Stevie Nicks with Don Henley - Leather And Lace

Leather...and Lace....

 

As I strolled through the House....

this evening...

I  looked around...at some of the things...I tend...to walk past....and never really...think about...

The Old...Chandelier...on the Landing...

caught my eye...

 

It always...has a little light....shining...

Helps me find my way...up the stairs...to bed...after I have fallen asleep..

in the recliner...once...again...

As I looked at it tonight...I remembered the day I bought it....15 years ago...

I was at Kelly Reed's Antique Shop...in Southern Iowa....

It was in a box...in the basement....

I asked Kelly...what he needed for it...

as usual...Kelly...was more than fair...and it rode Home...with me...

I had Folks wanting to buy it...as soon as I got Home...

but...I hoped...some...day...we would be adding on...to the House...

so...I put it back...

It sat in the box...for several years...then...12 years ago....it found it's Resting Place....

I can't...Imagine...the Landing...without...that Old...Chandelier...

It was just...Meant...to be there...

Seems...everything...that caught my eye...this Evening...was...Meant...to be....

The Funny thing is...I knew...it...from the very first moment....I laid my eyes..upon each...of them....

The strange thing...as I walked further..into the Dining Room...

and looked down...at the Old...Primitive...Harvest Table...

I was a bit...taken...back....

Yes..I Love...Over the Top...Goopy...Chandeliers...

Worn...Velvet...Tarnished...Silver...

but...when I first saw...the Old Farm Table....

I had the same...feeling...as I did...with the Chandelier....

and...it was a Mess!

It had a Bow...in the two board top...so deep...if you took a 2x4...and laid it across...it would have a two foot gap!

I don't know...how...it even stood up...

but...it did...and it stood...square!

It didn't wobble...but...it had a Mighty...Sway...Back!

It's Older Than Dirt...

{1840's...to 60's...I suppose...}

It Haunted...me so...at the Flea Market...I spied it at...

My Friend...Harold....owned it...and thought...highly...of it...

It took me all day...to work out a Price....

{after all....WHO...besides..me...and Harold...could Love This....Table...

It was a MESS!!!{obviously...no one...it was there..all day...with Major...Antique Hunters!}

 I thought I was Crazy....for even...THINKING...about it...at any...price...}

But...I fell in Love with it....

and...somehow...John got the bow...out of the top....

{I honestly...was fine with it...with the Massive Bow....Thought...I'd pile Wooden Bowls...on it...and use it for display...in the Shop....It was just...that...Soulful...}

I can't imagine...any other...table...in it's place...

{if I should...Ed...has his name on it...: ) }

But...back...to 'The Leather...and Lace'....

Who...would think...a Grungy...Old Primitive Farm Table....

and...a Beautiful....Little Chandelier....

could be such..Happy...Neighbors?....

I guess...I could....

always...knew it....

There is Something...about...Leather...and Lace....

 

There truly...is....

'

This is a Massive...Shadow Box...I bought many years ago...from Friends...in The Amana Colonies...I'm sure...this was made there...back in the 1870's...or so....The Frame is Layered...in Hand Tooled Leather...Fashioned into Grapes...Flowers and Leaves...They filled it with Wax Fruit...it even has a Watermelon Slice....I had never seen...Wax Watermelon....
It's...one of my very Favorite...Lacey....Leather...pieces....

Home Sweet Home....
I Bought this...from a Darling Couple...that have since... Passed away....Love...how someone...back in the day..added the 'Calling Cards'...to the Punched Work...piece....
A Soulful...Old Darling....
 

I have been...tossing around...thoughts...and ideas...for the Shop...

Working on Ideas...

Finding...Direction...

and...scratching my head...a lot...: )

oh my...

{I'm Thankful....for the Moments...of  Peace...I find...here...at Home...

with...Old...Friends...: )}

 

Love to ya....

Barb C.

Almost Home

Horticulturist....

Spent the day...doing research...

I dug this 1849...book out the other day...to show to Liz and Nick...

They are really getting into Gardening...

They got a kick out of it...

and...found some useful...information...in it..as well...

I so...enjoy this Old Book...

I bought it several years ago... while visiting with my Sweet Friend, Jo....

at an Antique Mall...

in Newton, Iowa...

{'Pappy's'...I think...}

I don't remember...exactly what I paid for it...

but...it was on the expensive side...and...I remember...I put it back on the shelf...

then...as we were heading out the door...

I went back...and got it..

I'm so glad...I did...

When I got it home...and began going through it..

I realized... there was a picture...of a House..that could be the Twin...

to my Favorite Home...of all time...

We moved into the Old Farm House...near Keystone, Iowa...when I was 7....

It was a Beautiful...Easter Sunday...

We lived there little more than a year...but...it was the Happiest year...of my Childhood....

and...one of the saddest days...of my life...when Mom and I drove...away...

I was driving...on my own...when I was 12....

and...every Easter...from that time on...I'd drive...to visit...the Vacant Old Farm House...

Never thinking...to take a camera...

Then...one Easter...I drove there...

to find nothing...but a Farm Field....

I drove...up and down the narrow gravel...roads...

thinking...I must have made a mistake...taken a wrong turn...

I found my way back...to what was left..of the Old Driveway...

sat...in the car...

and wept....

The thought...never...entered my mind...

that someday...it wouldn't be there...

I still go back...every year...

and...in my mind...I see the Old Farm House...with the Squeaky Screen Door...

and the Ponies...grazing...on the Lawn...

The little...Creek...next to the Drive...where Dad...and I would...Fish...

and watch the Turtles...Sun...themselves...

but...mostly...I remember..that Easter...

All of us...kids...hunting..Easter Eggs...

and waiting...for Mom's..Fried Chicken...to be ready...

I remember...as we were running around...and riding the Ponies...

It was such a Beautiful...Warm...Day....

Mom had the Sun Porch Windows...open...off of the Kitchen...

and the Aroma...of her Fried Chicken...was Wafting through the Yard!

Oh My....

That was one..of very few times...I remember...

so many of our Family Members...being...together...

{they had all...helped us...move in..}

So...The Book...

is Priceless...

I get to visit the Old Farm House...

each time I open it....

and...walk through...the Big...Old...Beauty...

in my mind...

The Book...is truly wonderful...to look at...this time of year...

Gets my gears turning...anticipating....

Spring....

I'm sure glad...I stepped up...and spent the money...

less..than a tank...of Gas...today...by far...

and...look...how many Miles...it has taken me...

oh my....

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

 

 

A Treasure....

Oh My....
What I wouldn't give...to have This...Structure...
Holy Smokes!

While Liz was out..the other day..we ran to the Post Office...When we returned...we watched the Birds...building nests...in the Martin Houses...
They are really something...to watch...
oh my....

Yes...this is Exactly...what the Old Farm House...looked like... the floor plan...was slightly different...but...very...close...
What a Gift....

Trisha Yearwood - Georgia Rain

Don't Fall in Love....with a Dreamer....

As...I sit....

at the Lap Top...

Gazing out the Kitchen Window...this Morn...

The above song...came to mind...

It's Chilly...and Damp... outside the Old...Window...

A worn...blanket of Snow...is keeping Spring..at bay....

Yet...in an instant...watching...this Beautiful Video...and listening to this Amazing song...

by Trisha Yearwood...

{This...may be my Favorite...of all time...}

Takes me back...a lifetime ago...

to...a Beautiful...June Day...in Iowa...

walking along the River....

It had just rained....a Soft...Gentle...Rain...

and...the Sun...was just peeking through...

There was a Mist...in the air...

The Birds...were singing...Happy...for the Fresh...Shower....

Everything...looked...so Green....almost...Like...Emeralds...Sparkling...over the Meadow...

The Flowers...were lifting their heads...to capture...The Sun...breaking through...the Clouds...

Yes...

I remember...

a Lifetime...ago...

What makes...one think...of these things...

out of the Blue...

Don't...know...

Guess...I'm just a 'Dreamer'....

I won't...be sorry...for that....

It was a Wonderful...Visit....

this Chilly Morn....

Feeling the Sun...on my Face....

and...the Warm...Mud...between my toes...

Yes...it was...

Don't fall in love...with a 'Dreamer'...
sometimes...they are difficult...to..'find'...
you think...they are right there with ya...
but...they may be...a World....Away....
a Lifetime...Away...: )
Love...to ya...

Barb C.

{there is a bit...more to this...story...but...I'll save that...for the 'Book'...: ) }



Robert Plant & Allison Krauss - SISTER ROSETTA...

Eight Ball...in The Corner...Pocket...: )

Oh My...

I felt like...'Fast Eddie Felson' in the Hustler...

today...

I paced...round...and round...The Rabbit Hole...

Sizing Everything Up...inside my head...

Like..a Pool Shark....

Seeing...which pocket...every ball...shall fall...

Before...

The Break...

{I kept playing...the above Song...over and over...in my head...}

Liz came out...to help...and we did...get some things...done...

I had to take care of Mom's Business...this Morn...

{Thanks, Joy..at HNR...for the HELP!!!}

Then...when I got home...I checked on the Fish...to find my Brand New Heater...had Quit...and the Trough had a Thick...Layer of Ice...on it!!!

I Flew back into Town...and got a new one...Lord....I Pray...the Fish...are O.K.!

Liz...had unloaded and even Cleaned the Ford's Cab Out by the time...I got back!!! YAY!!!

Then...we walked inside...

The Rabbit Hole...

I know...it drives Everyone...Crazy...when I walk...around...like I'm in a Trance......

Especially...like today...

when Liz...was ready to Tare Into The Shop...

But...

I find...it's Much...Easier...Moving Mountains...in my Mind...

than...with our Backs...

Over...and Over...

I can see...a room done...many different ways...in my head...

and...

we have Much...New...coming in...

Some Very...Big...Pieces...

The Funny Thing...was...

Liz and I Both...Really Like...the basic Layout...of The Shop....

We discussed...a few walls...that are going to have to be moved....

and...possibly...a new...Entry...

I'm...Pretty Excited...about the New...Flip!

It's gonna...be a 'Journey'...for..sure...: )

oh...my...

: )

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

 

The Rabbit Hole...'Mascot'....and I...had...about the same...expression...on our faces...as I circled...and paced...throughout the Shop...
oh...my...
oh...my.......
: )

Love...Love...Love...This...Gnarly...Chandelier...
The Rabbit Hole...wouldn't seem...complete...without it...
{Thanks...Tommie...: ) }

The 10 foot...Giant...'Paul Bunyon'...Cupboard....and I... are going to have a Dance...very soon...
He's Moving...to a New...Location...Down...The Rabbit Hole...: )

John..is working his 'Metal Magic'... on another Wonderful...Old Table...
This One...is Going to be...Amazing!
{Liz....Totally...Approved!}
{He has One More...to Go! Then...I'll be Hunting...for More Bones!}

Top of the World - Carpenters (Lyrics) [HQ]

Happy...Monday!

Hitting the Door...Running!

Much...Much...Much...to get Done...

ZING!!!!

Hope You...Have a Most Amazing Day...

and...are Perched...

at The Top...of The World!!!

Love...to ya...

:  )

Barb C.

The Garden Song- John Denver The Muppet Show

The 'Garden Party' Dates...are SET!!! April 5th thru 7th!!!!

The Garden Party

Dates...are

SET!!!!

April 5th, 6th and 7th!!!

{see Calendar of Events...at right}

I Cannot...Begin...to Tell You...

How Very...Excited I am...about This NEW

Venture!!!!

A Monthly....

Party...

Down...The Rabbit Hole!!!

The Store...will be on 'Lock Down'...

accept...

for the Monthly....Scheduled...Dates...: )

Then...

Look Out!

A Party!

With a Flip...

and All Sorts...of New Gnarliness!!!

and...

a Party!!!!

{did I mention...It's gonna be a 'Party'?}

I don't have Everything...figured out...just yet...

But...Have Lots...of things....bouncing through my Brain.

oh my...

Mark Your Calendar!!!!

Love...to ya...

Barb C.



Curiouser and Curiouser - Scene from ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Pickets... Pails...and...Curious...Things....

 

Oh My...

I Do...Love...Old...Picket Fence...

There is Something...about it....

I wonder...about the Conversations...it has heard....

I can just see...two Old Farm Women...leaning across it...to each other...

visiting....

and...Big Bunches...of Rhubarb...growing...near it....

A Lovely...Group...of Lilac...Bushes...just...Blooming...at each Corner...

Filling The Spring Air...with Their Intoxicating...Aroma....

Spring!

I bought...several...Bundles....at Duwa's...

This was one thing...Dwight had mentioned...when he called the other day...

with a list of things...he thought I'd like...

I don't buy....much Picket...anymore...

but...he was right...This...was very Special....

So Beautifully Hand Crafted...

and...So....Very...Very...Old....

Seems...most Everything...I gathered...at the Auction...

was just...a bit...Unusual....

Curious...Things...

Things...that there may have been...a Million....made...

but...few...like...these examples...

Yes...It was a Curious...Day....

It's a Glorious...Morning...

 

There is Frost...on The Old...Easel...this Morn...
This is a Victorian Beauty...
It has Worn Velvet...on it...
oh my....
and...behind it...is a Folding...Baby Crib...
I Don't buy...baby cribs...
but...
This One...is...Wonderful...: )
and...I have never seen one...like it...: )
Very Simple... and...all I could see...while...looking at it...are Masses of Plants...in It!
Pal...Val...will be Bringing Many...of Her Beautiful...Home Grown...Heirloom...Plants out...this Spring...for Sale....
and..I'm Redoing...Both Green Houses!
This...will be Darling!
{I may see...if I can get Mark...to cut a Glass Top...for It!}
Oh Boy!!!!
 

This Pail...at a glance...looks like a 'pail'...but...it's Miniature...
Old...Old...Old...
but...
in Half...Size....

I don't usually buy...'Beer'...stuff...but the Little Painter...made me laugh...
It's a tin Chalk Board... and will be Fun...in The Shop...: )
{does The Painter's...Paint Pail...look Familiar?...: )
 Kinda looks like My 'Fancy'...Vase...
I use...in the House...for...Fresh Flora!

Tea Party scene from Alice in Wonderland

I was...Late...to Duwa's...Auction...{Naughty... : ) }

 

I flew...into the Auction...

Late...

Dwight...{the Auctioneer...} Stopped the Auction...to inform the Crowd...of my Tardiness...: )

oh my...

I had to stop enroute...and get meds...

{I thought about...not...stopping...and taking my chances...

then...I remembered...the Anamosa...Show...

I Have...to Breathe....

DANG!!!}

My Lungs...are giving me Fits!

I have a Nasty Cold...

and...of course...it has settled..in my Lungs...

thought...tho...it made me Late...I'd be a better bidder...if I could...Breathe!

It was a Lovely...Day!

Saw soooo many Friends...: )

and...came home...with some very....Gnarly...Unusual....Treasures....

{More images...in the Morn..: ) }

I spent most of the Day...outside... with the Grungy Farm...stuff...

but...snuck inside...just in time...to buy the Beautiful...Old...Old...

Sunflower Candelabras...

{oh my...Love...Them!}

Thanks...Soooo Much...to Dwight and Junell...for calling yesterday...to let me know...about this Auction...: )
I get so....Twisted... burning the Candle...at Both Ends...I may...have missed it...
What Fun..it was...
Thanks...to Lynn...and Bud...for lending a hand...Loading...: )
It was Great seeing...Kelly...Brent...and Bill A. {He has a Show...next Weekend..at The Fairgrounds...in Iowa City! }
I Ducked out...early....from the Auction.... I truly...was not...on top of things....
but...am Thrilled...with what came Home...: )

Don't let the height...fool ya...there is some...Great Stuff...on this Load...{the cab is full...as well...: ) }
Everything...from Ornate...Old...Old...Farm Pickets.... a Beautiful....Victorian Screen Door....a Pile...of Feed Sacks...Grinding Stone...Giant Galvanized...Tub...an old...Chimney Cupboard...and...Funky...Fragments....ect....ect....
yes...this...is a Sweeeet Load...for the Garden Party!

Love This!
I tried to buy it...to no avail....it sold with a Group of things... the winning bidder wanted something else...in the pile...and was willing to pay...more for that item...I didn't see who bought the pile...it was in...but while visiting with Lynn...and another Gentleman...I said...how sorry I was...I had not gotten the Wind Mill...Weight...{counter balance}.... Lo...and Behold...the Gentleman...had...bought it...from the top bidder...and...Sold It To Me!!!! YAY!!!!!
I Love...Anything...with IOWA on it!!!

Some of The Favorites....
The Lovely Old...Candelabras.... Little...Side Saddle Stirrup...{Heart Shaped..: ) } The Odd...Curry Comb...and...
the Des Moines, Iowa...Windmill...Counter Balance...

I picked up Two...Modern Chandeliers....on the way Home... : )

{sigh....}

LOVE THIS!!!
Don't have a Clue...What...it is...
It's Cast Iron...
and...Viney...all over it...
but...it is one of my 'Favorite'...Things...of the day!

Auction....Today!

Running Out The Door...to an Auction!

Hope to bring home...some...'Treasures!'....

Have a Most...Wonderful....Day!

Love...to Ya!

Barb C.



Jim Reeves - Roses are red my love.mpg

Roses...are Red...My Love.... : )

I Hurried...and Scurried..yesterday...to get Masses of Balloons and Treats...for Mom's Birthday...

It was a Lovely...Day....

I Treated...all of the Residents...and Staff...to Sweets...for Mom's 93rd!

They were all...so wonderful...and Clapped for Mom...

came up...and visited with us....

She...is Loved..by Many...: )

I felt Blessed...to share...in this Birthday...with her...

a few short months ago...I wasn't sure...this would be....

I'm glad...I got...so ornery...with the Dr.'s...and pushed them..hard....

Just as...my Grandmother did...when Mom was born...on the Farm...

The Dr. came to the Farm...and told...my Grandmother...to let Mom go....

She would never live...

Grandma...wouldn't have any part of that...and put Mom..in a Shoebox....

on the Old Wood Burning Stove's... Warming Oven Door.....

Here Mom is...93 years...later...

Just goes to show...Dr.'s...don't know...everything....

I put this song on today...in Memory...of Mom..and Dad...

As Dad and I Bounced down...the Rough Country Back Roads...of Iowa...

 in those Old Trucks...when I was a Little Girl...he'd sing this song...over and over....

I always knew...it was for my Mother...

Her name...is Rose....

or..."Rosie"...as Dad...Always...called her...: )

They had a Love...that wouldn't Die....

He Loved...her so....

Even...when they divorced....they never dated anyone else....

they lived together....off and on...until he Passed Away....

They Never...stopped Loving Each Other...

Every time... I see a Bouquet...of Roses...I think...of Them...

Love...to ya...

Barb C.

 

When...I stopped...to gather groceries...after leaving...Mom... I spotted these Roses...
I had to buy them....
The Snow...Reflected...so Brightly...through the window...
on the Old Cupboard...this Morn...
They seemed to be Smiling...at me...as I walked by...
ahhhh....
Memories...

Had a Wonderful Time...sharing Mom's 93rd Birthday...with her...yesterday....
She Laughed...and Sang...Old Songs....
I had a Gal...snap this image...of us...the only other...I have...of just us...was taken...when I was 5....
Thought...is was about time...for an updated one....: )
{I have always run away...from having pictures taken...with Mom...and her two other daughters....
They are all...Tiny...people...
{barely 5 feet tall....and slender...}
I look like the Amazon Queen...when standing with them...{I'm nearly a foot taller...and...wider...oh my...}

 

 

It was a Beautiful...Morning...no wind....and a Brand New...Blanket...of Snow....

Lady Marmalade Patti Labelle (with lyrics)

To...All of My Soul...Sisters...{and...Brothers...: ) }

Oooooh...

yes...a Little...Over the Top...

with...

Lady Marmalade...to lead off...this morn..: )

It's All about the Soul...

for me...

This Year!

 

 

I will be making some HUGE Changes...

Down the Rabbit Hole...

This Season...: )

I'm CLOSING the Rabbit Hole...

then...

Re OPENING...

The First Weekend...in April...

with a BIG

GARDEN PARTY!!!!

oh my...: )

a Brand New...

FLIP!!!!

 

This Year...

will be All...

Scheduled...EVENTS!!!

I...after all..am a Party Girl...: )

always...have been...

I Love...to Entertain!

Food...and Refreshments...!!!

and...The Gnarlist...of Old...

Soulful...

Farm...

Farm House...and

Garden...

Treasures!!!!!!!

 

 

I will Gather..and Gather...

then...Blow it Out...

Once a Month...

With a BIG PARTY!!!

{no early sales....in between...oh my...: )}

There Will Be a Very...Special...Theme...

for Each...Event...: )

oh yeah...

: ) : ) : )

If it has Wheels....We'll get 'er LOADED!!!!

 

 

I'll be posting the dates...as I get through all of the Show Calenders....

Of course...we will have the

 Memorial Day Weekend Sale...

and Fall Harvest Sale...as Always...

Oh My!!!!
This was taken a year or two...ago... at Duwa's Auction! We barely got The Ford...out The Door!
Ahhh...yeah...
: )
I'm...pretty good..at 'Gathering'...
{and...'Partyin'...: ) }

This...year...will be the Year...of 'Soul'...

Keep Watching....

My Gears...are...Spinning!!!

I'm Counting...on all of my...

Soul...Brothers...and Sisters...

for Support...

I can't tell ya...how excited I am...about THIS!!!

It may take...this year...to get...it all...perfected...

but...

It's gonna be...Fun...getting There!

Ya Ready...for a Ride!?
It's gonna be a Fun...Fun...Fun...Year!!!!

: )

Love...Love...Love...

To Ya!

Barb C.

HAPPY 93rd BIRTHDAY...MOM!!!!

 



Somewhere my love

ahhhh.... Somewhere...My Love...

After posting about the trip...

Something kept...haunting me....

as...it had...for several days...in the back of my mind....

It was about The Presentation....

I simply...could not understand...why...Folks...were so moved....

Moved to tears...

one Person said...he cried...three times....

I don't ever take notes...for a Presentation...

everything...comes straight from my heart...

so...I couldn't go back....and see...what I had said...

Then...last night...as I was sitting...listening...and searching through music...

I realized...what it must have been...

It was the stories...about my Dad....

I spoke...of the very first...Heart of Country...we Showed at...

When...somehow...."The Junk Dealer"....from Fairfax...Iowa...

was Welcomed...into the Best Antiques Show...in the Country....

I had spent years...defending...these...old...worn...'Misfits'...

because...at a tender age...Dad...taught me...and showed me...their...Soulful...Beauty...

that...so few...in the Antique Community...could see...

They...in my life...were like..."The Coat of Many Colors"...

and...I couldn't understand...why...others...would make fun...of them...

and...me...for being...so...Proud...of them...

and...Laugh...at the Old Painted Farm Cupboards...

ask me...if I had just painted them...with 'Porch Paint'....

I thought...about...my most favorite...Old Cupboard....

with the story...of when it was last painted...back in the 30's....

The Elderly Woman...I had bought it from...way back....

stood before me....almost...in a daze....remembering...that Old Cupboard...being painted...

in the Farm House Kitchen....by her Mother in Law...

as she was feeding her...Little...Daughter....in her High Chair...

then...in a quiet...tone...

"Yes...I remember that...it was the year...my Little Girl...died"...

 

By every right.... I really shouldn't have been accepted...into Heart of Country....

I am...a Misfit...

The Things...I Love...so Very Much... and Respect so...for their...incredible...Journey...are Also...Misfits...

Just as...the Day Old Calves...and Sickly...Ponies...we rescued...

and the Old Trucks...that most folks...wouldn't drive...

The first year...we went to Heart....

my Show Partner...thought...I must be confused...

surely...WE...were not going to be included...

Libby...took a Chance on us....

and...Dad...was a Huge...part of it...

Tho...he had passed away...more than a decade...prior...

To...the date...

He passed away...on Friday, the 13th...of February...1987.

So...Heart of Country....and Valentines Day....have been difficult...

We drove...an 81 Ford Ton Truck...with a Couple Hundred Thousand Miles...on it...Loaded...Beyond...belief...and pulling a Big Trailer...

That first...year...

{The Porters...ran..when we opened the doors!

and asked...who the heck...Loaded all that Heavy Stuff!

 We Did!!!}

I remember...when we found our empty booth... prior to set up...

It was Glowing!

They had made a mistake...and put a Spotlight...on it...: )

{an Expensive....Option...I couldn't afford...}

The booth...was packed...tight...with Old...Farm...Gnarliness....

and...many...scratched their heads....during set up...

But...Lord...when the Show Opened...

Our Little Booth...Sang...

so did something else...

Throughout...the entire Show....

even tho... Everything...is Country Music...in Nashville...

Everything...

The Live Band...on Preview...and...the Music...chosen...throughout...the entire Show...

was..."Somewhere...My Love {Lara's Theme}"....

My Dad's...Favorite Song....

{and...Movie..Dr. Zhivago}

When I arranged his Funeral...

It was so sudden...and...I was only 23...

in such a dazed...state....
It was... such a Horrible...Loss...
{I'd...suffered...many losses...before...but...always..had Dad..to lean on...
I...was...Lost...so...very....lost...}

I Knew... what Song...had to be played...

I had the Organist...play it...over...and over...and...over....

She asked...what other music...I would like...
I said...No...Others...This One...only...

{I'm sure...she thought...I was out of my mind...

in reality...I guess...I was...}

I remember...she found...it...without the Beautiful...ending...
'Lara's Theme'...

That...wouldn't do...

I was adamant...it had to have the Beautiful...ending...

and...that...was what played...over and over...

at Heart....

I suppose...most folks...never understood...

ahhhh...

but...I did...

and...so did...Dad...

Yes...it has brought me...to tears...this morn...

as well...

Love to ya...

Barb C.
{ I had some folks...ask me....after The Presentation...if..these were...stories...I created...
or..if they were true...
: )
oh my...
I couldn't make this stuff....up....
This...is...All...About...The Journey...
Heart...and Soulful...
it truly....is....}

 

 



Martina McBride - Blessed lyrics

Minnie Pearl on Country Style USA in 1957

Heart of Country...2013...History...

Heart of Country...2013

in three words...

Over

The

Top

!!!

three more...

Roller

Coaster

Ride

!!!

Wanda and I took off...early last Monday Morn...

Picked up Peg...in Hannibal, MO.

We made Wonderful Time!

Until....Wanda's Garmin, 'Mable'....took us over 'The Bridge'...in Kentucky...: )

it was a pretty...uneventful...Journey.. : )

{'Uneventful...is 'Good'...and..."Rare"... when traveling...with The Old...Hatter...: ) }

Holy Smokes...I haven't laughed that hard...in a Long...long....time....

Wanda....was hanging on...for Dear Life!

That Bridge...was Sooooo Tall....Narrow...and...Transparent....

{you could see through the bottom...: ) }

The bridge...was sort of like driving on mesh....

I stayed as close to the right...as I could....to give oncoming cars...and trucks...room...

{don't think...we could have met a Semi...and made it through...oh dear...: ) }

My front right tire...dropped into a groove... I couldn't correct....afraid I was going to pull into oncoming traffic...

Wanda kept saying...

"Get over...you are going to hit the bridge!"...

There was no way...

I knew how close we were...and...it was close....: )

but...I knew..we weren't going to hit the bridge..: )

{She Swore...there would be Blue Bridge Paint...on the Fuso's Mirror!!!!}

I was laughing so hard... and yelling at Peg...to get the camera...to get a picture of Wanda...

{she was fiddling with the camera...and couldn't get it to work... }

I grabbed the camera...and got the image!

Wanda began to roll her window down...for some air...

I said.."Wanda...better keep that window up...when we hit the water...I want to float...for a little bit!"

Oh My Lord....I thought she was going to Explode!

Thought I was too!

I couldn't stop laughing!

The Bridge...was a LONG...one...so...I finally...decided to put the hammer down...and get the Girls...across...

They...had, had...enough!

TOOOOO FUNNNNNNY!

Then..we get to the Hotel...it took us forever..to get the luggage...all out...

{The Fuso...was Packed Tight!}

We waited and waited.... to get checked in...to find out...they had no room...for us...Monday...

They had Over Booked...

{we had a Most...Lovely Room....at the Opryland...the rest of the stay...}

oh my...

The Opryland...took care of us...tho...

Paid for another room...at a Hotel across town and cab rides...

and...some other..'perks'...

so...all in all...it worked out....

{We were So....Tired...and disappointed...Monday...: ( }

Bright and early...Tuesday Morn...

Hooked up with Susan Kramer Hunkins {Heart of Country Promoter}

{She..is an Absolute...Angel....: ) }

and got to the loading Dock...where I met..with Pal, Red...{my Porter}...

Between Wanda...Peg...Red...and I... we had the Monster Load...unloaded...in 2 and a half hours!!!!

We Rocked!!!

Then...we started unpacking...and setting the 'Bones'...of the Booth...

By Tuesday Night...

We were in Good Shape!

Val and Roxanne... came in...from Iowa...to Shop the Shows... and we hooked up with them...for Supper that night!

What Fun!

Cindy B. {Lady Bug }...came in....Wednesday ... and stayed with us...

 Then..Bud and Renate.... oh my...

I Think...

They All...were Blown Away!

It was an Incredible...Adventure!

Wish I could have spent more time with all of them...

but...I truly work...nonstop...and when we are done...for the day...we...are....DONE!!

{Cindy...came down with the Flu...when she was heading out...Saturday Morn...we all are worried about her....We Hope...she gets feeling Better...Soon!!!!}

The Presentation, Friday......went off without a Hitch!

I struggled...before I went...with what I would Open the Presentation with...

The very first thing that came to mind...

was Minnie Pearl...

How she always opened her act ...with..

"I'm Just So PROUD to be Here!!!!"

I shared that...with the Folks...

as...I was...So...Very...Proud...

to be There...

Proud....to be...a tiny...part.... of The Best...Antiques Show...

in the Country...

and...how Honored... I was...to Share...The Wonderful...Old...Soulful...Iowa...Treasures...

with them...

The Old Soulfulness... was Proud...to be there...as well....

Except...I don't know what I said...

but had...folks...tearing up...

Many came up to me...afterwords... and said...I had made them cry....

They all said..."In a Good way"...

Somehow...I touched them...

I think... it was really...the Wonderful...Old...Soulful...Pieces... that 'Touched'...them so...

and..the Story...about..their.."Journey"...

I explained to them...while...enjoying 'touching'...all of these Old Treasures...as I packed...for the Show...

it was...really...how The Old...Treasures...'Touched me back'...

without...them...in my life...

I wouldn't have had some of ...The Greatest Gifts...of my Life...

The People...they have introduced me to...over the years....

I wouldn't have had...the opportunity...to meet...any of them...either..

What...an Amazing...Gift...These Old Soulful...Treasures....have Given...ME!!!

I also...told them...how Proud they should be...of this Amazing Show...

It is also a Gift....

The Beautiful... Creation...of Elizabeth Kramer...

that began..over 30 years ago...

Libby...had a Vision...

a...Passion...

{The very first person, to Cater...Heart of Country...was..none other...than...Martha Stewart...

Libby...could see Potential...in Folks...way before...anyone else...could...}

Susan...has taken her Parent's Dream...and continued it...in their Memory...

They...would be so Very...Proud...of her...and her Family...

{I'm...sure...along with my Dad...Libby and Dick... were there...watching...over us..: ) }

It's a Huge...Undertaking...

They... their...Family...and Amazing Staff...work tirelessly... for the Dealers...and Folks...attending...

oh my...

oh my...

I am...Always....always...

So Very...Proud...to Be There...

I had a Very...Good Show!

and...with Peg and Wanda's...help...

It was...Stunning...

{ I don't say that...often...but...I gotta tell ya... as I walked past it... enroute to another booth...I was...Very...Proud...of Ours...

It was Full...and...Welcoming....

I had draped Vintage Fabric...all over the walls...it was sooooo Warm...and Cozy....

It felt like...'Home'...}

We sold..everything...from the Beautiful....Massive...Floral Rug....{on the back wall...} Masonic Columns...and Staffordshire.. to...little spools...of thread...and lace...fragments....

It was a Very...Diverse... Show!

We Busted Butt...Saturday Night...and was loaded out...by 11:00...

Mel...Peg's Darling Daughter...was Amazing Help!

She had flown in...on Thursday....and had to catch a 5:00 a.m. flight...back to Florida...

Sunday...

so...

She and Peg...sat up...most of the night visiting...Wanda and I...hung in...as long as we could...

but...I managed to get a few hours of sleep...

All of the Girls...were Wonderful...

I Thank Cindy B., Bud and Renate...for bringing Fragile Things...from Iowa...to us....

They were a God Send!

We got home...late last night...

and...as Lovely...as Heart of Country was...and...Nashville...

I am So...Happy...to be Home!!!

I have a Cleared Head...

and am making HUGE Changes... this year!!!!

I'll be posting them..in the next few days!

Love to Ya!

Thanks...to EVERYONE who came to Visit Us....at Heart!!!

and...a Special Thanks....

to Susan and Steven....

for Making...

Heart of Country...

Heart....and

Soulful...

Barb C.

{Thanks...to Mary Randolph Carter...."Carter" {author "For the Love of Old"...for her Beautiful Book...that has inspired soooo many...including myself...

and...for her encouraging words...during our visits...they mean more...than you know...: )

please check out her website www.carterjunk.com }

 

 

  

Oh my....It's a Long.....Ride...Home....from Nashville...
The Girls...{Pegadoo...and Wanda...}slept...off and on...{they are going to KILL me...for posting this!}
{Wanda...don't get any ideas...of posting any of me..: ) I have Way 'Better'...ones...I could post..of you Girls!!! : ) }
We hauled Fanny... all week...and had little...or no sleep... after load out...Saturday Night...
Sunday...was a Long...600... plus....miles...
We hit a few Antique Malls...on the way home...and found a Wonderful BBQ Joint...by Marion, IL. to have a bite to eat... It was a Good...Trip...Home...
Polly...was Very...Happy to See Me!!!!

Wanda....Pegadoo...and her Darling Daughter, Melissa! {Mel}...Those Girls...Rocked!
We partied HARD....and Worked HARDER!!!!
{Our Room...was Stocked Better..than the Bars!!!!}
The Girls...watched the Booth...while I gave my 'Presentation'...Friday Morn...and about lost their Minds! It was BUSY!!!!
{I forgot to warn them...about how Crazy...Friday Morn...can be...at Heart!!! oooooops! : ) }

 

Peg went through...and snapped a few images...of the Show...for me...
It was....Beautiful!
It was themed around "All Creatures...Great and Small"... Very....Wonderful!

I LOVED this Eagle...It was from the 1870's... and...Totally...Over the Top!

This was the set up...of a few of the Grand Buffet Tables...at Heart... {Meal included with Preview Ticket} The Food...is Incredible!
Heart...definitely Knows...how to throw a Party!!!

It was soooo cool...seeing all of the Wonderful...Old...Old...'Critter'... memorabilia...
{sigh...}

My Little Pal...Carol....from the Under 200. Booth.... I ran into her..as we were walking through the Show... We were Loving...all of the Treasures...as we Flew to our Booths!

This is where I had my Presentation..."Heart and Soulful"...

Peg Loved...this Little Bunny....

Wonderful...Wonderful....Treasures Throughout the Show... Holy Smokes!

There were Several Thousand People....visiting The Opryland....over the weekend!
4000 people...checked out..on Tuesday...only to have the Hotel...fill back up again...within hours...
The Rooms...were Booked...Solid...
It was a ZOO!!!!!!!