Manhole Cover + Barrel = Table

Can't find an outdoor table you like? Make one with found objects.

I'd coveted this antique barrel with glass top for ages. After borrowing it several times during one summer, it was given to me - on permanent loan.

Thanks, Eleanor!

The only issue? The glass wasn't secured and would sometimes shift around. Not ideal with dogs running about and occasional visiting kiddos.

I'd spotted this antique "GAS" line manhole cover weeks ago at a local nature park. It had been pulled out of the creek, possibly used as an anchor at one time.

Note the rusty goodness!

After waiting about a month, I snagged it this past weekend. Clearly no one else wanted it- it was just sitting on the side of a bulkhead on a small public beach with boat launch.

It now has a home, holding down a piece of glass on top of a barrel. Hard to see in the photos, but it lays perfectly within the bottom rim of the barrel- creating a fabulous layered yet floating effect. Still plenty of room for glasses along the outer glass surface- the center is level enough for plates.

The table sits between two chairs on the Dura-Rock patio. Which might be a story for another post- someday.

Now get to random object hunting and let me know what you come up with!

Rapture?

To quote Michael Stipe... "It's the end of the world as we know it- and I feel fine."

If you are reading this, the world did not end at 6 pm on Saturday, May 21, 2011. I'm obviously assuming EST so work with me a bit.


 MCM Welby clock available here.

 And since we're all still here, allow me to remind you that my "RAPTURE" sale runs through Sunday night- or Monday morning, depending on my level of celebratory imbibing.

 Guys, tie one on with this NOS barkcloth tie.



Katie can help with cocktails... Get her look here and here.
Cocktail shaker? Check.
Roly- Poly ombre' glasses? Yes, please!

And in case of inclement weather, be it rain, ash or frogs...

...Stay clean and dry with this vintage umbrella.

Just use the coupon code "RAPTURE" at retrotrend, RetroHommeVintage or ObjectRetro to save 25% on any items- while they (and we) are still here.

Violent Fish and Chili Dogs

 Another great food package.

 And, as promised in this earlier post, a photo of a chili dog from Ann's Dari-Creme. Okay, it's a half a double with chili, cheese, onions and hots. Because that's how I roll. Half a double is one 12" hot dog split in half, inside of half of a foot long roll- basically two 6" hot dogs in a 6" roll with some yummy additions. I had a diet Coke and stole a few sips of a strawberry milkshake. And consumed very little the rest of the day.

Sorry to have been such a dead-beat lately. I will try to get back on schedule soon. It's not you, it's me. Maybe we can still be friends. Because I care about you.

Cinco de Georges

Huh? Please allow me to explain.

This is George. Or Georgie. Or Georges. Or Handsome George Francis Rufus Cooper.

This is George in the back yard. You can no doubt spot poison ivy, as well as loads of other living things (bonus points for spotting the soccer ball). For those that know me, my constant state of poison ivy infection during warm weather months probably makes a lot more sense.

I adopted him in July of 2007 at the local SPCA. He had been dropped off the previous October as a 5- 6 month old puppy, according to his vague intake papers. By someone who lived in an apartment and wasn't allowed to have pets.

Given his approximate age, it seemed a Spring birthday was in order, probably in early May. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a stripey dude in tow is pretty awesome. This year, the official celebration will be on Saturday, culminating with an outdoor lunch at a local Five Guys.

For those that are curious, he was labelled a pit pull/ German Shepherd mix. He howls, bays, yodels, yips and beat- boxes like no dog I've ever known. He's probably a Plott Hound with some German Shepherd and who knows what else mixed in for good measure.

So I've just blogged about one of my dogs. Am I a crazy dog person? I don't think so. I do think that I'm lucky to have George (and Sadie, the topic of earlier posts) in my life, because they make every single day awesome. No matter what.

And now, for the slightly preachy statement: Adopt your pets. Used animals rock!

Too much responsibility? The economic downturn hit animals too. People lost their jobs and their homes, which means a lot of animals lost their families, homes and security. Please consider donating food, supplies, money or free time to your local animal shelters.