A little junkin’…just for you.

09 Thursday May 2013

Posted by Kelli in heart and soul, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

Hey Sweet Dirt Roaders! I have been a tad out of pocket. I didn’t forget you though…I’ve just been busy. As promised…I did take a little time out for junkin’. Yeah…I know…it’s a heavy cross to bear, but someone has to do it. (winky-winky)

So…today was kind of a date day for the Mr. and I. He had an appointment in a little neighboring town and much to my delight, there is a wonderful store there. A honey-hole of sorts. It makes a trip to the “back cracker” feel like a holiday.

The little store that we visited is a junker’s paradise. There is stuff everywhere. It’s the little store that I have told you about before that used to be a hotel in the 1800’s. It’s so old that the floors are crooked. I love it. They even have stuff stacked in a tiny kitchen. That is where I found the canisters. They have been well loved and there are only two…and one is missing the lid but they whispered to me. ” Fraulein…fraulein….please take us home with you.” (They were made in Germany.)

I can imagine these canisters in a sweet farmhouse kitchen. Can’t you just see a little woman making soup and needing a scoop of barley? I wonder what happened when she broke the lid? Maybe she cried. Maybe she was kind of like me and realized that stuff is not as important as the feelings of the people that break things.

When I first spotted the canisters and their adorable little feet…(so adorable)…my husband pointed out that the one remaining lid was cracked. I didn’t care. I knew that they were perfect for me and I…for them. I told my husband, in the little kitchen…in that ancient hotel…that I am all about grace. Things that have been broken…can still be useful. I love that. I have been broken…and Someone still sees value in me. I am amazed…by His grace.

Have a great weekend! I’m gonna decide what goes out…because I brought something “new” in. Clutter and I don’t jive. It overwhelms me. I have to have a balance or I start threatening to throw stuff out in the yard. I know…I know…therapy would be useful. Party on…Dirt Roaders!

Would you like to come home with me little chest?

24 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by Kelli in fluffin' the nest, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

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If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time…you have figured out that I am all about junkin’ for a bargain. That means…going out and looking for great cast offs that “fluff the nest.” Not everyone loves this style…and I respect that. It is however…me. I love to take a “well-loved” something home and incorporate it into our everyday lives. I think that there is something to be said about finding worth in the cast offs. After all…I was one and Someone found worth in me.

So…last Friday I was out junkin’ with the moms. (Mine and his.) We went to this yard sale and we were fixing to leave and this guy pulls up with a pick-up load of wonderful junk. My mom spotted this little chest of drawers. (When I was a little girl…I thought that it was “chesterdrawers”… all one word. My apologies to you Chesters out there.) Well…it was pretty chilly out and no one wanted to get back out and ask him how much he wanted. When we finally did….I think that he said fifteen dollars. We then, drove on to our next sale.

Do you ever drive away and think “Why didn’t I buy that?” Well…I kept saying that and the moms kept telling me to turn around. I didn’t and we kept junkin’. Why oh why did I leave that little farmhousey chest behind?

One the way back to drop my mom off, I drove by the sale again. It was still there. They had the little chest out trying to clean it up. (btw: Did you know that a little ammonia and water is great for cleaning up old painted furniture? Especially if it’s a little mildewy from storage.) So…I stopped…jumped out and asked the lady, doing the cleaning, how much she wanted for it. After much thought…she said ten dollars. (On the inside…I’m flipping out…and the wheels are turning.) I told her that I would take it and I called the Mr. about transporting it home after work. It wouldn’t fit in my Expedition. (Although, my mom stuffed a ginormous wreath in there.)

FYI: Did you know that if a long strand of steel wool is hung in a keyhole on a chest…and you just grab it without thinking that it will slice right through your index finger like the slimmest of razor blades? It will. Been there…bled that. All better.

I almost forgot to tell you that I put up with much heckling from the moms when I got back in the truck. They had been talking about me while I was out there wheeling and dealing. They both already knew that my wheels were turning and I was dreaming about the little chippy chest living with us. Am I THAT transparent? I believe so. 🙂

Have a wonderful middle of the week, Dirt Roaders. I hope that you enjoyed the junkin’ trip with us. Oh…one more thing. The added bonus that came with the chest? It had been an olive green in a former life. How wonderful is that? Olive underneath and chippy white on top. This is where the rub (steel wool) came in. Yes…you may roll your eyes.

Blue Boy

18 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by Kelli in heart and soul, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

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The Blue Boy – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Boy

The Blue Boy (c. 1770) is an oil painting by Thomas Gainsborough. Perhaps Gainsborough’s most famous work, it is thought to be a portrait of Jonathan Buttall …

To me…the Blue Boy was always something that hung in my grandparents farmhouse. I had no idea why….for years. Kids are like that aren’t they? You just know that things are familiar when you are young and don’t really question their presence. Ahhh…the simplicity of youth.

When we built our own home I remembered Blue Boy. He had long since been stashed in a spare bedroom closet in my grandparents brick home in town. They had sold the farm several years before. I actually drove by the farm a few days ago. It will always have a special place in my heart.

So would you like to know why Blue Boy is in my possession? I kind of left that unfinished. Are you wondering why I cherish this print of this little guy in satin clothing? I will tell you why.

When my dad was a teenager…his sister, who is a few years older, had a job. She worked at a department store here in our hometown. I guess since she was making a little money they decided to decorate his bedroom. (Are we seeing some decorating genetics surfacing here?) Low and behold…they painted my dad’s bedroom….navy blue. I wish that I could have seen it…or rather…pictures of it. My aunt purchased the Blue Boy print to hang in his room. ( They were also into spraying gold spots on furniture to “antique” it. I think that it’s great. I love creativity.)

So…there you have it. My Blue Boy print hangs in our entry right now. (I got permission to bring him out to our own farmhouse.) I love his blue duds with the white wall behind. Blue is actually my favorite color. I wonder if Blue Boy influenced me with his shiny blue clothes…all those years ago? Thanks Blue Boy print. You are a treasure…that is probably only worth something…to me.

Thank you for stopping by, Dirt Road Friends! I would love to hear about some of your wonderful or quirky treasures. Your comments DELIGHT me! Leave me a comment or twelve. 😉

Have a wonderful weekend!

A little junkin’ therapy…

17 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by Kelli in heart and soul, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

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Do you ever have those crazy times in life where you feel frazzled from your crown to your pinkie toe? Of course you do. You are human. You are flesh and bone. These things happen to us all. We have stuff pile up all at once.

There is a song that says “It won’t rain always.” I think that I have told you that before. Did you need to hear that today? Do you need to know that God loves you? Yes…you. He is very concerned about….you. What a wonderful thing to know.

Sometimes when life seems a little overwhelming…I take a few minutes for myself. I putter around at the thrift store, or like yesterday, I go to the antique mall and pick up something that I found last week…but didn’t buy.

Sometimes we just need some quiet when our souls are overwhelmed. Time to reflect and contemplate. Sometimes we just need to get away and breathe deep…even just for a few minutes.

This morning I ran across this verse in Lamentations: “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” (Chapter 3 vs. 26) I love the encouragement and the promise in that. I also love the “quiet.”

I hope that you have a wonderful day, Dirt Roaders. I hope that you find a quiet place that breathes peace down into your soul. You deserve it….yes…you do.

Brass is Back?

05 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by Kelli in sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

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It’s true. You heard it here…(probably not) first. I have been seeing it here and there. Brass is back. You might be saying…”Hey Kel, it never left. I’ve had it all this time.” Okie dokie. I respect that. The thing is…I think the only place that I had any left was the builder’s pack lighting that we haven’t replaced yet.

Well…I fixed that the other day at the thrift store. (Might as well talk a little more about junkin’.) For fifty little cents, I picked up a tarnished piece of brass…and brought her home with me. She has the cutest little feet that you ever did see. I just love her smudgy exterior. She fits right in with the other well-loved things at our house.

I know…I know…we’re not all on the same page with the faux greenery…but I just love these little boxwood topiary balls. (They are great for a momma….on a budget.)

She is my only photo today. Sorry that she’s a little fuzzy. (Note to self…wear you glasses during edits.) 😉 I just wanted to let you know, Dirt Roaders, that if you have been true to brass all along…and you love it…now is your time to shine. They are claiming that it warms a room. I’m down with that. It may take a while to grow on me again…but for now…I’m going to enjoy the cute little feet on my brass pot.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend…from our dirt road to yours.

Let’s go Junkin’! Part 2

04 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by Kelli in sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

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Hey sweet friends. You are back for more? Okay…I can deliver. The funny thing is…I’m getting myself pumped to get out there and junk too. My grandparents are huge auction goers and a good auction sounds fun…if it would warm up a tad here. I think that we have chances for sleet. I think that I’m gonna “cry real loud.” (My cousin used to threaten her family with that when she was little.) I don’t think that it will help though.

Okay…so junkin’. That’s why you are here…right? Either that or you just love me. I hope both. That would make me very happy. People that love me…..that love junk. Wowza.

This is one of my favorites. This old lamp cost me five bucks. I love everything about it.

…..and here is the top. 😉

…and she looks great with a topiary ball hanging from her neck. 😉

So what about when you are at a yard sale and you spot something at the same time as someone else? Do you wrestle them to the ground and twist it out of their grasp? Or how about the person that just won’t give up at the auction and must have more money than you? It makes one think that junkin’ should be a sport.

Do you remember this? My husband bought it for me at an auction…(good eye Mr….good eye) and I talked him into cutting the legs off…coffee table height…and can you say love? 🙂

What about when something seems too high? Do you ask them to take less? I have been known to use my bargaining skills a time or two. I got an awesome pair of Le Creuset canisters (cobalt) for a steal one day. I knew what they were…and he knew what they were…but he needed to get rid of them. Cha-ching!

Do you remember this cloche? I found it down on the bottom shelf at the thrift store for four dollars. That was a heart thumper…right there. 😉

I’m sure, Dirt Roaders, that you use common sense and courtesy when you are out junkin’. In my opinion…I don’t need a piece of junk bad enough to ruin my reputation or to make an enemy for life. I would love to hear about your escapades though. I absolutely LOVE…lovity…love your comments. I want to hear about your bargains and your bargaining.

You’ve seen this bowl lots of times…but it’s one of my treasures. I love it’s chippy personality. It was my mother-in-law’s but she gave it to me. How precious. 😉

You’ve seen this before. One of my anniversary treasures. 😉 I think that it was worth every bit of forty dollars.

Have a wonderful day…and may you happen upon a free pile of junk. Cha-ching!

Let’s go Junkin’! Part 1

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by Kelli in sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

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There you are. How are you today? I hope that all is well. I hope that spring is springing for you. I’m so glad that you could come along on our little junkin’ tour today. It’s one of my very favorite things to do. I will give you a few little junkin’ tid bits in between photos. Yeah…I’m thoughtful like that. 😉

I found this little beauty at a flea market type store while we were on vacation once. I’m sure that I didn’t pay much for it. It was missing it’s handle…but I love the colors and the vintage look.

Are you crazy about bargains and sales? My mom and mother-in-law both are. When I want a fun-filled day that will leave me exhausted… I go junkin’ with those two. It’s crazy fun.

This little step stool will always be one of my favorites. I love the worn gingham pattern on it. I think that I have two dollars for it.

This little step stool will always be one of my favorites. I love the worn gingham pattern on it. I think that I gave two dollars for it.

Usually in the winter, folks around here close up shop on the yard sales. That is the time that we use to hit the thrift stores. We have a few around here and sometimes you come upon a wonderful bargain.

This little green juice and water jar was given to me by a friend at Christmas. I love it. The white piece of ceramic behind…was free at an antique mall booth. It has a crack in it…but well loved things are welcome in our home.

One of the main things that I love about going junkin’ is the fact that you find fun things to incorporate into your home décor that are unique. Plus the perk…that sometimes you come upon an antique that is cheaper than dirt. (Okay…not that cheap.)

I was needing a new lamp and I already had the burlap shade. I found this nickel lamp at our thrift store for four American dollahs! Yay!

I was needing a new lamp and I already had the burlap shade. I found this brushed nickel lamp at our thrift store for four American dollahs! Yay!

I hope that you join us next week for part two of our little junkin’ tour. I just thought that with it warming up that a few of my little treasures might inspire you.

This little iron stand is one of my favorites. I love it’s chippyness and the fact that it can be used for so many things. I think that I gave a dollar or two for it.

Aren’t these amazing? I found the jars at the ReStore (four of them) and the Ironstone at the thrift store.

Do you guys follow For the Love of a House blog? It’s wonderful. I love her style. She has a set of the jars above and I have always been in love with that idea since. I had a big one and one in this size, but when I saw a bunch of them at the ReStore…I was so excited. I got a bargain!

Have a wonderful day, Dirt Roaders. May your junk be cheap….and your pockets be deep. (Insert eye roll here….if you need to.) 😉

How do you feel when you find a treasure?

28 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by Kelli in fluffin' the nest, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

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Are you ever toodling around in a store and not finding much…and then all of the sudden….bright heavenly light surrounds an item on the shelf? You too? Whew…I thought that I was hallucinating. 😉 Okay, so maybe that doesn’t really happen…but I do feel just a bit of the ol’ giddies jumping around in my tum.

This usually happens every time I’m in TJ Maxx. Don’t they have just a wonderful conglomeration of stuff? I usually NEVER leave without checking out the clearance section in the home goods department.

I am pretty sure that on my last trip, this pillow was my only purchase. My daughter and I were strolling along and there it was, in all of its blue and cream patterny- goodness…waiting for me.

I had been wanting a new pillow for the little farmhousey bench by the front door. This little pillow was exactly what I needed. I said “Hey there, wanna come home with us?” It was all like…”I thought that you would never ask. You look like decent people.” Okay, that didn’t happen. I can guarantee though…that I had that little giddy feeling going on. SCORE!

Don’t tell the folks at TJ Maxx this…but I think that one of the reasons that I love to go…is that it’s kind of like a junkin’ trip in there. I never really know what I’m going to find. Usually what I do find…doesn’t cost much. I love that. A treasure hunt.

Have a wonderful day, Dirt Roadikins. We all know that these are not the real treasures in life. Not by far. They are just fun little things…for now. May your day be filled with giddy wonderfulness. May all of your pillows have a heavenly glow! I would love to hear about your treasure hunts. Leave me a comment and we will chat. 😉

The Little Red Caddy that Could

19 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

≈ 4 Comments

Hi friends! I’m keeping my word. I am going to show you the little red caddy that could…become white and blue. 🙂

Some of you are screaming “Don’t do it!” You like it red and I respect that. I like it red too. It’s just that I had this vision of a sort of French-inspired caddy.

I started by mixing a little paint. I had white and kind of taupe color. I didn’t want super-bright white. So I just dribbled in a bit of the darker paint for more of an antique white.

I wound up putting a couple of coats on. I was very pleased. You see…I just knew that my artichokes would pop against the white.

In my original idea bubble….I saw a French stripe on the side of my caddy. I was all set to have my husband (the mathematician) grab his ruler and help me out. Then I started browsing French-inspired things on Pinterest. That is when I came up with a little combo of things. Sort of a French crest type thingy…with a bee. 😉 Can you imagine my delight when I remembered that I had a bee STAMP down in the craft room? (Cue harps and heavenly light!) I was so excited!

It just kind of all came together into this cute little thing that was all my own. I love it when that happens. From buying time until now…my little caddy felt complete.

DrumrooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooLL!

So…that is the evolution of my little red caddy that could…. become white and blue. I hope that you are not too broken hearted…because I am in love with the results!

Let me know whatcha think, and be honest. I really want to know. 😉

Have a wonderful day, Dirt Roaders! May you find what you are hunting for.

Table for Two

12 Tuesday Feb 2013

Posted by Kelli in sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk

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Attention: All lovers of the color red…please enjoy this post. Soon, the little caddy featured, will take on a new life. Thank you for your understanding heart. 😉

Sooooooo…..how are ya, Dirt Roaders? We are good. Okay….that’s done…now onto the table for two!

Do you love Valentine’s Day? Do you hate it? Some people just don’t get into the celebration like others. We’re okay with that. We are going to be busy with school parties and such…so this is a tad early. I didn’t think that you would mind. You are sweet like that. 😉

The other day I was out junkin’. I know that this is very shocking for you. Try to grasp it. Just keeding…just keeding! Anywhooooo….I went into this great little store with the MIL and I happened upon the little red caddy.

This was the kind of store where you could say…”Is this your bottom dollar?” So… that is exactly what I said. She then said “What would you give?” and I said “What do you have to have?” We settled on seven dollars and we were both pleased.

Please enjoy it, in all of its red glory now. Very soon I will be mixing some paint and painting it a grain sack color and adding blue French stripes. I don’t know…it’s just one of those things that I can see in my head…ya know? I knew that you would understand. When it’s done…some of you will wish that it was still red. It will be okay though…I promise.

I hope that you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. I hope that you feel loved from the tip-top of your wind-blown hair…down to your dusty toes, Dirt Roadies! Enjoy your table for two. (Or more!)

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox,

p.s. Today my spell check suggested “toadies” for “Roadies.” I would never call you toadies. How rude. 😉

p.p.s. To my Valentine-Husband…who reads my blog, very faithfully: I love you….indescribable. I’m glad that we picked “us.”

Along the Dirt Road

Category Archives: sCoRiN’ some JuNkItY JuNk

A little junkin’…just for you.

Would you like to come home with me little chest?

Blue Boy

The Blue Boy – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A little junkin’ therapy…

Brass is Back?

Let’s go Junkin’! Part 2

Let’s go Junkin’! Part 1

How do you feel when you find a treasure?

The Little Red Caddy that Could

Table for Two