"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Thursday, July 14, 2011

The story of my bottle tree...

Some mistakes work out for the best. . .

A few weeks ago my grandson asked me to look something up for him on Amazon - he's always wheeling and dealing with me about one thing or another. It's either Amazon or Ebay.

In conjunction with this - I've always wanted to buy a bottle tree. I had one in my Amazon basket. It really wasn't the one I wanted, but the one I really wanted was too much money. This one was only $20.

Mix that with not paying attention and One Click! Guess who ordered a bottle tree stand without even thinking?

So maybe it was a slip - but I just left it ordered and waited for it to come.

I was going to order the bottles - they were so cheap - some were even just a buck - however when I went to check out - the shipping fee was over $100! Ridiculous!

My answer - going to the Liquor store and bought just for the bottle only. We drank some - emptied others. I'm not a big drinker.

And here it is - still have three empty places...




I didn't like it there so I moved it forward.

Looks like I need something else - what?




I did not get it for this reason - but some people believe it wards off the evil spirits. I don't believe in stuff like that. I just really like weird eclectic things. Don't know what that says about me. I just like it.

Do you like my bottle tree? Have you ever seen one before? I'm still looking for blue bottles - I want to do it in all blue - but this will work until I find them. Do you have something fun in your garden?

x_5c59c1d

Thought for the day:

You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm.

- Collette

44 comments:

Southhamsdarling said...

I've never seen a bottle tree like yours before, Chatty, but I love it. It's really cool, and I particularly liked the blue bottles. (Are you sure you're not a secret drinker?! Hee Hee).

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a bottle tree - it looks pretty cool. I like doing foolish things at times (tehee) - you have to be happy for being as you are when you're not as you should - has always been my motto :-)
Have a lovely Day!

Tanna said...

I want one, too, Sandie!! LOL! I just haven't been willing to fork over the cash yet! I love your impulse clicking!

Love the quote under your header!! Just love it!

You have a couple more bottles to gather... enjoy! blessings ~ tanna

Wanda's Wings said...

Way cool.

Mollye said...

I love it and don't know what could make it better unless maybe some twinkle lights? Missed you and am glad you're still hanging in.

Anonymous said...

Sandie, I love your bottle tree, and yes I heard and know all about, I've wanted one for years, not to ward off evil(though that sounds good)but I've heard that when the breeze blows thru the bottle opens it makes music,Does it?..might be spooky sounds,don't know,listen for me and let me know,that is if you get any cool breezes,teehehehe.
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly

Susan said...

Hi Sandie!

Love your bottle tree. I had never heard of them before until I read about them on Susan's blog----Between Naps on the Porch. Did you see her bottle tree posts?

She had links to others, too, and wow! I learned all about bottle trees.

I'd like to do one, too, but think I'd like all colored bottles including RED! We'll see. I have saved one really cobalt blue one, in anticipation.

Nice job, Sandie! Susan

Pat MacKenzie said...

I've never heard of a bottle tree before, and now I've seen one. Very interesting. I wonder if you could find bottles at a thrift store? Great quote...less drama, more happy.

Remington said...

I have never seen one of these! I think I need one on Remington Drive! Did you get it on Amazon? Very cool!

Sush said...

Bottle trees abound in New Orleans. They even have a Bottle Tree Man who has a really splendid one! If you live near a Trader Joe's I bet they might have some cheap wine bottles in shades of blue!

Good luck and how about some recycled beach glass at the base? Just thinking...

Hugs!

Sally said...

LOLOL!!! I love it, that's something I would do too.

What else do you need? I'm thinkin' a drunk bubba curled around the base. :)

Are you talkin' about bottle brush trees?

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I love your bottle tree! How cool. I've seen them and love how they look when the sun hits the glass. I agree the blue bottles are gorgeous. I will keep an eye out for more! hugs, Linda

Unknown said...

i've never even heard of a bottle tree but i think it is very interesting. nothing interesting in my backyard darn it!

Joyce said...

If you asked I would have helped you drink those bottles dry:-) Looks cute.
Joyce

jeanmac said...

Very cool. I am always amazed at your posts, I have never heard of a bottle tree before!Blue is nice:)

Rebecca Nelson said...

Cute! Cute! Cute! And I'm not a bottle tree lover...but this one is COOL!
xo~Rebecca

Liz Mays said...

I actually like yours. I've seen a lot of them I don't like, but the shape of yours is nice!

Angela said...

I just sent you an email with the link to Granny Sue's blog. http://grannysu.blogspot.com/search/label/blue%20bottle%20bush She made one a while back and has the folklore and all about it on her blog.

I think it's neat! I have often thought about making one here but I don't know where to put it. My husband doesn't like to mow around anything! lol

Hugs,
Angela

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a surprise!!!!HEY, I have pictures of these same bottle trees around town, and I researched it, too. They did used to be used to attract and trap bad spirits, I think they started in Africa? I've been planning a post on it! Seems they are only popular in the south. BUT here's something your grandson will find interesting. Some people here decorate them for the seasons. You will see when I post about it. They will put a Santa hat on top of it for Christmas, and so on. Yours needs either some more bottles or some other things to fill it out, keep working on it, maybe Google some pictures of them to give you ideas.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Love that quote, Sandie.... Let's do it with enthusiasm--whatever we do!!!!!!

I don't have a Bottle Tree--but have seen them. People are known to name theirs --so that it becomes part of the family... They decorate it during each season. You will have fun with yours..

Hugs,
Betsy

DaCraftyLady said...

I've not heard of a Bottle Tree but love the idea...I like the different colors and how fun it would be to shop for them until it is full... :) And wouldn't it be fun to add small Christmas lights inside the bottles so that it lights up at night, or.....get some solar lights and stick them inside each bottle how fun...lots of ideas, how about a little bird house hanging with the bottles...or mabe a little fake birdie??? Oh the ideas....I love yours and it looks good where you have it....Warding off evil spirits...hmmmmm...Debb

Doris Sturm said...

It's not my cup of tea, but as long as it makes you happy ;-)

Maybe I would have liked it after I helped you polish off some of the contents of those bottles LOL

Have a great day,
Doris and the Gizzy :-)

MadSnapper said...

when you said bottle tree, i thought bottlebrush tree, which is a beautiful and common tree here in FL, so was shocked when i saw it is REALLY a bottle tree. maybe you could go by a local restruant that serves wine and ask if they would save bottle for you. I have an ugly frog in my front yard that belonged to my mother, does that count as interesting? I have a 2 foot Christmas tree in the closet and our yard is full of trees big and small, but no trees with bottle. i do have a bottle collection on the wall in the bedroom, old medicine bottles from a hundred years ago.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I've never seen a bottle tree in person -- it's cool!

Debbie said...

I do like it! It's eclectic, as you said, and that's what gives it character. I have not heard much about them so now I'm going to google.

I love google. A wealth of knowledge it is!

nick said...

Nice bottle tree. I hear they are fairly low maintance, too.

Belle said...

I love it and now I want one too! You have to watch out for those shipping charges. I think it would look cute beside a little chair with or without a little table beside it. Then you can have a drink and just put the bottle on the tree when you are done.:)

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Ever since I read the book On Folly Beach I've wanted a bottle tree. yours looks great!

Sweet Tea said...

I've never seen or even heard of a Bottle Tree - I don't get out much. LOL I love the blue in particular. I'd think it would be a great conversation starter too.
You're a HOOT!

betty said...

Never saw a bottle tree like this Sandie! So cute! And so interchangeable; you could put red/green bottles in at Christmas, lighter colored bottles in spring, pink ones at Valentine's day etc. I like it!!

Nothing too unusual in our backyard these days except the dog :) (and the occasional possum :)

have a good day; working here, soup for dinner!

betty

unikorna said...

I like the positive energy from your blog, I suppose that is why people keep coming back to read you. Kisses :)

Cheri said...

I have never heard of a bottle tree...kind of weird and cool at the same time. Must be a good conversation piece.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I have heard of "bottle trees" and it does look interesting. "Fun in my garden"? I would say those gosh darn chipmunks oh and the snakes...definitely the snakes!...:)JP

Holly said...

Love that bottle tree! I found your blog through Whosyergirl and saw your comment about the Magnum bar. I need to know, what is that and do I need to put on my shoes and head to the store right now, cuz I'm thinking I might.

Anonymous said...

I have never heard or seen a bottle tree. Does it serve a purpose? OR just looks like a tree made of bottles? Interesting. This craze has not hit STL yet, that I am aware of.

Enjoy your bottle tree OR emptying the bottles :)

LOVE YOU...Carol

Mevely317 said...

I love this!
... Yes, I'd seen them in certain catalogues. You're right, they're $$$$$!
..and I'm guessing this tree means more, because it was crafted from happy memories? (Red, red winnnne!)

ain't for city gals said...

I have seen lots on other's blog...didn't really know the rhyme or reason to them...the older I get the more I like inanimate objects that require no care..lol...I think it would be cool for each bottle to be from a happy occasion.

Catherine said...

I love your bottle tree! I have seen one before in another person's garden but I truly like yours better. Your bottles seem better matching than her's did.

Lovely!
xo Catherine

TexWisGirl said...

Hi Ms. Crone! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment!

I have a homemade bottle tree from a patio umbrella pole and several twisted shepherd's hook wires. i have to say, i drank all the contents of my bottles though. :)

Mimi said...

HI!!!
I needed to pop in here and say HOWDY!!Or HI!!
Love that bottle tree. I have not seen one ever in someone's yard....in a botanical garden --yes!!!But I love it!!
I am getting ready to do some re-decorating on my patio, so maybe I need one of those!!
I have not heard from you in a while, thought you might have forgotten about me!!!
Hugs,
jamie

Linda O'Connell said...

You mean I was this close to your fabulous bottle tree in Atalanta? I see that there are more of my followers whop live in GA. We should ahve a reunion.

Buttercup said...

I've never heard of bottle trees before I saw your title. I like it. It's a lot of fun!

Ann said...

I don't believe I have ever seen a bottle tree before but I like it. I don't have much of anything interesting in my yard. I really need to work on that :)

Sharon said...

I just saw a bottle tree on vacation last week. This one looked like a cactus, and was full of bottles! I have always thought bottle trees are so cool - been thinking about getting one for my backyard too!

I used to have a small windmill in my back yard - but the exposure to the weather finally won the battle against the wood!

The funnest (is that a word?) thing in my backyard right now is a gas firepit, and a fake falcon to keep the crows from pooping on my patio furniture. (Hey, you asked...)

xo