I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing...

This song... really takes me back...I remember it, as a child... I didn't understand it, then... I sure do, today... I know, it's a long stretch... how sad... It would be so, incredibly great, if we could all get along...Live, and let live... oh my... I always thought of myself, as kind of a 'Red Neck'.... I guess, there must be a little 'Hippie' entwined with the Mad Hatter....

Spent the day, working in the shop... Cleaning, organizing... Allyson and Dale popped in, we had a great visit... We all went to Steph's new house... delivered some cool lawn furniture, and visited with Steph and her Mom, Pattie.... {Stephanie Brandenberg Studios} {Fern Hill}.... We sipped Gin and Tonics, and took on the World... It was a very relaxing evening....{ this could be dangerous... Steph is now a neighbor.... She lives about a stones throw away... Yikes!}

I took the image of the old Windsor Chair's shadow, that is situated, in the most important spot, in the house, this evening... My coffee sippin', phone talkin', blog writing, head of the gnarliest place, in my world... the head of the Old Harvest Table...{ that only me, and Harold could Love}My little place...I thought it was a cool shot...

I'm totally worn out... It was a long, hot, and rainy day....

'til next time... Barb C.

Peg is Home...

They still don't know what the hay... but... Peg is glad to be HOME! Maybe the Mega Antibiotics will get her fixed up, no matter... I am thrilled, she's home...I can't wait, to see her laugh, like she is doing in this image, with Dale... {After I said we'd have to move the 'Big Daddy' fountain, a few inches ahead}.... Dale called, the other night, to ask how Peg was doing... he was concerned... I relayed his kind words, to Peg... She said, "ask him if he's as concerned about me, as he was his 'bowling finger'...{ an inside joke, and a very funny story....later} When I told Dale what she had said, he went silent.... Then ROARED! "She must be feeling better"..."I'm gonna get her!"... Thanks for all of the wonderful words, and advise, from so many....

I wrote about the other day, 'The Rest of the Story', it's 2 posts down... Blessings...

Barb C.

Victorian Finds....{ and a 'Peg' update...}

Love these old silver wine coolers... They are so versatile.... They can hold, rolled wash cloths, in the bath room... be a most lovely Floral Vase, or, hold a bottle of wine!

Victorian Wool Wreath... I love 'em...

Victorian Wreath, made of feathers.... oh my....

This is a neat old oil, on canvas... Turn of the last century, I would guess... It's around 40 inches tall, and very nicely done.... Perfect for the Minnesota Folk!

This is a large, oil on canvas... Maybe, mid 1900's.... It's signed... I am a sucker for anything 'Fruit'... It has a great look....

These are a few of the treasures I gathered, while taking a road trip, with Maurina... We had a great day, ate a great lunch at Jumer's Casino, { we don't gamble, but, the Buffet is wonderful!} and had a nice load, for the day....

{Peg called, today... Still in the hospital... she did get to eat a little, today.... Tests are coming back, with no answers... It's not Lyme... It's not Hepatitis, it's not H1N1... It's not, alot of things... We just want to know, what the heck, is it.... They are still treating her with loads of antibiotics.... She sounds better... It's going to be a ruff, several months, I'm thinkin'....She wants me to Thank Everyone, who has sent Prayers.... and 'Well Wishes'....Peg was so amazed when I told her about all the e-mail's... Thank You...

I'll keep you updated...}

I had written a long post, last night, about my experience, yesterday.... Oh my... I didn't post it...

It was a burner... All about respect... or, the lack of.... and... Road Rage....and Angels... and Smokin' rear tires... and spinnin' a u-turn... and confrontation... and... people...oh my... I told Peg, about it... I hadn't been in a situation like that, in 18 years... She was very happy, she wasn't riding shot gun... It was a true, Mad Hatter Moment...{ and, it was such a wonderful morning...before this unfortunate incident...}

These are the observations, I have made... Men should never assume, they can intimidate a woman, by the size of their vehicle, body, or mouth... Before you threaten someone, you had better think it over...Not everyone will turn the other cheek...they may just stand.... toe to toe... with you...

And... It is, what it is... Lets just get along....{I can say that now... yesterday, it wasn't just the tires that were smokin'...}

I know Angels were riding shotgun, with me.... and, with that man...a very good thing...

Barb C.

The Rest of the Story....Blessings....

As most folks who know me, know...I can totally identify, with the 'Mad Hatter'... {I'm sure, we are 'kin', somewhere...I, also, wear my emotions, very, very close to the surface...ah... like a 'Mood Ring'...} I have eluded to the fact, I'm docile, 'til provoked...'Right is Right'... after all... The ones, in my life, that can bring me to my knees, are the ones I love, the most... and that is a very long list... { I admire, respect and love, so many... well... it brings tears to my eyes, just thinking about them... { 4 legged folk, finned and feathered too...}{ many have no clue, how much they are loved...} I do my best, to do what is Fair, Right, and... Respectful....When folks are blatantly, disrespectful...well...{ As Peg{ The Mad March Hare} would say...{ they are one, and the same... you know} "Ooooh Booooy..." { thankfully, no one,{ or, very few} really close to me, have ever seen this 'Mad Hatter' side... why? you ask...well... RESPECT.... They treat me, like I treat them... No worries... So... here is the 'Rest of the Story'...Oh my... I was on the road, Tuesday, very early... Making deliveries.. It was a wonderful day... My last stop,{ around 10:00 a.m., was at the Lovely Store, 'Fern Hill' in the Village of South Amana... I visited with Steph, and Pattie, it was so great... We always seem to bring God into our work, and the Angels are right there with us...{ some with 2x4's... that comes later...} As I was headed home, I drove by, my favorite Amana Home...{ a house, that I have told everyone, riding with, over the years..."this is my favorite house... it calls to me, every time I pass...} What do I see... Piles of old chairs, a wonderful old cupboard, and all sorts of gnarly old, old stuff, strewn on the lawn...I had appointments, and a trip to Marion, to make... so, I drove on... about 2 miles... a little voice in my head, said..."Turn this Truck around... Stupid!" { 'stupid' came a few miles later...} So... I turned the truck around... Drove up, the long lane... knocked on the old screen door...{I could hear someone... very close... within a few feet of the door... maybe an animal...shuffling around} I yelled..."Hello"... nothing... I kept knocking... { I was on a mission...} Finally, I heard a voice... a familiar voice....I saw a shadow, of a woman... She stood inside...and we talked through the screen, I couldn't make out who she was... then after a few moments, she walked out the door... I recognized her... and gave her a Big Hug...I haven't seen her, for many, many years...She used to stop in at my store... years ago... She had been so down and out... her home, was, well, in trouble... we walked from the porch, into a shady spot ... we pulled up a couple of old, plank seat chairs, from the pile... and she began to tell me, about the last 10 years... oh my... I sat there and wept... for joy... Tho, times had been so incredibly difficult for her, the people who have come in, and helped her, are Angels... and she knows it... She has found God... It was the most wonderful visit...Something, I will Never forget... The 'Rest of the Story", Well... I won't forget, either... After I left the wonderful Old Amana Home, of my old Friend... I was full of 'bliss'... all was right with the world....... until I got to the 4 way sign, in Amana... {about 3 miles...} I stopped, and the guy facing me stopped... and the guy to my left, stopped... all about the same time... The guy facing me, was turning left... I was turning left, so, I pulled out with him, and we both went to our left... The Guy on My Left... well... even tho, he couldn't move, evidently, thought we were out of turn, and just as I was in front of his beautiful, new, SUV, Laid on his horn, made insane gestures, and appeared to be melting out of his door glass, and attempting to drive into my rear wheel...{ he was completely stopped, when we pulled out...} { I'm still basking in the 'Angelic' moment, I had experienced, just a few minutes prior... I was Stunned... { First of all... I always let people in... any doubt... let the other guy go...} { Ahhh... Did I mention... I am a Taurus.... ahhh... 'Red Flags'... ahh... RESPECT????} By now, I'm seeing him, gun his SUV, and... attempt...to hit my truck, and the very least, frighten me... well... I did get out of his way... checked my rear view mirror, to see if anyone was behind me.... then........... Slammed on the brakes, threw it in reverse... dumped the clutch... floored it... smoke was rollin' from my rear tires, so heavy, I couldn't see behind me, in the side mirrors.... so... Threw it into 1st, spun a half circle, and followed the man....{that... was the Mad Hatter Moment....} very slowly.... 'til he parked, in front of an Amana Eating Establishment...{3 blocks away from the intersection} I pulled up next to the clean cut, about my age, business man... then... walked up to him...and, in a surprisingly, calm, collected voice { those were the Angels...} Said.... "Sir... Are you the man, I just met, at the 4 way stop?" "yes", he replied... in a very soft voice...I looked at him, with all sorts of thoughts, running through my brain... "What's the problem, Sir?... Why in the world, would you do all the screaming, and give me the insane gestures? Then, attempt to run into my truck?" I asked... He replied, in a soft quiet tone... " Well... You were out of turn"... I stood there... for a moment...trying to comprehend, what he had just said... { thinking how incredibly fortunate, this man, and I was... I had 'Just' been touched by Angels...} I looked at him... then the restaurant....{my eyes blinking, in total disbelief...} I said...in a calm, collected tone.... " I am so sorry... if you 'Think', I was out of turn... You must be Starving to Death...to be in such a hurry....I must have cost you... ah... 3 seconds, at that sign...I sure hope you have a Wonderful Dinner...".... All he could muster, was... "hope you do too...".... I left him... totally Stunned... I know I shouldn't be so thin skinned... If he just would have been rude, inside his truck... I would have been taken back... but... he actually attempted to hit my truck.... I had to scoot, to avoid him... { I have made wrong moves in the past... I always take credit for them... if I had pulled in front of him, I would have said I was sorry... with a wave.... This man was out of his mind...} I am sure, I was being tested... I can see the devil, right now, saying " Well.... Your Angels touched her... but let me show ya, what a little disrespect can do...!" Oh yeah, baby... the smoke wasn't just rollin' off the tires.... It was comin' out of my ears!!!! I didn't use any naughty words... didn't come totally... unglued.... LOTS of points for that....and... I think...Angels were with him, as well... Now that I think of it.... I am sure... they were with him.... oh my.... I made my appointments... was blessed by kind, respectful folk, throughout the rest of the day... and... I didn't get arrested for assault.... All good... Who would have thought... Road Rage... in Amana, Iowa.... My low tolerance, for disrespect....Workin' on it... Barb C. P.S. I am posting this, today, in response to e-mails... { This experience, has haunted me, for 2 days... I believe everything happens for a reason... I've chatted with God about it... The words that keep coming back to me, are these; Sing... to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything. {Ephesians 5:19-20} No matter the source of evil confronting you, if you are in God and thereby surrounded by Him, you must realize that it has first passed through Him before coming to you. Because of this, you can thank Him for everything that comes your way. This does not mean thanking Him for the sin that accompanies evil, but offering thanks for what He will bring out of it. May God make our life one of continual thanksgiving, so then He will make everything a blessing. There is no doubt in my mind, God, and His Angels were there with us.... The devil may have pushed my buttons, and the mans buttons, as well.... but, for us so be able to speak so softly, yet, deliberately....{ and not one single slip... not one...}well... I gotta tell ya... it was nothing short of a miracle... There was a reason for this meeting... No doubt in my mind...} Now you know.... The rest, of the story... Barb C.

Park Place Hotel Antique Mall....

Park Place, is located on the main artery, through Marion, Iowa. Very easy to find... The Shop, is quite Grand... 3 full floors! Park Place is very diverse, everything from beautiful glass, advertising, stoneware to fishing gear and early Iowa Primitives! { Park Place Hotel Antique Mall 1104 7th Avenue Marion, Iowa 52302 319-377-2724} Meet the Girls! Three generations of them! Jenny, Katie and Maddie... And Barb... {in the white blouse} Barb and her husband, Dan, are the owners, and do such a great job... They work very hard at it, and have such a diverse group of dealers, throughout the Mall! I have collected clocks, for years... I always make a bee-line to this booth, to scope it out, and see if there is something I need!

This is the lower level... Seems I always find a treasure, or two there! Very Fun Stuff!

Got a 'Thing' about Lightning???? I love this collection of rods, balls, and directionals... they are beautiful....A true piece of Farm History!

Had a great time, tho, it was quite brief...{ had a very nice lady meeting me, and needed to be home...} Barb had called me on an Early, Walnut Stepback Cupboard, she was bringing in on Consignment... I love Walnut... Much of the earliest Iowa pieces, are made of Walnut... We had Huge Forests of it... The Amana people made so much of their furniture from Walnut. The more formal furniture...Beds, Wardrobes, Dining Tables... all of the 'finer' furniture... The work tables, and benches, were mostly made of Pine....{utilitarian pieces} They used a lot of Walnut, out east, too... New York, and New England... I think the early woodworkers loved using it...It is such a beautiful wood...Very nice to work with, the cabinet makers say...

The Old Cupboard, is probably 1840's to 1860's... and, I get the feeling, it is from here, in Iowa...or, at least, mid west.... The maker, tried very hard, to make it 'formal'...when I have images, I'll explain, in more detail...It is 2 pieces... the top is tall, and narrow... only 42 inches wide, and 10 inches deep... The doors on the top, are what stole my heart... each having 8 panes of glass... Not easy to find.... and the old glass is wonderful...{ Barb said one pane had been replaced... they did a wonderful job....} The base is very interesting, as well... very petite, with wonderful side cut outs, and amazing emerald shaped champhored panels... Someone, really worked hard, back in the day, to make this a very special cupboard, for someone, who meant a great deal, to them.......The crown is gone... but... as luck would have it... I dug around in the storage room, and found, theeeeee most perfect, 1870's, piece of crown moulding.... {see, now John gets mad at me, when I drag these old parts home... but when you are trying to preserve a piece, trim like this, is priceless!} I'll get images of it, when it's done... It could so easily become a 'keeper'....

Thanks to Barb O., for thinking of me... She said, " Do you ever get the feeling, you just know, when something has a certain persons name on it?".... My reply..."Ah, yeah... I do"...

Thanks, Sweetie...

Be sure and check out Park Place! There are several Great shops in Marion... Make an afternoon of it... You will have a Wonderful time! { Bring the Truck!}

Barb C.

Our Peg..... update

{this was taken, last November.... Peg and I were hunting pine branches, at a place my old friend, Julie goes, to get hers.... I spied this wonderful old fountain, in a pile of rubble... slammed on the brakes, backed up, and when Peg saw it, in the concrete refuse, her eyes got as big as saucers.... I was having a horrible bout, with my asthma... no air...{ that means, about half of my normal strength...} Peg, is a little over 100 pounds... My mind is racing, on who is close enough to come help lift 'Big Daddy', 4 feet up, to the truck's bed.... Peg kept saying " we're not leaving this!" "Barb... We are Not Leaving This!" I looked at her, and said, " Peg... I don't think you and I can get this loaded".... "let me think... who can I call..." She said, " I can do this... grab a hold... " so... on the count of three, we hoisted that massive bowl, into the truck... I have kept it, and it's never been for sale... it's a wonderful memory... no wonder Peg signs all of her art work, with an ant... Peg truly can move that rubber tree plant....} Mike, Peg's husband, called yesterday afternoon... Peg was admitted to the Hospital, yesterday morning... she is terribly dehydrated... They are pumping her up with fluids, and antibiotics.... Mike said, while waiting for her room, Peg was in a wheel chair, he walked away for a moment, when he came back, Peg had crawled out of the wheel chair, and was curled up on the waiting room's sofa... asleep...She is so incredibly weak, and exhausted... Peg called, last night... she said she was feeling better, already...and didn't want me to worry...{ whatever...} I told her, that she is in all of our prayers...They aren't sure what the problem is, yet... They are treating her for Lyme, and another 'tick illness', that is a bit more common, in Missouri... I'll keep ya posted... Barb C. { thanks to everyone, for the sweet e-mails, and 'well wishes', for Peg... Thanks to Wanda, {Gatherings}, she called, yesterday, and pretty much said, they needed to do, what they are FINALLY doing! {we were going to kidnap Peg, and bring her to Iowa, today, if they hadn't got movin' on her!}

Simply Iowa.... Home Veiws.....

Darling little chair, Liz and I found, Saturday...

I gathered more, early glass... Compotes, cake stands, spooners....

This is a perfectly removed top of a 1 or 2 gallon jug.... I love it... I don't know how they got it off, so clean... They must have broken the jug, and used the top, for a funnel! Iowans... The ultimate 'Re-Purposers'!

Picked up some great, old Wooden Bowls!

Marble lamp... Ahhh...

Found this darling, at a sale... Don't know if it's an open sugar, a spooner, or what... But it is stunning... I would guess, 1870's or 80's... It would be beautiful, serving anything...

These are a few things, I hauled in, yesterday... I kept busy... So worried about Peg.... Maurina just called... wanted to know if I'd like to take a road trip... Think I will...

Hope everyone has a Beautiful Day...

Barb C.

A 'Peg' Update....

{ this was taken last winter... Our Peg.... I pray... she has an Angel over her shoulder, today... Peg has had this mystery illness, since the 4th....too long...} Talked with Peg, this morning... She's much worse... Can't keep anything down... just water... Hasn't eaten much of anything, since Thursday... I begged her to go in... anywhere... she's going to her Doctor, AGAIN... tomorrow... She is so weak...Please, keep her in your prayers... Barb C.

Gnarly Ironstone... Gnarly Pincushions...Life is Good....

{ as I was taking images, earlier, I imagined, what would be wonderful, in this little Ironstone Darling... Tomatoes... fresh, sweet, ripe tomatoes...but... I have none.... so...gnarly, vintage tomato pin cushions were a perfect fit!....} Liz and I were out and about, yesterday... Went to Gail's Sale, and several others... Sally was loaded to the hilt! We had to put her top down, to get an upholstered chair in... the trunk, back seat and floor, of the little Mustang, was totally packed! A 4 gallon red wing crock, boxes and boxes of glassware, a gnarly tin planter, and sacks of miscellaneous, poked around everything... Sally did a great job! I got everything unloaded, and put in the shop, last night... Katie brought out Baby 'J'... What a treat to see them! He is growing like a bad weed! Kate says he's really getting active, and keeping her on her toes! Oh Boy! I'm workin' in the shop, today... lots to get done! Hope Everyone has The Most Beautiful Sunday.... Barb C.

Roses... and... Ironstone...

Found these little Ironstone pieces, along with the darling 'Rose' plate, scattered over a 100 mile journey... The roses reminded me of Sweet Diane... {fellow dog lover} She always unearthed all of my rose dishes... Haven't seen her, in a long time... Maybe this little plate will lure her out!

Bottle Brush Christmas Trees... Oh My...

I spied these wonderful little trees, during my travels, last week... they are in perfect condition... still holding their original labels... they look like they have never been used... well, that's kind of sad... they will definitely be 'front and center', in the shop's Christmas display!

Farmer's Lumber Co. Clutier, Iowa

These are two more little treasures I harvested, last week.... LOVE 'EM! Yeah, yeah, yeah.... they both have a little damage... the pitcher has only one little chip... But... It says "Farmer's" and "Iowa"... two of my most favorite words! And what can I say about the Old, Old Ironstone... Oh my gosh... I about fell over, when I found it... It's lid is long gone... it's little handles, are, also, long, long gone... but... oh my... it couldn't be loved more... I love the shape... it looks like a miniature urn... It hails from the 1850's... and, oh my... what a colorful life it must have endured... if only it could speak... I guess I already know what it would say... about life... "it is... what it is...."

Early Woven Basket....

Found this old sweetie, earlier in the week, at Park Place Hotel Antique Mall, {319-377-2724} in Marion, Iowa... I don't get there often enough... but when I do, I never leave empty handed! Barb O., had visited with me, a while back, about some things that had come in, she thought I would like... She was right... I had a great time scouring through her 3 story shop, and found lots of goodies! I bought a massive harvest table... before I could get my check written, Barb had single handedly, unloaded and moved the 'Big Daddy' to the opposite side of the building, and the lower level door... oh my... {it must be something about the name 'Barb'... and an ant, and a rubber tree plant...actually, I think it fits most everyone I know, who deals in furniture... ugh...we're a tuff lot...} I had planned on taking lots of images of the shop, but forgot the camera's memory card.... So, another day, soon... I really appreciated the call... Barb C.

Wednesday...{the 'new' Thursday...}

{I took this, just after I discovered what day it was... I just sat in the car, deflated, at the 'Closed' Store... watching the Amish, load hay... Wondered if they ever forget what day of the week it is....}

Spent the day on the run, day before yesterday... I thought it was Wednesday... Drove 60 miles, to a store, and couldn't figure out, why it was closed... They are always open, on Wednesdays... A Gal had called, as I was leaving home, and asked my hours... they were coming my way... She must have thought I was crazy... " I'm usually here, Thursday thru Sunday".... "or anytime, if you call ahead"... Well... it WAS THURSDAY!....{ I called her back, and apologised... I'm sure she thinks I'm Whacked}

I haven't been saying much, about Peg... After she went home, on the 5th, she was totally wiped out... Understandable... It was exhausting, hard, hot work, over the 4th... But, she kept saying, it seemed she had a virus... She is so tired... can't hardly lift her arms... all she wants to do is sleep... her joints ache, head ache, can't eat....She finally went to the Doctor... they are running all kinds of tests... I sat up in bed, night before last, and thought... "Lyme Disease"... She lives in the timber... I just looked it up, online, and it sure sounds identical to her symptoms... I asked her, yesterday if she had been tested...Nope... her Doctor didn't test for that.... {just everything else!} Peg lives in the timber... Why in the world, didn't they test for that... It may not be 'Lyme', but it sure sounds like it... Poor Peg... This is making her crazy....

I spent the day off, on Friday... I was lethargic, too... I didn't rest well, Thursday night... Too flippin' hot... My room was like an oven... I'm surprised Polly stayed with me... had the fan blowin' full blast, but... it didn't help much.... So felt fried, all day Friday... I'm back on track, today...Heading over to Gail's Moving Sale { for the locals...Just off East Post Road, to Palomino... watch for signs.... She has tons of stuff.. that Has to Go!}

I'll have images on, of my Wednesday Gatherings { Thursday's}... Hit a little shop, I don't get to, often, and found some fun stuff...

Well, I'm takin' on the day!

Barb C.

A Day in the Jungle....

Before...

After.... This is one of the areas, I worked on, this morning....

a load of my trimmings....

It was a toastie day, in the 'Simply Iowa Rain Forest'... But alas... Put long handled, tree trimmers in my hands, and uninterrupted time, a roaring weed whip, and a push mower... I am a dangerous woman... I'm on the road, so much, that when I have a moment, to devote to the lawn, well... get out of my way... I have to get 2 months work done, in 12 hours, or less... oh my... I got most of what I wanted done, done... The Bittersweet, I have decided, needs another arch way... I didn't have time to construct one, today, and, you can still walk under it... I'll fashion one out of old iron porch posts, next week, and get it wired up... Other than that, the yard is looking pretty good... Me, well... not so much... I stink... I think I have sucked up at least a gallon of water, today... and sweat out, a gallon and a half!

I'm hittin' the shower!

Barb C.

Hmmm.... on second thought.... Sally is lookin' at me, through the kitchen window... and she doesn't care if I stink... with the top down, who would notice... think I'll go for a quick ride... shower... later....

Barb C.

I Live in a Jungle....

I'm taking the day off, and whipping this yard into shape... Oh my... It has rained, or been too hot, almost daily... but... today holds promise... The clippers are in hand... weed whip, filled up... look out... I'm on a mission!

My little Cone Flowers are taking a back seat, to the Mulberry, and various weeds... boy... are they in trouble!

The Bittersweet has gone BONKERS!!! See, to the right of the sink... that was a 3x7 opening... Now... it's the size of a rabbit hole... you have to dive through it! Not sure what I'm going to do, here... It appears, after many years, the vines are going to be loaded with Bittersweet... I may have to tie them back, rather than cut...I have waited too long, to risk stopping them from bearing.... Can't wait!

Hope everyone has a Marvy Day!

Barb C.

SEEDS grown by a WOMAN

Found this 1925, seed catalog, yesterday... Love the title...

It has beautiful illustrations, and is in perfect condition... It's out of Rockford, Ill. Just a few hours east of here... Very Cool....

Old Northeast Iowa Farmhouse Dry Sink....

This wonderful Old Dry Sink, is one, of two, I picked up, yesterday afternoon... It's solid as a rock, zinc lined, and a real Sweetie... The other one, came from the same Farm House, and is a 'Sister', to this one... but it's 'well' isn't as deep...The other, is the older, of the two... it is also, adorned in, turn of the last century paint, old white { the dry sinks are earlier than their surface...} {'Oyster' to the Country Folk} It has paneled doors, a more elaborate base cut out, has a wonderful, hand chamfored, single board back, and is constructed of Walnut... I'll have images of that one, later....They are both, Darlings...{and need a good bath!}

Plant Stands?

My friend, I bought these from, called them 'plant stands'... Hmmm... Maybe so...I would call them stools... whatever they may be, they are old pine, and are funky and fun! Love the 'cut out's'!

Old Farm Scale...

I have always Loved these old Scales.... This is the first one, I have ever had the opportunity to buy.... It's perfect for a Fall Show... I can see white pumpkins, with bittersweet, gnarled around them, on the top... Very sweet... If I didn't already have mine, and Ed's Cupboard, dividing my dining room, and kitchen, I'd give this old darling a bath, and it would be just perfect there!!! We have to fix a trim board, on the base, but other than that, she'll be ready to go to 'Gold Rush'!

Still in 'Fast Forward'! {'Gold Rush' Gathering!}

Yesterday was John's Birthday...He's not much into celebrating, so I picked him up his favorite pizza, and we watched t.v., on his new flat screen, that the kids and I went together on, for his Birthday... I think he was a happy man.... I spent the day on the road... from southern Iowa, to northern Iowa. Made deliveries, then, picked up 2, 1870's or 80's dry sinks, and a neat old wooden Farm Scale.... I love those old scales.... I'll have images later...I'm back on the road, again, today, looking at a mid-1800's cupboard, and a few other treasures, before I have to be back home, for an appointment, at 1.... Like I said... Pictures, later.... See ya tonight! Barb C.

Ahhh... Sisters' Garden...

Barb H., from Sisters' Garden, is such an amazing soul... So giving... So sweet.... We arrived later than we had hoped, on Friday, and Barb had to leave... but, made sure Deb, gave this book to me... What a Sweet Heart... I love it... I have known Barb, for years....I was telling Allyson, about the first time I had met Barb H.... My dear friend Geri, and I were headed to Wellman, Iowa, for an Estate Sale... We were flyin'... I was driving an old, 79 Ford Bronco.... Wellman is about 60 miles from my door, we were running late, so the hammer was down... We were on Hiway 1, and as we were passing the farm houses, like pickets on a fence, I spied an old wardrobe, sitting outside an old farm house.... I slammed on the brakes... then, put the gas petal to the floor... no time to stop! Geri thought I had lost my mind... I explained to her,what I had just seen, and we Had to stop, on the way home! The Estate Sale was uneventful... The Farm House, on Hiway 1, well... that was priceless... It turned out to be Sisters' Garden...The rest is history... I bought the massive Amish Wardrobe, but, no way would it fit in the Bronco... So, when I came back to get it, Barb H. and I had a long chat... I had just opened my Store, she said, she would have to come see it... She, and her sweet husband, Brent, did.... We talked and talked... She asked, if I had any Harvest tables.... Sadly, I had just sold my favorite one, ever... I was going to keep it... but... alas... bills...bills... She said, she had wished we would have met sooner... She had just bought a wonderful one, in Marion, that she loved... but... it was pricey... she said, it sounds like, she would have loved mine, as much.... I stood there, for a moment.... And then asked..."where in Marion, did you buy the table?..." She said, "Country, Country...."..... I said, "Country Corner?"..... "Yeah, that's it..."... I stood there, another moment.... " Ah.... That was my table..." I had sold it to my friend Gary, who consigned it, at Country Corner.... We were both shocked.... I have since visited it, at Barb's home... It's incredibly Happy there...along with the most KILLER PIE SAFE, STEPBACK CUPBOARD!!!! She had better will that back to me.... She is an amazing Girl... I Love Her So.... The resemblance... is uncanny... Oh my....

A Busy Weekend!

These are some of the Amazing Jellies, stuffed olives, and Sweet 'N' Hot Pepper relish, we carried home, from Rug Cottage, and Barntiques, between Iowa City, and Kalona... {just a couple miles to Sisters' Garden...}

This was my breakfast... 2 Morning Star Sausage Patties...{they are delightful... my family can't tell they are meatless...} Raw, sliced Vidalia Onions, and that Wonderful Sweet 'N' Hot Pepper Relish... Oh my....

It's hard to see... but this is the most darling wire patio set! I have spring and fall, retro cushions, for the glider and two darling swivel chairs!!! They are in excellent condition! I like 'em without any cushions... they are very comfy! Dale and I sat and visited in them, last evening... they are Great!

Allyson and I took off, a little later than we had planned, on Friday afternoon... We previewed a 'Sandersfield Auction', Marengo, Iowa {I love this man... he is such a dear soul...} and I left a bid, with Dale, for the Gnarly Patio Set... Then we headed down the winding back roads, towards Kalona... It is an Amish area, and very lovely.... We had the top down, in the Mustang, and Allyson asked, if I was Thelma, or Louise.... I'll have to watch the movie again, but I'm pretty sure, I'm the Susan Serandin character.... We were both starved... so, I thought we could go to an amazing restaurant, in Oxford... { a darling farming community, that still has all of it's wonderful mid 1800's architecture...} The restaurant is called 'Augusta's'... As we were walking up to the door, a young man met us, and said, they were closed... a major water leak... We were very sad....{next trip!} So, we headed for Kalona... There's a very nice restaurant there... 'Tuscan Moon'... they closed at 2, and wouldn't open 'til 4.... we missed it by a few minutes.... So we headed to the Bakery, had a light lunch... Then I wanted to take Allyson, out in the country, to the Amish Grocery Store... It's wonderful... way out, and back on gravel roads... We bought some wonderful pies, and breads there... They have fresh eggs, and all sorts of bulk products, for baking...

We ran through, pretty fast... My Pal, Nancy, {rug cottage} closes at 4... I wasn't going to miss her... So, we made a bee line for her store, and found all sorts of treasures.... Allyson went crazy over the jellies... Oh my... Nancy sent some home with me, a while back... I was HOOKED! No sugar, or corn syrup... sweetened with juices... It is the best...{the 'sweet 'n hot pepper relish' is AMAZING!} So, we loaded up, and headed for Barb H.'s... {sisters' garden} Oh my... it was breath taking...I always buy all my candles, at Sisters'... She carries the ones I like best... out of anywhere...Barb had to run... she had a wedding to go to... so, Sweet, Deb, stayed and took great care of us! Wish we could have gotten around sooner... but, no way... We bought some very cool treasures there...{always do! the little Mustang was getting pretty filled up, between the 2 darling stores!} and headed for Iowa City... Artifact's, on the corner of Market and Gilbert, stays open til 6... I thought Pal, Mark, from Decorum {only 2 doors down} was open til 6, as well... to our disappointment, he closes at 5... {next time} But, we had a wonderful visit with Todd.... And found some great stuff! Allyson had never been there before, so she really was intrigued!

We only had a small salad, for lunch, so... I thought we should treat ourselves to a trip to 'Hamburg Inn'... It's just around the corner from Artifacts, and is steeped in history... It's been there forever, and is quite famous... Many U.S. Presidents have eaten there... Reagan, Clinton, Obama, along with many who didn't make it... It's like a time capsule... Tho, Allyson went to College in Iowa City, she had never been there... She loved it! We had a 'Pie Shake'... {Bourbon Pecan, was our choice... you can pick any, of their huge selection of homemade pies and cakes... we almost picked the Red Velvet Cake...Mmm.... Mmmmm..., and have them blend it, with ice cream... oh my gosh!!! We spit one, and still had a little left over!} They also serve veggie burgers, and breakfast, all day... they have a very diverse menu... I love their sweet potato fries... and sweet potato pancakes... oh my...I could go on and on! The customers are as diverse as the food...Professionals, to families...laid back college students, to retired folk... very cool!

Dale called, from the Farm Auction... and was beside himself... almost all of the bids I had left, were, in his words, " Blown Away!!!!{ he almost sounded a little frantic!} He was stunned... I, was actually happy... This was very neat old primitive farm stuff... and that is much of what I do... I'm glad to see, it's holding it's own! I can run down the roads, and find this stuff... and... I have some pretty cool stuff, already... so.. no worries... I'd feel worse, if it all went for nothing, to be honest... I knew, if the Farm Auction was 'Crazy', so would the Sandersfield Auction, on Saturday... I was correct... Dale went, and I left one bid, with him, on a Gnarly Patio Set... He got it... The Antiques, were out of sight... I saw a clock, during the preview, Allyson and I stopped at, that I have a twin to, at home... I paid 100.00 for mine, in Amana a few years ago, at a sale... the one at the auction sold for over a thousand.... { and it wasn't family bidding on it...oh my...}

It was pretty toastie, here, yesterday... Someone stole my lawn mower, so am down to an old reel mower... I was mowing with that and got pretty sweaty... John's going to get another one, on Monday... I wouldn't mind the reel mower, if the blades were sharp, and the grass wasn't this long... It's great exercise... Maybe, once I get it cut back, I'll alternate, between mowers... { sharpen the blades} I can breathe much better, not sucking in all the exhaust....

Well... I've gotta make a move....

Hope Everyone Has Thee Most Glorious Sunday!

Barb C.

A Beautiful Sampler {ca.1874}

Found this beauty, on my travels, yesterday.... It dates from around 1874.... The makers name was Maggie E. Davies, from New York... She was born in 1861, and was thought to have done this, when she was 13. She was later a Dress Maker, at her home.... The Sampler is mounted on, what appears to be, it's original stretcher... I fell in love with this, because of the motto, it's so true... and all of the glorious detail....{if you 'click' on the image, you should be able to read it....}{ and, I Love the girl, who had it... she's a keeper...} it does have some tearing, in a few places... but, I guess I would too, after 136 years.... It's pretty large... 28x23...and, if it never sells... well..... guess I'll just have to keep it myself....{how sad...} I have all sorts of stories, from Allyson's, and my trip... I'll tell ya later... Barb C.

Fast Foreword....

Here's Brandon... I was shocked to find, Pal, Mark, had the lil' Mustang ready, so Brandon was here, and he drove Sally home for me... { My poor customers...{friends...} you never know what I'll put ya up to...}

Brandon called me, on this little cart... he had to have it... Me too! I love these little darlings! Can't wait to see what he comes up with! Be sure and check out Brandon's blog... {house things} He is, truly amazing... He has a spot, upstairs, at Sisters' Garden, on Hiway 1, between Iowa City, and Kalona... It's a 'Must See'!

Seems, I'm back on track... or am having an illusion, that I'm on track... Amazing thing, resilience... Actually... It's God.... 10 years ago, had I been hit from every angle, I'd be curled up in a ball, for days... or my mind would be... Today... like my thoughts have gently been persuaded to think... the last 2 months....'it is.... what it is....' 'Judge not... lest ye be '...

So... a fairly, normal day it was...

Worked in the shop, watered all the plants... I can't believe they were so thirsty... It's been like a Monsoon around here... Brandon came to visit... {house things} He scoured the shop, and unearthed some fun treasures... We headed out to pre-veiw a Farm Auction, near here... Duwa's Auction's, from Wellman, Iowa, is having it, today... It was so fun seeing it... I haven't seen a 'real' Farm Auction', for years... Now, they do machinery, at the Farm, and pull all the household, and antiques, to an Auction Facility... Not nearly as fun... Brandon was impressed.... I left a few bids with the Auctioneer, cause I can't attend, today...Dale is going to be there, I asked him to keep an eye out for me, too... Today, I'm meeting with Allyson... My dear friend, who took me with, to North Carolina, last year, and New Orleans, this year... I have some little treasures for her, as a small gesture of my gratitude... then we are jumping in the Mustang, and hitting shops... I think we're headed for Sisters' Garden, Barntiques, Rug Cottage, maybe Artifacts, and Decorum... Our wonderful 'Car Doc' Mark N. from here, in Fairfax, did a fantastic job, on the lil' Mustang's tune up... WOW... What a difference! I invited him out to supper, last night... I was also hooking up with Darling, Gail H., {John declined... I just brought wonderful Pizza home for him}... { we went to Leonardo's..it's so cool there... I wrote about it, months ago, "the boys are back in town"} We had a great time! These two, have done so much, for me, and our family... oh my... Good Folk... I love 'em... I shared a little of my 'Mary Todd' day, from the day prior... { my Old Friend, Julie, would listen to my daily event's, every morning, on the phone, over coffee... and after hearing all of the crazy details, in her, soft, low toned, intelligent form of vocabulary, would ask...

"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln... How was the play?"... Oh.... Only, dear, sweet Julie... {see, my life has been a roller coaster ride...well... forever...}{ it's called a 'Journey'....}

I'm back, in 'Fast Foreword'... and, 'The Beat goes On'.... life... 'is, what it is'... And... I'm sill not smokin! It has to be God's Hand... I should not only, have been smokin' cigarettes... I should have been eating them, at every meal!{ along with every 'Snickers', and 'M&M', I could lay my hands on...{ I have stayed away from them, too...}{ I will have to admit... the Gin and Tonic's, have been very good, on these very Hot, Sultry days.....} Oh my... As Gail, Mark, and I were talking, last night... We all agreed, we are all so very blessed... We're still breathing... getting up, everyday... taking wonderful nourishment, surrounded by Folks, who love, and care about us... Life is Good...

Hope you have the most, Amazing Day... Filled with Muchness....

Barb C.

{ I decided, should I start smoking again, the Mustang goes... Sally is a pretty good watch dog...}

Where there is much light, there is also much shade....

Every flower, even the most beautiful, has it's own shadow beneath it, as it basks in the sunlight.... {Streams in the Desert}

The Beat Goes On...

Quite a day, yesterday.... Sweet, Janet and her Darling Sis, Linda, made the trip from Wisconsin, to shop... It's always so wonderful to see 'em! They never fail, to come visit us in Rochester... {Gold Rush} It was a Hot, Sultry day... Steph, and her Darling Daughter, Page, came over to help load a cupboard, for Janet.... Then we went to enjoy a late lunch.... Had a great, long overdue visit... Steph bought a house, nearby, in Fairfax... Check out her blogs... {stephanie brandenberg studios} {fern hill} .... About the post, last night... It's all about 'Life'... I get spinning so fast, I forget to look around...{I'm watching a Spider spin her web, at this very moment... It's amazing} Our incredible Journey through life, is always full of surprises... Just when ya think you have it all figured out, you realize how naive you truly are... And oh, how little you really know... The good thing is... as you are faced with unexpected circumstances, you learn, and grow... {melt down, first... then, stop, look around, get you bearings, and realize... "The Beat Goes On"}... Maybe, it's my age...I would think by now, nothing would surprise me... Well... that's what I get for thinkin'! About being an 'Old Soul'...and Premonitions... I have always been an Old Soul... from my first thought, I can recall.... I know an Old Soul, when I meet them, as well... And, I believe, we all have premonitions... its just, do we choose to see them, or ignore them...{ and are we watching for them... some folks call it intuition... or, an Angel's whisper... I, personally think of it, as a 2x4 in the forehead...wielded buy Angels...if I choose to ignore...} The phrase, 'It is, what it is", has been repeatedly sent my direction, for almost 2 months... It seems to be coming from everywhere... This has been the 'dot', at the end of so many thoughts, and wonders....While I was laying in bed, this morning... I realized, life truly 'Is, What it Is'...and, that's o.k. No worries... Life is good....very good... As time marches on, so must we... Hope everyone has the most Amazing Day.... Barb C.

Premonitions....

Are you an Old Soul?... Do you believe in 'premonitions'?... I am... and do...{ should have paid more attention to the signs...} Some may say I'm 'round the bend'... and they would be absolutely, correct... It's been an unbelievable day... and, there truly, is, no more I can say...ah, except... The Beat Goes On.... God Bless.... Barb C.

I Did My Best... But The Mad Hatter Came Out, in Me....

Oooh.... I did my best... Wrote my very best, professional letter... so, as to not get off track, with an emotional outburst.... Ooooh... I almost made it..... { I get quite passionate, when the object in jeopardy, concerns a loved one, an animal, or something we have worked our selves to death for...and especially what is 'right'... it's an American thing...} I wasn't going to bring up the word 'encroach'... but, after being belittled, by one of the council members... well... all bets were off...{ Have I ever mentioned... at the Very Top, of my priority list, Stands, the Word... 'RESPECT'... it costs nothing, yet... is priceless...I do my best, to give it... and when I'm on the receiving end, of the opposite... Well... Meet The Mad Hatter, Baby....oooh boy....} You would have been proud of me, tho... I didn't say one naughty word...{I still can't believe it... Angels... Angels...} I am a vocalist... used to sing in a band, and at weddings... so I have a pretty good set of pipes... As the Councilman, rolled out his sarcasm, and smirk... I sat there, and listened, 'til he was finished....{ I could feel the Mad Hatter, emerging from somewhere deep in my soul... oh my... I blew... very quickly, and precisely...Eyes locked on his... I wasn't backing down.... and my pipes were singin! I repeatedly called him 'Sir', and stayed on track.... pointed, and respectful...{just a little on the 'loud' side....I didn't know I could talk that fast... and, get my point across, without taking a breath! I think all of the council's hair, was blown back a bit... It was a good thing I brushed my teeth, before I went}....I'll be attending more meetings...{ just to make sure, this proposal goes through, correctly... 2 more readings....}In my Mad Hatter siege, I said, "you folks would never see me... if you wouldn't threaten our way of life... a simple way... live, and let live...all we want to do is work, pay our bills, and breathe"....I think that's when the word 'encroach' slipped out... well, was fired out...like 'buck shot', out of a 12 gauge... oh my.... I was assured, our property is 'grandfathered in'....Well... what about everyone else... I say, if you own property, it's yours to the property line.... Period....{ thankfully, a dear friend of mine is on the council... she is a very calm, and sensible woman... and kept me from doing further damage...} Bless her heart....Thanks to everyone, for sending Angels... I know it was them, that kept me from jumping over the council's table... They all said, it sure was a good thing, I read that newsletter...{ I'm sure they meant it....} I told them, twice... it was the Hand of God, that brought it to my attention... I truly believe that...

I do Love this town... Good people... trying to keep everyone happy... I told them, they really should keep in mind, this is a small town... that's what makes it attractive, to so many...Maybe they should work on keeping it that way...

Oh well... back to 'life'... I hate confrontation...{ I have been 'churning' for 48 hours...} But... I would hate myself, if I stood by, and didn't protect our Livelihood... Some of the folks in town, who have always thought I was 'Mad', now know it as 'fact'... Oh well... like Alice says...

all the best people are...

Barb C.

'Encroachment'....The 'Frog Story'....

My mind has been whirling, all afternoon, about this word...after visiting with our very sweet, and knowledgeable, City Clerk... When I used this word,{encroachment... encroaching...} for my definition, of changing set backs, for fences, from '8' feet from the property lines... to '25'.... Our City Clerk, corrected me, immediately..."This is not 'encroaching'..." Hmmm....It sounds like the City is Encroaching... Her reaction, got me thinkin'... Am I mistaken... Am I using this word, out of text? So, when I got home, the first thing I did, was look up the word 'Encroach'...{I told her, this morning, I'm not too bright... I'm no Lawyer, after all... Just seems to me, if we are paying taxes... tons of taxes, on this property, on every square inch of it... well, I thought, we should be able to use every square inch of it...the fence should really be 'on' the property line... after all, we maintain it... every square inch of it...{along with the City's and State's land, John mows...}I asked her, what the land would be good for, the 'set back' area... she thought we could enjoy it, as a yard...{we are taxed, 100% Commercial, on our entire property... every inch of it... even the creek bottom.... I do a lot of sweating, twice a year...Every inch, is very precious...} hmmm I'll tell the Farmer that... he can't use his set back area, to grow anything... I can't use mine, to sell anything... we're talking thousands of square feet...between 6,000 and 12,000... oh my....} So, after looking up the definition... I find... I was using the word, exactly, the way it was intended... Here's what I read, for the definition... En-croach 1. To advance beyond proper, established, or usual limits: Make gradual inroads: 2. To trespass upon the property, domain or rights of another, esp. stealthily or by gradual advances. Hmmm. Yep, I think I was using the word 'Encroaching' correctly. This is truly what I meant to say... The 'Gradual Inroads'.... Yeah... That's it... Have you ever heard the 'Frog Story'? Oh, I'm sure you have.... this seems fitting... There once was a Frog... He was asked, if he'd like to bask, in a wonderful pool...{I'm sure it was a Big City pool} He was thrilled... He bailed in... the water was lovely... it kept getting warmer, and warmer... ahhhhh.... it was like a wonderful Sauna... Ooops... 'til he was cooked... That Sauna, was soon boiling....You see... we are like The Frog... We trust others, to control the fire... That's all well and good, until it isn't... Wake up... Speak up... I'm NOT ASKING FOR MORE!{ I'm asking for, much, much less...} I'm asking, to be left alone, in my little Lily Pond...This is Our Piece of Dirt... Just let us live, and survive... Fairfax, is a small town... I have lived here, going on 30 years... It has grown, by leaps and bounds...Other folks want a small town life, too... The funny thing is, once they live here, they want Big City Rules... I say, if you don't like it... the Big City would Love to have you back.... I'd love you as a neighbor, but, leave the baggage, at the City Limit Sign... I'm going before the Council, tomorrow night... I didn't have time to get on the agenda... oh well... I'll wait, and speak at the end of the meeting... I thank God, for bringing this, to my attention... I am the Passive Frog... Usually throw this little paper away... Too Busy! But... not yesterday... I was pitching mail, and when I got to this... something said, "You had better read it..."... oh my... God does work in mysterious ways... My stomach hates this... but... my Heart says it's the right thing to do.... These folks, know all the 'ins and outs'... but... I know what's right, and what's wrong... I may be no Lawyer, but I'll do my best... Like my Dad would say... "Just do your best... that's all you can do... If you have done your best, there will be no regrets..." I'll keep ya posted... {put me in your prayers... it's me against the 'Giants!' ahhh... what the hay... a few more battle scars... I'm gettin' pretty used to 'em...} Barb C.

Illinois Bound...

Headed South, to make a delivery... then East... across the Mighty Miss. Have a very diverse day, ahead... City Council, is making changes to the codes, and will be having a hearing, tomorrow night... Seems when changes are made, and more is added,to 'clarify'... the People lose... So, I'm going to City Hall, look over the proposed changes, and see how much we are{potentially} going to lose... I have been asked to run for council, a time or two... have been flattered, just to be considered... but, have always declined... Why.... We have much more power, sitting on this side of the room... 'The Peoples' chair... We tend to forget that... We The People... have a voice... we should be using it... Then, down the road... Have a harvest table to get, and a few other things... then, back to Cedar Rapids, to help a friend, with some business... It's going to be a 'Brain Rattler', today... I just want to have a peaceful day... After I wrote this...'a peaceful day'... I turned to my Streams... realizing, I will be confronted today, by Giants... I hate confrontation... just when life seems to be perkin' along... a brick is thrown in your path, of contentment... Why is that? Ah, yes... It's those pruning shears, again... They clip, and cut.... a painful thing... but, after the pruning, we grow and grow... Vigorously... Tho, I know I would so much enjoy the day, just letting my mind wander, down the highway... I would not be learning much... I have a feeling... there's gonna be some serious gardening going on...I'll put it in God's hands... He knows exactly what I need, today... A little trim, here and there, I'm ready! Hope Everyone has an Amazing Day! Barb C.

Vintage Concrete Fountain...

This was one of my favorite purchases, yesterday... Love the Gnarliness, of the moss, that has dressed it's surface, perfectly... Found it at the show, in Bishop Hill... The little boys, seem quite content, in their new home... the South Green House, at the shop... Barb C.

Antique Shoppin' 'til we were Droppin'!

We Started out at 6:00 a.m. and it's going on 9:00 p.m..... We had a GREAT Day! Our first stop was at Apple Ann's Show, in Alpha, Ill. { Alpha... first stop... hmmm... there is something Biblical here....} It was an adorable show... Very fun! Great prices... Allyson bought some wonderful stoneware bowls... and 2 neat old Cane Fishing Poles... I bought all sorts of stuff... Everything from wonderful lace, to an Alabaster lamp... The weather was amazing... and people were crawling all over!

Our next stop was Bishop Hill... It was a wonderful show... It was difficult to find a place to park!!! Tons, and tons of people! This is Michelle, and her Darling Mom... They are the Sweetest Girls... I bought a huge stack of heart shaped cake tins from them... I could have bought soooo much more.... Their Ironstone prices were wonderful... { the punch bowl is haunting me... only 125.00.... what was I thinking....} You must go visit their store, in Dubuque, Iowa! 'Willows' 471 W, 4th Street... {563- 690-1593} If you love country, you will Love Willows!

Here is Dale and Allyson... We were quite the trio! Had a wonderful time, and we are thinking about taking a trip to Brimfield, this Fall...... Just for fun! Yeah!!! We'll see... I'll have to do some serious saving up!

This is just a blink, of the Bishop Hill Show... It was amazing!

Here's Mary Ann... { Erenbergers Antiques... 'F' Street Amana, Iowa... {319-622-3230} She had sold, and sold... She has an amazing store... It's a 'Must See', if you Love Early American Country....

I bought this darling, old, old iron legged wash bench... I'm so glad I snagged it, when I did... I saw one person, after another, try to buy it... I also bought the old pillow, ticking...that is resting on top of it...Love it's form...

Bought the gnarly 3 drawered stand, and the wonderful drawer, that is resting on top... I Love The Drawer... it is covered in the most beautiful, Victorian velvet fabric... oh my...

Ahhh... Ziggys... This darling shop, is in Galesburg, Illinois... I have shopped there, for years.... Never leave, empty handed... Today was no different... Bought this wonderful, 1960's, blue and white coverlet, from one of my favorite Gals... It has Angels On it!!!! Be sure and stop, at Ziggy's, when traveling through... He's on the Main Drag... You can't miss him... He's always open... and always has something new in!

Funny... I was just talking to Joan, {anything goes here} about stone fruit...I never can buy it... too expensive... I found 7, beautiful pieces, today, 2 wonderful clusters of grapes... a peach, lemon, orange, pear, and banana at our last stop... for 12.00.... All of it... Oh my... It now belongs to Allyson... She is starting a collection... What a wonderful, affordable start....

I have many more treasures to unpack... it was a great day... I love all of the places we stopped... Found some great Garden... a darling old glider, with tulips in the seats...one of the most darling fountains... beautiful glass...and, a 7 foot harvest table, that I have to go back to Illinois, to retrieve...We all brought back treasures... Ran in to so many folks, I knew... Wanda and Terry, from Gatherings, Anamosa, Iowa...{gatherings iowa} She said after reading yesterdays post, couldn't get the vision out of her mind... me, with a wet 'T' shirt... It is a scary thought.... Try being the one, in the 'T' shirt.... She was haulin' loads and loads out, too.... Larry and Linda... 'Painted Pony', Susan Shire, Gwen, The Moffit's... and sooo many more... { I woke up, and was horrified! I didn't mention Matt and Sarah... or Colleen... Daryl.... See... this is what happens... when you get old... brain lapses... ahhhh... they know I love 'em...}It was a good day...

Hope your day, was even better!

Barb C.