freshvintage

Grow Basil in an Antique Mason Jar + Craigslist Fun

I was tired of buying basil at the grocery store, so I decided to get off my ass and just grow some. It is probably the easiest plant on earth to grow. You just can't kill it. And I'm a notorious plant murderer.

An antique (or new) mason jar was the perfect size for my sunny & narrow kitchen window sill. I waited a month, and voila! 

I can't believe I even took a before picture. I never do that. I must have been drunk that day.  Anyway - go grow some basil, dammit!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On a totally different topic....

If you've ever posted ANYTHING on Craigslist, you know that you get a ton of random emails saying, "Is it still available?" or "Is this in good condition?" with no name or phone number. I became a little annoyed at those automated responses one day, and decided to indulge in some random "person" (or robot) who inquired about our awesome Pennsylvania Tack Box. My responses are in blue, and I highlighted by favorite line in yellow.

On Wed, June 6, 2012 at 10:23 PM, <gXXXXXX@gmail.com> wrote:

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid:  wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info:  http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams

IS THIS  IN GOOD CONDITION?

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/atd/3109213973.html

 

 On Wed, June 6, 2012 at 10:25 PM, freshvintage <info@freshvintage.com> wrote:

Yes, it is in GREAT condition. But I need to warn you that it has two zombies locked inside. Is that okay? You are safe as long as you don't have a brain. They love to eat brains. And Honey Nut Bunches of Oats. With Almonds.
 

 On Thu, June 7, 2012 at 6:47 AM, Richard Miller <sXXXDOUCHE@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello

Thanks for the swift response to my mail, as the item is still available, I will send a certified check to cover the cost of my purchase as am completely satisfied with the advert. I will need the details of whom & where to mail the draft. It will be delivered by the United Parcel Service within 2-3 days. Please note 'United Parcel Service' do not deliver to P.O.Box addresses.

    1. Name to be on the check
    2.Home address
    3.Mobile #

Kindly delete the advert on Craig's List as am totally committed to buying from you to save me cost, My mover will be coming over for the pick up right only after the payment as been delivered and I want you to understand that, I would have love to call but am a deaf , So please send me an email only.

Thanks for your time.

On Thurs, June 7, 2012 at 2:25 PM, freshvintage <info@freshvintage.com> wrote:

Hello again!

I am so glad that you will be buying the tack box. Most people are scared off by the zombies trapped inside. It is nice to meet someone so inclusive and so open to making  new friends, even if they are undead.

Terribly sorry about your hearing impairment. Since we can't talk on the phone, I need to make sure that you are a real person. Can you send me a picture of yourself? I have attached a picture of me, so that you know I am real, too.

I would also like to take a picture of the zombies, but I am a little nervous about opening the box again (that is why I look so worried in my photo). I already tried it once, and they ate my neighbor's cat. I had to tempt them back into the trunk with a bucket of live voles and some ground turkey meat that I crudely formed into the shape of a brain.

Anyway, please send me a photo so I know that you are real.  In the mean time, here is the information you requested:

1. Tyrion Lannister

2. 110 Casterly Rock Rd, Westerlands, PA 19332

3. 867-5309

What time and day will your mover be coming? Please be sure to warn him about the contents of the box. I would hate to have to clean your mover's innards from my front stoop. 

Bestest,

Tyrion

I was so disappointed that he didn't write back. I had a whole thing planned where I was going to send him a picture of my kids in last year's halloween costumes.

Oh, well. I'll just have to post some more stuff on Craigslist to see if I can find a new hard-of-hearing, certified-check-loving pen pal.

Summer Kick-off

Thanks again to Mary Kay Andews for choosing freshvintage as a stop on her national book tour for Spring Fever. Some of her fans drove more than two hours just to meet her! It was a great time....we laughed, we laughed some more, and then my husband did some kind of a weird booty-shaking dance for Mary Kay. And scared away some paying customers.

Here's Mary Kay with some fans that Chris did not scare away:

Congrats to the five winners of the Spring Fever Book Giveaway: Alissa, Meghan, Heidi, Shara, and Kelly!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, Highland Orchards is hopping! The strawberry-picking season was in high gear for the past few weeks, and now it's time for blueberries, raspberries and yellow peaches. If you are too lazy to pick, just buy some pre-picked fruit. Or pies. It's all fresh - you can't go wrong.

Yeah, I know, most of you can't come here and pick fruit and witness Chris' booty-shaking. So, I'll share a few pics just to keep you quiet:

 

Chris scored a few Light n' Lively Milk posters. I love the one with the baby in the backseat. This milk was made by Sealtest. Yes, everything comes back to Sealtest...

My friend Mary from Vidalia's Vintage scored these old watchmaker's cabinets. They once stored hundreds of watch crystals, but now they would be great for jewelry-making storage or crafts or office supplies or just as cool industrial decor in your home.

Also from Vidalia's Vintage, a beautiful antique book cabinet with glass doors, straight out of a local judge's office (she totally stole it and is doing hard time now). Why buy Billy when you can have the real thing for an even better price?

Yes, that's a SIGNED copy of Summer Rental. Only one left, so get here quick!

A BLUE Kodak Junior, which I may need to keep for myself. I want to amass a collection of "rainbow" cameras like this guy. I don't think I've ever felt such pangs of jealousy.

Some beachy finds...  

And our tribute to red, white and blue:

Happy Summer!

Spring Fever Book Giveaway

Sorry, this giveaway is closed! Congrats to winners Alissa, Meghan, Heidi, Shara, and Kelly!

If you can't make it to the Mary Kay Andrews book signing at our shop on June 10th, we are bringing the book to you! The publisher of Spring Fever, St. Martin's Press, has generously offered FIVE books to give away to freshvintage readers.

Leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win a copy of Spring Fever, which was just released yesterday. I finished my preview copy last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Romance, second chances, backstabbing, family secrets...all written with Mary Kay's signature wit and details that make it so easy to imagine every person, room and situation. And I love that the main character, Annajane, works in marketing. That's my "real" job. Anyway, it is a fun beach read. Or lake read. Or patio read. Who cares where you are...it's just a great read!

The deadline for the giveaway is midnight EST Saturday, June 9th. Make sure there's a way for me to get in touch with you when you leave a comment. Sorry - this is limited to readers in the US.

You are eligible to enter, even if you are coming to the book signing on Sunday. If you are in the Philadelphia area, this is your big chance to meet Mary Kay. She isn't doing a signing in Philly...she is coming to freshvintage in West Chester. I know! I am still pinching myself. This would make such a fun girls' day out. There are lots of antique shops in the area and great restaurants. Depending on where you are coming from, you could stop at a few wineries for a tasting (and I'll have some at the shop, just in case). I'll even have a special gift for anyone who buys a book at the shop. Send me an email if you need any advice on where to stop on the way to the signing. I would be happy to help.