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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

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

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17 comments:

  1. MarilynAugust 31, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Your largest gear is the greatest!! I'd want to make yard art with it, but I'd have to have something to look at to make that happen. Where is this place? It looks like a fun fall field trip!♥♫ (vacation!)

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  2. Ceekay-THINKIN of HOMESeptember 1, 2011 at 1:58 PM

    I don't know...but is there a way to put a mirror in the larger one? That is way cool!!

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  3. Debra@CommonGroundSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Oh yeah, these are really cool. RH has nothing on you and Mr. Salvage Guy! thanks for linking up the inspiration, xo Debra

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  4. Tami September 2, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Great find...love it!!

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  5. ToniSeptember 3, 2011 at 6:20 AM

    I laughted out loud - seeing you in the cool car, sunglasses on pointing the which gears you wanted. Too funny. Love the large one.

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  6. Andrea @Oasis AccentsSeptember 4, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    The first thing I thought when I saw the large one was it'd make a great sunburst mirror. Very cool stuff!

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  7. Rosemary@villabarnesSeptember 4, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Great finds. So many possibilities.

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  8. SylviaSeptember 5, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Back in my other home I once had a friend weld flowered looking gears onto rebar...made a cute iron flower. I made the mistake of cementing it to the ground (earthquakes) so I could never move it.

    Wish we had salvage like that around here!!!

    Sylvia

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  9. Honey at 2805September 5, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Such a cute story about your gears! Don't get out in the heat if you don't have to, that's my motto!

    I hope you will bring one of your projects or posts to my Potpourri Friday Party this week. Link-up starts on Thursday afternoon. Without a doubt, your participation will help make the party better!

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  10. HeidiSeptember 6, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Love your finds! So cool!Love that you could stay in your air-conditioned car to buy too!!!
    :)Heidi

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  11. bjSeptember 6, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    haahhhaaaa, Sally, you silly silly girl, you. I can just see you, sitting in your nice car, pointing out the gears you wanted. You are so funny. lol

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  12. DearHelenHartmanSeptember 7, 2011 at 5:59 AM

    I've never been to a farm salvage yard but I want to get in my car and go find one this instant! Wonderful finds and I love your blog! (Visiting via Share the Love Wed.)

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  13. EllenSeptember 7, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Nice score...and a nice piece to boot.
    Hugs,
    Ellen

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  14. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2011 at 5:36 PM

    I remember when you visited this neat place before Sally. Love it!!

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  15. outjunkingSeptember 7, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    Oh my goodness! I didn't know there was such a heaven. All that rust and metal. Wow.Wish I could be there.
    Lisa

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  16. MichelleSeptember 9, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Those are so neat -- wonder if we have a farm salvage place near here...

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  17. Simply BungalowSeptember 9, 2011 at 9:40 PM

    Love the gears. The red ones are wonderful!
    ~Heidi

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