain't Louie...But...He is as Close....as I could Ever Hope to Find...Wowza!

I found the un-opened Champagne, at the Estate Sale...yesterday...it has leaked...completely dry...no matter...it is Cool... Love it...and seems right at home...in the shop...

A Gnarly Thing....

Don't Miss The Antiquing In and Around Kalona!

Here are a few Gatherings...from this week...actually...the last couple of days.... Fun Stuff! From Estate Sales... Antique Shops.. Shows.... and Neighbors...I'm headed back to Kalona, in the Afternoon, tomorrow......to the Show... I'm Pondering a few things...if...they are still there...hmmm...I have to go look at a Huge Old...Old Clothing Store Cupboard...in the Morn... in Central Iowa...the owner said it's ...12 feet wide...and 6 feet tall...one piece... hmmmm... in old blue paint....hmmm...Intreaguing...

Neat Old Gathering Basket...in Great Shape! Just needs a bath...

Darling little key holder....

Love the Rug I found...at Shirley's Sale...in Fry Town....It was Great Seeing Erica...from Sisters' Garden....we got to Sisters' just as the gates were closing....Dang! The Darling...In 'Super' Condition, Vintage Chair, came from a Very Fun Top Drawer Tag Sale!

A wonderful Stack of Ironstone Oval Bowls....YUM!

Ahhh....Chandeliers....

Sweet Laundry Bench!

Darling...30's 6 legged Bench.... Very Sweet....

Very Large Mocha Yelloware Bowl....it's as found...Still Very Usable....Love the Watch Case...I saw it at Duwa's Auction...months ago...wanted it...but missed it...Then...at The Kalona Show....There it was...Oh My Gosh.... I bought it....for less than I was willing to go...at Auction....The folks were happy...I was happy, with the asking price...{didn't ask for a better price...when things are where I think I can do o.k....I won't ask...I do appreciate all discounts...it does help...}

FERN HILL'S SILVER CELEBRATION!!!

I wanted to remind you...about this Milestone... {click on the image, to Enlarge...}

I have known Pattie for at least 14 years... wow... Fern Hill is a Destination, here in Eastern Iowa...From Gorgeous Antiques...to the most unusual, Quilting Fabric...The store has 3 floors...fully decorated... and always ready to inspire... It's a Very Soulful Place...Fern Hill carries something, for everyone....

Their Sale...is running 25% off... during certain hours...of the day...so please click the image to see what you may want to take in!

I'll see ya There!

{Allyson and I are taking off around noon.... heading to Kalona... Checking out Sisters' Garden...Rug Cottage...and all of the Shops in the area...I am anxious to go to the Antique Show, downtown, Kalona...I think we'll stop for lunch...at Augusta's, in Oxford...It's New Orleans Style Food...then...tonight...I'm going out to Supper with our Neighbor....May...She's from Ireland...and I Love her...we have promised each other...a Supper...for 10 years...it's about time...Someday...I'd like to go with her to Ireland... we have talked about it...many times... ahhhh ...Ireland...my Roots...

Some Day....

I had a Crazy Busy Day...Yesterday....With the Truck down...I was running to appointments...then having to double back...with the FIXED TRUCK {THANKS JOHN!!!} and load....John had to go with, at the last stop...I bought two awkward benches, out of a basement...{Thanks Gail!!!} and a 28 foot extension ladder....and an upholstered chair...{poor John hooked his arm, on a handrail...and tore the skin right off...he doesn't get off on the pain...oh dear....} and....lots of littles...Didn't get home 'til after 7....then met with a nice lady, that had a Chandelier...and some Frenchy type things...so...it was late....The Shop is all torn up...I'm moving furniture....oh dear...  I think I really do...get off..on the Pain!!!!}

Love to Ya!

Barb C,

Sometimes...I Think...I Get Off...on The Pain...{oh yeah...there is Something...about Dancing in the Flames....}

If...You aren't clicking...on the tunes...you are missing...much...of the message...

{Scroll down...and click on this song...you may find...it touches a nerve...}

I have lived...a Country Song...my entire life....some day...I'll write it....in an Amazing Book...

For Now...The Lyrics...to a Perfect... Gary Allan Song....says it all...

 however...the Kenny Chesney Tunes...Make me Smile....{kind of like...what Sweet Sally...does to my Soul...}

I was captivated by these lyrics...tonight...they rang...so true....hmmmm....

I Love the Long Shots....

And the Left Out...Lost Causes...

Hanging Out..In... The Back Of The Pack....

With the Dark Horses...

I Ride the Wrong Road...

Just as Fast as I Can...

God Knows...There's No One Else to Blame...

Sometimes...

I Think...I Get Off..on the Pain...

Ahhh...Listen to the Song...It's Amazing...

Then...Listen to Chesney.... He...Totally...brings a SMILE...To my Face!

Love.....To Ya!

Barb C.

{ahhh...when I'm driving Miss. Sally...I am at the Gulf... White Sand...and... a Lovely....Iced  Beverage...in my Hand... New Orleans....maybe... I think Sally would Love... New Orleans...

The French Quarter...Yes...?

Anyone want to Join Me?...and Sal...?

I Think It would be Amazing...

Like My Pal.... Sponge Bob...would say.....

I'M READY!!!

Love to Ya...

Barb C.

It's All Good....

Whew...it was a Hot One...Yesterday.... Worked outside.... and had some heavy deliveries to make.... The Beautiful...Old, old...carved Limestone Bust, found her way...to Exactly Where she needed to be... Funny...how this seems to happen....I had badgered a Friend, to sell her to me...for a year and a half....because...I thought...I knew...EXACTLY where she needed to be.....Right here...with me....I Love Her....She touched me...the first moment I laid eyes on her....

But... when a Sweet Gal...Stephanie, starting asking questions about the Carved Woman, on the bed of the Ford...during The Memorial Day Weekend Sale......I had a feeling....The Woman...didn't ride home, to be with me....

Stephanie, put her on hold...and decided...She was Haunted by theWoman...as I had been... 

 When I pulled into Stephanie's Long Drive...Leading to her Rural ca. 1868 Estate... I hit the Brakes...on the the Little Ford...and Groped for my Camera...I had to get an image... It is Amazing....A Most Perfect Home...for the Woman. 

Stephanie, had some lovely... Heavy...Heavy Statues...we traded on...and she and I loaded...Stephanie is Little...but Burly...whew...we were both ringing wet, with sweat...after getting everything loaded...and the Carved Woman unloaded...
My Day was Crazy... had soo much to get done... it was soooo hot.... had deliveries...to Southern Iowa... after I got everything lined up...to load...a man called and dropped off...400 pounds of old glass insulators.... he informed me...he had set them on the back of the truck....ahh...the truck...I was taking...to make deliveries...
I had to unload them....bucket by bucket....they are frickin' heavy...whew....then I bailed in the Ford...and He wouldn't start....the fuel filter was clogged...{found out, after changing that...it's the pump...} was out...{see...Ford's never leave me sitting on the roadside...if....and that's IF they have an issue...it's usually...here at home...} so John started working on Him...I started gathering the load...and carrying to the truck...{thinking it would get done....quickly...} While taking down a pair of columns...the wire cut my hand...I was bleeding all over......{did I mention...it was sweltering...hot?...}
I got most everything loaded....then John said..."I'll get to this in the morning...it's a two hour job..."....
See...he didn't understand....I Had...to get this load done...rain is coming in....the next two days...{actually...a Nasty Storm was already brewing....but...I kept watching the sky as I was loading...... it looked like it was going to go north...it did...{70 mph winds...hail...Lightning....RAIN...Big...Rain....oh dear...}
I had to deliver some of the load...completely dry....so...I needed to Move.....Fast....I Turned to the heavily loaded...little Ford...{The Old Purple...} and started unloading...dirt....and wood...and car parts....{John grabbed the Broom...} We got Him all cleaned out... and transferred everything, from ...The Ford...to the little Ford... I Gotta Tell Ya...It was like he was the Little Engine That Could!!! Away we went! Muffler Roaring...{Even the Stone Lady was Proud to ride..in the Smaller version of the Ford Fam......!} That Little Ford was Singing...as we passed car after car.... making our way to Southern Iowa! I got the first half, unloaded...then Flew to Stephanie's... The Storm was not far off...it produced an Amazing Show...Stephanie and I, sat on her Veranda... with a Cool Breeze...bringing the Storm closer... we sipped an Ice Cold Bottle of  Beer... in Old Adirondack Chairs...and just visited... it was Wonderful....
After the Storm Blew Over... The little Ford and I headed North...had to stop at the store... out of lens cleaner...and my eyes were a mess....so...it was after midnight...when we rolled in... Today...I'm waiting for the repairs on the Ford... then..I have to pick up some 12 to 14, by 5 and a half feet wide...trelliss'.... oh dear...they are sold...so I'll have to take them to storage...oh...dear....
There is an Antique Show..in Kalona, Iowa...I'd like to go shop...{it starts in the morn...Allyson and I are making an afternoon out of it, tomorrow....we'll hit Sisters' and Barntiques...and all of the Kalona Shops!} I just got a call...to come look at a bunch of stuff...I Need The Truck!!!!
Oh well...I'll bail in Sally...I can go back...for stuff later...Ye Haw!!!
Gotta Go!!!!
Love to Ya!!!!
Barb .

Life is Too Short....

Pal, Amy N., sent me a a chain type letter...I rarely pass them on...and...I didn't this one... but I will pass on the Wonderful Message...that we all need to hear...{also...please...rescue from Animal Shelter's...you'll rescue once...they will rescue you...over and over...}

Life is too short for Drama....or Petty Things...
So...
Laugh Hard...Love Truly...

Peg...Dale...and Amy...Angels...

and...
Forgive,...Quickly...
Live...While You are Alive...
Forgive, Now...Those Who Have Made You Cry....

{Amy has no idea...how I needed to hear this...today...She's quite the Little Angel....}
Love to Ya....
Barb C.

Blog Issues....

I have tried to leave comments, on blogs...and can't.... I'm working on it...
sooo....
Check out Virginia Rose {Love All Of The Cool Iron...at Kathy's!} Gatherings....Sweet Repose...Summer Sundays...really...check out who I follow...they have been doing some Fun Stuff!!!!
Still working on getting different music...just way to busy....scroll down..click on the music...
Love to ya...I'm runnin' out the door...
Have an Amazing Day!
Barb C.

Somewhere...with You... oh my....

An amazing day...Had much business...to tend to.... I gotta tell ya..I direct folks...like I would direct...my Children....or...my Mother...or...my Best Friend...is that financially advantageous...ahhh...nope...but it's the Right Thing...to do....
Had a meeting with a friend...this morn... it was great...left her...with a lot to process....
Then...we took off...and went 'Junkin'! What Fun! Tho...I found many treasures...I'll have go back for.... {Sally isn't suited...for Major hauling.... }but...she is a Mighty Fine Companion....
I hooked up, with pal, Jan... we took in Country Fair...in Coal Valley, Ill... then the FUN... 'Junk Asylum'!...It was Packed!!! It was Great seeing Lorie... and I found some very Fun Stuff!!! Ran into Sweet Colleen... She was just bringing in a huge box full of early Ironstone...I bought it ALL!!! She had a darling 30's doll house...perfect for Christmas...with Gnarly Bottle Bush Trees... and a set of 4, 30's... Colonial Revival, ladder back chairs.... fun...{they will be Great...with Vintage feed sack seats, we'll put on.... SWEET...}Thing is...she had to haul them back to C.R.....Sally could only take...so much...So...I had to go to Ced-Rel...where Colleen works...after I got home...{the Food is Amazing...oh my...try the 'Oh My Shrimp"....Oh...My...}to pick them up...this eve.... I unloaded Sally...at Home...then...made a bee line for Ced-Rel.... {just minutes from my door...}What Fun!!!
Jan and I ate at The Castle Lodge... for Lunch...A Very Cool Place........ It's in Bettendorf... on the Mississippi...Whew...What a Blast! I had a Martini...wa hoo...{she was driving...}
We had a Great Time...It was in the upper 90's... but...Sally had her top down...and the hour and a half drive was....amazing....It's So Wonderful...to have the Sun on My Face...Love...It...
While eating supper, this eve... with Colleen...a girl came out from the kitchen...asked who owned the Mustang...with the furniture sticking out of it... I proudly said..."Me".... We had a Long Chat....She just bought a BRAND NEW MUSTANG...ahhhh...a Racing...Mustang.... HOT! I shared my Mustang Love Stories with her... ahhh.... Let me tell ya... I can dump a clutch...with the hammer down...and SMOKE TIRES LIKE NO OTHER!!!! I can bring the Best ... out of Any Engine...Whew... It was like talking to my Twin...Like I have known her...my entire life... she is a Racer...too... oh my....
I told her...Sally is a Gentle Spirit...My Therapist... fun...free spirited.... Not...a Muscle Car...{I know a Muscle Car....oh...Baby....} now...the Little Ford Truck...oh my.... I'll Blow Fricken Doors Off!!! Man...That Little Ford...can Light 'em Up!!!! oh dear....
It was a Lovely Day...Good Friends...Good Finds...Good Food... Great Conversations...and...a Martini...or two...on a Hot...Hot...afternoon...Who Could Ask...for Anything More...?
Love, to Ya...

The above images are from The Junk Asylum... Jan and I had a Fun Time...and I found some Great Stuff...The Store was Full! Hope you can check it out....click on the image of the flier...for details!

We all knew..it would happen...The Little Mustang...would have to eventually...pull her own weight.... a Draft Horse...Sally is Not....
But...That's O.K.!
She does more for me.... than anyone...could ever know... so...if she is a little tender footed... No Worries.... The Little Ford...Knows His way...to Illinois...and He...can Haul a Load... Sally... She takes a load...off... my mind...a Wonderful...Escape...

Jan took the huge collection of Ironstone, from the big box, Colleen had it in....and dispersed it, throughout Sally's Trunk....ahhh...A Trunk Full of Spoils...of a Great Day Antiquing!!!! 

Barb C.

On The Road...

Headed towards the Mighty Miss! Hooking up with a friend....and doing a little Business...then...doing a little Shoppin'!
It's gonna be a Hot One!!! I'm taking Sally...and Slathering on the Sun Screen!
Don't forget the Kids and Critters...in this heat...!
Have a Lovely Day!

Poppies...and...Peonies....John snapped these images the other afternoon...Ahhh....Summer....

Barb C.

Another Wonderful Day... Lookin' Up...{re-written....}

Ahhh...It's 91...and the Sun Shining....! Yeah!
Had some Great Folks stop by...and dig through the Shop.... They Love Primitives...I sent a wonderful, early 1800's ladder back chair home with them...and a Darling Little Potato Stamped Basket!
Oh my...I am not usually open, on Mondays...but...If I'm Here...I'm Open!
Colleen, and Cindy... from Smokehouse Square Antiques sent them....God Love 'em!
After the Folks were done shoppin'...we sat under the Old Oak...and got pretty deep...in conversation....{it truly is...about the Journey...Thanks...Ed...}
I sat...early this morn...taking in nourishment....{breakfast}...in the Greenhouse...I so Love it there...early....sippin' Strong Coffee...and ....I gotta tell ya....the food...tastes better... outside...
I needed to write some over due letters... to ones...who have been on my Heart... and...got it done...I didn't relay all that was in my Heart...I'm saving that...for when I see them...again... Face...to Face...{honestly...when that happens..a 'look'...and hug...will say it all...}
I had to get things in order...this afternoon...in preparation... for a Sale...I may be conducting...for a friend... it's going to be a Journey...oh Dear...
I have had to Process...Much...this, last week...with so little...energy...left... but... somehow... have digested it all...tho...some of it...has been...very distasteful...
The Image...I have posted...is of my Best Friend... well...her Grave Stone...{John and I stopped in Palo, Iowa...on our drive....I wanted to visit...Dorene..}I remember...as she and I rode by...this house...over 30 years ago...on a 60 mile journey...horseback... {where I now live...and..lived shortly...after Dorene's Death...} Dorene...said to me.."I'm going to live there...some day..." She was 16...I was 14... she died... when she was 17.... I was a Poll Bearer...at 15... I moved in...to this very house...when I was 19...REAL.... This is Real....Who...could have known? Not Me... I...would live here...???? for thirty years..??? really...{I looked at this house...when Dorene made her wish...to live here...and hoped she would...my dream...driving a Freightliner...or Kenworth...anything...with 18 wheels...down the Highway... seeing the Country...and getting paid for it....}
oh my friends...don't blink....
One of the folks I visited with...today...was a Funeral Director...the other....a Kindergarten Teacher...???

Her Name was...DORENE...don't Even...think about calling her Twinkles....{Oh My Gosh...She Hated That!!!} and...she could kick your Butt!...We were from the 'other ' side of the Tracks...and honey...we could...kick some butt....and...we did... oh dear...I Miss Her...and Wonder...what she would have named her babies... who she would have married...Where...She would be...now...}

 Remember... the times in your life...you don't care who your neighbors are.... when you are born...and when you die...
Get Along....
Be KIND...To Yourself...And Others....
God Bless...
Barb C.
Life is a BLINK....It Is All...About The Journey....
{Yep...I deleted...the Venting... it is...what it is...
The Truth is.....Folks may have more money....but...money can't buy what's most important...in the scheme of things...
 I can be happy...{and have been...}in a tin shed... and... I'll just keep doing...what I do best...and Love most...and have a Passion, for... I am what I am...and...I won't ever try and be something I'm not...simply...to make a buck... that's way too high of a price...for me, to pay....That's a Journey...I don't care to Take.... God Bless us...Everyone....} ahh...it goes back to one of my favorite sayings...."Don't stand there and tell me it's rainin'...while you're peeing on my shoe..."
See...I have a 'Problem'...with Those kind of Folk...Bless...Their...Hearts!!!!!!