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.

Our stay in Bonaparte.....

We spent our last 2 nights &1 day in Bonaparte, Iowa.  It's one of the villages of Van Buren, located in the southeast corner of Iowa on the Des Moines River.  We stayed in one of our very favorite places -- The Bonaparte Inn.  It was previously a glove factory but it's been painstakingly restored into a beautiful inn.  The women who work there take care of you like you're truly a guest.  They make certain coffee is ready outside your room when you awake, then they fix a yummy breakfast in the dining room that looks out on the river.  Appetizers are served in the afternoon.  Can't beat that!

On Friday we headed out to some of the other villages to do some sightseeing & shopping.  It was a gorgeous day.  After shopping in a huge Mennonite store in Cantril, we headed to a little cafe in town to have a pork tenderloin about the size of a dinner plate.  After lunch & taking in a little more of the scenery, we headed back to the Inn & took a walk.  It was such a good day.





 



Is this heaven or is it Iowa.....

Happy Monday morning! Have to go to work but wanted to post one more day of our trip to Iowa. This was our afternoon at Barb's (Simply Iowa) shop in Fairfax. Just driving up to her shop is a treat but when you walk in it's amazing. We thought we were in antiquer's heaven. There's no explaining it -- you have to see it for yourself. It is packed full & Barb is so good with her displays. It certainly made me re-think the way I do my space at Leola's. It made me realize I could put twice as much "stuff" in as I do. Check this out....

Here's Barb trying to hide behind a little piece of paper. She really is the best at what she does and it shows. While we were there, she had a constant stream of people and they were all from out-of-town.

Some of Judy's treasures.

We had such a good time in Barb's shop but left thinking we'd missed lots of good stuff. Guess we'll just have to go back. Thanks, Barb, for a fun afternoon.