Really cool old stuff

The family and I drove down to Birmingham yesterday, which is where hubby grew up. Unfortunately, his mother passed away last Fall, so we've been going through the houses (she had two), cleaning out stuff, and getting it ready to have the extended family choose things they'd like to keep. Well, I've always adored my mother-in-law. We hit it off the instant we met, which I realize is super lucky compared to some relationships with mothers-in-law. My husband is very well aware of the fact that a large part of the reason I married him was because I'd get her.

Anyway, I didn't know it was possible to adore her even more until I started going through her belongings. It's almost as if she read my mind, and filled her house with all kinds of cool stuff I love. I brought home three VERY LARGE Hefty bags full of vintage fabric (her mother was an exceptional seamstress). And that was only half of what was there. The other three gigantic bags are going to the Goodwill. Mostly because the fabrics weren't that unusual or fun.

There are tons of glass, metal kitchen gadgets, tins, etc. Check out this pile. The book is entitled "A Fortune In The Junk Pile." How appropriate - the irony makes me almost giddy.

Speaking of books, I had no idea of the extent of her cookbook collection. We could open a book store devoted solely to old cookbooks from her collection.


Here they are all sorted and semi-organized on the dining room table. They range in publications dates from 1926 to the early 2000s. This photo only shows the ones on the table. The floor on the opposite side of the room is covered with full boxes, as well.









If I had to pick a favorite of the treasures I brought home yesterday, it would have to be this little collection of tins and glass. I especially love the ancient Noxema glass jar (on the right behind the clear glass soda bottle. It brings fond memories of mornings at my great grandmother's house.
I forgot to mention the dozens of vintage sewing patterns. Does anyone know if there is a market for them? Judging by the clothing styles, I'd say they're from the late 60's on.

Oh, and one thing that made me truly laugh out loud... Wait, did I say laugh out loud? What I meant was laugh my ass off. And I'm allowed to laugh, because I personally remember when coats had lapels this wide!

Cool Junk

One of my favorite places to find stuff to re-purpose is at a little antique/junk store in south Tennessee. Donny, (hereinafter referred to as The Junkman) travels all over the country to flea markets, estate sales, yard sales, etc. He even stops at old barns and asks the inhabitants if he can look through their stuff and buy some of it. Most people are delighted to cull their junk. And surprise! His favorite show is Pickers!
Yesterday, I drove the farm truck (because it's a long bed, and therefore has more room) down to the Junk Palace to pick up some metal tulip chairs. In case you don't know them by their name, this is what it looks like. This one is not mine, but was restored by another junk addict. It does inspire me to paint mine pink and white, though.

These chairs used to be all over the place in the 50s and 60s. My grandparents had them on their screen porch. I like them because you have to bounce up and down a little while sitting on them. This keeps me from jiggling my leg, which drives my husband nuts.

So, I bought two from The Junkman. Along with a few other things. Check out these columns!


These are cool for two reasons: They're aluminum, and therefore easy to paint. And they have bases. Husband and I have been trying to figure out a way to build a pergola on our back patio without having to tear up the concrete. These babies are the perfect solution! They can stand on their own two feet, so to speak.

There is a sign on the door of The Junk Palace (which is not its real name, but what I call it). It's written with a sharpie pen on a piece of cardboard. Why didn't I take a picture of it? It says: "Open whenever we get here till whenever we leave. No exceptions". I just love the place.

Retro blogging

I don't do this. Even though I have started a couple of blogs in the past, I'm not going to steal those entries and post them here. This blog starts right now. I live on a 38 acre farm with one husband, two kids (pre-teen girls, 'nuff said), four dogs, three cats, six horses, one miniature donkey, a Chinchilla bunny, and a Rose Haired Tarantula.

As you can imagine, I will have a plethora of topics to write about. Oh, and I love to take photos. And since I have now joined the ranks of Crackberry addicts, I have a phone at ready all the time! And since I have to start somewhere, this is a cool little wooden donkey I picked up at my favorite junk store. I'm thinking about painting her in festive colors - like Fiestaware.