Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Vintage Thursday

I think I'm going to love doing Vintage Thursdays because I'll get to retell the stories of some of our precious belongings. Some of those belongings, like what I'm going to show today, have been loudly ridiculed by my two daughters. "mom" (insert eyeroll here) this is junk, why do you keep it?" Now that they are a little older, I think they might be appreciating the sentimental values of some of our things that we've collected over the years. I admit though, some things do need to be thrown out as real junk!

Well, this junk has a really good story. The story starts way back when my husband and his older brother were just young'ens. Their Uncle Lou, who never married or had children of his own, took them on Sundays to different construction sites in the area to ummm... "try out" some of the machinery. Back in those days, the machinery was left right out , sites were left open and unfenced so anyone could easily stroll around, climb or play on the heavy equipment. Well, that's just what these young boys did!
Back in 1966, they decided to explore the excavation site in a nearby town called Vanport, Pa. The Route 60 bridge was being built there at the time and while digging out the area, construction workers and the young Wagner brothers, came across an archeological find. The workers found an old colonial pottery kiln which was estimated to date back to the 1700's. All sorts of broken pieces of pottery were found along with the special kiln handformed stilts that the potters at the time used to hold the ware in the kiln.

My husband and his brother and their uncle happily went about that opened site on various Sunday afternoons, gathering remnants of the past.

We now have many boxes of broken pottery pieces and hardened clay stilts ... with colonial men fingerprints in them! I just couldn't throw them away!
So, being one to figure out a use for just about anything, I put some of the pieces in with my garden flowers. I really like how it looks. This is probably about as vintage as vintage can get!


Look at those lids! They're so cute, how could I throw them away?!

Beautiful pottery! Would you throw this away??!


The chipmunks wouldn't want me to throw this crock bottom away! It's their bathtub!

My treasures from the past!
Happy day everyone! Oh, and go visit Suzanne @ Coloradolady for more Vintage Thursday stories.

28 comments:

Donna said...

wow what a great story! the pottery fits right in your garden looks great!

Postcardy said...

that junk looks pretty good among the flowers.

★Carol★ said...

I think the pottery pieces look great, tucked among your flowers! Oh, what a shame those crocks are broke. They must have been beautiful!

Lisa said...

Oh I love your garden! Maybe we should use our broken thinks in our garden so the stupid lawn guys won't cut it down!! They would get hurt if the shards hit them!!!
I might switch from Pink Saturday to Vintage Thursday lord knows I have enough vintage to go on for years!!
Hugs, Lisa

Unknown said...

What a great story, and I love how the sherds look in your garden!

Janet, said...

Wow, I can't believe the pottery pieces were left for anyone to pick up. You'd think they would put it in a museum somewhere. You are lucky to have those for your garden.

Coloradolady said...

Oh, what a great post. I am going to be honest here, I would have just loved to go on these excavating trips! What wonderful finds.

They look so great in your garden. I love the look.

Have a great VTT and a wonderful weekend.

Tolentreasures said...

I love this post and I love the Vintage Thursday thing...think I would like to join that.. I have lots of "vintage"! I love the look of that pottery, it looks like your own little archealogical dig! Love it!!!

Cathy

Dawn said...

They look so nice in the garden. Great save!
Dawn

Susan said...

I like how you have used them in the garden...and I get that eye roll thing too. VTT has been a way for me to journal the stories behind my treasures and it is nice to recall memories from time to time.

LV said...

What a wonderful story about your husband. It is so interesting to read events of this nature. I loved your post and the did good in using the broken pottery. I appreciate your visit.

Miri said...

Very interesting that they just left the site open! and the boys must have really thought they had found treasures! and they had!

Great that you've kept these very old lids and broken pots and they look wonderful in your garden!

JEWELGIRL said...

Your garden landscape looks great.
One Moms trash is another Moms treasure,you used your treasures well. Loved the story too! :)

ohiofarmgirl said...

I love crocks...broken or otherwise. Dianntha

CC said...

I loved your story..and the crocks, broben or not, have found a loving and caring home. How happy they must be to be of use in some way, and the way in your garden is simply beautiful. They just belong there..
Happy VTT..have a wonderful weekend.

ClassyChassy said...

Interesting use for the broken items - decorative indeed!

Lakeshore Cottage Living said...

I love this idea! looks great.

Threeundertwo said...

I think you should get the award today for oldest vintage thingies! They are perfect in your yard - do the chipmunks really take baths in them? I bet that's cute to see.

I had to spend some time looking at your beautiful penny rugs. Yum. Love them.

Becky said...

Holy Guacamole!! I read your story with my eyes poppin and jaw droppin! That is soooooo cool!

The pottery looks wonderful in your garden. What a clever use and display.

HAppy VTT!!

Bea said...

Welcome to VTT. Can't wait to hear more of your stories and see more of your vintage things. It looks like those flowers just grew up around all that pottery. Great idea you had.

Anonymous said...

What fun and how sweet! I found a broken bird in the cabinet last week and thought the same, why not the garden? I don't like to throw things away because they are "imperfect"; aren't we all?

Anonymous said...

what a lovely post & those broken pottery pieces look perfect in your flower patch :)

Roslyn said...

Me, I couldn't throw any of them away either!

Joan@anythinggoeshere said...

I love debris. And your debris comes with a really good story. It you visit my blog you can see some of my debris...displayed right on the coffee table. Love your stuff.

village folk art said...

FANTASTIC IDEA...Sure beats tossing the chards out to the dump.

Love your work...

Warm Regards,
Barb
VFA=Village Folk Art

Mary said...

I think your garden looks wonderful! I love the way the pottery looks like its been there forever! What a great way to showcase pieces of history.

Anonymous said...

It's thrilling to touch history, never mind it's broken. Thanks to your husband and you for saving it! If you ever decide to part with them, they belong with the local historical socity.

Daisydaze said...

The pottery lids look like giant mushrooms....too cute!