A Simple Sunday Project

New Feature: I've been thinking of doing this for awhile now, and we'll see how it goes. I'm almost always working on something. And you never know what might be sitting on my counter or table, just waiting for me to transform it. When I get an idea, many times, I'll put a piece of it on my counter, to keep me reminded of what I was going to do. I usually do the project pretty quickly, or dump it all together. I've often thought it would be fun to have a picture of what is "currently" on my counter . So If you'll look to the right, you'll see a picture, that will be changing often, of some tid bit of junk I currently have sitting out on my counter. You may or may not ever see the finished project, but it's usually something strange and interesting. And many times I will share the finished project with you, when it turns out well that is. So I hope you enjoy this little peak into my world and see what is on my counter today.

Also, I've got a contest coming up soon, and some big big news. Tomorrow!!!!!!

Now for a project,
Remember those grain scoops that I got at the Junk Bonanza?

With my constant desire to be organized and help my family be tidy, I came up with this cute idea.

This was a very very simple project. I simply put 2 of the scoops back to back, attaching them to a piece of scrap wood. I added a handle to the top, and there you have it. It's being used for spice storage next to the stove. It would also be great for condiments at a cook-out too.
To seal in the rusted patina, I sprayed them with a spray on varnish before asssembly. I currently have 2 more of these scoops if you are interested in making one of these for yourself.



What was the Whatsit?
It was a undertaker's cooling board (table), and they were used at a time when funerals were held at a private residence. They date from the 1880s through the1940s. Such folding boards will sometimes have holes drilled through the top or have a caned top. These surfaces allowed for a better flow of air cooled by a block of ice placed under the board. Some will also have brackets that pull-out from either end and fix vertically. The brackets were used to suspend a cover over the body and ice to contain the cooled air. Examples without the holes may have been intended for home embalming only. If you are interested you can read more here.

I had a comment from a concerned reader regarding Tetanus:
Renie Cee, never fear, I got a Tetanus Shot 2 years ago, they are good for 10 years. It's a very good precaution in this business. Thanks for your concern.
Actually rust is not really the problem, It's the place that rusty items are usually stored. A BARN. You see Tetanus is carried in feces of farm animals. I had a Great Uncle, that I never knew, who died of it. He had picked up a stick out of a grazing pasture and threw it at a cow. It bounced off the cow and hit him in the face, cutting him. He got Tetanus from that cut and died from it, before my Grandmother was born.