Farmer's Market Treasures

Today was our once-a-year farmer's market flea market.  DH and I were there at 7:30 a.m. They don't officially open until 8:00 a.m., but if you arrive early, they always let you buy. 

I got some garden treasures (well, to me anyway).  What do you think?

I got all of this for $16!  Do any of you know what the rusty thing on the left is?  I think it may be some sort of kerosene heater???? The moment I saw it, I thought it would be a great garden "art" accessory.  I got it for $4.

For the time being, I put it in this little garden:

DH really likes it.  I am happy when he takes an interest in the garden.

I think I will use the watering can for it's original purpose--watering plants.I put in on the
potting bench:

I think for the time being I will also use the big metal wash tub as a wash tub.  I like to use them as planters, but I don't want to poke holes in the bottom. Sometimes I need a big wash tub.

The blue granite coffee pot will be a vase for fresh flowers. I have a skinny one, but I like this big fat one.

I did buy some fresh garden veggies:

summer squash, zucchini, carrots and these strange beets (they remind me of a rodent). I guess they are supposed to be the creme de la creme of beets---elongated, not round.  I think I will roast them in the oven early tomorrow morning and have them with the Roast Beef Rouladen I am planning for tomorrow's dinner.

It has been a hot humid day today...too hot and humid to do any garden work.  In fact I was out trying to find a place of the new garden "art" piece and one of the neighbors drove by and yelled "it's too hot to  do that!"  I was the only person in the neighborhood who was outside working in this awful humid weather!

No Farmer's Flea Market Treasures, But DH Makes Garden Art

What a disappointment the Flea Market was--despite arriving at 7:00 a.m., I did not find a single treasure to buy!

I did get a few garden veggies.

I made a delicious tomato sandwich for brunch and we enjoyed grilled squash, onions and cucumbers for dinner.
So it was not a complete waste of time.

See those metal rings leaning against the whiskey barrel?
They are all that is left from a full-size whiskey barrel that fell apart a few years back. This old barrel was my favorite deck container. It filled this corner perfectly.
I wanted to throw them away last year as they have just been sitting in the garden shed. DH kept them even though I could not think of a thing to do with them.

A couple of weeks ago on Jean's Blooming Tuesday, I visited a blog that showed a whiskey barrel sphere she had made from these rings. I have been searching for the past hour and I cannot find the blog to give due credit! I remember that I left a comment to the effect that I had the same rings and thanks for the idea. If it was your blog, PLEASE let me know so I can add a link to your post!

I have mentioned numerous times that my DH is not really the handyman type. We have a nice big tool chest in our garage, but there is nothing in it but old sheets to cover plants when we have frost predicted or to toss on the ground when I am spray painting.

Nonetheless, I told my dear husband about the cool garden art that was made from these metal strips and within a few weeks, he had gone to the hardware store and purchased some bolts/screws and a drill bit for metal. One of the few tools we do own is a drill

Just look at my hunky hubby wielding that power tool!

After a short time he had my new garden art completed.

What a great idea for those otherwise useless metal rings! I am tickled that he was able to complete this project so easily!


I even moved Fergie to this area to complement the orb.