Happy New Year...To All....

Happy New Year....!!!!

To All!!!

 

 

I'm sending wishes...a bit early....I know...

But...

I'm headed to Gaze...at The Tree...for the last time...

It goes down..tomorrow....

I'm gonna turn on a little Jazz....

Open a Bottle...of Champagne....

Reflect....

and...

Ponder...

oh my...

Hope You All...have a Most...Wonderful New Year...

Filled with Happiness...and Good Health...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

{I'll be Snoooozin'....by 10... so...Give the New Year...
A..... Big Kiss for me...!}
 

 



There ain't but Three Things...in this Old World...that's worth a Solitary...Dime...

 

This is an Image...of... in my mind....
The Greatest Story Teller....
That ever Lived...
{My Dad...}
and...my Beloved...Best Friend...Dolcey....
{I rescued her...a day or two...short..of being put down....}
I was 15...and had just moved out...on my own...
She..was One...of The Greatest...Gifts..of my Life....
When I think of Dad...in Heaven... This...is what I imagine...I will see...should I get there..
Dad...Dolcey...and All...of my Beloveds...
{I even...hope...That Old Chevy Truck...is there... with the Bad Linkage...Bald Tires...
and Smokin' Rings...}
 

Old..Dogs...

and..

Children...

and...

Watermelon Wine...

 

"Women...think about Theyselves...

When Menfolk...ain't around...

and...Friends...are Hard to Find...

when They Discover...that your Down....

He said..."I tried it all...when I was Young...and in my natural 'Prime'...

Now...it's Old Dogs...and Children...and Watermelon Wine..."

Old Dogs...Care about You....

Even when You make Mistakes....

God Bless... Little Children...

While they're still too young....to hate"....

{Tom T. Hall}

{He and Dad...would have been...Great Friends...}

 

As I sat at the Harvest Table...{That only me...and Harold...could Love...{and Ed..}

Sipping my Morning Brew....

Nicky came up to me...and gently rested his head...on my lap...

 

He is the Most...Soulful..Old Boy...

John rescued him...from the Shelter...Four years ago...

a year...after losing his Beloved...Elliot...

{A Dear Friend...had told John...about him..

John...was adamant...there would be no more Hounds...in his Life...

Too Hard..to see them...Go....}

When he got out of the car...John's first words...were...

"I Hope...He...outlives me"...

 

It was a Painful Journey...losing Old Elliot....

Nicky...was emaciated...and had been badly beaten...

He had open wounds...and scars...on his face...

One of his eyes...was damaged....

As I watched him...with John...I noticed...something...wasn't right about him...

Then...it hit me.....

As much as we Loved on him...and Praised him...

He didn't wag his tail....

I have never seen a Hound...that wouldn't wag it's tail...

It took a few days...until...he was....

Happy...

I walked into my room...this morn....to see...My Girl...

all cozy..Snooozing in Bed....

 

She...was also...rescued....

Her condition...wasn't much better than Nicky's... when she came to us....

Funny...

I think about...how very little...we do for them...

and How Very Much...

They Bring...to our Lives....

and...yes...

Truer words...were never written...

Old Dogs...

Children...

and...yes...

a little...

Watermelon Wine...

ahhhh...

The Journey...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

A Wonderful....Gift...

Had thee...Most Wonderful Gift...just before Christmas....

The Brockmeyer Family...paid The Rabbit Hole...a Visit...

They are the Neatest Folks...

We Love...many of the same things...

Basically....Old...Old...Things....

They live...much like we do...

a Century...behind...: )

The above images...are of their Son...Avery...

I have watched he..and his Sister...grow up....so fast...

The Children...are very knowledgeable...of Old...things..as well....

and...have collected unusual items...throughout their tender years....

Avery...showed me...a piece...he was carrying...in his little satchel...

He asked...if I knew what it was...

I thought...it was an instrument....I had one...years ago...and sold it...right away...

{I also thought...it may be a Flower Frog!}

He Educated me...

It's a Blue {they come in many colors...and sizes...} Fiehn "A 2 1/2" size Ocarina....from Austria...

He has Several...in his collection....

Avery said...this one was dated 1879...and had the Original music for it....

Then...proceeded to play...

"God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"...

for me....

I gotta tell ya....I melted...

Being surrounded by...all of the Old Treasures...

and hearing this..Lovely Tune...

{almost...like a Flute}

and watching Avery...Master it...Perfectly...!

Was Priceless!!!!

What an Amazing Gift!

I couldn't get over it...

I felt like...I was standing...in the 1800's....

Thank You...Thank You....

Avery...

for Sharing your Gift...with me...

That's Something...

I'll Never Forget!!!

Love...to Ya...

Barb C.



Time to Drink Champagne...and Dance...on The Table...

It's Time...to Drink Champagne...

and Dance...

on the

Table...

: )

Oh My...

This Day...has been...Sooooo

Over the Top...

in so many ways...

From...so....Many Directions....

When I saw Sharon Fair's post..on FB...that said this...

well...

It didn't take me long...to Open a Bottle...of Barefoot...Bubbly...: )

I searched...music...this Eve...

Landed on...

Kenny Chesney...'El Cerrito Place'...

It's...a Wonderful...tune...

There is Sooo Much....coming down the Pipeline...

but...

I truly...have seen...Angels....today...

 I've been...touched...

Sometimes...we keep...walking...through...the Mist....

and think...it sure would be a lot safer...

standing...still....

but..there is Something...that pulls at your Heart...

and...says...

Trust Me...

Follow...Me...

and tho...

You Know... the Safe Place...is...standing still...

You...Walk...On...

Then...

You Open a Bottle...of Champagne...

and...Dance...

on the Table....

: )

This isn't about...monetary gain...

it's about...

People...

How...People can soooo...

Surprise you...

Believe...in you....

Drop..you...to your Knees....

Because...you know...

Exactly....Where...It...All...Came From...

Love to ya...

Barb C.

{No Worries... it will All be in The Book...: )

 

 

As...I listen to El Cerrito Place...

I couldn't figure out...why...'This'...song...grabbed me...

well...

It made sense...after hearing it a few times....
"I've Been Hangin' Around this Place...
I've Been Lookin' Through Your Space...

I've Been Looking For You...
I've Been Waiting...For You..."

it all goes back...to 'Muchness'....
{The Fact is...I've been Lookin'...for 'Me'...too...}

The Load....seems..so...heavy...

and...to keep moving forward...doesn't seem...like an option...

but....today...

I have seen... folks...from...far...far...away....

in...Every Way...

Think...I Can....
Believe...I Can...

All I can say is...

I was Lost...

but...

Now...have been Found....

{Ya'll...Know...Exactly...Where...That...comes from...

oh...my...
They Are....
the...
Wind...
Beneath...
my Singed...
Smokin'...
Wings...
Yeah...
Some...call 'em...
Angels....}



Gnarliness...Pure...and...Simple...

Gnarliness...

Pure...

and

Simple...

I posted the images..of John's other Work...

{tho...it Pains Me! I LOVED the Top Settee...that Sold...}

When I shared the 'Simply Iowa' cut out...

I wanted to share...these..as well...

Holy Smokes...!

The Bottom Settee...he also covered in Old Gnarly Farm Fragments....now...resides...in the House...

I am looking for...another...Settee...like the top image...for him to cover...

These pieces...are Incredible...

All of the Tin...is Hand Cut and Pieced....

{no power tools...}

The Man...Has...Metal Magic...in his Hands...

oh my..

Love..to Ya...

Barb C.

 

 

Oh...My....
oh....my...
Please ring me...or e-mail...if ya have one... : )

Love this one...as well...{so does The Hatter...: ) }

SIMPLY IOWA....Pure Gnarliness... : )

John Created this...

From Vintage Tin...

it's all Hand Cut...

{no...power tools...}

Then...he soldered Nails...on the back...

and attached it to an Old..Trim Board...

The Tin..

is all One Piece...

Harvested from an Old...

Farm...Related...

 Fragment...

{It was my Christmas Present...from him...: ) }

I'm going to have him Create...Many...Little Treasures...

for The Rabbit Hole...

This Spring... : )

There are going to be A Lot....of Changes...coming...

This...New Year...: )

BIG CHANGES...: )

Keep Watching...

I'll be Revealing Them...

after...

The NEW YEAR!!!

Love...to Ya!

Barb C.

{It's Gonna...be...Good...: ) }



Old...Christmas....

 

 

Old...Christmas...

We had a Lovely Day...

The Kids came out....

We ate...too Much...

: )

but...it was all...good...

It was Fun...watching the Little Ones....

I had been up...til after 1:00...Christmas Morn...wrapping Gifts...

Then...up...early getting food put together....

When Katie and Justin arrived...Katie got going on the Food Trays...when Liz and Nick...arrived...Liz pitched in...

they did a Lovely Job!

{I had to keep the Guys....at Bay... they were hovering....: ) I said.."I want to Get a Picture...you'll have to wait...until they're DONE!!!"}

oh my...

Between meals...we opened Gifts...

The Little Ones...were so...good...

So...polite...

They Shared...and were so...Sweet....

Just as I was getting the Turkey out...

I heard a

Ho! Ho! Ho!!!!

It was Santa!!!

He...just walked right in!

That...was Priceless!!!

The Little Ones... were So Happy to See Him...

after all... He'd had a Long...Long...Night....!

but...it was the Adults...that had me in Stitches!

I wish...I could have gotten an Image of all of them!

They Were...Stunned!!!

{I had an idea...he might be stopping by....: ) {Santa and I...go...Way....Back...: ) Santa said...he'd like to take a few Presents...back...to the North Pole...: ) {he was eyeing the Old Hall Seat...: ) He said...he had Plenty of Room..on his Sleigh...for it...: )

 {You kinda have to watch...Old St. Nick...: ) }

John stayed at the top of the stairs...and everyone else...just...Froze!

Jaws...Dropped...

: )

Santa and the Little Ones...chatted away....

It...Was...Priceless...

Then...

we ate our Supper...

Everyone helped...clean up...

as everyone...said their Goodbye's...

We heard a Crash...

Miss. Scarlett...took a Tumble...down the stairs...

Oh My Lord!

She had a Major Goose Egg...

Liz was Crying...

Scarlett...in a few moments...seemed fine...but...

we all decided she should be seen....at the ER....

oh my....

She Is...Fine...

but...Soooooo Scary.....

{Guess Scarlett takes after...someone else...in The Family...oh dear...: ) }

Hope...You All...Had a Merry...Christmas...

and...ate a Little...Too Much..: )

Love...to ya...: )

Barb C.

 

 

 

I pulled one of my Favorite Staffordhire Platters out...and the Girls..Filled It! I Love...Using...these Old Beauties... I think...they Love...being a Part...of such a Special Occasion....too....

Justin...stripped down...almost...as he arrived..: )
{Justin Sr. used to do the same thing...: ) I could...Never keep clothes on that Child! : ) }
They had Great Fun...taring off all of the wrapping....
I had...Great Fun...Watching Them... : )

My Trusty...Kodak... gave me Fits....: ( but...I'm glad I captured a few good ones....even...blurry... I Love...this Image...: )

I helped Justin...with handing out the Gifts...
He'd hand me one...and say.."mine?"...so...sweetly...
If it wasn't...I'd show him the name...and he'd Happily take to the correct recipient....
What a Dolly... : )
Yep...He's a 'Melter'!

"Here...Daddy...This is for...You!"....
Sweeeet!

Nick, Liz...and Miss.Scarlett...putting on her Brand New...Coif...: )

I ran down the stairs...when I heard The Ho! Ho! Ho! to see...Miss Scarlett...in Santa's Arms....
 

They had Great Fun...Visiting!

Justin and Santa...Chatted away.....Like Old Friends....

It was a Full House...
The Kids...grabbed Paper Plates...
{that surprised me...}
I Think...They were So...Hungry...they just Grabbed was was Closest to The Table!
{I don't know...how those Kids...could Eat So Much! Holy Smokes! after all of the Snacks...I thought...maybe...they'd want to just take Supper Home...and eat it later...ahhh...Not So...Much...}
It was So...Nice...They all Chipped in...and helped Clean Up....
Ahhh...
Life is Good!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Hope Your Day....is Filled to The Brim...

With Love...and Happiness...

Barb C.

Christmas....Eve....

I so....enjoy...playing with Old...Toys...this time of year....
I dug the Tiny......Mid 1800's 'For a Good Girl'  Child's cup....
out of The Old Cupboard... that came from the Farm...Dad had lived at....way back...in the day....
and plopped an old...Bottle Brush Tree in it...
I can't explain it...
but there is...'Something'... something...
about these...Old...Well Loved... Pieces... that seem to 'Ground'... all of the Chaos...in life...
I get lost...in them...
they...take me...away...to another...place...and time...
They remind... it's the Little Things...in Life... that mean the most....
 

We have received... Lovely...Gifts...from Dear Friends...over the last week.... Rick and Karen...Pegadoo...and Mike....Ed...and Michael.... Tom...and Sweet Loraine! {Her Award Winning Fudge....a Huge...Box of That...oh my....} Allyson...{she baked a Lovely Herb Bread...from a a recipe...that was in a Cook Book...I had given her... oh my...: ) }
Our Wonderful...Neighbor...Bob...brought us a Lovely Batch...of Home Made Goodies...that his Granddaughters...had made...{Holy Smokes!} and...Loved...all of the Beautiful...Cards... we received....

This...is the Beautiful...Loaf...Allyson made... It looks....Too Good to Eat...
{almost...: ) }
John...had bought this Santa...at Jan's Sale...
I was...not happy...about the things...he bought...when he purchased them...
We struggle...so...financially...and...what he buys...he won't let go of...
 {I...will sacrifice... most anything...when the chips are down....even things....I dearly...Love...}
{When my Friend, Jan...stopped by...the House...the other day... she had me put her name...on something...that if...and when...I'm ready to sell...I have to call her...
Done...
I have names...on Much...in The House....
and...have had to make calls..over the years...and...let go...}
So... it was difficult...looking at these things...when times have been ruff...of late...
But...I have to say...
Those...things...{there are only a few...} he bought...have brought me...the most Joy...
This Holiday Season...
The Carousel Horse...and...this...Santa...
Maybe...it's knowing...in the back of my mind....
These things...shall stay...and...are solid...
and...I can actually...count on them...being here...no matter...
These...are Off the Table...
when it's time...
to make...the 'Cut'...

 

I have been so...busy....and under the weather... for so long...
By Yesterday...I had Zero Shopping done...
but...managed to get it all done... in a few hours.....
Guess...attending all of those Estate Sales....having to think....Fast... and weave through crowds...
have been good training...
Christmas Shopping...was a Walk...in the Park....
compared to those Mega Stressful Situations...
Then...came home...and collapsed....
Fixed myself...a Olive Ladened....Bloody Mary....
Listened to 'Merry Christmas....from the Family' ... {Robert Earl Keene's version...: ) }
{over and over...}
{I know...it's such a silly song...but...for some reason...it Totally...makes me Laugh...
that...in itself...is such...a Wonderful...Gift....: ) }
Mom..is still battling...the Crud...  I just called her...said...I wasn't coming in...
They told me to stay Home... {she doesn't need more Crud....}
We always have Oyster Stew...together...on Christmas Eve...or...Christmas Day....
I told her...it will have to be New Years Eve... this year....
She was More...than agreeable....
I had...something...here...that a Dear...Neighbor... has wanted....all Year... I was going to keep...
I thought...she'd asked and asked...about it... it was waiting for her....
I called her...and said...to swing by..Santa said...she'd been such a Good Girl....
he had something here...for her....
She was....Elated....
I cried...
What a Gift...it is...to be able to Give...
Give...something...that You Know....
will be...Much...Loved..
Guess..that's why...I Love my Job...
Tho...I can't always...'Give'...things...away...
{sure...wish...I could...}
Just...putting....things... into hands... that will Love Them...
That...is a Gift....
Putting a Smile...on a Face....
What better...of a Gift...is That?
There isn't...any...
That...is Priceless....
Love to ya...
Merry Christmas....Eve...
Barb C.

An...Afternoon... Down the Rabbit Hole...

I had a lovely afternoon...playing....with the Old Toys....in the Shop...Yesterday....

I put a candle...inside this tall Church Lamp....and...Loved...the Beautiful Glow...it created....

I noticed...for the first time... in the etched glass... there are tiny hearts....: )

{my gift...for the day...: ) }

Since the Beautiful Pier Mirror...has left the building....leaving a gaping hole....

 I took the Old...Gnarly Buggy Seat...{from Dad's Farm}...and hung it on the wall....

in the Pier Mirror's vacant spot....

Quite...a 'contrast'...: )

but...I really Like It!

Haven't decided...what kind of 'Function'....it will be asked to create ...

maybe...

simply....'Being'....itself...

a Most....Interesting...Sculpture....

{Love It!}

Then...I began setting the massive Pass Through Cupboard....

{Oh My! I Love....an Empty Cupboard....!!!

Must be like a Blank Canvas...to an Artist!}

{Then...had to price it...for a friend....

Holy Smokes!!! I don't want to sell it...!!!

I said...once it made it Back...into the Shop...it would be a permanent fixture...!!!

what can I say...

Bills to pay...

She wants me to deliver it...to Arizona...

Hmmm...

That...isn't going to happen....

ahhhh...no....way....

So...for now.... it will stay...}

Had many Folks pop in...bearing Gifts!

I had...none...for them...: (

All any of them...got from me...was a

Heartfelt...Thank You...

Merry Christmas....

a Hug...and a Kiss...

That's...all...I have to offer....

Peg says...{jokingly} after I told her...I haven't sent any cards....

or...bought any gifts...yet...

I'm a "LOSER!!!"....: )

{as...Only...My Pegadoo....can...: ) }

Reckon...so...

I have the Holiday Spirit....

just...not enough...time....

Never...enough...time....

and...I don't buy...gifts...for Friends....to simply... give them...

'Something'...

I have always told everyone that...

When...I find a 'Perfect'...something... it's theirs...

and...I may...skip a year...or...even...two....

but...I don't like giving...something...just because....

The Christmas Cards....

well... that's another story...

 have No...Excuses...for that

I'm a LOSER!!!!

{I'll be making Many Phone Calls...: ) }

I was going to head out...early this morn...and work on getting all of my Shopping done....

but...some friends wanted to visit the Rabbit Hole....around Noon...

so...I'll have to wait...'til this afternoon....

oh my....

Hope you have a Wonderful...Day...

Filled with The Holiday Spirit....

Love...to Ya...

Barb C.

 

 

This is a poor image...of the Old Buggy Seat.... when I get that wall...done...I'll get a better one...: )

Love this Old Spool Chest...{it Opens....and is filled with Old...Unusual... Spools....to repair, I suppose....the pieces they are missing....
I have always...Loved...these Folk Art...Spool Pieces....
They are getting....more and more...difficult...to find.....

The Old Tree....took a Tumble...during The Open House... and a branch broke.... so... it's headed to the house...
I'll fix it...and Love It....: )
I also...pulled the Old...Iron Industrial Cake Stand....
 Had it at the Fall Harvest Sale.... no one... bought it...
 then...it was in the Shop....waiting...patiently....to find a home...
Guess... for now... It's Found One!
I'm going to use it...in the house...
The top spins....{for Cake decorating}...and...if no one else... thinks that's cool....
well...I do!
{Plus...is Gnarly!!!
 Old...Rusty....Gnarliness....
Love... IT!!!}

Love this Sweet... Tiny....Doll Sofa.... {sigh...}
It found a Perfect...Spot...in the Pass Through Cupboard!

 

Open Today! 12 - 4!

I'm headed down....The Rabbit Hole...

Be working there...this Afternoon...: )

{Lots...to Do!}

Love to ya...

Barb C.

 

Winter... 'Wonderland'...First Snow... Down the Rabbit Hole...

Winter.....'Wonderland'....
I threw on...my Long...Indian Blanket Coat...
Heavy...Boots...
 and took a Stroll....
This Morn...
It's Cold...
 the Snow...is Frozen...Hard...
The Trees...are Covered...in Ice...
They were talking to me...as I walked...through the yard....
The Ice...was cracking...on the Branches...with even the Slightest... Gust...of Wind...
It was...
Incredible....
It felt...Good...
The Air...is so...Fresh...
Brisk...
But...The Sun...is Shining....
and...it's a Beautiful Day...
in...Iowa....

The Sow...is Nestled...in Straw... under a Blanket...of Fresh Snow....

The Guardian Angel...seemed to be holding...the Snow...to her Face... Savouring...the Fresh...Scent...
of the Newly...Fallen Snow....
as if...it were Springs...First Blossomed....Lilacs....

The Fish...are fine...The fountain...is keeping it open....

Not...even the Cold... takes The Love... from these...Little French Children...

Love These Old bells... They were going to the House...but...I so...Enjoy them...Glowing...at Night... I have left them....

The Old....Screw Jacks... Look like they are wearing...Little Snow...'Caps'... and Mufflers!
: )

The Rooster...Crows...as He Proudly...Sports...His Brand New Jacket!

Beautiful...
Some Folks think...a Garden Gate... is..only for Spring...
oh my...
 

This...Little Girl...
Reminds me...so...
of...Miss. Scarlett...

There is..Nothing...Like Victorian...
Anything...
at Christmas...

The '49 Ford...says.... " Brrrrrrr" : )

Frost...on The Glass...

The Mad Hare.... are saying..."Oh My!"

Iron...Garden Gate...
Simply...Inviting....

The Old Martin House...

Winter....Down The Rabbit Hole...

Dancer....
She may be my favorite Statue....{fountain}
When I have a moment....I stand...before her...and Gaze...
She...always Smiles...
and...when the Water Flows....
she is...most...happy...
That will be...some time....
but still...
even on such a Bitter day...
She Smiles..
as if to say...
"For Everything...there is a Season"....

The Old Horses...today...
Reminded me...of Chess Pieces...

Icicles...on the Old Fountain...
inside...the Green House...
I love this image...
I can see the hint...of Green...
The Moss...
yes...
Life...
with...
The Promise... of Spring.....
{ahhhh...must be...an Irish...Thing... : ) }