Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday, 3 July 2016

Sunday Selections #283

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.  This week?  Fun.  My inner child is alive and well.  Last Sunday the forecast was for a very chilly start to the day (-6 C/21.2 F).  When I got up, the forecast was spot on.  So I headed outside just after first light to blow bubbles - and to hopefully freeze them.  I tried last year, with some partial wins.


And this year?  SUCCESS!!!!

The cats and himself stayed inside and I had a lovely time blowing bubbles and taking many, many photos.  Mad woman with camera dances were definitely involved, and my smile was huge.

As the bubbles freeze their lovely iridescence fades to white.  Some of them lasted for over half an hour before popping, to leave a shell behind.

Many, many photos follow. 



Just blown, fully iridescent.

Then to a series, following a single bubble.






I loved the fern-like frost tracery on this one as it iced over.


And then a random assortment.









And a few showing the shells that the popped bubbles leave.




It really was a heap of fun.  And perversely satisfying too.

147 comments:

  1. Yay for your success! I know how keen you were to give it another go. So, what was the secret? Do you use a special soap? And where did you get the idea to freeze bubbles?

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    1. carol in cairns. A friend sent me a link showing frozen bubbles in the northern hemisphere. And I was hooked. No special soap. Dishwashing liquid, and a hand-made bubble blower. It was not only chilly but very still that morning which I think helped.

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  2. What fun! Beautiful result too. Thank you for the idea.

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    1. Marie Smith: It was a heap of fun. And something you would achieve more easily than I did.

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  3. Wow! I just love to see a bubble bush like this! What fun. I hope I can remember to do this when it's winter here. :-)

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    1. DJan: I may remind you when your winter comes round...

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  4. I have never tried this. I will gladly wait for winter but it gives me something small to look forward to.

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    1. Birdie: More than a week later I am still smiling about it.

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  5. Had I been around, I would have joined you. They look very odd in their state of collapse. I've noted you have had some very cold mornings.

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    1. Andrew: The shells they leave behind are weird aren't they? Confirmation that they had at least started to freeze. I suspect if we got colder the bubbles would shatter, but this was good enough for me to claim success.

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  6. Exploring the world around you and providing us with enjoyment.
    Well done

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    1. Martin Kloess: Always happy to share some fun.

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  7. I can hear the excitement in your post!! Success indeed. What a fun thing to do. Great photos.

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    1. CountryMum: It was fun. I spent more than an hour outside - and enjoyed every minute.

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  8. I'd never heard about freezing bubbles. You do all the cool stuff, EC. I admire you for it too.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: Thank you. I usually lead a fairly simple (some would say boring) life.

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  9. Beautiful freezing bubbles, that is one a million, thanks for showing this EC.

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  10. Beautiful and magical - you are a genius. [and good morning to all those above who are breakfasting earlier than I am. Did we all check the election results before coming to blogs? in my view, a close result is how it should be, keep 'em on their damn pampered toes].
    love to you dear El Chi from the heart of Victoria's legendary Western District.

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    1. Annie ODyne: Thank you. I am not uncomfortable with the idea of a hung parliament. Compromise would do them all good. And it is a more accurate reflection of the country.
      Much love to you too.

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  11. Such fun...blowing bubbles in the air. What better way to spend a morning! :)

    I hope the week ahead is as carefree for you, EC...cuddles to the two Js. :)

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    1. Lee: It was a delightful start to the day. And there is some fun planned for this week too. I hope you and your furry (and froggy) friends have a great week.

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  12. Yes! Curiously gratifying! You are a wonder; Already knew it but this cements you in the stratosphere of silliness and joy!

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  13. Yes! Curiously gratifying! You are a wonder; Already knew it but this cements you in the stratosphere of silliness and joy!

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    1. Cloudia: There is always room for silly fun in my world.

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  14. Those are just incredible! Wow, we'll have to try that when winter rolls around. Right now, I think the bubbles would just melt.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: I hope you do try it when your sweaty season moves out.

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  15. I want to know how I made it 64 years without knowing bubbles freeze? Can't wait to wow the grandkids. I didn't know it got that cold down there.

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    1. donna baker: I didn't find out early enough either. If I had found out as a young thing the parents would have had a hard time keeping me in on frosty mornings. And yes, some parts of Oz do get chilly. Blissfully so.

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  16. This is beautiful. I bet it brought you much enjoyment.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: It did. Lots and lots of enjoyment.

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  17. That is a first never seen frosty bubbles before they are lovely and you had fun didn't you.
    Merle............

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    1. Merlesworld: I did. Each morning at the moment when I get up I look at the frost and analyse whether it is cold enough. Which it isn't. Yet.

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  18. Beautiful! I never knew about freezing bubbles until you introduced them to me last year. I would stay inside with the cats but I thank you for braving the cold temps to take the pics for me to admire. ;)

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    1. River Fairchild: I didn't know about it until last year either. I am so grateful to have been educated about this particular magic. And unlike the cats (and himself who was asleep) you may have been prepared to make me a cuppa when I came in.

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    2. A cuppa hot, spiced punch. ;)

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    3. River Fairchild: Yum. Definitely yum.

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  19. Those are some beautiful photos!

    As you probably know I've deleted my blog, if you'd like to visit my new and one and only blog I have now, you're welcome to stop by, by clicking on my name.

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    1. Lon Anderson: Thank you. I do wish you wouldn't delete blogs.

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  20. Replies
    1. Alexia: It was so much fun - and the perfect morning. Clever, cold and still.

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    2. Replace clever with clear. My brain has obviously frozen.

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    3. Clearly clever... We had a very heavy frost here this morning, too. But I wasn't in a dancing mood!

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  21. Clever and so much fun to see! I'm glad you enjoyed yourself!

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    1. e: I had a lovely time. It would have been nice to share it, but it was a perfect start to the day anyway.

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  22. That is so cool! And the pictures! My niece would love doing this :)

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    1. mshatch: It really is a lot of fun. For those of us who have never grown up.

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  23. oh my. beautiful. i will have to get some bubbles this summer that i can blow this winter.

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    1. Cindi Summerlin: I used things that you probably have round the house all year round. A glass full of dishwashing liquid, and a hoop of wire (think of a number nine with a straight edge) twisted from a piece in the garage.

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  24. I absolutely ADORED this post!!

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  25. Unfortunately it will never be freezing enough for bigger bubbles, it's all that hot air from Parliament.
    I have put several up as desktop wallpaper, lovely.

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    1. JahTeh: If you want more photos of bubbles let me know. Himself bought me a BIG bubble blower and if it gets cold enough again I might try. We are quite a way from the parliamentary hot air.

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  26. Beep and I love bubbles, frozen ones even more! Terrific shots! Wish it was minus 6 here....it's plus 39.

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    1. Karen: Plus 39? I am so sorry. That is awful. Disgusting. And not good for you.

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  27. Oh! I have to try this next winter! It looks like so much fun. Dancing might just be going on here also. That is if I ever get this ankle to heal. MRI last Monday. Results next Thursday. PT didn't help. Anyway you just reminded me about doing this. Now to remember. lol

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    1. Teresa Hennes: It is fun. Lots and lots and lots of it. And hopefully by next winter your ankle will be completely healed and dancing in the frost will happen. Good luck next week.

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  28. I love these your bubbles. I've to make them also myself next winter (after 5-6 months it should be frost, hope not earlier :).
    Wish you happy week.

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    1. orvokki: I suspect that you will find it easier to find a suitably cold day than I did. I hope you do make them next year - and look forward to seeing them. And a happy week to you too.

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  29. WOW. and more WOW. I'm really impressed and they are so pretty. I'd love to try this myself, I've got a big bottle of bubble blowing liquid, but I hate frost. The icy air hurts my sinuses and makes me cough so hard. We don't get much frost where I am anyway.

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    1. River: I am not sure your frosts would be hard enough. I discovered last year that we need at least a minus six, and suspect a minus eight or nine would be better. I did have fun - and am happy to share (and not make you cough).

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    2. ouch. My sinuses are stinging just thinking about that level of cold. I wonder if I could blow bubbles into my freezer?

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    3. River: The freeze would work. I think.

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  30. So much beauty from a single drop of water!!! Well done you.
    We don't get frosts in Hamilton Hill and I am never up early enough anyway.
    Thanks for sharing your fun with us.

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    1. Mimsie: Hard frosts here last until eleven or later in the shady areas, but yes, this is an early morning game. I am glad that you enjoyed it.

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  31. Never seen this done but I am so glad it made you so happy and I can stil see the smile on your face Sue.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: With luck we will get another cold morning and I can see whether it will also work for bigger bubbles. I doubt it, but himself is urging me on.

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  32. Like Mimsie said I have the privilege of staying in bed until things such as frosts are long gone, You are a brave soul venturing forth so early to capture beauty.

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    1. Vest: Thank you. I do like the mornings. Frost and all.

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  33. I'm delighted to have found another connection to Kim.(in a round about way) And what a fun thing to do... it had never occurred to me that the bubbles would freeze - thanks for the smiles looking at the photos...

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    1. Anna: Welcome and thank you. I miss Kim blogging regularly, and smile as I go past some of her work here.

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  34. Dear EC
    What wonderful photos and it is no wonder the mad woman with a camera dance was evident - I would have been thrilled if I had taken such beautiful shots.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: Thank you. I really did have a lovely time.

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  35. I'm not sure I would enjoy the process so much as you, so thanks for the journey with freezing bubbles!

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    1. Joanne Noragon: My pleasure. Closer to home I am the only person I have found who is willing to play.

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  36. it MUST have been fun

    Satisfying? hum

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: I hope you are better after your tumble. And yes, it was fun - and satisfying to finally freeze some - and document the process.

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  37. Oh my gosh, EC, it's like fairyland. I would have never thought of that! I'm going to have to try it this fall.....if I remember;)

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    1. Sandra Cox: I am happy to remind you. I plan on reminding rather a lot of people in your hemisphere.

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  38. You have now given me a reason to look forward to winter.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Good. I like winter - but am well aware that many don't.

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  39. those are so lovely, fleeting, and mesmerizing, how cold does it have to be ? do you remember gazing balls, the bubbles remind of them just slightly.

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    1. Linda Starr: I suspect the colder the better, but these were taken at 21F. Much warmer than that and they don't freeze nearly as well, or last as long.
      I don't think I know gazing balls. I will google in a bit.

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  40. Gorgeous & Magical.
    Just like you, Sue! xxx

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    1. myinnerchick: Thank you - but much more magical than me.

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  41. That would entertain me for hours! Too bad we do not have any cold weather here...just humidity and heat. UGH. Cool shots..you are very creative!

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    1. Terri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: As soon as I saw the link I was sent I knew I had to try it when our winter came round. And I am so glad I did. I hope you do, and have as much fun as I did.

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  42. That is beyond cool!! I didn't know you could do that, guess what I'm trying this winter?

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  43. This is just magical!! Now I'll have to go some place in the higher latitudes to try this myself. Love that you have your inner child up and dancing and blowing bubbles. May she continue to thrive and never grow up!

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    1. Nilanjana Bose: My inner child is often the healthiest and happiest part of me. I doubt she will ever leave. And if she does I will try and entice her back.

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  44. I have got to do this, if it ever gets cold enough here in the winter. It rarely does get that cold. Looks like SO MUCH FUN!!!

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    1. Strayer: It was. It is. If you get snow I suspect it will be cold enough... Good luck.

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  45. Replies
    1. Vicki: And lots of fun. Lots and lots of fun.

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  46. It is good to have a playful mind! Keeps us feeling young and happy. I will be able to try this by the middle of next January! Did you add water to the dishwashing detergent or use it straight from the bottle?

    I hope you get to make some larger ones so we can see what that's like. Meanwhile, thanks for sharing these amazing little orbs.

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    1. jenny_o: I used it straight. We have warmer days (a bit) predicted for the next week or so, but there is more of winter to come. Hopefully I will get the chance to trial giant bubbles. If I don't, I have had a heap of fun with these.

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  47. Oh, EC, what a delight you are! I'm so pleased you persevered with this, last year looked promising, but this year is a triumph. Such beautiful bubbles! Well done!

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    1. Carol: I am so very glad that my inner child has lots of friends.

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  48. Pics of the bubbles looks beautiful. When we see the leaves through them they look lovely...

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    1. Weekend-Windup: Thank you. I thought they were beautiful too.

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  49. How cool, they look amazing, and even the ones that pop look great! Looks like you had a lot of fun doing them.

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    1. Ll Cool Joe: I did have a lot of fun. And was blown away when I realised that they were going to work this time.

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  50. Really cool pictures looks like so much fun ! You make me want to bust out my old macro lens again !

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    1. Dawn@Lighten Up!: I hope you do bust out your macro. Someday I will graduate to one.

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  51. I just love these. The first is like looking at a crystal isn't it?

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    1. Sandra Cox: It really was a magical start to the day. I had so much fun. And with luck we will get more hard frosts and I will go out and do it all over again.

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  52. How beautiful - what a wonderful idea. Your photos are so delicious. I'm tempted to try that, too, however, we very seldom get temperatures that low in our area. But I will keep it in mind.

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    1. Carola Bartz: Thank you. I am so grateful to whoever had the first idea - and to the friend who sent me the link.

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  53. These spheres are fun so won wondrous to see close up really- Bubbles are cool education and entertainment concepts too and like I'm doing now, its easy to appreciate their true beauty.

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    1. Spacer Guy: Bubbles and rainbows will always stir my heart and make me smile.

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  54. So cool! Now I have to ask: have you ever seen a flash frozen bubble? Now those are awesome!

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    1. Robert Bennett: Flash frozen? Never. And they would be amazing. I am now full of flash frozen bubble envy...

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  55. I am absolutely going to try this when/if it ever gets cold again here!

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: Oh good. Photos please.

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  56. Beautiful! I recently read about an artist who uses bubbles to put designs on her pottery. I can just imagine you dancing after those bubbles, camera swinging...

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    1. Molly Bon: And a huge smile all over the dial. Bubbles on pottery could be magical too.

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  57. That is so great! Lovely artwork in your garden. You make me want to try that (although cold weather seems so far away right now.)

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    1. Lynn: Perhaps you can play later. Enjoy your summer while it is here.

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  58. Very clever and they look great. Well done.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: Thank you. Not possible in the areas you are travelling at the moment...

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  59. So jealous. I WANT TO DO THAT!!!!

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    1. Granny Annie: That is JUST how I felt when a friend first sent me a link to frozen bubbles. I am grateful that my dodgy memory came up trumps this time.

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  60. Hokey smokes....I don't know what I'm mostly surprised by: the fact that you can freeze bubbles, or the smuggy-smug-smuggness that I feel about my side of the earth getting all the sun right now. I moped around on summer solstice this year because....it's coming, the world is tipping. I can feel it. Soon all that frost will be outlining every one of my plants. Sigh.
    Here's a big hug. At least you've given me something to look forward doing when the long winter gets here.

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    1. barbfroman: One of our friends rejoiced at the winter solstice because 'the worst of it is over'. He is wrong, but I do (sort of) understand where he is coming from. I prefer the cooler seasons.
      Thank you for the hug - and I hope your summer stays with you. For a looooong time.

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  61. Such fun - and gorgeous results too!

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  62. I love your bubbles and the fun you had making them

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    1. Sue In Italia/In the Land of Cancer: Thank you. It really was fun. Lots of fun.

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  63. I'm late here, but I love your frozen bubbles! I can't believe I've never actually tried this in our winters. They're gorgeous.

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    1. John Wiswell: Thank you. I love them too. And will certainly be out again if we get cold enough.

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  64. I have heard of these, and I actually tried (kind of failed) this last winter. Your captures of it are excellent, and I'm going to give this a try again. Not this summer though.

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    1. Karen S.: I so hope you can do it. We are rarely quite cold enough here. I found that I need to be out just after first light on a still morning.

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  65. Vests story.

    I have a habit of reading The Sydney Daily Telegraph History column and again a familiar name crops up, which gives me the right to air my TASTY BONE of contention.
    The people who write some of this Gush have no more idea what they are printing than my great AUNT GABBY Whose X RAY of her noddle revealed a complete emptiness.
    Let the truth be known, that the said historic person the Parramatta NSW Judge Advocate Richard Atkins, stated to the Governor of NSW Australia Phillip Gidley King on July 8 1805, that as Aborigines are without morals or religion, they cannot give evidence in a case of law.
    So much for that statement from no other than a completely untrustworthy person whose real given birth name was Richard Bowyer ( a likely relative) It would be a great idea to read his Wiki or google profile to get a better picture of this Despot whose drunken antics and poor judgement of those who fell foul of him would suggest he came top of the class in Judge Jefferies (The hanging Judge) school of law..
    Richard Bowyer Atkins was eventually given his marching orders although his Wife and family despaired of him and left earlier for the UK, little is known of his lifestyle after arriving in the UK..
    Richard Bowyer was the fith son of Sir William Bowyer whose country seat was in Denham Court Buckinghamshire. The elder of the five brothers was George who retired as a rear Admiral
    to Radley Oxfordshire after losing a leg during the battle of Ushant 1793 his house now The'BOWYER ARMS is a large Public house Hotel eight miles from Chalgrove where I lived as a child and visited last time iin the UK 2015.
    Another brother was a general in the British Army who served in Florida in the 1700s I believe a fort was named after him in Florida. However, the two remaining Brothers I have little knowledge of.
    I shall have to STAY a little longer to finish giving you more details regarding yours truly Tricky Dickiie AKA Richard Bowyer..
    Richard Bowyer was sent to serve in the British Army and was known to have served as an adjutant in the Isle OF Man Corps,. During this period he became involved in lots of Miscellaneous skulduggery plus running foul of the law and becoming into debt. His father Sir William who despaired of him had words with Lord Atkins who was without issue and who took him in as family until the bubble burst again and sent him packing with his family and a healthy stipend to Australia.
    The only peculiar thing about this TRUE STORY perhaps is that My Wife and I have five sons too and just recenly we assisted our fith son Our prodigal son to move to Queensland up north about 2000 miles from us.
    Like history coming back to bite us Les BOWYER , AKA VEST
    My spell check is o

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    1. Vest: I am certain that all of us have relatives who we would prefer not to think about. And do hope that your son comes good.

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  66. Your post today was just what I needed, simple beauty, captured with joy, thank you

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    1. Kim: I am glad - but also sorry that you needed it. Healing slower than you like? Hugs.

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  67. They're even prettier than I would have expected!

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  68. What delightful pictures! Even more delightful is thinking about you braving the cold with a big smile on your face, just so you could play with the bubbles and capture their images as they froze. Way cool! (Or should I say way COLD...) (It's bloody HOT here.)

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    1. Susan: You can keep your heat. Not cold enough here to freeze bubbles at the moment, but still cool. Probably just as well it isn't cold - our heating is deceased.

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  69. Wow. These are super duper cool. I'm gonna give this a go when it gets cold here. Thanks for sharing this.

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    1. The Happy Whisk: I hope you have success. It really was a heap of fun.

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  70. How could I have missed this post?! Amazing. Magical, even. Dish soap makes all the difference in blowing bubbles--
    I gotta forward this to my sister. She lives in "...a frozen wasteland" in Ohio, when it is winter.

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    1. Susan Kane: I hope your sister enjoys it. And hope even more that she tries it.

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