Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 12 July 2015

Sunday Selections #232

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files.
 
The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.
 
Like River I usually run with a theme.   Last week we headed off to our National Arboretum for the 2015 Warm Trees exhibition.


I am a big fan of quirkiness, and enjoyed myself thoroughly.
 
Volunteers have knitted squares, scarves and shapes which have been installed in the forests as part of Canberra Tree Week.  This year more than 250 knitters contributed scarves to adorn the trees in their least colourful time of the year and to encourage people into the forests.












Californian Fan Palm


Just look at those spikes!











I discovered (after we had got home of course) that there was a smear on the camera lens.  Apologies for that.

132 comments:

  1. Ooh I love yarn bombing EC! How much fun! And those views overlooking Canberra and the surrounding countryside. Great stuff!

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    1. carolincairns: You are up early. I really like the yarn bombing too. The arboretum is a beautiful place, in a beautiful place and will keep getting better and better. In the fullness of time (long after I have left the building) it may be hard to see the surrounding countryside because of the forests. A lovely thought...

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  2. I think everyone, not only the trees will need to be rugged up today and this coming week. The big chill has arrived. The westerly wind began here through the night. Cold weather warnings have been heading the weather forecasts all week. So stay warm down your way, EC.

    The temps will drop up here, too, but it won't get as cold as in the south, of course. I love rugging up, anyway. Remy and Shama paid a very brief visit outside this morning. They realised very quickly it's smarter and warmer to be inside!

    I hope you have a good week ahead. Pats and purrs for Jazz and Jewel. :)

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    1. Lee: Early in the week they were telling us we would have snow. It was rain. And wind. We won't reach double figures today and no-one, not even me, is going outside.

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  3. Love the tree warmers...so colorful. Never heard of that done any place else.

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: It seems to be well on the way to becoming a tradition here - and I at least am happy for it to continue.

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  4. Jaunty trees! What fun to see them with you!



    ALOHA
    ComfortSpiral

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    1. Cloudia: Jaunty is the perfect description for the way some of the trees wore their scarves. Thank you.

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  5. What lovely photos, nice and filled with brightness.

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    1. Blogoratti: It was a lovely way to bring colour into a largely grey day.

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  6. The scarves are wonderful and the coiled rope girdles completely unexpected.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I liked the girdles too - they were put in place to honour the rainbow serpent - important in the indigenous culture.

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  7. Wonderful! So bright and cheerful. Keep the trees happy - they're one of the few things which may stop us from getting too hot!
    Lovely views over your surroundings, too.

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    1. Alexia: As the trees in the arboretum grow they (and we) are going to be very, very happy. Well over 30,000 have been planted.

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  8. That's a most fun and unique way of increasing appreciation for the forest. I'd love to tour it.

    Have a peaceful weekend, EC.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: I love it - and the forests. I would be very happy to share them with you. And sit on one of those benches in the sun...

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  9. Colorful scarves on the trees.....brilliant!
    I can't stand it:):):) I love that so much!
    My wheels are turning, turning now about the woods in my back
    come wintertime:)
    Oh joy:)
    Thanks for this wonderful share,
    Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: Warm trees SHOULD be a global phenomenon. I would love to see what you could do with them.

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  10. Those are beautiful around the trees and gave me an idea for the three trees in my yard. Why not? Will post photos when they are properly decored!

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    1. Strayer: As I said to Jennifer Richardson, I would love to see this spread across the world. Global warming - for trees.

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  11. Yes, rug up today, trees and all! Hoping you are keeping warm EC.

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    1. CountryMum: It isn't as cold here as was predicted - though not precisely balmy. We are hunkered down inside.

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  12. Clever, clever idea. Great creativity!

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    1. Susan Kane: Isn't it? Kudos to those that thought of it, and those in authority in the Arboretum who saw the cleverness, and the fun.

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  13. I really enjoyed you sharing this event last year so I'm glad to see it back! What a fun way to get people to come visit during a slow time of year. As for the smudge, I'm assuming Jazz did it as punishment for some perceived slight to his authority.

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    1. River Fairchild: The dragon trees are STILL caged and weren't decorated this year. It could have been either Jazz or Jewel. They are not happy about our weather and have been complaining. Loudly and often. It could also have been me, trying to get a close-up of a soap bubble...

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    2. Well, I'd be afraid those dragons might break out of their cages and attack if they're not treated with respect pretty soon! :)

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    3. River Fairchild: Neither freed nor decorated is very, very disrespectful. I hope they do escape. Soon.

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  14. Smears on lenses. Welcome to my world. I've heard your weather is a little chilly, so how nice to rug up the trees.

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    1. Andrew: I was so irritated at myself that I didn't notice at the time. I did see a bit of a blurr and assumed it was the sun or my eyes. Sigh. It is chilly here at the moment - but not as vicious as predicted.

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  15. What a lovely day our for you!

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    1. Arija: It was a lovely outing. To a lovely place.

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  16. That's some nice scenery EC. I like quirky too, which makes the colorful trees delightful. They look very similar to pine trees.

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    1. Whisper Mist: Quirky floats my boat everytime. The first forest was cork trees and cedars and I think you are right, the last was a variety of pine.

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  17. Quirky is the cream in my coffee! I remember a similar yarn bomb post from last year; is it really possible we've been following one another so long? The time has flown by!

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    1. Jacquelineand...: It seems so. Which is a tad surprising. Time in the blogosphere is even more flexible than usual. And hooray for quirky cream.

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  18. That looks like fun! I also love the pictures of the plants!

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    1. Teresa Hennes: It was a lovely interlude. Smiles, and beauty. We really should go there more often.

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  19. The trees are fabulous, so warm and cosy looking, I love the one with outstretched arms.
    The scenery is lovely too, peaceful. I like that you can see for miles and miles.
    I didn't notice the smear until you mentioned it.

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    1. River: I really liked the welcoming one with outstretched arms too. Having spotted the smear it draws my eyes in every photo.

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  20. It is so icy here at the moment.. I am glad the trees will have some warmth! My kitties are tiny morph balls in front of the gas heater during the day, and morph balls on the bed at night with the electric blanket. :)

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    1. Snoskred: It isn't warm here either. The cats have simply moved from comfortable and cosy corner to comfortable and cosy corner. And the bed is definitely a winner.

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    2. My brainless moggy is still desperate to get out into the porch at night. Into the freezing cold air, then meowing to get back in a few minutes later. I'm up and down like a yo-yo opening the door for his non-royal highness.

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    3. River: Jazz n Jewel are frantic to go out in the morning. And noisy with it. Half an hour is more than sufficient though.

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  21. The trees dressed look colourful. T-shirts on Termite Mounds plus hats, helmets, scarves etc on the way to Katherine NT.

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    1. whiteangel: I would love to see dressed up Termite mounds. I hope you have photos to share.

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  22. I could do with some of those tree socks right now!

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    1. J Cosmo Newbery: I suspect a lot of people could. It has turned a bit chilly. We didn't get any of the forecast snow though.

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  23. I have neveer seen anything like this before but the trees looked very colourful with the knits around them.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: They did look colourful - and I really liked the variations in colour and design.

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  24. Some amazing shots. I like the tree with three branches covered.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: I did too. I liked it all though. The trees were better rugged up than I was.

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  25. The trees look wonderful with their winter finery.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I think they look wonderful all year round, but enjoyed the whimsy of their scarves. So much.

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  26. Beautiful! After going on vacation, I realized that it's rare that we take little day trips or act as tourists in our own town. There's so much beauty to see near your own house and this is proof of it!

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    1. Stephanie Faris: We keep making a commitment to taking more day trips. And rarely stick with it. Which is a shame, because there is lots and lots to see and enjoy.

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  27. What a neat idea. Such beautiful photos and a wonderful way to get people in the woods.

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    1. Mason Canyon: A better way to entice people into the forest than with gingerbread houses...

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  28. I was going to mention that smudge. It's happened to me, too, but it sure didn't take away from the fun! :-)

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    1. DJan: I was infuriated when I saw the smudge. At myself for not noticing it earlier.

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  29. ahh...I'm a tree hugger...believe they are beautiful without dressing them up

    *pouty face*

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: Put your pouty face away. They are beautiful. With winter woolies or without. If the scarves make one more people see the magic they are a good thing.

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  30. I have read about applicatios like this but never seen. Thank you for taking me along! I esp. like the one that looks like cord. Amazing, although I thought the site plenty beautful on its own too!

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    1. Bookie: The arboretum IS beautiful. Whatever the time of the day, whatever the season. And will get better and better and better.

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  31. How beautiful the trees look! And what a wonderful idea to dress them! We don't have anything like that here that I know of though there are plenty of knitters around.

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    1. mshatch: I don't knit, but admire the industry. And yarn-bombing of almost anything makes me smile.

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  32. I never would have thought of dressing trees but this would be something that I would love to see. Thank you for sharing!!!!

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    1. Sonya Ann: It would never have occurred to me either - but I am glad that others have much more creative minds. And the energy to put their ideas in place.

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  33. The trees must have scarves, is it cold out there?

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    1. Bob Bushell: It is certainly cool. We haven't reached double figures for a few days. And won't today either.

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  34. What fun! Our local knitters decorated trees, lampposts, and sculptures in our little town, too. I love the whimsical touch.

    The spikes on that palm made it look like a carnivorous plant. (I guess no one was brave enough to decorate that one!)

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    1. Susan: I very tentatively touched one of the spikes on the fan palm. Sharp. And firm. A tree with teeth.
      Too much whimsy is barely enough.

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  35. It's so lovely where you live, and all these beautiful pieces of yarn work just make it all so very charming.

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    1. Karen S.: There is beauty everywhere. Which is wonderful.

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  36. I remember this from last year's post - love it! That's a lot of knitting, but the result is so much fun, and so colourful! Thanks for taking us along again this year.

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    1. jenny_o: It really was/is a brainwave. It would be hard to look at the trees in their winter woolies and not smile.

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  37. Amazing photos! I love all the color!

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    1. Kelly Steel: Thank you. It is amazing how much colour brightens up grey days. Literal or metaphoric grey days.

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  38. Loving all these colors! Awesome photos and what an amazing idea!

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    1. New Release Books: Welcome and thank you. I loved the colour too.

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  39. Okay I have to say I do find the knitted squares on the trees slightly weird, but who am I to talk with some of the weird stuff I get up to. :D The distant shot of all the trees is very colourful I have to say.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: The only normal people are those you don't know very well. I am more than comfortable with weird, quirky, different. And colour.

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  40. Oh, such prettily decorated trees and marvelous views in your part of the world. Have a great week :)

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    1. DeniseinVA: I think the views from the arboretum are sublime - at any time of the year. A great week to you and yours as well.

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  41. Love the wrapped trees in this cold spell, thanks for the cheeriness, EC.

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    1. Carol: Colour and cheeriness are close relatives aren't they? Kissing cousins at least. It has been nippy hasn't it? Across quite a lot of the country. No snow here though. Sigh.

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  42. Is this what is called yarnbombing? I have seen it on Lucy's website, Attic 24, I think.
    What a lovely blog you have!

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    1. Kay G.: Welcome and thank you. It is certainly a version of yarn-bombing. An more 'authorised' version than is often the case. I will be over to visit you shortly.

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  43. Replies
    1. Nicky HW: The smear irritates me. It draws my eyes on every photo. A beautiful place though. If ever you and the boys get here you would love it.

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  44. Replies
    1. Things Are Looking U.P: Both of those things. Which are more than welcome.

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  45. Oh cool! I am a knitter, but haven't knit anything for trees!

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    1. Karen: If I was a knitter I am pretty certain I would be tempted.

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  46. Brilliant!
    I would have LOVED all of this color and quirkiness and love!! xxxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: It was brilliant, and I would have loved to share it in person with rather a lot of bloggers. Hugs.

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  47. Lovely images and beautiful views (I love the bench)
    We have also somewhere trees like these, maybe they are so cold.... :)
    I love your tress.
    Hugs

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    1. orvokki: How nice to hear of somewhere else which rugs up their trees for winter.

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  48. This is yarn bombing at its best!!!

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    1. Carola Bartz: I thought so. Fun. Endearing. Whimsical joy.

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  49. This is awesome. I love the clothed trees. Thanks so much for taking all these photos. I didn't notice a smear.

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    1. Myrna R.: In my usual restrained fashion there are many more photos. All of them with that dratted smear. My memories of warm trees are smearless though.

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  50. How colorful and fun! I didn't notice any smear. Just saw the Paddington books on the list on the right. I love those!

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    1. Riot Kitty: I am a huge Paddington fan. The smaller portion gave me these for Christmas and I guzzled them. And will reread them. Comfort reading at its best.

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  51. That scarf project is just awesome! I don't see the smear either.

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    1. Lynn: It is a great initiative isn't it? And I am glad that some of you don't see that smear. It sends me batty every time I look at it.

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  52. Wow! Thanks just so interesting! Great shots, didn't notice any smudge :P

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    1. Madilyn Quinn: Thank you. I do love the arboretum - all year round.

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  53. G'day Sue,

    The Warm Trees exhibition looks like a lot of fun. Scarves on trees, how very cool. I'd be tempted to make like a lumberjack and climb to the top of a tree to place a hat on it.

    Lovely, colourful photos, Sue. Strewth!

    Gary :)

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    1. klahanie: A woollen hat on some of those trees would have looked lovely. Next year perhaps...

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  54. The shots are still beautiful. And the place looks peaceful.

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    1. Lux G.: Thank you. It is indeed a very peaceful place.

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  55. Oh what fun- I am a big fan of quirkiness, also!

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    1. Terri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: Quirky is always good. Quirky is a happy thing to be. And see.

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  56. Quirky is one of my favourite words in English. Also, zany, and this post is! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: Quirky is a wonderful word and concept. Until you reminded me I had forgotten about zany though - another beauty. Thank you.

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  57. Great splash of colour all over the forest. The 6th one from the top looks almost human with its arms outstretched.

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    1. Spacerguy: I thought that tree was offering to give visitors a big hug. And loved it.

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  58. For some reason I missed this post! I love the tree art work. What a great idea for the winter.

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    1. Craig: It seems to have become a bit of a tradition at the Arboretum and we will certainly try and get out there each year.

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  59. What a marvellous idea, they look so pretty on the landscape. Awesome tree art indeed. They do the same with lamposts and gas meters sometimes over here, but I've not seen any up North.

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    1. All Consuming: Trees are always a gift - and it seems only fair that they should be decorated and 'warmed' too.

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  60. What a totally wonderful exhibition. I love the gesture of keeping the trees warm! I am catching up on all your posts I've missed today. I self-imposed an Internet ban for a few days, while trying to get some other projects done!

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    1. Susan F.: Thank you for going to the effort of trawling through old posts. I appreciate it, but it really was unnecessary. You lead a v busy life. I loved Warm Trees too. Last year, and this year. And no doubt next year.

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  61. I have never seen anything like this in the US! Trees decorated with knitting! Beautiful and what a fun way to get people to explore the forests. :) Thanks for sharing!
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~Jess: It is fun isn't it? We will be back next year too.

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