FARM SALVAGE MEETS AUTUMN ON OUR PORCH

 I usually hang something seasonal by the front door on our porch -- this year for Fall I went with something rustic.

On our last visit to the farm salvage yard (my favorite shopping mecca), I picked up some grain elevator scoops.  I had no idea what I was going to use them for -- just loved their shape and patina.

 Bob mounted two of them on a couple of old boards, and I filled them with a touch of autumn. 

I've written before about my love affair with farm salvage yards!  You can check those posts out here and here.

 Here's a picture of my favorite farm salvage yard -- if you see one along the way, don't pass it up -- treasures await!

I'm joining the following:
Savvy Southern Style for Falling For Fall Porch Party on 9/22/14
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Chic on a Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt It Friday

A FAVORITE SHOPPING MECCA

On the way to visit my 97-year old Mother-in-law the other day, we stopped at one of my favorite places in our hometown -- the local farm salvage yard.

Since my heart starts pounding the minute we drive in, I guess you can never take the farm out of the farm girl. I don't know why as I was never the outdoors type of kid -- preferring to dress up and go to town! It must be all of the John Deere green, International Harvester/Farmall red, and the Case yellow that has rusted to that wonderful metal patina after years out in the sun and elements.

The first thing I spied was this tractor gear. Salvage Guy said he wanted $5 for it. I thought that was a little high, but it is huge (15" in diameter) and weighs a ton; so I said O.K!

Then, when we got home I was looking through the new Restoration Hardware catalog; and look what I found----

AND, THEY WANT $189 FOR IT; AND IT ISN'T EVEN THE REAL THING!!!!!

Guess Salvage Guy wasn't too high, after all.

I also found these cute smaller gears in my favorite International Harvester/Farmall Red. Bob and the Salvage Guy were very patient with me as I pointed from my air-conditioned car which three I wanted in which sizes. They were only $1.00 a piece.

I wasn't about to get outside in all of that dirt and sun (it was 102 degrees). So, it was the best possible shopping experience from inside my cool car. AND, just look at all of that wonderful patina.

Now, I just need to figure out what to do with my treasures. Any suggestions?

I'm joining the following parties:

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Southern Hospitality for Thrifty Treasures Monday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Very Merry Vintage Style for Share the Love Wednesday

FARM INSPIRATION

For those of you interested in the farmhouse look and have a creative spirit, I offer up the following pictures for inspiration.

Have you seen the new show on Lifetime called "Picker Sisters"? These two cute, young things travel around finding stuff similar to the above. Then, they take them back to Los Angeles where their shop guy makes furniture, light fixtures, etc. out of their finds. And, of course, they then sell them to their rich clients.

I took these pictures at a farm sale a year ago. Things were going cheap that day - I could have made a fortune. Oh well, the story of my life! Or as they say down on the farm - a day late and a dollar short!!

I'm joining in the following parties this week:

Funky Junk Interiors for Sat. Nite Special

Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday

The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursday

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

INDUSTRIAL CHIC

Up front let me say that I love the so-called 'finer things' in life and in my home such as 19th century dishes, velvet, paisley tapestry, lace, etc. But, I'm always in conflict as I love a big hunk of metal junk, peeling paint, and rust, too.

Margo's Junkin Journal
is having a linky party to show off our Industrial Chic. She didn't mention the farm industry, but that is where my background is and what I love to scrounge for!

I love this cultivator thingy - it fits in the umbrella hole of the wicker table on our back porch, then holds a candle perfectly. Check out that green paint that goes with the rusty tips.

Every porch needs a tractor seat made into a stool. My Dad made this years ago, and he used it at his workbench to sit on while repairing farm machinery. That's International Harvester red paint on the seat that has oxidized to orange. The base is made from a pipe and a disc.

These disc spacers are great for elevating pumpkins or pillar candles. All we did was wash them off, and spray some acrylic sealer on them to control the rust. They sit on an old tool box from my Dad's shed.

So, head out to your nearest farm machinery salvage yard where there is a plethora of neat stuff waiting to be discovered.

Here are some of the disc spacers I had to choose from. I wanted them all, but they do weigh a ton. The three I did pick cost $4.00 total.

Before you go salvaging, stop by Margo's

for mega inspiration.