From others for others-Week 3

Well this weeks adventure..treasure hunt went quite well I found several items that will help Goodwill and other Families along with our Family. In one of the boxes I found 17 cents so yes there can be money made while treasure hunting. Unfortunately that 17 cents and another $55.00 or so had to be used towards our dog Sheeba. She and our new adoptive dog Steele who Sheeba batted her eyes,and wagged her tail at picked him at the dog park. My mother told me to take Sheeba to the park to play and socialize, my Husbands mother wanted to know if we knew the owners lol. She was not in on the joke but yes we met the lady at the park who was re-homing "Steel"(I added a 'E' at the end of his name because I renamed him Remington Steele. Well anyway they were at the dog park running and playing just like active dogs do when Steele was running with another dog and plowed right into Sheeba who could not keep up. Now Sheeba has a neck injury, we are just glad that nothing was broken. I am not sure that dogs learn from being injured as people do...wait I am one to talk! I too was trampled that same day from a pack of dogs-I failed to get the tag #'s :( I was lucky as well that nothing was broken I am skinned up pretty good at the knee with bruising but I am able to walk. I feel that after a little R&R that Sheeba will be back to her old self in no time.






















Baby...Baby I found a bunch more items for the babies to donate to Goodwill. I think with all the baby clothes I have been finding that someone can put on a "Baby Goodwill" Fashion Show. I can see it now...Missy here looks stunning in recycled pink and Tommy will be the hit of baby town with these bibs they are ready to take on what ever he can spit at them.












Taking it easy is easy in this little tikes easy chair.(Say that 3 times fast) In between naps and a hard day of play it sure is nice to kick back with a tall glass of koolaid and watch some cartoons!


























I did manage to find some stuff for the house and to pamper me with 1st I found some shoes (the right size) all they need is to be cleaned with Lysol because it kills just about everything. I found some nail polish, some gel baby oil,some really nice smelling Miami Hills perfume, bubble wrap for when I send packages and packing paper for when I paint my ceramics. I also found part of a cutlery set with the blade sharpener that will help my other knives as well. Chop-Chop I have food that needs to be cut,choped,sliced,diced,minced... I could go on but I am getting hungry imagining all the good food that will go from blade to belly.












This chair will look nice on the Victorian patio after it is cleaned and refurbished.


































I have been looking and waiting patiently for a few weeks for someone to toss a flower border out to the curb.This border has enhanced my yard and hopefully protect the car from rocks hitting the it when the lawn mower goes and does hot laps around it.You should see when they mow here it looks like a grass version of Nascar... OK maybe not quite like that since there is no one else out here competing but is like lap #1... lap#2 and they are done. Ahhh what a day.

From others for others-Week 2

Well today I saw the other Trash Pirate out there...so I know that I am not just thinking that it is slim pickings out there. Now I guess if I am lucky enough to find anything good it truly will be a treasure.I wonder what her mission is...is it to decorate her home,sell for profit, or donate to charity.
Today I have found a few things for others and a couple of things for our home.


Hey good Looking whatcha got cooking?
Here is a kitchenette for the little tikes, this would have been a cool thing when I was a kid but growing up. I got to spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking and cleaning I guess that is why I like it so much and I dare say pretty good at it. I also took commercial foods in High School but never wanted to do it other than a hobby. Who wants to spend all day cooking for picky people to turn around and have to cook for your family too. The little fire truck is there on stand-by...Just in case you never know!


Slam Dunk! Well this must be for smurfs because it only comes up to my knee and any Basketball player I have seen I need a ladder just to get face to face with them.

















Ahh Yes another carpet...I still have a office with terrazzo floors so maybe there or it could be for Goodwill.










I think someone wants me to be really ready for a trip I found another suitcase. This one seems to have it all together, No fixing just zipping...I like that. The purple one will have a use to put my tent in there. We have a cabin tent and if you ever try to get a big tent back in the tiny bag ...it doesn't happen. I am not a professional tent folder and after you have leaves and dirt sticking to it all you want to do is spend the end of your trip folding a tent up smaller than a handkerchief that fits in a suit pocket. My solution to this pack it in a suitcase...one with wheels it makes it easy to lug around.








Ohhhh Baby... Well speaking of lugging around here is something that will help someone out there lug around some precious cargo. A Eddie Bower button folding stroller. This ride comes fully loaded, reclining seat, sunroof, cup holder storage compartment, compact steering, cruise control, alloy wheels, anti lock breaks...ohh wait I almost thought I was describing a car this thing is so nice. I bet you can even get on-star and satellite radio if you wanted.






Game On!! This table was curbed and I am glad I got to it before the rain or my nemesis did. This has no glass some of the legs were wobbly but wood glue and a coat of Old English scratch remover did the trick. Now we have a place to play chess with a Asian Chess set that we acquired on ebay for $15.00





























I AM IRON CHEF














































I love my Crock Pot...No this was not on the curb but I have a treasure to share with you! I made Crock Pot Doggy Stew last night for my Girl Sheeba. Yes she got to lick the beaters and bowl when I was done :) I bought several large zip lock type containers (the bargain ones) and filled them with the stew I kept one out and froze the rest. She is about 60 LBS and I feed her about 4 cups of food a day. Her fur has become really soft shes not have scratchy dry skin and she has healthy bowels but the best part is she is not farting now. Goodness I tell you some days I think living next to a treatment facility plant would be better. Here is how I made it:




Place in the crock pot:

1) 2 large Chicken Breast
2) 1 Package of Diced Ham
3) 2 Cans Potatoes and Beans in ham juice
4) 4 Diced Carrots
5) 2 Tbs Garlic Powder
6) 4 Tbs Bone Meal

Cook During sleep time

Cook 2 Cups of Brown rice in 4 ½ Cups of Water

In a Big bowl mix:
6 Cups of oats
8 Eggs
4 Cups of Dry Milk
2 Cups Melted Crisco
Cooked Rice




Bring all ingredients together and make a paste like texture add wheat flour or chicken broth as needed to make the consistency.

Place into sealed containers freeze anything more than your dog will eat in 3 days.

I know this may sound weird but it really works (only if you keep a clean house)and do not have a huge bowl. I scrub out the garbage disposal side of my sink wash the plug and rinse very well, then I start adding all the ingredients mixing with a hand mixer. After it is mixed and packaged all you have to do rinse the sink..makes for one less dish to wash.

From others for others-Week 1

Here is the point where I have found just about everything that I could need or use in my home. But that got me to thinking about how much I enjoy "Treasure Hunting" and the things that others may enjoy, such as the neat things I find that are set out for a fate unknown. So I got to thinking that the "from Others for Others" might be the ticket, what I mean by this is...I do my treasure hunt,I have things to post about, I take the items after determining that it is safe & suitable give those to Goodwill. After this starts a economic trickle of helping others,the sales of donations help fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.

Well today seems like the "hunt" went pretty well I found bags of cloths, toys and other things that are perfect for someone else.





















"B" is for Baby today I found a bassinet, and a Evenflo play yard.
Bags of clothes and toys.



























A Nice Squares Rug and a Runner. No this rug is not for me, but it is nice. I saw it on the curb and told my Husband to stop so I could get it and his reply was...but of course. It was one of those sarcastic "don't you have enough rugs" tone. I had to explain my mission ..its not for me its for others.



















Poor abused Scooby! I think he needed to go to the vet to get fixed he was in such bad shape. I looked him over and thought it was best to send him along. RIP Scooby someone will miss you.









This is the case of the broken zipper, it was clean looks like it would travel well but there was something about this case. Like all cases it needs careful scrutiny and determine the intent. I stood back got the whole picture, looked at all the angles, finally I realized that it was not safe for air travel. So I took its flying privileges away then I had to think of something to hold this case together so I got to thinking of luggage straps. Now it will ride in the car to destinations unknown. "Case Closed!"






This here is a smaller monitor than what I have but it works well and mine seems to think that it is a vertical blind at times especially from leaving it turned off to long. The remedy for that was to add screen saver and not turn off the monitor. But just in case I now will have a back up so I can do my computing and save for another (On Sale) should the need arise.



How much wood could a woodchuck chuck?...Ok whats up with the fire wood you ask? Well it was on the curb. But really we like to sit out on the patio and watch the fire slowly burn in our fire pit. So there you have it, now all I need is that darned woodchuck to split it up for me!

Other Findings on the curb part 2

This should bring me up to date on all the trashy stuff that others did not want and with some TLC have turned into my treasure.

** These tips are for everyone who loves a very fresh smelling home and will help with the trashy smells.
A) Try to wear gloves when you can
B) Have a can of Lysol to spray anything that is a hard surface or wipe all surfaces with a Lysol cleaner, you can even add a little Lysol to the washer if you find things to wash.
C)The best thing that I have found for longest lasting freshness for carpets upholstery etc is...RENUZIT WONDER PET. I go around misting everything a few times a week and when I return home from trips is a very welcoming sensation!Sorry Fa breeze I think they have you beat on this one.

Today I was was out and about and it seems that there maybe another trash pirate on the loose looking for treasure. There were slim pickings but we did manage to find a few more things that would work around the home.
1. A cookie tin...Ohh now that is something I can use since I started making cookies 2x per month for my Hubby's Squadron in the Navy. They seems to have taken a liking to my cookies...I think its more the fact that they don't get many homemade treats but most insist that it is my secret recipe~sorry this is one I can not share :(
2.A bench...yes it is a little rough around the edges but what isn't? A little time and sanding and my hubby will have that ready to be a perfect accessory for next to the grill to place platters and utensils.
3.This was a odd find but I actually spoke about needing some and low and behold there was a 1/2 can sitting out of Oder eater spray for the shoes...this will make things a little fresher around here.
4. A picture frame...We will be looking for a store that has prints on sale and get this frame all spruced up and more than likely have a Victorian theme to go with the patio.

Other Findings-The Curb Part 1

1. The Vacuum yes that was a great find...with all these curbside carpets I need something. It was very dirty and after testing it out side (safety 1st here people!)there was no flames or sparks coming from the wheels like it was a hot rod ready to go and I was not covered in a cloud of dust that would put the "Great American Dust Bowl" to shame so I felt it was worth my effort to rehabilitate this Vacuum. Now it is a shinny machine that does a great job.(after washing and letting the filters dry I sprayed them with a fine mist air freshener and it makes a world of difference, Some people are just to lazy to take care of what they have so they curb it and it may become my treasure!
2.There is a candle holder and yes my my folks yet another carpet! This one will find a home in the bedroom. I don't think that I have mentioned this before but we have terrazzo floors and they get cold and dusty fast. So the carpets help a lot as the only thing I like under my sheets with me is my Husband and not a group of dog hair that is looking for a safe place to avoid the vacuum cleaner... but at the end of the week all their fears are washed away.
3. The white scalloped border was a curb side find...yes it was in a pile on the curb I did not take someone's curb decor (just had to clarify). But we then added red pavers,and flowers from Lowes. The grill came from Big Lots and now we have a nice looking grilling station for yummy grilled feasts.

All My Trashy Treasures-The Bedroom

Here is the bedroom...a great place to lay about for awhile.
1.The Curtains came from Family Dollar.
2.The lamps were a 2 pack from Wally World-Walmart to most people.
3.The night stands that came with the coffee table that is in the living room.
4.The painting was found at Hobby Lobby when they were having a 50% off sale on prints and frames. We looked through all the prints pulling out several options then decided on one... the fun part was finding the frame that would both accent the print and our decor.
5.The bedding is the best find and feature for this room and My Hubby is the one to thank for that-"Great Job Honey!!" we have looked on ebay, and other stores for bedding and we happened on this at Kmart, on sale a 12 piece set for $50.00 and it is a King. I always buy a queen fitted sheet but get the King comforter set as there is more cover for both of us and I rarely feel that my honey is hogging all the covers.
6.The mattress and frame also came from Kmart... Yes I know you are wondering from Kmart? Yes they have what they call a bed in a box they have two choices inner coil and foam. I have personally slept on both and they re fantastic! These are great for people that don't have a truck and 3 buddies to help you lug things around. Now if I had just kept my inner coil and put the foam on top...that would be a bed!!

All My Trashy Treasures-The Living Room

1. The wall decor came from Family Dollar.
2.The candle holder was a curb side find and the salt lamp was bought at the flea market.
3.The foot locker came from the flea market and holds all of our "favorite" repeat movies that we like to watch on a whim. For other movies we rent from Netflix as a way not to pack rat and clutter the house.The trunk was picked up on sale at Michael's crafts and hold some of our books that we like to keep handy.
4.The TV stand was bought at a thrift store for $20.00 in very good condition, it is metal and plate glass. Retail on something similar was $150-$300 Dollars.
5.The TV was bought at a Sears outlet re manufacture shop for $200.00 the same size cost nearly $300.00 at Kmart and that was the cheapest after searching other stores and even the pawn shop!
6.The Coffee Table and Couch came from Big Lots ** A tip about couches...make sure you find one that is just right for you in your budget, it pays to shop around because most people spend as much time on their couch as they do their bed! Now ours might be a little to soft as it has a tendency to put us to sleep if we are there too long.
7. The Carpet...you guessed it another curbside find. The edges were torn but after cutting them off to the pattern, a good vacuum and hosing it looks great.
8.The mantel was bought at a flea market and the picture above was found at a church sale for $.50 and the original cost for it was $75.00 and now much higher. But after getting a frame at the local thrift store that already had a mat in it I decided that it was truly a treasure for me.

All My Trashy Treasures-The Dining Room

Here is the Dining Room
1.The corner shelf was bought at a 2nd hand store polished up and filled with Knick Knacks that I have located at garage sales, thrift stores, and antique shops.
2.The Dining suit was found at a thrift store for $20.00 all the cane on the back was tore up, we fixed that added a new coat of stain and sealer, the chairs were recovered with an extra pair of curtains to match and now it is ready for dinner.
3.The Carpet was another Curb side find and now all I need to do is go to Family Dollar and pick up some curtains to match.

All my Trashy Treasures-The Patio

Here is the patio
1.The art easel was found on the curb and I added a painting I had around the house.
2.The blanket holder was an old mirror frame that I added a dowel rod. The blanket my mom made and the Teddy Bear was kicked to the curb he was given a bath and a new place to hang around.
3. The Basket in the corner will hold yarn one day.
4. The Shelf was a curb find and holds my stereo system.The flowers were just the right accent.
5.The reed fence was bought at Lowes it helps to create added privacy and comfort.
6.The rug was a curbside find it needed to be vacuumed and hosed clean-now look at it!
7. The Rocker set and fire place all came from Big lots.I have searched all sorts of stores for just what I wanted now We have the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by.

The Weekly Trash and Treasure

I decided to start this blog because one of my favorite hobbies is to treasure hunt!

I hope that through this blog you will learn some tips and tricks to make your house a home.

Some of the weekly Trash & Treasure will be about what I can find on the curb, at thrift stores, garage sales and local bargain bins at your favorite store.

The Treasure will be what insight I can share when trying to stretch a dollar, turning your trash in to treasure, recipes and hopefully other useful tid bits.

This really does prove that "Another man's Trash could be your Treasure!"