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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

{SHATTERED Winter Dreams...}

Literally a dream of enlarging our greenhouse for the purpose of keeping our potting plants frost free in winter, SHATTERED last week on August 23. Pieter had so keenly repurposed our tempered glass sliding tub doors and also the tempered glass storm door from our veranda, which we never used. Come walk with me to our greenhouse...
This is on Monday, August 26, after two days of sunshine and NO rain...
You get the picture of how it looked with the rain; still very muddy here!
Our potting plants are luckily all on the brick patio in front of the greenhouse.
This wooden walkway leads to the greenhouse patio...
This was our Winter Dream; repurposing the 3-part sliding tub doors, made of tempered glass.
On Friday, the 23rd one of those 3 had suddenly SHATTERED...
SHATTERED literally into a thousand tiny pieces...
Maybe from the vibration caused by heavy THUNDER? 
Pieter did search the entire area for some object but there was no evidence to be found that might have hit the glass...
Also the tempered glass storm door had SHATTERED, it was not even on the greenhouse extension yet.
So now husband Pieter is trying to patch up those frames with some acrylic sheets, that of course are not in the correct size for that length... Quite a puzzle!
It would have worked so well for protecting our potting plants from the freezing winds...
Before we used thick plastic but that becomes brittle and deteriorates.
Just trying to patch things together...
It nearly is impossible for collecting these tiny shattered shards of glass...

SHATTERED Winter Dreams...
Well, most shards have been scooped up, together with some soil. Near our creek we had a sandy beach so lots of sand available to haul off in the wheelbarrow.
Only a door needs to be build, the acrylic side panels are done.
Summer is barely over and already plans for winter...

Related link:

{Fall & Winter Preparations} | previous post by me showing a plastic version of the greenhouse extension



48 comments:

  1. oh, i'm sure that was a mess! wow, to have tempered glass shatter like that...

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Theresa,
      Oh my, not a happy sight... and that on top of all the flooding. But it looks already better!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. Thank you for your sweet sentiment regarding my father's passing. Interesting that you are building a green house. Daddy was known as the Orchid Man and built a lovely greenhouse out of old barracks windows....

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Val,
      This was just an addition to the existing greenhouse. We have our greenhouse already for two decades. It was special that your Daddy had such a special hobby and with that he left a lasting impression.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  3. Hello Mariette, How strange that two panels of tempered glass would have shattered like that. Luckily, you and Pieter have enough ingenuity to patch things up, but it really seems that recently you have had your share of this kind of problem.

    I hope that things are smooth sailing from now on.

    --Jim

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      Strange it was, we're still puzzled and the only thing we can come up with is the heavy thunder. If it wouldn't be for ingenuity we often would be stuck but as usual, a solution is found.
      Yes, we are looking forward to a more steady period without problem after problem.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. Liebe Mariette,

    du zeigst immer neue Schönheiten.
    Sonnige Grüße
    Elisabeth

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    Replies
    1. Liebe Elisabeth,
      Zwei große Glasscheiben aus Sicherheitsglas, die in tausend Stücke platzen aus unbekantem Grund, dass finde ich nicht gerade eine Schönheit.
      Lieber Gruss,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. Wat jammer Mariette dat het glas kapot is gegaan!
    Hadden jullie zo´n goed idee...maarja misschien kan
    Pieter er toch iets nieuws van maken, hij is toch erg
    handig.
    Succes ermee!
    Nicole

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    1. Beste Nicole,
      Je hebt het nieuwe resultaat met de acrylic platen toch al kunnen zien...
      De voor- en achterkant hoeft alleen nog maar gedaan maar het heeft nog tijd voor de winter!
      Liefs,
      Mariette

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  6. Ciao Mariette,bentrovata!Mi dispiace per quello che è successo ai pannelli.Avete un bel da fare con casa e giardino.Ma il posto dove vivi è molto bello!Baci,Rosetta

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    Replies
    1. Cara Rosetta,
      Davvero, abbiamo sempre un bel da fare con casa e giardino. Nunca c'è finito... Grazie per il tuo complimento per la casa!
      Baci,
      Mariette

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  7. Dearest Mariette,
    what a mess... but, hey, those things happen .. when you have a house and a garden, there is always something to do and to repair ;O)
    Happy week to oyu,
    hugs
    Claudia

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Claudia,
      That is the fate for owning a home and garden indeed! Lots to repair and to do.
      Enjoy your week.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. Ach Mariette, wat een pech toch allemaal. Wel vreemd inderdaad dat het glas in duizend stukjes uiteen is gespat. Waarschijnlijk een soort trillingen. Griezelig hoor. Jammer, het zag er zo mooi uit.
    Groetjes, Marianne

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    Replies
    1. Beste Marianne,
      Ja, dit is ons pech jaar in vele opzichten...
      Maar ja het is weer opgelost. Het had mooi kunnen zijn en makkelijk om dingen die je immers had, zo te kunnen benutten.
      Liefs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. Life was not meant to be easy, and in your home it certainly is NOT easy. Some how we pick the pieces up and start again.
    Hugs

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Kay,
      You are so right about that! One picks the pieces up and starts again. As you could see, that's exactly what husband Pieter did, he used acrylic sheets to fill in the void.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  10. Dearest Mariette;
    OMG, surprised and guessing how much power needed shuttering tempered glass like that. Nature sure is hard on us at times!!! Yesterday was the tornado caused huge damages in the middles of Japan...
    Take care of yourselves; Lots of Love and Hugs from East to my friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Miyako,
      Indeed this must have been caused by quite some power. But Mother Nature can play several tricks on us. I'm sorry for the huge damage to Central Japan due to a tornado.
      Love to you dear friend from the East!
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. So sorry to hear about the shattered glass. I wonder what caused it do that? I know Pieter will figure out a way to make the greenhouse work for you after all. Best wishes, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tammy,
      What can you do if you face those shattered windows? Find some acrylic sheets and mend it. This is not our greenhouse, but an adjacent extension to it for keeping more potting plants sheltered from the drying and freezing (at times) air.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Oh no I'm so sorry your glasses shuttered like that. As you mentioned, it might have been caused by thunder. I thought about earthquake at first, but I don't think we have earthquake a lot here in GA.

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Tamago,
      It is one of those things... I recall that on that Friday evening four of my cats huddled at my feet in the kitchen; scared of the heavy thunder. I was running the blender and still could hear the noise. Guess that's what shattered the glass!
      I only experienced an earthquake in my hometown, we just had come from Indonesia, on April 13, 1992 at 3:22 AM; spending the night in my old room... of all places in The Netherlands. It was a 5.5 on the scale of Richter.
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  13. So sad that it broke into a thousand pieces, and a lot of extra work.

    Hugs

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Elna,
      Life is full of surprises and I guess these shards don't even bring luck...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  14. Liebe Mariette,
    das ist fürchterlich. Der zerbrochenen Scheiben,
    die viele Arbeit. Nicht das, was man sich wünscht.
    Ich hoffe mit Euch, dass jetzt Ruhe ist.
    Einen schönen Abend wünscht Dir
    Irmi

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    Replies
    1. Liebe Irmi,
      Ja, dass wünschen wir uns auch; entlich mal RUHE!
      Lieber Gruss,
      Mariette

      Delete
  15. Oddio Mariette. è IMPRESSIONANTE! Sono dispiaciutissima per il lavoro di tuo marito andato in frantumi, e ora dovete rimettere apposto tutto prima che il freddo arrivi di colpo. Speriamo almeno che la pioggia vi lasci in pace almeno fino a che non avrete sistemato tutto. Ti abbraccio forte e vi auguro di riuscire ad aggiustare tutto. Paola

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    Replies
    1. Cara Paola,
      Oh, nella vita uno può scivolare e cadere e cose possono frantumarsi in mille pezzi. Ma il fatto è; Dobbiamo continuare e fare il meglio della situazione. Non tutto è nelle nostre mani. Un abbraccio stretto a voi e ti auguro pronta guarigione.
      Baci,
      Mariette

      Delete
  16. Mariette, sorry you've lost this piece for your greenhouse. It was such a great idea to repurpose these for the green house. I've seen car windows shatter like that from heat, but you've not had extreme heat. A puzzle, indeed!
    Thank you for stopping by and commenting on our china. Yes, I did mis type, but have not corrected it thanks to your careful reading. I appreciate it. ~ Sarah

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Sarah,
      Oh, I've caught those errors myself after reading again certain writings. We're going too fast at times but glad you now corrected it.
      Yes, I DO read a post, otherwise, why give a comment?
      There is no explanation for these shattered glasses other than the vibration from the heavy thunder. But we managed to replace them with acrylic sheets. Life goes on!
      Hugs to you dear lady and hope your anniversary was a sweet one!
      Mariette

      Delete
  17. Dearest Mariette, What a mess. You guys have really had a bizarre summer. I regret that strange occurrence but at least we know tempered glass does shatter in a safe manner. I really had to be the thunder. We have had some that rattled the house.
    You and Pieter always find a solution.
    Love to you, Ginger

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Ginger,
      Oh sure, bizarre enough... for our part it can stop!
      Looking forward to some normal routine without too many surprises...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  18. what a mess that glass made. Glad no one got hurt.

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Daniela,
      Indeed, that is what always counts! A mess can always be cleaned up... Good thing that it was tempered glass, a.k.a. safety glass.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  19. Dear Mariette,
    Oh, you have had a very hard time this summer with the weather! I feel so bad for you! It does seem strange that the glass would shatter - maybe the heat from the sun expanded it too rapidly after all the rain? We had a similar disaster, but instead of rain, it was ice two winters ago. Every tree lost limbs, broke in half or fell over and our storage shed was crushed. It took us months to clean up the debris that was everywhere and still is in the woodlands all around the house. But mother nature has covered it all with vines and woodland plants and now you can't tell anything happened. I hope she is kind to you after all you have been through and gives you beautiful wildflowers next spring.
    A Big Hug!
    xo
    Karen

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Karen,
      Oh, Mother Nature can at times leave a very destructive path!
      Glad you got your area of debris covered with vines and woodland plants. Ours is just a lawn, no wildflowers and such.
      But most of it has been removed already.
      We are enjoying nice sunny days, minus a brief thunderstorm but not with excessive rain like before.
      Hugs to you,
      Mariette

      Delete
  20. Dearest Mariette,
    Your glasses shutterel like earthquake about here in GA.
    Pieter did search the entire for some object but there was no evidence to be found the glass.
    Well most shords have been scooped up.together with soil Near your creek you had sundy beach with sand in the wheelbarrow.
    Only a door needs the side panels are done Summer is barey over and aleady plans for winter.
    Hugs and love to both of always!
    Michiko

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Michiko,
      Life can be full of surprises and often we have to clean up the mess and move on with life!
      Hugs to you dear friend from a sunny Georgia.
      Mariette

      Delete
  21. Dear Mariette,oh what a mess my dear!!!Thanks to Pieter,all now are fix and clean!!Hope you have a lovely week!!Hugs!!
    Dimi...

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Dimi,
      We have had our share of messy things this summer. Let's hope and pray this will be it! Meanwhile we do enjoy very nice sunny weather. Finally our summer arrived.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  22. Hello, Mariette! I am so pleased to have found you (through my friend Dimi) but sorry to read about your 'shattered winter dreams'! I went through many of your posts and I like your blog very much! I hope you would also care to follow me!
    All the best!
    Marie-Anne

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Marie-Anne,
      Welcome as my newest reader! Glad you found me through Dimi.
      Life sometimes can be full of surprises and we have to clean up the mess and move on.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

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  23. I read your older post about Jasmine Sambac and was pleased to realize that you can use the flowers for tea ( I didn't know that!) and I have two Jasminum Sambac “Grand Duke of Tuscany” in my garden!

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Marie-Anne,
      Oh, in Greece those Jasmines will be very happy and thrive well.
      Enjoy them and glad you read my post.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  24. O my.... what a trouble. I believe your husband Pieter is the best to fix the green house too. He has ability in everything.
    good luck for your green house..hopefully fixed by soon.
    have a wonderful week

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    Replies
    1. Dearest Ayu,
      Thanks for your visit and yes, Pieter does manage to fix almost anything. The front door and the back part will be added later; no need for using it right now.
      Hugs and Godspeed,
      Mariette

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Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...