Hello Again

Welcome to my blog, the blog formally know as "Fresh Go Vintage".  I thought it would be best to just rename this blog since it's become such a mix of things.

The original name was an extension of our Go Vintage website.  When my family and I first got started on the internet we sold a lot of vintage items on eBay. So Go Vintage was connected to our antique and collectible sales.  Over the years we have expanded into other business so vintage doesn't really fit anymore. We do all still dabble in vintage items but not as frequently. We still brake for yards sales, scan the estate & auction listings, eBay, and keep an eye on C list of course. Now we collect and keep more often. Once you've caught the junk bug, it's in your forever I think. 

So from now expect to see an ever wider mix of things. Thanks for stopping in. 

Melody   

Happy New Year

Here's to an exciting, fun, and happy New Year.

Still Here

Hello,

We're still here. We've just been busy with work and new projects.  I'm hoping we'll make more time to go to the beach this Summer and also get back into blogging.  

Here's a shot from last week. We were getting some big waves from a front out of the north and Tropical Storm Andrea stirring up the gulf waters.

One Love, One Ocean

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful Summer. 

:)

Happy Independence Day!

I thought I’d share some photos of the flag that we pass by a lot. These were taken from the car window so they are far from perfect. It seems I’m always saying “Slow down so I can get a photo of….” This flag is outside our local electric company. I love seeing it ripple in the wind.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend. We enjoyed some beautiful fireworks at the Wharf in Orange Beach last night. It’s been up and down here the past week. We had family come in and we all stayed at condos at the Wharf. We had lots of fun and a great visit. I went on the Lazy River over at the Wharf’s Oasis. I’d never been on one before. Wow! I want one! I guess I better start buying Lotto tickets.

We also had a fire at the Gulf Shores State Park which was quite scary. Thankfully no one was harmed. It took a few days to put out. I applaud the firefighters who worked so hard on it, especially in the summer heat. They also had to do a lot of back burns to kill off fuel. Some businesses and homes were threatened but the firefighters protected them. There was a lot of smoke in the area. We even had smoke and ash fall on our house which was a few miles from the fire. In the end just under 1,000 acres were burned.

Right now I’m so glad to look out the window and see clear blue sky.

Have a great 4th of July Everyone. Stay safe.

To learn more about this great destination in Orange Beach, Alabama please check out The Wharf  - They have shopping, dining, events, concerts, festivals, light shows, condos to rent or buy, and so much more to do. 

Happy Mother’s Day

A lot of friends on Facebook are posting photos of their moms as their profile picture for Mother’s Day. So I thought I’d give it a shoot and scan a few.  I’d never scanned old photos before, now I’m hooked.

It’s kind of funny scanning photos that say Kodak on the back using a Kodak all-in-one printer scanner thing-a-ma-bob. Like listening to the Beatles on the iPod plugged into a Bose Wave machine, it’s a strange circle of technology.

The first album I remember listening to as a kid was Beatles Rubber Soul. Mom bought it for us. My brother even had a Beatles haircut for a while. We always had music in the house, from country to pop. It was either from the little turntable, the radio on top of the fridge, or those old country music shows on television. I’m forever thankful for that and for all the other mom-things Mom did.

Thanks Mom ~ I miss you. 

Happy Mother’s Day Ladies!

Enjoy your day!

~ Melody

Alabama

Hugs

Prayers

Comfort

for my adoptive state and the neighboring states affected by tornadoes this past week.

Scottish Castle

Eilean Donan Castle
Originally uploaded by JD's Photography

Eilean Donan Castle
Found this on Flickr via Pinterest. It's adding to my Scotland addiction.
More Scotland from the photographer at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jd-photos/sets/72157606449828144/
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jd-photos/sets/72157606449828144/show/

Dock of the Bay ~ Mosaic Monday

These were taken over the years at various local docks. I can't wait for Spring and Summer. We didn't get as much time on the water last year so this year will be extra special.

I'm adding a couple of fish eye dock shots. My husband asked if I ever used our fish eye lens anymore. I have to admit it doesn't get as much use as it should for the price. It has it's limits but it's lots of fun to play with.

This is over at Sportsman Marina in Orange Beach, Alabama. They've got a great crew over there, always friendly and helpful.

Here's a link back to Mosaic Monday at Little Red House.

Happy Mosaic Monday everyone!

~ Melody

I Shot Six Holes in my Freezer....

Well not yet but this cold weather has got to go!  I grew up in cold weather but we moved south a few years back. Now I'm a wimp when it comes to the cold.  It sounds like the whole country is one big iceberg.

We went to Lulu Buffet's in Gulf Shores, Alabama last night for dinner.  It was excellent as always.  Usually when we eat at Lulu's in the Winter I always think of Jimmy Buffett's song Boat Drinks.  I think about how awesome it is to be in a warmer climate in the Winter.  But last night it was a little harder to transport my brain to a tropical climate. It was cozy and she even had a fire DVD going on one of the big screen TVs. I kept wanting to warm my hands over it.

Overall the great atmosphere chased away a bit of the Winter blues.  For dessert I had one of my favorites, Key Lime Pie and my husband had a Bama Breeze drink. The photo is a little fuzzy, it's from the phone camera. I need to try and make a Key Lime pie one of these day.

A group of about 60 sorority sisters came in for a reunion just before we were leaving.   I'm guessing ages 40 and up. They sounded like they were going to have a good time.

BOAT DRINKS by Jimmy Buffett

Boat drinks. Boys in the band ordered boat drinks.
Visitors just scored on the home rink.
Everything seems to be wrong.

Lately, newspaper mentioned cheap airfare.
I've got to fly to Saint Somewhere.
I'm close to bodily harm.

Chorus
Twenty degrees and the hockey games on.
Nobody cares; they are way too far gone,
screamin' "Boat drinks," somethin'
to keep them all warm.

This morning I shot six holes in my freezer.
I think I got cabin fever.
Somebody sound the alarm.

I'd like to go where the pace or life's slow.
Could you beam me somewhere, Mister Scott?
Any old place here on Earth or in space.
You pick the century and I'll pick the spot.

I know I should be leaving this climate.
I got a verse but can't rhyme it.
I gotta go where it's warm.

Boat drinks.
Waitress, I need two more boat drinks.
Then I'm headin south 'fore my dream shrinks.
I gotta where it's warm.
I gotta go where it's warm.
I gotta go where it's warm.
I gotta go where there ain't any snow,
where there ain't any blow,
'cause my fin sinks so low.
I gotta go where it's warm.

Stay warm everyone.
~ Melody
* Passing out the Key Lime pie and tropical drinks to everyone.

Day Dreaming

I'm trying to be productive.....really I am.

Photo from Melodym1 at Flickr

But I'm dreaming of a warm, pretty day at the beach instead.


Happy Monday Everyone!


~ Melody

The Fleet Awaits Christmas

The guys put the tree up but I still need to decorate it. The beading always gives me trouble, trying to decide how far to space each strand. We have a new larger tree this year since we moved to a house with 9 foot ceilings. (yeah 9 foot!)  Usually I look at photos from the year before to give me guidance. You would think it was rocket science the way I drag out the whole tree trimming process.  Thank goodness this one is pre-lighted, that's one step down.
Now a zillion to go.

Cyber Monday in the Kitchen

I couldn't let Cyber Monday pass by without at least twittering or blogging so here goes. We have couple of online businesses that sell remodeling items for the home. You Remodel is our main one that we’ve had for a while.

Go Vintage is one that previously I just sold a few shabby chic things on but recently started adding the remodeling products on also. 

Both sell kitchen and bathroom items including faucets, sinks, clawfoot tubs, fireplace gas logs, towel racks, and other restoration type hardware for the home. On GoVintage I plan to start adding more antiques and collectibles we pick up here and there. Right now I just have some vintage Fenton up. Both sites carry our shabby chic style switch plate covers.

Today I’m going to talk about some of the kitchen items we have.

Farmhouse style kitchen sinks in single and double bowel. I so wanted one of these in our last kitchen remodel but didn't plan my cabinets right. 

Kitchen faucets in single and double, plus soap pump dispensers to match in chrome, brushed nickel, and oil rubbed bronze. The first one is what I currently have in my kitchen but I'm wanting to switch to the second one for a more traditional look. It's on the big honey do list. 

I would love to have a spot for this big boy - a pull down or pre-rinse with sprayer kitchen faucet. 

This one is a kitchen faucet but I have one on my laundry sink. It's great for cleaning yard sale finds or for those times I color my hair at home. Gasp, did I just admit that I colored my hair. 

So that is just a few of the kitchen products. We offering Free Shipping on both sites. I plan to blog about bathroom faucets eventually if I don't scare everyone off by then. Thanks for looking. I hope you grabbed some great bargains over the weekend. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope your day is wonderful!

I think I've used this cartoon elsewhere in previous years but I couldn't resist using it again. Snoopy and Woodstock have always been favorites of mine.

We have so many things to be thankful for in our household this year. I'm especially thankful at the moment that I have a husband who likes to cook. :-)

Have a great weekend. And if you are heading out tomorrow for shopping, good luck and stay safe.

xxoo,
Melody

Calm

Bird Dock
Originally uploaded by Melodym1

Have a peaceful weekend everyone.

Mosaic Monday ~ Margaritaville

I thought I'd share some photos from the gulf coast taken over the years since I’ve got Margaritaville on my mind. Jimmy Buffett was in Gulf Shores Sunday doing a concert for the coast. It was to promote tourism and give everyone a little break from the oil spill. We didn't attend it, didn't get tickets, plus I don't think I could have handled the crowd or the heat. We watched it live on CMT and loved it. The first 10 minutes I couldn’t stop saying “OMG, look at the crowd!” Great turn out - 35,000. CMT plans to air it again a few more times so maybe you can catch it if you missed it.

He even reworked his song “When the Coast is Clear”. Here is a video clip from the show.



Link to Music Video
 
Where is Margaritaville? I think it's wherever you want it to be, wherever you make it. It’s been several places for me…. From a Midwestern river, a northern lake full of fish, a quick trip to the east coast, a vacation condo at the beach, to boating the intercoastal or fishing the gulf, to a kiddy pool in the suburbs, to a screened-in porch with cheap chaise lounge chair. And no I’m not a drinker but I’m really good at being a beach bum. :-)

So where is your Margaritaville?

~ Melody

Here's today's Mosaic Monday at the Little Red House blog and the list of other pretty Mosaic Mondays.

Pensacola Lighthouse Florida

Pensacola Lighthouse Florida
Originally uploaded by Melodym1

I'm trying out the Flickr to Blogger photo thing to see how it works.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Color Sections to Black and White Photos

I love black and white photos where a section or item has been colorized. I've seen this done a lot. I wondered how they did it and but never tried. I think I'll give it a shot.  

How To Add Color To Black and White Photos in Photoshop

Photo from Adobe page ~

If anyone is successful with it or has done it before, please post a photo or link to your photos in the comments. Can you post photos in the comments? See, still more for me to learn.

Adobe also has a  Tumbler Page - Tumbler, another thing I'm just now discovering. Adobe's has links and tips.

I've still have so much to learn, especially with Photoshop. I've got version 3 but I think it's up to 5, amazing! And here I thought the 64 box of crayons was cool.

Happy coloring,

Melody

 :-) 

Blessing of the Fleet ReVisited ~ Mosaic Monday

With all that's going on in the gulf I've been thinking about the local shrimpers. Every year there is a Blessing of the Fleet in Bayou La Batre. These were snapped in 2007. The President mentioned the blessing tonight in his address so I thought I'd use them for a mosaic. Sorry that I'm a day late.  I know I said I'd do better with this blog but so far I haven't got a groove going.

Please click for a larger view. I still haven't gotten the blog width thing figured out here. So much to do, so much to learn.
Enjoy your week. :-)

BP Oil Spill - Worldwide Protest Day - June 12, 2010

Please find and attend your local event. Here is the Facebook page, BP Oil Spill Worldwide Protest Day - June 12, 2010. It lists some of the local events and has information in the discussion area if you want to start your own.


Larger graphic here.

Here is a YouTube video about it also.