What is a monkeybox?

When I was a little girl, we had a pet monkey named Amanda. My Dad worked in the produce business, so each night he brought home that days culls in a big box - spotty cucumbers, pithy apples, limp celery, moldy oranges and the like. We called it a monkeybox. It was really just trash, but my Mom would take each piece of fruit and trim it, pare it and cut it up to make a beautiful fruit platter for Amanda. Even though it was deemed trash by one, it still had life left in it and was good for the purpose we needed it. That's how I live my life - thrifting, yard saling, looking for another's trash to be my treasure.

Sunday, February 11, 2018

The Week in Junk: Money!

Or maybe that's the month in junk or even the year so far in junk.  It's been awhile  Every time I leave the house, I try to go to a thrift store.  That's pretty easy since Goodwill is right up the road and I have to pass it anytime I go there.  I even stopped one day from a quick run home from the hospital.  That makes me sound like a terrible person - but my Mom wanted a travel pillow and I thought looking for one there sounded a lot easier than going to Wal-Mart.  Luckily, I found one  - still in the box!  And for only $2.00.  Plus, I scored an awesome book that was just wheeled out on the cart.


This HUGE Audubon book is about 2.5 feet tall.  I could barely get my arms around it to carry it to the front.  It has over 400 color plates in it and it is amazing!  The retail price was $199!  For a BOOK!  I paid $2.00.  I thought I might ebay it, but the prices range from $500 (YAY) to $25.00 (BOO).  I might schlep it to the Junk Ranch.  I kind of love it though.    


I found this gorgeous piece of vintage pottery shoved behind the glass FTD vases on the bottom shelf at Goodwill.  It was only $1.10!  Now I always look behind the glass vases.  Nothing else yet, but you never know!  I added it to my collection, even though that is supposed to be a big no-no.  But, come on - that color and that price?!?!?


The cart full of new items was just rolled out at The Salvation Army as I got there one afternoon.  I grabbed all these hand-painted china items made by the same lady in 1964-1965.  I don't know if anyone even likes this sort of thing, but I had to rescue it all together and before it got chipped or broken.  It's all done so well.  I will try it at the Junk Ranch.


I went to several thrifts one day and had a pretty good Farmhouse theme sort of day.  Not sure what that cast iron egg shaped pan is for, but it's cool.  Those old folding egg baskets always sell for me.  The milk bottle will get something added like a label.  The house shaped cookie cutters are the Chip and Joanna Gaines stuff from Target.  Funny how fast that hot popular stuff ends up at the thrifts.  The cross stitch isn't farmhouse, but it was 50¢, so why not.  That sort of stuff sells tot he college crowd as it is "vintage" to them.  


These Bedtime Stories books teach a moral or a lesson in each story.  Some of them are truly horrifying.  Poor kid that had to listen to one then go to bed.  Nightmares!


Headed for ebay - I never really buy Pyrex, but I have good luck selling lids on ebay.  It's a pretty one at least.


I don't really even remember where I bought this.  Junker brain.  But, it a fabulous souvenir tablecloth.  I need to try it on ebay.  It's dated 1943.  


I did not buy this ghostly looking painting, but I am kind of regretting it for a Halloween display.  It was super eerie!


I spotted this old parking meter at the same exact time a man spotted it and he got to it first.  But, for some strange reason, he walked away so I SWOOPED.  It's an old one - nickels only.  Junk Ranch bound for those men out there.


I spotted these in a cart at a thrift as it was being rolled out (I know what time most of the thrifts roll out new merchandise, don't I?).  This was at a thrift where it has to be put on the shelves before you can buy it, so I stalked the poor lady.  As soon as she plopped them down, I swooped them up.  I absolutely love them, but I will most likely put them on ebay.    


I bought this tiny child size carpet sweeper at an Estate Sale last weekend.  I was feeling sorry for myself and when I spotted it, I wanted it.  SO, I bought it.  It was $15, which is like a lot to me, but so worth it.  I love these old carpet sweepers and I actually use one every day.  This tiny pink one stole my heart.  


Little Queen.  I was told it was a giveaway when someone bought a new full size one.  It really works too!  


Vintage nursery scales, a vintage doll and a flower pin.  The platter is LuRay which I LOVE and would love to own a full set.  I am always looking, wishing and hoping.....


Found these three colored set of dominoes at Goodwill this week.  
Good for necklace making or crafting of some sort.  


And lastly, I grabbed these old overalls at the thrift last week.  I thought they would be fun for the Junk Ranch.  When I got  home, I felt something crinkle in the pocket and I pulled out a $10 bill!  I paid $3 for the overalls.  But, this was my beloved Super Cheap Thrift that does so much for the community - so I will donate it back on my next trip there.  But, it was super fun finding MONEY!!!!!

9 comments:

  1. You really found some cool things! I love the Pink carpet sweeper!! Those little napkins rings are so cute also. I love the unusual stuff.

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  2. The most I've found is spare change in stuff. I've found some foreign money, but nothing terribly valuable. I think the most was $7 in Canadian money.

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  3. Great colors on the dominoes! Can’t wait to see what you do with them.

    I love seeing all of your cool finds!

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  4. Whaaat - we get two posts this week - what a pleasant surprise! You have the best luck and always find such neat treasures. The Audubon books are always beautiful. Love the parking meter and the PINK sweeper! Of course I'm jonesing on that Pyrex lid!! Speaking of Pyrex - I'm so excited!! I found a like new, small, Cinderella, Amish butterprint bowl tonight at my favorite thrift (I call it the boutique)!! The bonus - it was only - wait for it - 75 cents!!! It was so shiny. And I was lucky because they were just bringing out totes of items to put out. I picked up so many treasures - two more Pyrex pieces, clear glass Pyrex ruffled mini pie tarts (that's what I'm calling them), marble rolling pin, child mannequin on a wood base, two sweet pretty silverplate teapots, other treasures but I'm so tired I can't think right now. Day job sucked the life out of me today but not so much that I couldn't make a trip to the boutique afterwards! You are so sweet to redonate the money back Shara! Karma!

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  5. Ummm HELLO - I just opened the Junk Ranch's 5 year anniversary email and what do I see when I go to their website - YOU featured as an original vendor! ! ! Congrats!

    And I'm pretty sure those circus banners pictured in the email itself are yours right?!?

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. I don't get those emails, so I asked you to forward it to me - but then I found it on the website. What an awful photo of me!!! It was so hot, I was in a hurry and I am just not generally photogenic AT ALL. But, I am an original vendor - so that was sweet to see! And, yes, that banner is mine too! GOOD EYE!

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    3. Are you kidding me?! You looked great, especially in pink! And you look like you were having a ball!

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  6. You find the best stuff!! I adore and collect the hand painted china. It’s just gorgeous.

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