old things...new story

“Old things are better than new things, because they've got stories in them, Ethan.”
― Kami Garcia Margaret Stohl

I love old things...

Everything in my house is old and has a an old story...and I like the idea of giving it a new one. There is something about rescuing an old item that appeals to me in a big way.
I'm not so good for helping the economy grow - I restore and recycle and I never replace an appliance until the old one has died and is beyond the ability to be brought back to life. A few of my favorite things:

photo by spbm

Some old cameras.  Love these.

photo by spbm

An old travel poster I purchased while living in Germany. It's huge.

photo by spbm

I am not a collector of chickens, but I love this one. He is extremely heavy, not sure what he is made of.

photo by spbm

How cute is he!? He is so old and has so many worn spots. I wonder about the child or children who have loved him - where are they and what was their story. He was found while I was digging through an old box at a flea market in Germany. There could be some interesting tales this little guy could tell...if only he could talk.

photo by spbm

This is not so old, but one of my favorite things from France. I bought this while floating the lochs and we stopped one morning and rode our bikes into a little village to get breakfast. This was in a little shop that was similar to a tiny general store. I use it when I go to the grocery store. I get tons of compliments on it. When I first came back from Germany I would get a lot of looks carrying it at the store. Not so much anymore, people in Missouri are starting to use more reusable bags and totes. I love it!!! I cringe every time I see someone carrying their groceries out in those "nasty" plastic bags.

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photo by spbm

I have a light fixture from Germany that I really do want to replace this one with, but for now...I do like this one.

photo by spbm

Love old books!

photo by spbm

A old 1861sign I purchased in Germany. I don't think it is German? I was told it was a tavern sign? It's extremely heavy wood.

photo by spbm

Old Tom's Peanut Cabinet full of children's books.

photo by spbm

These are definitely not old, but I have a hard time throwing bottles out. If I can use them for anything at all, I recycle them. Spent a couple of hours yesterday taking off the labels and then ran these through the dishwasher. Some will work great for flavored oil and vinegars.

Last Days of Fall

The colors of fall are fading fast; most of the leaves have detached themselves from the trees and fallen to the ground. I've raked and cleaned my yard more times than I want to recall, and there may be one more cleaning left. Yes, I know I should wait until all the leaves have fallen and do it one time; it's the kind of thing that drives me crazy. This beauty is outside my yard, but I can visit its beauty anytime by walking to my kitchen window.

Spring, Summer, and Fall, the leaves do a very nice job of blocking my view of the ugly city buildings. Aren't the colors BREATHTAKING!?

So...I've been crocheting a pillow cover with the beautiful colors of fall, because they are so warm and comforting.

If only...I had something wonderful baking in the oven. Maybe tomorrow.:)

My home is filled with castaways, things other people throw away. I found this wonderful old table on the streets while living in Germany. Also, the marble slab on top of the old feed bin was a treasure I could not pass up when I saw it laying on the side of the road. I miss that about Germany. I can't tell you how I got the thing home; my back still gives me fits. It is a perfect example of how my determination can give me enormous strength.:) I just found this wonderful old chair on my last trip to the dumpster. Am I the only person who comes home with more trash than what I take?

I HOPE everyone has a wonderful and blessed weekend.

beauty is in eye of the beholder

I know that the things I find lovely and beautiful are not always the things other people find attractive. I have things in my house no one else would dare have. This is ok with me; I do not want a house that is a carbon copy of another. There is something about rust, chips, tears and dents that I am drawn to. Perhaps it is knowing I am so imperfect and yet, God loves me anyways, even with all my imperfections.

Last August,while driving through the neighborhood I spotted a trash heap. My eyes were fixed upon this wrought iron sticking out of a box. Anything RUSTY always catches my attention. I stopped the car and marched over to the heap of trash...there it was, this beautiful Spanish looking wrought iron and lovely decorative piece. I grabbed it, quickly, before another whose love for the 'old and rusty' spotted it.

It now hangs above my hall closet and looks right at home. There is the initial "D" in the center, which means it surely was waiting on me for deliverance.