Today was one of those days where I involved myself online and forgot about the time. So when a knock on the door transpired, I took my pj’d self downstairs to see who’d catch me (this time).
It happened to be my neighbour across the road…
“We have all these shutters that we took down. Do you want them?”
As soon as I heard “sh….” I was throwing on my shoes like a crazy person with flannel pants ablaze, half way hopping down the driveway to see what was up!
Indeed. Lots and lots of baby wooden shutters in perfect condition! Whoooeeee! Not vintage, but cool all the same. Shutters just kinda work!
Over the years, I’ve had plenty of neat drop offs, all because people knew about my little junk habit.
One time Corinne brought over some rusty junk her family found at the bottom of a river. I loved hearing the story of the discovery and how her family all got involved.
And that they thought of ME in the middle of a river?! Well, I was beside myself! 🙂
These windows on the garden shed were gifted from Vic. He had them stashed in his barn, and knew I really liked that kinda thing.
Vic was really, REALLY right! And I’m also reminded of all the house adventures we worked on together.
And these signs were from Dan. He had this coke collection going, and when my eyes widened when landing on the signs, he handed them over quicker than I could take them off his hands myself. They are a gentle reminder of all the lessons I learned from his mentoring over the years.
But this next story is neat.
My brother Les bought this wagon wheel centre a few years back, because it reminded him of me. He didn’t gift it to me because he wasn’t sure I’d even like it. But to his surprise, when I spotted it at his garage sale, I had it in my hands so fast, he didn’t even have time to tell the story about it.
And now it resides right in the middle of my junk lamp. Cool!
And this next story involves a dear blogger friend…
Friend Polly from Blackberry House showed me a picture of her family’s stash that they were going to get rid of, because she knew I liked that sort of thing. When my eyes hit a crate in the rubble, I exclaimed that Peter was my dad’s name! Well, that meant something to her, so she tucked it away, hoping it could get my way at some point.
Years later, I finally had the chance to meet Polly at Bella Rustica. And what did she have hiding in her booth for me?
The crate.
That crate is not only something I ADORE, it reminds me of our friendship over the years, plus the sweet memory of my Dad.
There’s just no comparison to something you find at a thrift store. These things have meaning. And they’re gifted to you because you’re into it TODAY, not because it’s a handed down ‘not your style’ family heirloom you feel you must keep, even though you have no room for it.
And in return? Your generous friends become part of your own story.
But here’s the REAL #1 reason I love to tell folks what I love doing. Bar none.
Once I get going, they tend to hitch a ride on that passion wave, and want a piece of it, but on their own surfboard.
Now THAT is what I truly love the most!
Dream Box Building Challenge #9
Whatever it is you love doing, wear it on your sleeve and allow others into your story!
You’ll end up receiving more than you’ll ever imagine…
Visit what dream box building is all about HERE
Visit all dream box building updates HERE
Have you ever had a neat drop off?
Oh Donna, what great memories and friends! I adore this line “Once I get going, they tend to hitch a ride on that passion wave, and want a piece of it, but on their own surfboard.” Kowabunga!!! :)))) ::: surfin’ with you :::
~ Christina
Donna, you have such a great vision for your junk. Your ideas are inspiring. I can’t wait to see what you do with the shutters. Keep us posted!
I am really enjoying the Dream Box challenge! It is just this huge eye-opener for me. Can’t wait to read more! Thank you!
🙂
Cecilia
donna what a nice post made me feel all warm and googly xx
Yup. I love me some shutters too. I was lucky enough to raid the house next door before the tear down. Shutters were abound and now I am in deep with shutter love. I have a shed below also, which I lovingly call the Purple Shutter Shed, because I have lined the rim of it’s tiny garden with them. Now grape vines are planted beneath. Really enjoy this blog and coming over to be inspired. 🙂
Donna,
I love your post today. The pieces you shared and skipping down the driveway in your PJ’s is just what I would do too. I hope your Dream Box becomes filled with all that you hope. Now I am off to see what Dream Box Build is all about.
Thanks for sharing you,
Karen Marie
Dragonfly & Lily Pads
I love shutters too! We must be sisters separated at birth! LOL! Last weekend our church was having a rummage sale. My husband and 19 year old son were helping set up for it while I was at work. When I came home they were so happy to show me what they “bought” for me for $5. The whole back of the Jeep was full of shutters! They were indoor shutters in perfect condition in all different lengths – I loved them—the shutters—-and the husband and kid that thought of me! I think I’m going to have to park my vehicle outside this winter because my side of the garage is full of “projects” I won’t get done before winter!!
Hi there, how’s Fall doing up your way. What part of BC do you live in?
I am so jealous of all those shutters. Hard to find here and then the prices are outrageous if I do.
When we lived in MT (about 32 miles south of Helena) my husband worked for trucking co. in Missoula, we went up to Kelowna quite often. I loved when we went across a lake on a floating bridge. Don’t remember what name of lake was but we had to go across going east to get to Kelowna. We’d go up thru Washington, talk about pretty wild country, not much traffic or people around up there where we went into Canada/BC.
I miss traveling that way, used to go with hubs a lot. I’m part gypsy so love traveling, seeing different parts of country. It was pretty cold up there also but not much worse than MT. We don’t live in MT anymore. We moved to Ky in 2009 when oldest son/family lived there, then moved here to CO in 2004. Two of our kids/families live fairly close by, we live few miles west of Grand Junction. I don’t like living in city anymore and I was biggest city slicker when we lived in San Diego, CA area for 21 yrs. til we moved onto 20 acres in MT. MT is still my favorite place to live. I’d go back there in heart beat. We had 20 acres just off Canyon Ferry Lake in MT. Really stupid moving to KY. I couldn’t handle the weather/humidity there. Have asthma/allergies/arthritis so not good in humid climate. I do miss our house and 1 1/2acres we had tho out in country. Was so pretty there. Also could find awesome junk for affordable prices. People here in G.J. are very greedy. Everything here is so much more than other areas we’ve lived.
You have such great “stuff”, I miss living where people sell things or leave on side of road. I’ll grab something in heart beat but hubs will drive on by.
Have great Fall, enjoy the cooler weather. Happy days Love your blog
I love your junk!!!!!! I am a thrift store shopper in my old age of 67!!! Love your blog and your shed!!!
Hi Donna,
I found your blog and Facebook page and I’m totally HOOKED!! I just love your ability to take just any old thing and make it something unique and beautiful. What a wonderful imagination you have! I really admire your ability to build what’s in your head. I can see what I want something to turn into, but have no idea how to physically make that happen. That’s when I call my brother 😉 You’ve inspired me to take a shot at using power tools myself! Anyway, just wanted to stop by and give kudos to your junkin spunk and let you know that I’ll be looking at all my finds with a little more squint until the light bulb above my head goes off with a cool idea. Thank you! Carla Lake (Luna Lake and Company), North Carolina
I had to laugh at your line about getting “caught” in your pj’s. My shop is at the end of the driveway next to my house, and it’s an open secret in the county that on my days closed, as long as you wait until after 10am,(I am not human before that, let alone dressed!) you can come knock on the door. But I tend to do house chores in my comfies (read thrift store couture) and lose track of time. So there has been many times I have slipped out to the shop in my slippers etc., hoping I don’t look too scarey or my breakfast isn’t still decorating my teeth, or my front. LOL I am drooling over those shutters. Some mornings I go out to find all kinds of surprises..dressers, doors, windows, sometimes just cool junk. But never SHUTTERS!
Hi Donna!
Greetings from Grand Rapids, MI!! I posted to you about 6 months ago when my husband and I were camping in our Terry trailer. In about 5 days we will return to Arizona permanently and take up temporary residence in our Terry while we look for a home.
I’ve followed your blog and was so glad to see you’re actively posting again. Hope you are well and happy!!
Best regards,
Carla
Hi, Love your blog & am jealous of your shed. We have a vinyl one but I would trade it for 1 like yours in a minute.Can’t wait to see what you’ll make with the shutters.