A curious tin under the stairs.
What could it be, what could it hold?
A hidden treasure perhaps?
Maybe I was a treasure hunter in a past life?
Maybe a mean ole pirate?
Who knows.
All I know is that finding rusty treasures makes my heart skip a beat.
I think that is part of what made me fall in love with this place.
When you live in a tattered ole love shack, where paint peels on paned windows…
And doors to garden shacks latch like so…
You never know what you might find inside.
I have found so many "treasures to me" at this place.
Oh the tales I could tell.
Some people might not be so excited to find the things I find.
In nooks and crannies, in old canning sheds and crawl spaces.
In barn style closets and little rooms.
I wish I had met the people that lived here before me.
Oh about 20 years ago now.
It was an old woman and man.
He never spoke, looked down a lot, but built sturdy closets and shelves and all manner of things.
He did curious things.
Like put locks on the insides of closets.
Which always amazes us.
I have found tools with his name on them here and there over the years.
And she…
Well, to some, she was a royal meanie it seems.
But she left beautiful 40 year old (by now) rose bushes.
That make me think, perhaps she was misunderstood?
They had so many fruit trees and vegetable gardens.
Including an asparagus patch.
Sometimes when I am extra rotten, Mister Lovee says he knows why the old guy put locks inside of closets and rooms and sheds.
So he could escape the woman, and hide away, haha!
I love this place they left behind.
Quirky and weird and tattered.
But back to the tale at hand.
The tale of that tin can.
Did I mention quite heavy as well?
What could be inside?
Eeeeee!
I peek ever so slowly…
And then swoon to myself.
Shutting it quickly.
Looking up at the sky, as if it has seen what I have.
Then opening it once again.
Marbles!
Oh marbles!
Oh colorful beautiful marbles!!
Lots of marbles.
I don't know if the old folks had a child?
Or maybe they belonged to the old man?
I have a strong feeling they belonged to the old man.
Who for some reason, strikes me as having whimsy in his heart.
From some of the things I find that he built or did, or hid.
He built closets to withstand movie quality tornadoes.
I'll tell you that much.
But some of the other finds lead me to think such things as well.
I touch the marbles, wondering if they have something to say?
I guess that's the treasure seeker in me?
It isn't just the treasure, you see…
But the story behind the treasure.
The tales they might have.
Like chattering marbles in tin cans…
Hidden in nooks under rickety old stairs.
My heart skips a beat.
Thank you Fenton, for the treasures I have discovered where you once dwelled.
For the peaches in summer.
For the quince in the fall.
For the abundant roses in spring.
For pecans, and the birds who steal them.
For canning rooms turned into art studio and office and bedroom for me.
For little toys under foot, and tin cans of loot in hidden nooks.
For keyholes in the dirt.
And endless other this and thats I have found.
Don't you wish you could sometimes tell people how you love their treasures?
And isn't Fenton such a good name?
Especially for the person who left treasures behind, for one to find?
I wish I could tell the owners of some of my treaures, how things they once loved didn't just end up in a land fill.
How I rescued them, and cherish them.
Somehow holding the memories of people you never knew, close to your heart.
I know you get it.
I know you do.
If you are a thrifter, antiquer or treasure seeker like me.
Which I just know you are.
Aren't you?
What's your favorite treasure find?
I love bottle caps found on the side of the road.
I hammer all the ones I find to crosses in my little sanctuary, which is now Baby's graveyard.
Crosses I made from wood found in a flood zone, where houses once stood.
I love rocks too.
But that's a whole other story.
Here's to the treasure seeker in all of us!
May treasure find us where we least expect.
And, may we leave treasures for others to find, to lighten their step.
Now, because I am a tride and true sap –
I have to go cry happy tears over Fenton's lovely marbles.
Which left a huge knot in my throat.
Of the touching to the soul variety.
Loooove, Vanessa
ps: The winner of the lovebug was #6!!
Deborah L. Fry!!
Hoooray, you won! 🖤
OH Vanessa!
Treasures indeed. I love marbles. I mean adore and truly love them! I collected marbles when I was a little girl. They’re like snowflakes….no 2 are exactly alike.
You are a lucky girl, finding a beautiful old rusty tin filled with glorious marbles.
I am a treasure seeker for sure.
Thank you, Fenton, for leaving such wonderful treasures behind, so that Vanessa can treasure them too.
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
I am still so touched, wasnt that the best find ever??? I swear, I
was beside myself giddy!! ;))
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 2/15/2014 1:16:46 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
How magical!!
O M G osh lol I won I won! hehehe Thank you so much sweetie! A LoveBug coming from you will bring happiness to my home.. I just know 🙂
And omg, the marbles! What a find…you are so lucky little one. Yes, I love the thrill of the hunt at estate sales and antique/junk stores..goodwill too. … and we can’t leave out eBay and Craigslist (where I found one of the black dragon chairs just like yours hehehe.. had to have one.) It seems I want recreate everything around me to be like yours …wonder why? Because you are an inspiring spirit.
Thanks for all you share with us. You are truly loved.
xoxo,
Deb
How sweet! I love finding treasures too. Here’s to treasures!
love & blessings
~*~
The most beautiful post. Left me in tears! I’ve lost that treasure hunting girl somewhere in life and I need to go back and find her. Thank you, for such an inspiring and beautiful post. And I won’t ever forget Mr. Fenton who always kept that childlike heart and seems to be passing it on. Even with his head down and little words.
I adore ya!
What a wondrous place you have and the treasures you found. I bet there are more….keep on looking… An amazing place you have. The marbles…wow. So many colors…. it is all full of art.
Thank you for sharing.
That is a wonderful thing to find. I wonder if they were his as a boy or as a man? One of my favourite things is finds within finds from charity shops. Like the lead fishing weights I found in a canvas fishing basket-all different shapes, or the half finished pieces of weaving in a childs loom set. And I love finding notes, drawings or lists inside old books. I have one that came with flowers and leaves pressed between some of the pages. x
Maybe….. a magical valentine gift for you Miss Vanessa! Hope you find more treasures! How are you and the boys enjoying the temps. today? Yikes, we are hanging out in our summer wear.
The girls and I headed to our favorite half price book store and found some treasures there!
Sending belated Valentine wishes your way!<3
Oh my oh my, how wonderful! I wonder what story those marbles could tell! 🙂 And your post reminded me of an absolutely wonderful book called “Church of the Old Mermaids”…definitely look it up if you can, I think you’d love it! 🙂
Oh Yes -Thank You for letting Me be with You as You opened that treasure can.Now what to do? Where to put them?Back in their slumber cubby? On a mantle in a pretty dish? I just would be in a tizzy of what to do.
How beautiful and wonderful!
We have an old house, 70 years, but unfortunately we have not found something interesting. The last few people who lived here were obsessed with pavers. All kinds. 🙁
I agree, now what??!!!! 🙂
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 2/15/2014 6:26:27 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Oh Su, hahaha, paver lovers 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 2/15/2014 6:27:15 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
What a wondrous treasure of marbles for found! I have three marbles which were my dad’s and my uncles. One is a deep, rich marbled chocolate color. I treasure them greatly. They are from a by-gone era where life was more simple. I used to play marbles from third grade through sixth grade, and would play against some of the boys. They used to get mad when I would win. I also could whirl a mean yo-yo, and could do the tricks the bigger kids could do. All fun and games but we meant business too as there were marble and yo-yo tournaments after school on the playground…talk about being a serious pastime. And we were fierce about the competition too. Those were the good ole days. They also had jump roping contests, and for some reason, I just could never get into the faster competitions. So, I got to turn the ropes for the double-jumping contests. At least my timing was good for that event.
Thanks for the memories….
love and hugs,
Miss Teresa
(That was suppose to be ‘you’ found). I think I am loosing ‘my’ marbles!!!???
I knew visiting your blog would do the trick….I have been in a funk and your treasure seeking perked me right up! Thank you for sharing you whimsy days with us!!!!! Sweet wishes blown your way 😘✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
💓 Gina
A wonderful post! I was mesmerized!
Vanessa, what an magical find!!! Marbles are so wonderful!!!! Just the feel of them in your hands and through your fingers…hard to put that into words but I know you know. I have secret to share…you may know already….if you take your marbles and put them in a frying pan on medium heat(nothing else but the marbles in the pan)once heated, they will shatter from within and remain in the sphere shape. Oh they look so so beautiful like that. My mother in Law made some for me and I have them in a pretty little dish that I was gifted. Hmm…maybe I will do a blog post about that!!! Anyway, I totally get that feeling you experienced where upon opening the can, to see the treasure inside at the brief moment….took your breath away. Enjoy your wonderful treasure!
Much Love,
Dena
I enjoyed this post so much that I can imagine the excitement and joy and fun you had finding the old gentleman’s treasure. Yes, yes, of course you are right, they must have belonged to the man with whimsy in his heart and now it only makes sense that the girl with whimsy in her own heart should find and cherish them…magic, right ?
xoxo
What a treasure V! Yes i have to say i’am a thrifter like you and find value in all the things you listed. Its always so nice to find out your not alone. Look how many people commenting on here love the same things we do! Hubby and i were just talking last night that we need to go do some thrift shopping…… we prefer flea marketing but for the life of me i cannot seem to find any around here and i’ve been on the look out for 2 years. They call them flea markets but they sell brand new stuff… go figure… i’m looking for previously loved items.. 🙂 Hugs! deb
Oh yes!! The flea markets here have turned into new poorly made
cheapie things too… sigh…..
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 2/16/2014 9:21:31 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Seriously? This is beyond amazing! and yes, I totally “get it”!
Totally seriously 😉 I know, its just something, aint it?
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 2/16/2014 2:32:06 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
That is one dynamite find! I think it is sad that they were tucked away in a dark and lonely spot, hidden from view. I think they deserve to be poured out into a great cut glass bowl and displayed prominently! Imagine the fingers that caressed these marbles and marveled at them and played with them! Thank you for sharing this great treasure. Enjoy the day. Erin
There is *nothing* more magical than a mysterious treasure. The delicious kind that leaves you hanging, making it impossible to do anything but conjure up your own romantic back story…
Fenton. Now that couldn’t be a more perfect name. And, if she’s got a mean reputation, maybe it was her name? Griselda? Drucilla?
I, like you, think She Who Nurtures Things In The Ground, well, she was probably broken-hearted over something. A lost child? Dog? Fortune? Family?
She probably watered those roses with 1000000s of tears. Maybe in a cotton nightgown????
Maybe He used the marbles to count the days of life he’d lived. Or, maybe like you said, kept in touch with his inner child. A MAN BOY!!!
They probably watch you work. She probably helps you in the garden. Maybe he hammered nails into the cottage when Lovee wasn’t looking?
I bet they are your protectors. They probably wander the gypsy garden at night. I know they feel kindred to you and Lovee!!
Ask the roses, Veevala! They know secrets <3.
XOXOXOXVOOOXXOXOXOXIIIIXOXOXOXIXIXXIX
Oh those marbles are lovely! I love old treasures like that.
The house I grew up in was on 20 acres and on our property there was this spot that was obviously someone’s rubbish heap, long ago before we built our house out there.
It was full of old rusty cans, bits of broken china, and the most wonderful old glass bottles, some with little cork stoppers intact.
We called it the can dump and I would search through it every so often turning up new bits and pieces of old, broken, and rusty things to take home. It may have been trash to someone else, but to me it was treasure!
I also love the stories behind the objects. That is why my job as an archivist is so awesome!
You are definitely not the only sap… old treasures with stories attached always make me teary eyed too. ^-^
My favorite old treasure is an old book I found in a corner at an antique store. It’s one of those books you’d take to school with you on the last day so that everyone in your class could write you a message and sign their name. I especially love it because the girl who owned it, her name was Anna… I love reading all the notes her class mates wrote her!
Looking at some of those marbles reminds me of the marbles that belonged to my Bumpa (paternal grandfather that is… ^_^)… He told us when we were little how when HE was little, he’d boil certain kinds of marbles to get them to look all crackley. You certainly found yourself a treasure! =D
XOXO
Perhaps the old man kept the marbles because they had belonged to a boy long gone for whatever reason. Maybe not even himself. And maybe the old woman could not bear to look at them any longer for whatever reason. Funny the things that go through one’s head on a day like today. Two snowpocalypses back to back in Athens, bonebreaking cold, and now, temps in the 70s like spring not even a week later.
What joy it is to visit you here. Love to all the boys.
What fun…marbles in an rusty old can…even more fun is that I also have marbles in an old tin can. They belonged to my father-in-law…I found them in the old farmhouse that we inherited when my in-laws passed away.
I love quirky old houses…we lived in one that was 300 years old early in our marriage.
I love the story of your Thailand Princess ring…diamonds…wow!
What a sweet find! I just imagine that Fenton has been saving those marbles for years. I used to love to play marbles and win them from other kids, especially the large steely ones (which they would never turn over to me after I won them). The cat eye marbles were always my favorite.
I walk twice everyday, once in the a.m. and again in the late afternoon and on my walks I find all sorts of goodies. I find feathers, leaves with tiny pods attached to them, pine cones (which I have a ton of now) LOL. I bring them home and set them on my window sill. Husband thinks I’m crazy but I read once that when you find feathers in your path while walking that it is from an angel who has left it there to remind you that you are on the right path. So, I have to pick them up. 🙂
Who could forget all those shiny pretty marbles there, hiding in a can in the shed? It is a bittersweet story indeed, about the people who lived there before. Beautiful discoveries, a treasure to the person who collected them 🙂
They were actually under some stairs, which I had no idea had treasures in
them!! EEeeeee 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 2/20/2014 11:51:50 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
My treasures are found in vintage shops, antique stores and yard sales, as the only diggable goodies to find on our property are rocks and remnants from the building process itself that the original homeowners left littered in the backyard… broken shards of glass aren’t nearly as fun to find as old ephemera, tattered lace, buttons, and beads. I too, am inspired to wonder what stories each discovery would tell, and I imagine and hope that each piece feels fulfillment in knowing that someone new enjoys them again.
Michaele