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Sunday, May 1, 2011

a lovely surprise...




This morning as we set out on our walk I found this sight..... a plastic bag attached to the mailbox.

huhhhhhhhhhhhh?????????



I hadn't a clue what in the world was in the bag or who would have left it.
I walked up slowly, a little apprehensive, and
this is what I found inside!!!!!
CONKS!!!!!!!!  A bag full of conks!



I knew instantly who it was from....a gift from our painter/handyman, Seth,  who knows that I collect conks, aka tree fungus!!!
Isn't that just the nicest thing?!  I think they are absolutely beautiful!



 I don't think I would have been more delighted if it were a bag of diamonds..... (well, okay maybe if it were diamonds;), but you get the point of what a kind, thoughtful gift it was!!

Hope you're having a lovely Sunday too!

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48 comments:

  1. An Urban CottageMay 1, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    How sweet! A few of those look like big oyster shells. Very cool!

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  2. DianneMay 1, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Well I am having a lovely Sunday...but....yours sure started fantastic. Wow! Not sure mine compares yet, however, the day is young. :)

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  3. DeniseMay 1, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    What a thoughtful gift! There are some really nice conks there. Seth sounds like a terrific guy!

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  4. CatherineMay 1, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Hi dear Joan,

    What a thoughtful gift! I'd say that you have a handyman/painter from heaven. Does he travel?
    xoTrina

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  5. A Perfect GrayMay 1, 2011 at 12:52 PM

    what a nice surprise. I have never seen conks here in the south. just wish we had some as well! donna

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  6. AndreaMay 1, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    Love it! Hmmm, I have seen many a Conk around my parts. Perhaps a collection of my own needs to start??

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  7. LoriMay 1, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    What do you do with it? Tree fungus? They kind of look like shells.

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  8. for the love of a houseMay 1, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    hi Lori!
    click on "tree fungus" in the post ^ and it will take you to another post all about fungus!!!!

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  9. Comeca JonesMay 1, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    How sweet of him was that!

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  10. ℳartina @ Northern NestingMay 1, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    What a nice surprise and so very sweet! Martina

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  11. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsMay 1, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    What a wonderful surprise! Tonight we are trying a new recipe on the grill. Tangerine-Maple Glazed Chicken Thighs. And guess who's maple syrup we will be using? The one I received from you!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  12. Brenda WattsMay 1, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Lucky You !! what a special Sunday Surprise !..they are lovely.

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  13. AntiqueaholicsMay 1, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    Joan, I love these. Such wonderful color and texture. I have never noticed these anywhere before.

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  14. GailMay 1, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    What a sweet guy to give such a gift! I'll look forward to seeing what you do with them! ;)

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  15. much older sister SusanMay 1, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    How nice!! They are beautiful!! What is even nicer is that someone thought so much of you and Dan that he gathered them and left them for you! And on May 1st! I hope the rest of the month has many more sweet surprises for you and Dan and Ella.

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  16. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereMay 1, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    I had never seen a conk until your post with one on your mantel. I love these but they don't grow in Virginia! How sweet that Seth got this for you and I think he is a keeper as a handyman.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  17. Heidi @ Decor & MoreMay 1, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    That is the COOLEST thing!! I love their organic nature and what a sweet thought. Beautiful start to the week. :)

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  18. Linda@ Lime in the CoconutMay 1, 2011 at 4:33 PM

    It's a simple woman who loves and prefers a bag of fungus.

    Dan is a lucky lucky man!

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  19. karen - Simply InspiredMay 1, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    what a kind and thoughtful gift of nature and friendship...and they are so beautiful and intriquing... i have never even thought about collecting conks...enjoy your bounty of goodness, thank you for sharing! -xok.

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  20. Laura Everyday EditsMay 1, 2011 at 5:01 PM

    hi there- newest follower from another blogroll... just stopping by.. what a lovely gesture from your handyman on May Day!
    laura
    visiting from http://imnotatrophywife.com

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  21. BabsMay 1, 2011 at 5:02 PM

    OMGosh, I haven't seen any of those in years. I used to save the ones from our old trees, but we had them all taken down when the trees were dying. What a thoughtful gift! How are you going to decorate with them?

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  22. Acquired ObjectsMay 1, 2011 at 5:18 PM

    What a sweet thing for your handyman to do, very nice surprise. If you want more we have some really big ones hanging off an old birch out back.

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  23. Miss CharMay 1, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    Now that's a handyman who knows his customers. What a sweet thing to do, I'm sure you'll put them to good use.

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  24. VictoriaMay 1, 2011 at 5:50 PM

    very thoughtful fellow don't you love surprises?

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  25. KatherineMay 1, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Seth, you are hereby forgiven for the plastic bag...... gotta introduce that boy to burlap.
    It's nice to see someone else excited about natures treasures. Enjoy!

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  26. Notes From ABroadMay 1, 2011 at 6:35 PM

    What a lovely man to leave you such a special gift !

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  27. AllieMay 1, 2011 at 9:01 PM

    They are quite beautiful. I never thought to collect them. Very nice of your friend to gather so many for you.

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  28. Pinky at Designs by PinkyMay 1, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    When you said conks I thought shells! They are lovely! Now I want some too:):) Such a sweet gesture! We had a wonderful day today, I posted about it on my blog..... XO, Pinky

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  29. the gardener's cottageMay 2, 2011 at 12:08 AM

    now that is a man that pays attention. lucky you joan.

    xo

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  30. Rose - Watching WavesMay 2, 2011 at 12:22 AM

    At first I thought it was a May basket in a plastic bag - what a nice surprise!

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  31. carolynMay 2, 2011 at 1:57 AM

    lucky duck!!

    mine is still growing...i'm afraid to remove it. any advice?

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  32. Ever - The red house by the lakeMay 2, 2011 at 3:36 AM

    Imagine if he had left it at the wrong house... I wonder what the people would have thought. ;-)

    They really are beautiful, I have never thought about that before. Look forward to see how you use them in your decoration.

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  33. Maura @ Kisiwa Creek PhotographyMay 2, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    Good Morning Joan,
    What a wonderful surprise and what a thoughtful Handyman you have! I love those 'conks' too but never heard them called that before. Up in British Columbia I knew an elderly lady who painted the most BEAUTIFUL scenery on the smooth side. My mother would drive her up the mountain roads so she could paint the scenes as she saw them. Enjoy yours!
    Maura :)

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  34. A.J.BarnesMay 2, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    I only get bills left at my mailbox! Lucky you.
    www.ajbarnesonline.blogspot.com

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  35. DeborahMay 2, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    How sweet was that?!
    Im sure it made your day by the sounds of it..a random act of kindness :)

    Deborah xo

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  36. MelanieMay 2, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Now what I'm dying to know is...what are you going to do with them? ;-)

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  37. AnonymousMay 2, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    i am looking for a creamy rich white....very creamy....do you have a suggestion...thank you...i savor your blog.....i have told my friend...when i get to heaven...that is how my house will look....

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  38. for the love of a houseMay 2, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    hi all!
    to answer your questions:

    Babs & Melanie- if you go back a couple of posts to the "vintage japanese fishing floats", and go to the photos at the bottom of the post, you will see above the marble top table on the back porch an iron fountain on the wall. The basin is filled with conks! I will add several to the basin, as it needs more!
    Also, if you click the phrase "tree fungus" in the above ^ post it will show you how I sometimes use them on the mantel.
    Carolyn- I highly recommend using a chisel or a small ax, a large, sharp knife- something really sharp, as often they are firmly attached to the tree and you can break them (not good) if you just try to pull them off. Some of the little ones pulls right off, but I'm thinking yours is too big!
    Anon- I do have an idea, could you please emai me at fortheloveofahouse@comcast.net

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  39. quintessenceMay 2, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    What a fun thoughtful gift!! Where do you display or keep them?

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  40. for the love of a houseMay 2, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    hi quint!
    see my comment above yours for an answer!^

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  41. Sécia MischkeMay 2, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    that's some good-lookin' tree fungus.

    ♥ sécia
    www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com

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  42. CindyMay 2, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Hi Joan, Dan, and Ella: What a nice surprise..and on May Day!

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  43. debMay 2, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    ok super cool...I admit I did not know what a conk was!!!!! maybe we dont have them in cali????

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  44. MamaBearMay 3, 2011 at 12:30 AM

    I've never heard of conks, they are so interesting!

    That is very sweet of Seth to leave them for you :)

    xxMB

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  45. KathyMay 3, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    LUCKY, LUCKY girl !!! I have a collection of them arranged on my mantle right now. Have you ever tried lightly covering them in gold or silver leaf? They look so beautiful.
    This is a very sweet post...thanks for sharing...k

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  46. designchicMay 3, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    What a wonderful surprise...can't wait to see how you use them!!

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  47. DonnaMay 3, 2011 at 1:19 PM

    Wow, how wonderful! I'd say you have a pretty nice handyman/painter!

    ~Donna

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  48. StephanieMay 5, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    You never cease to educate me Joan! Never ever heard or seen those before. Now I am in love with them. The rock walls are looking amazing, that guy "rocks" when it comes to his trade :)

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan

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