Estate Tag Sale... on the Calendar! April 6, 7...8 and 9!!!

This, will be a Wonderful Sale!

This Early, 1900's Home, in Cedar Rapids...

is, Beautiful.

It's Three Stories...plus, a Finished Basement.

Packed....Full. 

: )

There is Everything.....from Sets...and Sets...of Fine China....to barely used, modern tools.

{some, never used. }

Beautiful Clothes, Shoes...Household...

even, items for Children....and Teens! : )

Vintage, and like New....Toys. : )

Lovely...Furniture, 

Interior, Patio, and Garden.

Artwork...to Linens.

Just, did a 'walk through'....yesterday.

There is MUCH....and, once we get Everything pulled out, I'll be posting Many...Many...Images.

{There is an Amazing..Vintage, Billiard Table, on the Third Floor. }

This is a 'Living' Estate Sale.

The Owner, is moving to a Fully Furnished...Retirement Home, in Arizona.

Everything...in This, Beautiful...Iowa, Home...Goes!

We'll be running this Sale, for 4 Days!!!

It's a Big One!!!

: )

I've never done a 'Sale'...this Diverse.

Modern, {like New}...to Very...Old. : )

The House, itself, is....Over the Top. <3

The Architect, that designed, Cedar Rapids' Historic 'Brucemore'...

also, designed this Home. 

It's a Treasure, and...for Sale. : )

Karen, the Realtor, will be in attendance for the entirety of The Sale...

for those, whom are interested!!!

{She's Great!!! : ) }

The House will Not be Open, for 'Showings'...until April 6th. 

: )

We're gonna Sell'er Down....to The Walls!

Making room, for The Next....'Family'...to share decades, 

of 'Their' lives, here. 

: )

Make Plans...to Attend!

Love, to ya...

Barb C,

Below, are a few...pictures...'Snippets'... of two small portions, of two rooms.

This...is the Tip... of the Iceberg. 

: ) 

Leave it...to 'Alice'...to solve The Hatter's Dilemma.

Thanks, so Much...to Everyone, who shared their thoughts, about...

'To Paint'...

or,

'Not'.

The 'Not' Folks...won, by a Landslide!!!

Alice... {Friend, Shannon...dressed as 'Alice' at The Rabbit Hole's Tea Party }

saw, the image...of the Beautiful, old...Secretary...shortly, after I posted it, here.

I held for her...until, she stopped by, yesterday...to take a closer look.

She thought, it would match her Grandmother's Side Board...and Table.

It does!

So, she's going to buy it...'As Found'. <3

She's not...going to paint it. 

She, also...brought me a picture, from a recent Magazine, that has a similar one, painted white.

: )

She and I...agreed, we could Love It...either way. : )

I, had decided, I was going to clean, and seal it....

then, in 6 weeks, or so...if, it hadn't sold....

I was going to paint.

but, 'Alice'...Saved the Day!

: )

I'm so Happy...it's found, a Wonderful...Home.

<3

Priceless.

<3

Love, to ya...

and, Thank You...

Barb C.

Paint, or Not...Paint. That, is The Question.

Just...picked this Old...Secretary ...Cabinet up....today.

I plopped in Justin's Shop....

because, I don't know whether I should paint it, French Country....

or...

Clean, and seal it.

It would be a Show Stopper, when I get done with it...in Paint.

I'd make it look, 'French Country', all the way.

but...

It's so...Pretty, in it's Original, 1920's Finish.

: ( 

: )

I'm asking Folks...to give me their thoughts, here, and on Facebook {Simply Iowa }

I'll decide, on Thursday.

Give it a couple of days. : )

This piece has it's original tag....

It was made, in New York.

Probably...around 1920.

It's been in One, Family...most of it's life.

It lived in California....most, of it's life...

then, came to Iowa...about 30 years ago.

It's been Well...cared for. 

<3

The top drawer...is a Secret Writing Desk...the drawer front flips down...for a writing surface, with lots of pigeon holes, for letters, inside.... : ) 

I, could Love This...Painted, or Not.

'The Look'...these days...calls for 'Paint'. 

so....

I, don't know...what, to do.

It's Painful!!!

Help!

Love...to ya.

Barb C.

Trouble... oh....dear. The rabbit hole, is a 'Vortex'. I,tell ya. It...Sucks Ya...Right In!!!

Sweetie and me...

had a Great Day...down the rabbit hole.

: )

It, started off...like Gang Busters!!!

then, : )...

like, always....

I got sucked down...'the vortex'.

{sigh....}

Peg and I...used to laugh, about it.

Unless, you've...'been here'...'working'...

you, have no idea.

: )

Trying...to stay 'focused'...and, on track...

is, nearly...Impossible.

: )

I began working in the front, green house.

That, went well...

until...I heard a 'Cooing'...sound.

Sweetie, did...too.

I looked up, through the glass, and saw, The Mourning Dove.

I, hadn't seen him, for a long time.

I was worried, something had happened to him.

There are three...that, are always...close by.

A Pair, and...this, one.

It's funny, when I go outside...I can find him, in eye shot...no matter.

I've looked for him, over the last, several weeks...and...he hasn't been around.

What a Gift...it was, to see, and hear him, again...just above us.

<3

: )

We went inside, and began to sort....

: )

oh...dear.

Much...has been rolling in.

I didn't put the 'Open' sign, up....

The rabbit hole, isn't ready, for anyone...who isn't 'prepared'.

Had a friend, call...so...I was expecting her.

but, then...several....more...popped in.

oh my. : )

As I worked, and was shuffling...

well...

that's when I got sucked in.

: )

Ran across...some Wonderful...Old...Books.

: )

of course...I had to sit down, and flip through 'em.

: )

Then, found some hand written Letters, from the 1840's.

oh....dear. : )

The vacuum...is laying...just where I'd left it.

Folks, were having to step over it....

{I told 'em...if it was in their way, to go ahead...and flip the switch...and get Busy!!!}

hahaha!

They, decided...they'd just step over...

and, it was Just Fine...where I'd left it. : ) 

Oh...My.

That Vortex.

: )

I'll get more pictures...tomorrow.

Today...

I was stuck...in 'Virgil's Corner'.

Primitives...Books...Kitchen...and, old...Soulful...

Cupboards.

{an 8x8 'vortex' } 

: )

Love, to ya...

Barb C.

I pulled a stack...of Old Books, from Virgil's Cupboard.
Look, at the repair...on the binding, of this one.
If...You...
could pick this old book up....
hold it, in your hands...
see, the hand stitched...repair, and...Not, open it up.....
You, are Better Person...than Me!!!
'VORTEX!!!'

of course....
I HAD....to examine, and sort...the Hand Made...Tin...
Cookie Cutters!!!
{oh....dear. }

Got a Good, 'Start'...on the front greenhouse....
then, I heard the Dove.
It, was...all....over.
then, I got caught up.....
in...
The Vortex.
<3

The Dove...
is the biggest spot, just to the right...of the candelabra.
<3
He sat there...forever, cooing, and watching...me, and Sweetie.
A Beautiful...Gift.

Shutters and Doors.

Spent the last few days... Gathering.

Daughter, Liz...is moving, and brought some things back, that she'd borrowed, 8 years ago. 

I, remembered them all! 

{I can't remember, what I did yesterday... but, I Never forget...an 'Old Soul'! : ) }

I'm working on getting things in order, down the rabbit hole...with so much...finding it's way...to it. 

I'm Opening the shop...Thursdays thru Saturdays, unless I'm at an Event.

Have 'Visitors', coming...today, so...I have to Scoot! 

I'll take some pictures, today...and get caught up here, on the blog, hopefully...this Evening. 

Love, to Ya!

Barb C.

The Sun...is Shining, in Iowa.

Loading....and gathering.

oh my.

Life... has been, so insane...on so many levels.

I wrote a long post, about...some 'stuff'...that's coming our way,

that...I was just informed of...Thursday evening.

then, deleted it.

Not, good 'Junk'...like the above, resting on The Ford.

: )

It...knocked me off of my pins.

but, after...doing a A LOT...of Praying, 

I realize, 'It's' all in His Hands.

: )

Frustration...and worry, don't come from The Lord.

I had a melt down...all day, yesterday. 

Got Nothing...done.

That's not, what The Lord...has in mind, for us.

So, it's a Beautiful...day, today.

One, that...many aren't Blessed to see.

or...have the ability...to 'work'...in. 

The Weather, is such a Gift.

It's Sunny, and in the 60's.

That's unreal, for February...in Iowa.

: )

I'm going to work...down the rabbit hole, then...later...

go visit, with a Man...who is thinking about having a 'Living Estate' Sale.

I Hope... the Sun is Shining where you are, today. : )

I...Hope... you are Enjoying...this Day.

Love, to ya...

Barb C. 

I spent most, of the Beautiful...Warm...Sunny....day, yesterday...
heartsick.
Then, I reached for my Streams in the Desert.
I've read it, so many times...over the years, I ask The Lord, to choose...what I need to see.
: )
{Should have asked Him...before, I went to the meeting, the night...prior.}
This...is a bit, of what I read.
<3
oh...my.
He's...Always...Here, waiting. <3

Great Time in Rock Island!!!

We had a Great Time...in Rock Island,

at Tammy Mendoza's Event!!!

Liz came...and helped, we had the booth set in 3 hours!

It was streamlined, from what we usually do, but....

it was a Fun...Sampling....from the rabbit hole.

Our booth. : )

See the Big....Velvet Heart!
I spotted this, next to my Friends, Colleen and Darrel's Booth.
The owner, wasn't there...so, I asked Colleen, if she would tell the owner, I wanted to buy it...when she returned.
She said she would. : )
Then...a bit later, Colleen brought it to my booth....and said,
"Happy Valentine's Day!!!"... and gave it, to me.
<3 <3 <3
{I put a sold tag on it...and displayed it...on the old, gate. : ) <3 }
I, am Truly...Blessed, by some Wonderful...Angels, in my life. : ) <3

: )

Our Booth. : )

After seeing the Show, during set up....
I called Mark Nutt, and told him... he needed to send some of his 'treasures' with....

The Show...was a perfect fit, for him.

He decided to bring a load...for the booth, Saturday morning, himself!

I was soooo Impressed, in so many ways...with this Event.

It's a very, 'tight'...event.

21 Vendors.

{The show started, 59 years ago...with 12, and stayed that size...for many years.

They never wanted it to become... 'Big'. }

My friend, Tammy, and her Mother...took it over...18 years ago...

and added a few more.

: )

It doesn't need, to be 'Big'.... in size.

Truly.

There are some Wonderful....Vendors... who bring....Amazing, Treasures.

I had little time, to visit....but....when I did, I Thoroughly.... Enjoyed Everyone!

Everyone, was so...Kind. <3

It was like a Family.

The Customers, were Fantastic....too!

They came, throughout both days...non stop.

As I visited with them, I realized, These folks....are devoted to this event.

Most, said....they haven't missed a year, no matter how young, or old...they were.

Everyone, was Friendly...and laid back. : )

I saw so many....Beautiful, and unusual....things.

The Dealers, were happy, to share their knowledge....as, I was stumped...by several things.

{You never, can learn it all....when it comes to the Old Souls. : )

That's what keeps Loving them....so Fresh! }

It was interesting, to me...to see the difference, that only a 100 miles, can make....

in the Style, of what people collect, and offer.

This is the only Event, I do... on The River. {Mississippi }

I Love, 'River Towns'.

They are always... diverse,

a melding pot.

This event... was a perfect example.

There were things there...from the 1700's...to the 1970's.

Yes....

just like, a River Town.

: )

Everything...and, Everyone...was 'Interesting'.

LOVED Being a Part...of it.!

The Rabbit Hole, fit right in!!!

I'm going back...next year. <3

One of my Favorite...Vendors, was from St. Louis.

He had his little hound, with him.

<3

{This event...is 'Animal Friendly'. <3

One of the customers, came in...with her Cat.

One eyed cat... like Liz's two. ; )

His name was Rooster Cogburn!

{from The One Eyed, John Wayne character ...in my Favorite Movie, True Grit!!! <3

We had a Lovely...visit!}

The man, from St. Louis, had Dozens...of French Jewelry Caskets...

I'd never seen so many....in my life.

{oh dear... }

His Booth...was layered.... with Amazing....French items, and Victorian Soulfulness.

The little....Black, inlaid...French Perfume...box, was what I REALLY....had my eye on.
<3
Inside, it had it's original, pink....silk....lining. <3
It, also...still had it's Original...had made....Perfume Bottles. <3
They both...had their original, fancy...tops, and...under those...their hand made, glass stoppers.
Oh My GOSH!!!
<3 <3 <3
It dates...from the 1860's.
and... the price....
was only...
125.00.
Oh My GOSH!!!
but, I had a Goal...for New Fuso Tires...
{waaaaaaay More....than 125. 00 : ( }
so, had to leave it... behind.
: (
{sigh......}
 {sniffle...}
{ boo...hoo... : ( }
{Next Year!!! }

Holy Smokes!

They had to follow me with a Mop...and Bucket, after every time I visited him.

I was Drooling....over Everything...he had!!! : )

Unfortunately... the Fuso....is in need, of Rear Dual tires...

He winces...every time we hit a pot hole....or pebble, on the road.

soooo....

couldn't bring home....any of The St. Louis....Soulfulness...this time.

{I'll be saving up...for next year. : ) <3 }

I did, however... run into a Darling....little Old....

Teddy Bear.

: )

The Vendor, gave me a wonderful price...on the Little, well Loved....Teddy.

I couldn't leave him. <3 <3 <3

We had a Lovely....time.

Hope to see You...there, Next Year!!!
Love, to ya...
Barb C.
{I forgot to mention...the Wonderful, Homemade... Mexican Food, and Bakery....
that was offered there. : )
Good Eats!!! }



Bringing a little 'SPRING'...to Rock Island... THIS WEEKEND!!!

Gathered Up... a Load, for Tammy's Event...

yesterday. : )

Picked up Several....Old, Old.... Vintage Floral Rugs!!!

Some....are in long strips....like Runners, some...are whole.

: )

ALL....

are Beautiful!!!

Covered in Florals!!!

WE NEED FLOWERS....

in Iowa...

in...

February!!!

What a Fun...Load : )  

Little Old Toys....

a Victorian Wire....Plant Stand.

an...Old...Old... Melodeon Organ...., in pieces.

LOVE IT!!!

It has sooooo many....wonderful Fragments, that I'll be offering, but....

the Base... is Sooooo Cool!

Wow!!!

: )

Can't Wait....to 'Play' with It!!!

 and Fill it Up.... with Old Soulfulness!!!

{and...

FLOWERS!!!}

I have one, here...that I bought several years ago.

It's not for sale.

I used it at Mom and John's Celebration of Life.

<3

Used it like a Memory Stand / Table.

It...was Beautiful.

:<3

I use it, at events, now....for 'Display'...only.

This one, will be for sale.

It's...so Worn...and Beautiful. <3

Loading Today...for Rock Island!

Hope to See Ya!

Barb C.

As I unrolled, and examined...the Old, worn...
Beautiful....Floral Rugs, in a Very...Cold...Building, yesterday,
oh my.
: )
SPRING...was in the Air...the moment, I saw the FLORA...on them.
oh my.
Some...are in Long...Strips. Some...{most} have holes, here and there. : )
I, thought..... 'Wouldn't these be Amazing....Covering Furniture....
or...
simply...
hanging fragments, of them....on a wall.
 {even, framed up....in Vintage Picture Frames!!! }
like...
a Piece of Art!!!
{that,They....Truly.... Are, <3 <3 <3 }
Sooooo
Soulful.
{sigh................. : ) }
<3

A 'Pop Up' Show... for Simply Iowa!

Oh My!

: )

A Dear...Friend, Tammy...called yesterday.

She, and I have visited, over the years.

We met...through Blogger!

She reads my blog...and, understands...

this 'Mad'...Hatter 'Life', too. : )

We, have a lot...in common. 

We've Both...walked, in Very similar...shoes.

'Good'....: )

and, sometimes...not...so much.

We both, understand...'It's All...about 'The Journey'. 

: )

{What a Ride!!! }

She has promoted a Long Standing...Event, for 18..

of it's 59 years.

{Wow!}

It's not a Huge...event, not...hundreds of Vendors, 

It's...a Close Knit...

Long...Running...

 Event.

She'd had a couple of cancellations...and, asked....if I'd like to come....

and bring 'Simply Iowa'...to The Quad Cities.

: )

It was strange, that she called, when...she did.

I had been doing a Lot...of 'Thinking'....about the direction, I need to go...

and, where I was going to set the Sails....heading into...the Future.

My mind, has mulled over....so many avenues.... : )

What I keep...coming back to...

is 'Small'.

: )

'Close'...

'Intimate'...

'Personal'.

There are few...on this Earth....

that know the saying, better....

and have Strived...Harder...to Achieve...It...

than, myself...

: )

"Go BIG...or Go Home"!!!!

: )

hahahaha!!!

I've Done It!!!

but....

I listen to my Heart.

My Heart...is telling me...

to get back...to 'where' 'It'...all began.

: )

I'm headed to Tammy's Event....

in Rock Island, this weekend.

: )

Taking a 'Sweet'....Load, of what I Love....

<3

Promote....our 'Memorial Day Weekend' Sale....

{May 26th....thru May 29th. : ) }

here....

down the rabbit hole.

: )

Smile....

: )

and Enjoy, 

Visiting....with the Folks from The Quad Cities.

: )

Sometimes...

'Big'...

is, just...

'Big'.

Sometimes....

'Little'

: )

is

'Mighty'

in..many ways. 

<3

I, hope...some of our Blogger Friends...will come see us.

I'm looking...Soooo Forward, to this, and Thankful...

Tammy thought of me. 

: )

Love....to ya,

Barb C.

Found this...Crazy....Old...Gnarly....Lion, yesterday.
<3
He's coming 'with'...to Tammy's Event.
<3
I'm gathering up....some very Soulful.....'things'....for the Quad Cities....Attendees.
<3

Aretha Franklin - Bridge Over Troubled Water