Great road trip.....

Linda, Judy, Jean and I just got back from a road trip to Iowa.  We came home thoroughly and completely exhausted but with lots of treasures.  It was cool most mornings but by noon it was hot, hot, hot.  We stayed the 3 nights in Bonaparte because we love the Bonaparte Inn but probably next time, we'll stay closer to where we like to shop.  First and foremost, we love Simply Iowa, Barb Conner's shop and known by most as the rabbit hole.  This is her blog and I've loved following her for years.  She's just an amazing talent and after you see the following pictures, I'm sure you'll agree.

Barb, watering some of her many plants.  Behind her is her truck that she drives all over finding great "stuff" and delivering what she sells.  She works harder then any person I know.  Some days I just have to take a nap from reading her blog.

Now we're going to enter the Rabbit Hole.....

This is what she's done over the entryway door.....

Sorry this one is so fuzzy because it's the most amazing mirror you've ever seen.  Sorry....it's already sold.

We bought several things from her but my very favorite is a painted early, early chest that I have wanted since first visiting her shop (several years ago).  Every time I go I tell Barb how much I love it.  It's like it's waited for me.  Well, this time she gave me a deal I couldn't refuse and we had enough room so it came home with me.  Didn't have the energy to get a picture this morning but will post it one day soon.  So happy!

We actually got to set down with Barb and visit for awhile.  She's one of those that I would never have known if it weren't for blogging.  So grateful for the opportunity.  Thanks for a great visit, Barb.  Now it's your turn to come visit us.

We're off on another adventure...

Judy, Jean, Brenda & myself are taking off tomorrow for a little antiquing trip. I'm a little concerned about driving everyone crazy with my cough but not concerned enough to stay home. They may make me get a room to myself. Tomorrow night we're staying in Bonaparte, Iowa, at the Bonaparte Inn but from there, who knows. We're going to see Barb from Simply Iowa blog & then try to find that Sharon from Sweet Repose who keeps moving around. She's in a shop in the Amana Colonies where we're wanting to go and we also want to check out Mt. Vernon.

I'll take lots of pictures and if possible, may even post on the road. The leaves should be gorgeous and it's definitely fall weather. They even had some snow in Iowa today but Barb assured us it has melted.

While I'm gone, by brother-in-law, Mike, is coming to paint my house. I can't wait to come home and see it brown after it's been blue for so long. Then in about 2 wks. I'm having wood flooring put down in my great room & hall way. My nephew, Denny, came & measured for me & the stores he works for are going to do it. I'm so excited. I've wanted to do this forever. I'm so grateful to Mike for always being there for me. Don't know what I'd do without him & Susan.

Talk to you in a few days.

Augusta Restaurant in Iowa....

This was one of our favorite restaurants on our trip. They had a homemade sign on their window that they had the best pork tenderloin sandwiches in Iowa and we agree (not that we've eaten any other pork tenderloin sandwiches in Iowa but these were something else). They were served with sweet potato chips. We had them cut ours in half and we shared but we could have quartered them and had enough. Is this not a beautiful plate of food?

The couple who own the restaurant were originally from Iowa but had moved to New Orleans. After Katrina they decided to move to Augusta and open a restaurant.
For dessert I had the yummiest strawberry shortcake and the other girls had beniets (sp.) with chocolate filling and chocolate drizzled on the top. It was almost a religious experience.

We loved this poster! Is it not the truth! Mike wouldn't dance unless he had a couple of beers & most men I know are the same way.

It is very hot in Mo. this week. I'm sure we hit 100 today and I'm having the women from Leola's for dinner in celebration of Pam's b'day. There will be no dining on the porch tonight.

We're home....

It was so good to be home after 7 nights in other peoples' beds. Especially where we stayed on Thursday night in order to get to Walnut bright & early for the sale. It was so bad that we all put our t-shirts over the pillows and cleaned everything with antibacterial wipes. But for the most part, we had a wonderful trip and came home with lots of treasures and wonderful memories.

I have so many things I want to write about but so many of you wanted to see more of Sharon of Sweet Repose blog & her new shop WHITE so thought I'd show some pictures of that today.

This is Sharon and myself in her shop. As you can see, she did a wonderful painting technique on her walls. The shop is pretty small but a great place for showing off Sharon's many talents. Is there anything that woman can't do? She has the cutest lampshades (sorry, I didn't get a picture) and Jean is going to start selling some of her soaps and votives at Leola's. I've ordered her soaps before and their fragrance is incredible.


There's a small courtyard out a side door and she has it fixed so cute.

Can you believe she has straw on the floor inside. I'm not sure how you'd vacuum but I'm guessing not often. Anyway, it's a fun idea and looks great.

She did several pieces of furniture including an old table with linen-looking old fabric and just nailed it with little black tacks. Some things were fringed but none were hemmed. The rocking chair was great.

You can see she's used straw outside too.

Anyone who thinks there's nothing in Iowa would be in for a shock. We just hit one little town after another (most historical) that had great shopping and the best little restaurants. Tomorrow I'll tell about one that we found in a little, tiny town that was the best food and the most interesting couple who owned it.

I'm off to the store to get a chicken for dinner. The kids are coming after they swim for awhile. My garden had grown like crazy while I was gone and I've been pulling weeds and tieing up tomatoes all morning. I picked tons of salad greens and a big bunch of basil so we're having pesto, roasted chicken and a big ole salad for dinner. It's so good to be home.

Hot time in the old town!!!!

It was such a hot, sultry weekend but still beautiful and green. We've had lots of rain this year so things are growing like crazy -- including the weeds. My hydrangeas are gorgeous this summer. Last year the late freeze killed the blossoms so they're making up for it this summer. I cut some on Friday & they're already dry. They're the most beautiful shades of blue & green.

I had to put a picture of these white butter pats & doll dishes that I had. There's something about stacking a whole bunch of white together that I love. My sisters & I took a trip once & raced into every flea market we went by in Iowa to see who could find the most white ironstone tiny dishes. It's one of my favorite collections.