I’d hoped January second (and third) would be different BUT criticism of the bottle project continues!! So I throw more time and energy into projects in, and for, my “yarden.” I made a special trip to Walmart for white paint but decided to buy an array while in that department. (I hate Walmart but no Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, or Jo-Ann in the vicinity.) ~~ I’m sick with sadness due to negative conversations.

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Postscript, Friday, January 6, 2017: My project(s) spark a lot of  interest. Today, a friend informed me of a less expensive route. Skip the purchase of small color containers; buy a very large container of white. Color the white with inexpensive food coloring. (Why didn’t I think of that?)

There will never be a substitute for colored glass bottles (imho). Coloring the inside of clear glass containers is time-consuming and less-than-perfect results. After weeks and months with manually colored bottles on display, I’ll report the success/failure of the project.

…and these comments are in writing!!

Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative!!

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I’m “downsizing”—REALLY!! I re-read Christmas cards as I bundled them up to pack away. That doesn’t make sense, does it?! I’ll save the cards because maybe someone will want the pictures for an art project?!

 
 
 
 
Click each card to enlarge for better viewing.

Oh, for two more hours of daylight!! I’m so “ready” to start mixing cement for the base for Awesome Blossom. However, the sun will be down soon and I’d be working in the dark. Perhaps I can “do” tomorrow (although the weather report says “cold” and “wintry”).

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Freezing temperatures are predicted for later this week. I’ll be covering plants again.

If you follow this blog, you know I am very conscious of the weather. However, a storm “snuck“  up on me. About six AM, I awakened to hard rain, wind, lightning and thunder. I’ve ventured into the foul weather to take two pictures. I’m concerned about boxes getting wet. These are boxes awaiting my “downsizing”  attention. That bottom box is very heavy with books I’ve identified as “keepers.” No way I can lift it into my trailer home! (Wimpy!)

Yours truly was disappointed by the limited presentation–by NBC–of the Tournament of Roses Parade. Only one-and-one-half hours and too much time lost on commercials!! I lived in Southern California more than forty years and I’ve experienced the wonderful TV coverage by KTLA. So, at 6:00 PM, I accessed their commercial-free spectacular presentation available via the Internet. So, I had a brief return to California. I have fond memories of the times I attended the parade, and later saw the floats (close up) on display. ~~ I laughed so hard while viewing the Farmer’s Insurance float regarding the “Mer-mutts.” (You’ve seen their commercial?)

At the risk of getting paint on my “Sunday finery,”  I tackled a paint project. Several months ago I attempted to color clear bottles with green paint. It was a failure (imho). Today (for no particular reason), I started to color the inside of clear bottles with white paint. (I want to do a patriotic red, white and blue bottle bush.) I’m still upset about the negative conversations about my bottle tree/bottle bush displays. To assuage my depression, I started the challenging paint project!! Also (at the risk of getting dirt on my “Sunday finery”), I trimmed several of the plants that were no longer blooming. It’s a cloudy, gloomy day but I can’t stay away from my “yarden.” ~~ I’m told “bottles can be painted” and I look forward to learning the technique, and appropriate paint. Currently, I’m using Plaid Multi-Surface Satin Finish Acrylic paint.

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis