Years ago, while enjoying a walk, I glanced down an alley and spotted an eight-foot long metal hand-rail leaning next to the homeowner’s trash and recycle bins. I knocked on the front door and a gracious woman greeted me. She told me she was remodeling and didn’t want the railing anymore. Sure, I was welcome to take it, but she warned me it was very heavy.
I still love this decorative wrought-iron railing!
At that time, we owned an aged Suburban and our older son still lived at home. I told him about my find. He grimaced, then coerced his buddy into helping him haul the railing home. I spray-painted it turquoise-blue, but the color disintegrated as the metal rusted. The railing still stands in our yard along with other metal ornaments.
Other items I’ve discovered bearing Free signs are the perfectly good La-Z-Boy I located sitting in a dry, clean opened garage with a Free sign, which we’ve had in our basement for 20 years, and a handsome metal file cabinet with brass handles.
Doubtful this Adirondack chair’s owner is going to refinish it
Do you find me odd for asking strangers for their discards? In the case of the La-Z-Boy, it turned out I knew the person. Still, would you feel uncomfortable approaching her? With the file cabinet, I simply returned with my Suburban and transported it home. I gave it a clean and a lick of paint, before adding some magnet strips on which I wrote labels for what is now going to live in each draw. It’s really sturdy and a great size and I’m so happy with how it looks now. The saying One man’s trash is another man’s treasure comes to mind.
My husband and I have put serviceable items, such as a sports-net neither son wanted when they left home, out on our parking strip with a Free sign. They all disappeared in a blink.
These chipped pots hunkering in an alley look interesting. I’ll have to come back …
My aunt and uncle, who once lived in upscale Scarsdale, NY, used to do the same thing. Many of their neighbors put usable items out front, meant for people who came there to work. My aunt and uncle also loved tag sales, what we call garage sales in my neck of the woods.
How about you? Do you enjoy browsing in secondhand stores and garage sales in search of others’ former treasures? Do you prefer vintage things and family hand-me-downs? Do you enjoy giving away items you don’t use anymore?
Love these Amish-made potholders from Lancaster County, PA!
Please leave a comment and enter to win these treasures: Amish-made potholders from Lancaster County, PA. Plus one signed book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: CBA bestseller Leaving Lancaster, CBA bestseller Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish. Winner will be chosen at random and has three days to respond. USA and Canada only.
Yes, yes, yes. I love shopping yard sales and flea markets and just yesterday. I stopped at a Goodwill in a neighboring town
I didn’t have much luck but I did find a psif of denim bib overalls for my 2 year old granddaughter. A few years ago, while going to work, I saw a small rocker alongside garbage cans on the side of the road. I knew the lady had moved and I prayed that it would still be there when I got off work. It was and it now sits on my front porch. I painted it black to match the wrought iron chairs and I have received several compliments!
You certainly have a knack for finding treasures. Wish I lived where more people put things out!!
Sounds as if you and I have a lot in common, Connie! What fun about the rocking chair. I find most of my treasures in alleys. Every once in a while someone will come out and look me over and I’ll introduce myself. Haven’t been arrested yet. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love shopping at garage sales and second hand stores! I am always looking for a good sale on something we could use. I do occasionally find things on the side of the road that I will grab and I also put things on the side of the road for others to grab when we no longer need or want them.
Would love to win those beautiful amish made potholders and copy of your book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for writing, Tiffany! I applaud you for both finding things and also putting items out for others to grab. Wishing you the best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Yes, I enjoy resale shops and garage sales for great fines. I take things to local charities when I no longer need some items. There are many families who benefits from these charities in our area with jobs being loss. Thank you for sharing. I love your wrought-iron railing with the foliage. Kate, keep searching you may find some other treasures. God bless.
You have a terrific attitude, Marilyn! Donating to charities is wonderful. There are many who have very little and would be thrilled with our used items. Resale shops and garage sales are fun. You never know what you might find. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Some of my favorite treasures are yard sale or flea market finds. I especailly like older Pyrex. It reminds me of my childhood.
I like older Pyrex too, Kimberly! More and more, I store food in glass containers in the refrigerator. Time for a Pyrex rebirth? Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love going to second hand stores, garage sales and finding just nice treasures. We have put items out by the street several times and they disappear quickly.
I’d love to join you on your journeys through secondhand stores and garage sales, Juanita! Isn’t it fun when someone cruises by and takes items away? Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Yes I love thrift stores and in our village we have a throw out time 2xs a year people throw out unwanted items a lot of men come around to collect scrap metal their truck is heaping high of it and yes you can find flower pots and some lawn items , bed boards ,desk ect & some junk that needed thrown out years ago ! LOL
Your village has a fabulous tradition, Brenda! What fun. Sounds like my cup of tea. Thanks for writing about it and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I think most times we forget that in our excitement to find the next next product that will make our life easier, we don’t realize that if we take a minute and go back to where we started we already had all we needed. I love the old of our parents, seems they worked the best and when we tried to do it better things got complicated.
I agree, Cherese! Years ago, when my parents bought a new and larger refrigerator, they put their old Frigidaire down in the basement to keep extra butter, etc. The new one wasn’t half as good and I don’t recall the old Frigidaire ever dying. You are right in that we already have all we need. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love browsing garage sales and out-of-the-way shops, love vintage things.
Thanks for writing and letting me know you love the same things I do, Rachel! When I go into a home where everything is brand-new it feels cold and without personality. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My grandmother and cousin going around ditchin’, finding stuff people have discarded in the ditch. They have found furniture, luggage, and even a small refrigerator. It is interesting to hear some of their tales lol.
Your grandmother and cousin sounds fun, Hannah! Would love to hear their tales. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I enjoy browsing garage sales and re use it shops. Several years ago pregnant with our 4th child, we came across an old wooden highchair on the curb. Money was tight and I had given away all my baby things not anticipating another child. We picked up the highchair and bought it home. My husband sanded it and stained it. It came out beautifully. We used it then and still have it 32 years later. Time I guess to put it on the curb.
You may need it for grandkids. 🙂
What a delightful story, Christine! You needed, and a complete stranger provided. Love how those “coincidences” occur. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love shopping at yard sales,thrift stores,goodwill and flea Market. I love FREE stuff. You can find good stuff cheap
FREE is one of my favorite words, Angela, followed by DISCOUNT! Guess it’s in my DNA. Both my parents were that way and enjoy browsing Goodwill, and were also very generous. Best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love treasure hunting, the older the item the more classic they are. I have many pieces I just love.
I try to give away an item every time I collect new one, Diana, but the collecting seems to be winning. I’d love to have a peek at your treasures. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Love finding that one great piece that was throw. Out or given away as trash. Love repurposing the item.
Repurposing is a word I may start using, Terri! Thanks for expanding my vocabulary and for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
At this time in my life, I am trying to declutter my home. 🙂 But I do enjoy checking out a yard sale once in a while hoping to find that gem I didn’t even know I wanted. I also watch for clothes for my grandkids. I have been blessed to find some beautiful kids clothes – sometimes even with the tags still on.
I attempt to de-clutter my life also, Pat, but it seems to be a losing battle. Finding clothes for your grandkids is a terrific way to shop and not clutter your own home. Thanks for writing and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
As the things i don’t want any more i give them to some one i know who would like them. But when i don’t know anyone i take them to the second hand store. Nell when i see a yard sail i stop and look to see if they have something i might want. Then the second hand stores i love them to.
Excellent, Jenny! I figure as long as I keep giving away items I no longer want or use, we won’t be buried in my collections. Do not want a storage unit! Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I have a lot of old stuff, including a 43 year old copper refrigerator. Lol. I have a lot of my mom & grandma’s thing. They are priceless. The people who have to have everything new are missing out.
I’ve never heard of a copper refrigerator, Barb! My mother was a sculptress … our home is awash with her statues, my and my children’s paintings, and photos of my grandma’s place In CT, to name a few items. I agree, and must be the only woman who doesn’t want her kitchen updated even though it wasn’t that nice to begin with. Well, it’s lasted 30 years for us, so maybe 30 years more? Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I enjoy old things, as well as new things.
I think about the things that we had as children growing up, is now someone’s “valuable treasure”. Really hard to believe!
When my sister and I had an estate sale after my father’s death, we sold my old dolls, Elaine, and many other childhood toys, that people scooped up! My poor dad had asked me many times to take my stuff away … and eventually it did leave. Wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I enjoy going to garage sales and thrift stores. There is always that special something that grabs my attention. It could be a book I’ve been looking for or perhaps salt n pepper shakers to add to my collection.
What a fun collection of salt n pepper shakers you must have, Deana! Finding a book you’ve been looking for would be a true prize. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love, love, LOVE garage sales and thrift stores! So much fun and reusing is great for our environment!
I like the way you think, Tracie! I’m going to quote you the next time I ask my husband to stop at a thrift store. Thanks for your fun comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
We used to have a table in the basement of my apartment building where people could put things they no longer wanted. One of my best finds was an angel that can go on top of a Christmas tree.
A delightful tradition and a wonderful find, Nancy! Thanks for leaving your lovely comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Love that railing! We do both garage sales and we pick up along side the road if it is good! We went to a estate sale and wanted a booster seat for my granddaughter for the table. They wanted $8.00 …we went back half price day and we decided $4.00 was even too much. They laid it at the curb the next day- price was just right!
What a delightful turn of events, Vickie! That’s what I call a bargain. Thanks for sharing your fun story and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I have a combination of three generations of assorted nick-backs and furniture. It’s really a good mix of 20’s, 50’s, 70,s and 2010
Sounds terrific, Cathy! I love the generations mixed together instead of the straight out of the showroom look. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I hate auto correct that was nick-
nacks!
It’s a love-hate relationship, Cathy!
Kate
I dont go to garage sales but I am always on the look out for things people leave at their curbs. We have blessed others with things that we no longer want and I once saw a neighbor who was getting rid of her plastic yard chairs. I saw her when she was working in a store and told her that her chairs found a new home in my back yard! She was happy that we were using them.
A wonderful give-and-take system, Maryann! I’m sure your neighbor was gratified to hear her chairs had found a new home. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Yes I love old quilts, old cookbooks and old photos. I also love.old furniture. My kids think I am weird. Oh well, it’s what I enjoy. I love old movies and I have a special place iny heart for elderly people. I feel they are often forgotten by today’s generation
Sounds as if you and I love some of the same things, Janet! My husband had a marvelous idea recently. He took his mother’s old photo albums, sent them somewhere to be copied, and now has the photos on his computer. His whole family is enjoying them. I also love the old movies, especially from 1939. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love second hand stores. I am a Michigan State fan and have found lots of shirts at these stores. I also go to used book stores and buy books. After I read them I donate them to the local library or the VA. I also found a set of dishes to match the ones I already have. If you have the time to look you can really find a lot of good buys.
Reading your comment made me think why I enjoy traveling with my sister so much, Linda! my husband is not a fan of secondhand stores the way I am. I have found some marvelous books in used bookstores. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Oh, my, do I identify with your stories! I get accused of having a car that drives itself to yard sales! My new adventure is going to Goodwill! Thanks for sharing! And I would love to win a prize! 🙂
Growing up, one of our family outings was going to the Goodwill, Teresa! You must have an very intelligent car if it drives you to garage sales. Thanks for writing. I’m wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
That is an awesome awning! You must have a good eye and be very crafty. I know people who love to
go to yard and garage sales and pick up someone’s “junk” to handcraft into their own “treasure”. How great!
One trick to collecting is to keep giving away, Antoinette! I admit, I sometimes lack in that area. For instance, I bought several darling old table cloths that rarely get used but I won’t give them away either. But there’s always more room for yard ornaments … to a point. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Yes, yes, yes!!!!! Love the stuff you can find and re-use!!! What someone throws away that they could not use…someone else’s mind is rolling with many ideas! I love thrift stores and garage sales. Love to wonder the story behind something someone throws away!
Super fun to do on Saturday mornings!!!
If you love to wonder about the story behind what others throw away, you might make a good author, Toni! That’s the way my mind works too. Thanks for leaving your enthusiastic comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I like garage sales now that I’m older. My mom loved them. I also enjoy antique stores, even if I can’t buy anything I like looking. My husband and I have gone to flea markets as well. It’s fun and interesting to see what others will sell.
Sounds as though you have a great mom and husband, Brenda! Not everyone loves antique stores or flea markets. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I have found a few treasures this way, too. I like old antique shops too.
Thanks for writing, Sonja! I wish I could see the treasures you’ve found. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I do enjoy ‘re-purposing’ treasures found at flea markets and garage sales but have accumulated so many treasures I need to have a garage sale of my own! The most fun was when the township I live in formally had large item pick-up day twice a year. It was amazing what people would put out and amazing what people would pick up. People with trucks and/or trailers would troll the neighborhood. Fun entertainment! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thanks for giving me a new word: Re-purposing, Linda! Love it. Your township’s former bi-annual large item pickup day sounds like great entertainment. I would have loved being there, Best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Yes, definitely! If it’s already shrunk, it is. If it’s already faded, it is. Likely it will be one of a kind! And… I have been wanting Pennsylvania Patchwork for a long time. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
I want you to have a copy of Pennsylvania Patchwork, Kathleen! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Oh yes! In NC where our farm is, our county has huge recycle bins for all kinds of things and they used to let us go through them and pick out the good stuff. We’ve rescued ‘treasures’ like garage shelving, basketball goal, chandelier for our kitchen, standing vintage lamp for our LR, just to name a few. And we always take our ‘trash’ there instead of Goodwill. Our boys even rescued their first XBox (in perfect working order!) one year right before Christmas! Talk about a blessing 🙂 Now they don’t let you do that so folks started setting the ‘good’ stuff on the ground in FRONT of the bins and anyone can take it but once it goes inside a bin it now ‘belongs’ to the county and if you take it, you are stealing. Sheesh! Guess they were losing money or something.
Here in VA, we thrift shop all the time. It costs too much to furnish and decorate two homes. We stopped at a home in a super nice neighborhood when I saw two end tables out by the curb. The man was more than happy to have us haul them off. They’re solid wood too! Almost all of our coastal decor has come from thrift stores and yardsales and freebies on the side of the road. No shame here! My motto is Repurpose-Reuse-Recycle 🙂
A chandelier and a standing vintage lamp , Anne? Wow! At our beach cabin, the dump has an area for people to leave usable items, which we do. Have not seen anything we wanted yet … definitely not a chandelier. How cool. I like your motto: Repurpose-Reuse-Recycle. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love estate sales!!! They are so much fun… but some items you have to buy new.
I love estate sales too, Lisa, especially when they’re held in a big old house I’d never ordinarily get to enter. Guess that makes me a snoop. Yes, some items are better, like Amish-made potholders, Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love Antique’s stores..flea markets & State Sales..the is where you find old things..
Reading your comment makes me want to go find some sales, but I’ll be a good girl and stay home and write, Melissa! Several times I’ve passed estate sales on my many daily walks and had to go in for a look or come back later when I had money. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
So much of our wood furniture came from garage/yard/estate sales, thrift stores and my sweet maple secretary desk was a gift from a very dear older friend a dozen years ago. Six or seven years ago Hubby took a load of metal to the recyclers and traded out for the prettiest metal lawn chair that he straightened and repainted – I’m short and it just fits me! He’s brought home scrap wood from building sites (with permission) and used it to build shelving units for his shop and so many other projects! We live down a gravel road so it doesn’t work for us to put things at the end of the driveway. Instead we donate to a local thrift store that uses sales proceeds to help needy folks in our town. I shop at thrift stores for fabrics to use in quilt making. Just yesterday at Habitat for Humanity in Mooresville, I found a new piece of Christmas print for 25 cents to use in making a quilted table runner = score! Many of our clothes come from there too. We’re aging and hubby is downsizing his vehicle repair and wood working tools. Those items he no longer uses or may have duplicates, he takes to a nearby consignment shop. We are the “made do/do without/use it up/wear it out” kind of folks. Please enter my name; it would such a pleasure to win one of your books. Thanks! Judy Smith
If you haven’t read any of my books, I hope you get a chance to soon, Judy! Maybe by winning this giveaway! You are lucky to be married to a handyman. My husband is a hard worker but not handy … and doesn’t want to be. Your metal lawn chair sounds lovely. I’m short too. Well, not when I visit countries where women are all my height. Thanks for writing and good luck!
Kate
I like a mixture of old & new.
You sound delightful, Susan! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
No one ever wants to admit that thrill of finding a. Rare treasure. I am a committed rummaging sale queen of thirty some odd years and counting. This is my passion! Besides eating out!
Ah, you have two delightful passions, Veronica! Best luck to you in your treasure hunt and in this giveaway. Thanks for writing!
Kate
I love treasure hunting! have found so many items I have been able to re-use! and love passing on things I can’t! any kind of sale leads me on the hunt for better than what I have or something a friend might need…love reading your posts!