Bonding Over Dump Finds

Denny and Dottie have furnished their houses with dump finds -- and regaled us with stories today. 

Too Many Horns of Plenty

What is the fascination with cornucopias as a decorative motif? The attraction to this symbol of abundance -- the horn of plenty -- is lost on me. Who wants more?  I would like less, please.  

Lighthouse Condiment Container

Now I've seen everything in the way of Beach Picnic Paraphenalia. 

This separates into three different containers with little spoons.

How clever!

FORMICA + VINYL CLASSICS

These two swiveling chairs are classics. Elegant design and the cheapest materials possible: formica, plywood, vinyl and brushed stainless steel.  They are drenched with rain, but holding up!  

Somebody Made Her

I thought I'd seen everything nautical, aquatic, oceanic and sea-monstrous.  But this little mermaid arrived in the Gift House yesterday and really captured a moment, and spread her zany charms about.

Vintage Board Game

A classic board game with a pop-o-matic feature!

Back of my Jeep

I couldn't leave this Dansk cake plate behind. Just going to borrow it for awhile, and bring it back to the Gift House in a year or two.   

Easter Pile Up in August

Easter isn't around the corner, except at the Gift House. Bunnies, chicks, eggs, baskets, pastel hues  . . . you get the picture.

Your Wildest Dreams Can Come True

It amazes me how many books that come to the Gift House are about getting rich or becoming a "millionaire" but very few books about how to know when you've got enough.  

Oil Lamp

I can't get enough of these. When you live on the Cape year-round, you know there will be nights you'll be carrying an oil lamp or candle around the house.  I always keep one in the bathroom during the winter storm season. I hate brushing my teeth in the dark.

VCR BUILD UP

The VCRs are still coming in -- pretty new and the price is right.

Dumpster Art

You never know what you'll see on the side of a dumpster.

The Red Skelton Show

I can imagine members of my family fighting over this. I would not be among them. As far as I'm concerned, the lost episodes of the Red Skelton Show can stay lost.

Multi-Purpose Rolling Table

I fell in love with this bedside table. It's compact, sturdy, clean, utilitarian. It's on wheels! Best of all, it has been customized with a plug-in gooseneck lamp for reading. I don't know who designed this table, or who brought it into the Gift House, but I know it was somebody's whole world once, and could be again.

Groovy Bike -- Kid size

Bikes don't last long at the Gift House. But this one sat outside today for hours and might still be there.

Clean, Beautiful Electric Typewriter

There is a software program that you can install on your PC that recreates the experience of using a manual or electric typewriter, even the sounds of a key hitting the paper, and the carriage return.  Why bother with that? Here's the real thing.

CHRISTMAS TREE-IN-A-BOX

When you volunteer at the Gift House, you get sick of Christmas pretty fast.  And it's hard to see Santa Claus the same way ever again.  People bring in cookie jars, platters, coasters, mugs, and every other possible decorative item with Santa on them. Snowmen and reindeer too. My friend Hank Stuever has written an incredible book, Tinsel, about Christmas consumerism that has given me great comfort over the last year.
                                       

The artificial tree is a standard now -- and beloved by seniors everywhere.  When your Christmas tree never dies, maybe you never will either.  Last week, a tree-in-a-box arrived. It's all ready to go for December. How easy is that!