Junking Finds
Hello Friends,
Back with another episode of junking finds! We went to a little country town called Florala, Alabama, so called because it’s practically on the state line between Alabama and Florida. It’s claim to fame is a big lake, and we were privileged to be camped lakeside. I really enjoyed the sunset views with Spanish moss floating in gentle breezes beside the lake.
No trip is complete for me without visiting whatever thrift stores I can find, and even an estate sale we happened upon.
Estate Sale Finds
I didn’t know what to expect, but this sale was just a mite expensive and very picked over.
3 Wallet size vintage picture frames~$3.00 Available
Vintage Navy Faux Alligator Box Purse~$4.00 Available.
Isn’t this a gorgeous trash can? Brass-plated on all 4 sides and made in England~$5.00
Eek! I hated to pay what they were asking for this cute plant stand! $7.50. It’s pretty small at just 13″T x 9.25″W. It would be perfect in vignettes or even a table arrangement. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one this small, but it’s cute and different.
This was my favorite find of the day…a handcrafted wooden desk box. I’m enjoying it until I sell it. $7.50
Lucky for me, the little town of Florala is just loaded with antique shops and flea market malls. It’s worth a stop if you have some time and are headed that way.
Thrift Store Finds and Flea Markets
The glass jar below is unusually large at 9.5″T. In fact, I’ve never seen one this large. I have a customer looking for jars of this type, but this was a bit too big for her. I feel sure I can sell it anyway. $5.00
I don’t sell many ash trays. Maybe it’s because there aren’t as many smokers anymore. I don’t know, but I couldn’t resist this collectible pig ash tray by MA Hadley for only $1.00. Available.
Vintage Folding Knitting totes are things I always buy when I can find them in good shape. $3.00
I don’t often run across too much melamine either. I couldn’t resist this adorable set…so vintage and mid-century modern. As the old saying goes about antiquing…Mama threw it away & I’m buying it back.
I hated to pay what they were asking though….$5.00 for both Available
Only time will tell as to whether these 5 cafeteria trays were a dud buy or not. $3.99 for 5. You just never know.
A Curbside Find
I was dying to rescue this old discarded piano on the roadside, but who can pick up a piano?
There’s tons of history in Florala and if you’re passing through on your way to Florida, stop and drive around this lovely old Southern town.
We were camping this trip as we usually do when we go out of town. And it seems that no trip is totally problem-free. The day we arrived, we had just a bit of trouble finding the campground. GPS didn’t seem to know where it was either. By the time hubby had driven about 3 miles down a bumpy dirt road in this,
…we were beginning to think we might not be in the right place. And if it looks lo-o-n-n-ng, it is! 37 feet to be exact. We realized we took a wrong turn, and imagine the difficulty turning around one of these big babies on a narrow, one-lane dirt road! It’s not like you can look in the rearview mirror. There is a backup camera, but you’re basically backing blind. The woman is usually outside directing man where to go so he won’t hit a tree.
So we have this same discussion every time we travel. I’m sure it’s very comical to watch.
“Stand where I can see you in the mirror,” he says.
“If I stand where you can see me, I can’t see where you’re going.” And it’s true. Walkie talkies help a lot, but we usually don’t take the time to get them out and actually turn them on. Sigh.
“Give me the traditional signals.” Translation: some kind of signals men use when they’re directing aircraft. Excuse me, I’m not an auto mechanic or an aircraft mechanic.
You would think saying “Whoa!” and “Stop!” are universal enough.
So I’m out there hollering whoa and stop and waving my arms and it does absolutely no good at all.
That was the first incident, which really wasn’t an incident. It’s pretty much standard when driving a motorhome.
The 2nd incident was about a week later. Our awning was out when up came a blustery wind from nowhere. I no sooner called, “Gary, the awning!” It took off like a balloon and landed on top of the motorhome, puncturing an air conditioner cover, shower cover, and bending all the arms and hardware to the tune of $1700. Luckily the insurance will cover most of it. Just another thing you have to watch out for when you have a motorhome, trailer, or anything else with an awning. And if it’s not the awning, it’s something else. However, they’re lots of pluses, and we really enjoy this mode of travel.
For more motorhome stories, you might enjoy this~Worst RV Nightmare and Vintage Motorhome Tour.
Lastly….
A Mystery Item
And what in the heck is it? (I didn’t buy it.)
That’s it. Which one was your favorite?
Other posts you may enjoy….
Favorite Junking Finds Greenback Tennessee
5 Reasons I Go Picking Out of Town and Favorite Junking Finds
Florence
Latest posts by Florence (see all)
- The Latest Vintage Hauls - February 10, 2020
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- September Sales on Etsy and My New Antique Booth - September 30, 2019
- Camping Trip Thrift Store Haul - August 2, 2019
We are heading to Destin Florida in a few weeks and love that area of the country. Mostly though, we love the Mobile area…..I would live in Daphne, or Fairhope the rest of my days if I could convince my family.
I love reading these posts! Okay so my favorite is the piano. If it wasn’t so roughed up, it would be magical. Eh, I’d still take it if I had a pickup truck.
Also I love those trays! We had those exact ones in our lunchroom in elementary school. There’s something to be said about separating your food.
Kari, you’ll probably go right through Florala if you’re heading to Destin! Maybe you’ll remember me if you do, LOL. And your fave is the piano? Oh, I liked that too! Wish I could have gotten it. You could tell it was old. You like the trays? Well, it’s funny you should say that about separating your food. That’s totally me. I don’t like my food touching.
Nooooooooo, people leave piano’s on the side of the road!!!! How? Why? OMW!!! Okay I just need a moment……….. I would have rented a trailer or something to take that home with me. Another moment……………… WOW!! Does that happen often?
Okay I think I’m over it now. I’m glad you had a good trip Florence. That little plant stand is super cute. Just the perfect size for a small succulent, I’m sure that one will go in no time. Do you think you mystery item could perhaps be a small coffee cup storage stand thingy, those espresso sized ones?
Well, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a piano on the side of the road. We surmised someone was doing an evacuation or kicking someone out. Lots of junk out there too. Oh but I would have loved to get that piano, but don’t know what I would do with it. A desk would be awesome though, don’t you know? I just loved the way it looked.
Lots of people are guessing a coffee cup or glass holder. I think an espresso holder is more the thing. It simply wasn’t very big.
I always love to see what others buy when junkin! I think my fav is the ashtray and I would use it somehow, maybe a spoon rest? It’s too cute to not use!
That’s a good idea for the ashtray! It’s too cute to use for its intended purpose. But you’re right…too cute not to use.
I am not sure but the mystery item looks like a caddy for drinking glasses of some kind. I try to pick these up when I find them and put together a vintage set of cute glasses to sell. Really enjoy your posts!
Thanks Teri! You’ve made my day! Glad you enjoy the posts! The caddy does look like it was for holding something, but it’s so small. I’m not sure what.
I think your mystery item is some kind of glass or mug holder! Maybe hang mugs on each of the hooks?
Well, I know, but it was so small. I didn’t measure it, but it wasn’t big enough for mugs…maybe very small ones. I’m beginning to wish I’d gotten it now. I really liked its MCM look.
If I had to guess about the mystery thing I would say it is a mid century coffee cup holder. The reason is it has a handle that indicates you could pick it up. It looks a lot like the set ups for cocktail glasses but I couldn’t seem to figure out how they would do that so all I can guess is a coffee cup holder/carrier? Let us know if you find out for sure. Love, love, love your junkin and motorhome escapes. Sounds like my hubs!
Thanks so much Penny! It might be a coffee cup holder, but it’s so small, I think it would only take very small ones.
Our camper awning opened up once while we were driving down the road. I looked out the side view mirror and saw it all the way open and flapping in the breeze. We were lucky we didn’t clip it off on a light pole. That was a shit show. LOL
Oh my goodness. That would be my worst nightmare #2! It’s a good thing you saw it!
Oh my goodness! I can just picture Y’all backing that big ol’ thing down the dirt road! It was a funny visual. 🙂 I love the little plant stand. And who knew Florala would be pricey?
I agree about the mystery item holding glasses. Not mugs. The glasses would have sat in between the pegs. I had one once, also without glasses, and was told that’s how it worked. Then again, I could have dreamed the whole thing. Don’t pay any attention to me. LOL
OH! I never thought of that, but it makes sense that glasses might go in between the pegs! I didn’t measure it, but I really couldn’t picture it being for mugs b/c it’s too small, unless the mugs were really small. No, I don’t think you dreamed it up. The estate sale was actually in Andalusia, but who knew it would be so pricey. I bought anyway, as you see. I just loved that desk box & plant stand though. If they had been less than $7.50 apiece, they wouldn’t have still been there.
You really got a lot of good things. I like the knitting tote because my aunt had one but since I love curbside shopping the piano wins.
Thanks Debra. I loved the piano too….just wish I had had a way to get it.
What fun finds! We don’t see many pianos on the side of the road, but they are very often on our local Craigslist. Some days I actually have counted up to 4-5 free pianos! I don’t play, nor do I have the room. It just seems a shame doesn’t it? I still have a couple of ashtrays around, not for smokers, but for burning ticks in them! So I just refer to them as tick-burners. I think my favorite pick would be the pink creamer & sugar. My nick name is pinky, and I collect all things pink. I have pink depression glass, pink flamingos, pink roses, etc. My next project will be redoing my kitchen with a set of 50s Montgomery Ward Metal cabinets, with a double drain board farm sink, in Pink! Seriously! I found it on Craigslist, and when the woman went to take more photos, she realized that there was more rust damage than she thought and sold them to me for 1/2 price–$300! I’ve seen the sink alone go for over $1000! In PINK who could I not buy them?
Josephine, that sounds totally intriguing! I love pink too! Your cabinets sound divine. I would love to see them when you get it done. What an idea about using ash trays as tick-burners! Haha, I love it! I used to get ticks all the time from hiking & yard work, so I surely need a tick-burner! Oh, the piano. What a shame that was going…so old and pretty too. It looked like someone was being kicked out of wherever they were living b/c there was lots of junk out beside it. I think it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a piano by the side of the road. Wish I could have rescued that baby. People do such clever things with them now.
Some super cute finds, Florence. I wish you had a pocket big enough for that piano, though 😉 Lol! I just love the look of old stand ups like that one. I almost scored one myself, but just had no place to put it. Argh. I still think of it! Anyhoo, glad the rest of your trip was successful. (BTW: Your hubby and pup look so adorable in the photo 🙂 )
I know. Everyone loves the piano…me included. We went by a few days later to see if it was still there, and it was. Thanks for the kind comment re: the hubs & the pup. They are/were special. Our little pup went to doggy heaven a few months ago.
Lots of great finds Florence! I love the little plant stand too, but haven’t a clue what the mystery item is.
Happy to hear you had a fun trip despite the incidences. Too bad you had to leave the piano behind, I think most are on rollers. You should of thrown a rope around it, and pulled it behind the motorhome. LOL.
Hee Hee Linda! Had a good laugh over the picture of the piano towed behind the motorhome! Still laughing in fact.
Lots of great finds Florence I see that there are a few that look super cool like those food trays. As for your RV adventures, I was just reading the driving manual the other day and wondered how people can actually drive those monsters. I think you’ve given me a look inside the drivers mind. Haha!! Now about that mystery thing, it looks like one of those mug trees, you know the ones that hold a set of mugs. At least that’s what I think l
Wow, I’m glad you like those trays! Yes, driving the big rig can be a challenge! The mystery item has been a bit of a mystery. Everyone thinks mug tree, but it’s really too small. I believe it held something kitchen-y though.