This evening, I’ve been removing labels from gift bottles. Munching an apple, listening to Christian TV as I work. Then I dashed outdoors to get a box to house the bottles. OMG, bitter, biting cold!! Note: “RealFeel”: Nineteen degrees!!

…according to Houston TV meteorologist.

Your blogger watched the 10:00 PM TV weather forecast and regretted that she hadn’t brought special plants indoors. With door wide open, she rushed out to gather several plants. So much time and energy spent on the plants and “the stupid old lady” didn’t act sooner!!

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There are dozens of projects I should be working on–indoors!! So much of our nation is experiencing severe cold weather–Southeast Texas, too. Freezing temperatures predicted for the next three nights. I plan to bundle up–about one o’clock–and spend time covering the plants/planters. I should take advantage of enforced indoor weather to downsize clutter. However, I’m coloring Tabasco bottles given to me by a resident in the adjacent Rainbow’s End RV Park. (More than four dozen Tabasco bottles!!) I firmly believe these bottles will be pretty “blossoms” on Awesome Blossom.

I attempted, unsuccessfully, to find the picture/pictures of boxes of Tabasco bottles. But I found this earlier blog message that “speaks” to me today.

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Postscript, Friday, January 6, 2017: I “knew” there was a picture of the boxes… and I was determined to locate. Three searches…!!

Honestly, I tackled this project as though I knew what I was doing!! Only today, about nine-thirty, I decided to consult the Internet. Well, my instincts must have been finely tuned because it appears I’ve been doing it correctly. Yes, I “roll”–and “shake.” However, I did not “bake.” That never occurred to me because I’ve allowed them to “air dry.” I plan to stay with “air dry” because my oven is storage for cooking utensils I never use. (Time to “downsize”?) ~~ It’s a mystery to me (and frustrating) when some bottles accept the paint and look attractive but some bottles require twice the time and are streaked and uneven. That’s why I searched the Internet for information.

Painting the inside of glass bottles (Youtube video).

Another about painting the inside of glass bottles.

A third How to paint the inside of glass bottles.

This is the very best instructions: DIY Painted Jars, Bottles & Vases.

Postscript, Friday, January 6, 2017: This project is very demanding!! Every few minutes and/or once every hour the bottles need to be turned or up-ended.  After two days (!!) the paint is not dry and (overnight) settles to the bottom of the bottle. Now I see the merit of “baking” the bottles to dry the paint. I suspect I’ll postpone this project until the outdoor temperature is hot enough to “air dry bake“ the bottles.

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?)