tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.comments2023-05-13T05:14:51.145-04:00Lighted Christmas Ballsjonathan smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166247212090652699noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-2859616431077248232017-10-25T06:59:12.892-04:002017-10-25T06:59:12.892-04:00Last year on the day before Thanksgiving, I suffer...Last year on the day before Thanksgiving, I suffered a serious elbow break doing Christmas decorating! The decorating I loved was seriously impeded & that part of the season just wasn’t the same. One of the highlights of the season.....Sunset Hills, came to the rescue & just the sight of your glorious neighborhood made my heart happy. I’ve already warned my family that I’m making up for last Christmas & will be starting EARLY this year. I am sooooo excited to begin but even more excited that this means that the magic of Sunset Hills is right around the corner. There are not enough words for what you do for the community & for the hearts of those of us who love the magic & spirit you provide each season Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08654535962691382615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-744299392451238262017-04-10T00:53:14.879-04:002017-04-10T00:53:14.879-04:00wowwowAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18082889841154259118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-28566301793785858342016-12-23T13:05:39.726-05:002016-12-23T13:05:39.726-05:00You have a lovely blog and your photos are beautif...You have a lovely blog and your photos are beautiful. Merry Christmas from Montreal, Canada. :)Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692170857496442623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-75891247622204236312015-12-26T11:05:13.764-05:002015-12-26T11:05:13.764-05:00Will the lights still be up this weekend? Will the lights still be up this weekend? Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01051130647809372329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-73139754053565906992015-12-22T11:39:20.249-05:002015-12-22T11:39:20.249-05:00Just watched you on the Today show. All I can say ...Just watched you on the Today show. All I can say is WOW! and, I want to make some light balls for our town. Watched the video, but questions 1) you just throw the up into the trees? How did you get yours so perfectly spaced? and 2)do you plug it in to an extension cord plug in to an outlet on the ground... and is that what you use to pull them back down out of the trees? Thanks in advance<br />Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03109171096202415974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-88869738459550401302015-11-30T13:59:47.244-05:002015-11-30T13:59:47.244-05:00Hi Jonathan,
My name is Dawn Kogutkiewicz and I w...Hi Jonathan,<br /><br />My name is Dawn Kogutkiewicz and I wanted to let you know that I am featuring your "Lighted Christmas Balls" in a post for Christmas Memories at my blog Dawning Genealogy. I grew up in Sunset Hills and my parents still live there. My husband and I drive through every year to see this spectacular sight of Christmas lights. Merry Christmas!Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675714824919909105noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-33327784737056161752015-11-26T17:51:12.143-05:002015-11-26T17:51:12.143-05:00 Hi Stacy the lights are up now at least many of t... Hi Stacy the lights are up now at least many of them are. Thanks for visiting and be sure to bring your friends and canned goods.jonathan smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14166247212090652699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-1881773276308140572015-11-25T23:40:30.939-05:002015-11-25T23:40:30.939-05:00When will the neighborhood be lighting up? We can&...When will the neighborhood be lighting up? We can't wait to take our family this year!Stacey Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09812993551527514648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-33308344921109476342014-11-17T22:35:57.164-05:002014-11-17T22:35:57.164-05:00Hi Bill, thanks for spotting this broken link. Giv...Hi Bill, thanks for spotting this broken link. Give it a shot now. There are also some how-to resources in the side bar of the home page. Best of luck and send us some pics!jonathan smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14166247212090652699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-15777687906819259572014-11-17T18:14:16.480-05:002014-11-17T18:14:16.480-05:00Your link to Ball Making 101 does not work. Where ...Your link to Ball Making 101 does not work. Where can I get instructions to make a Lighted Christmas Ball?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05036263732171970487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-6923527108501547032013-12-09T22:03:49.476-05:002013-12-09T22:03:49.476-05:00Leilani and Shawn - what a delight hearing from yo...Leilani and Shawn - what a delight hearing from you, and a #SurpriseJoy that you've sprouted Lighted Christmas Balls in Ft. Lauderdale. If you just hang some lights on a utility trailer and fly a sign saying, "Donate non-perishable food for FL food banks" it *will* fill up, and hungry folks will be nourished. Anne Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07100373159356654011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-56471409465716252882013-12-06T09:54:25.132-05:002013-12-06T09:54:25.132-05:00On my way back from Chapel Hill, I decided to chec...On my way back from Chapel Hill, I decided to check out the lights. I wish I had gotten there before dark so I could see how you secured and fastened multiple lights without a lot of cords showing. Still it was impressive and those trees were certainly tall and I can see now why you had to use a potato gun. Do you leave the balls up in the tree year around? Is there an easy way to take them down without the fear of snagging your extension cord? Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02331498652396836324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-44279873565660057602013-11-29T10:58:18.671-05:002013-11-29T10:58:18.671-05:00I saw your story on Fox 8 WGHP this morning. Kudos...I saw your story on Fox 8 WGHP this morning. Kudos to you, your family, friends, neighbors and community for coming together and putting on this event. I shared your wonderful story with others on G+ and blogger. Giving is what life is all about, of course you already know that. Thanks for making a difference.Nealhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02331498652396836324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-486629475093828372013-11-26T23:56:50.871-05:002013-11-26T23:56:50.871-05:00I really hope Avery and other young people at the ...I really hope Avery and other young people at the LCB party will get to read your letter, Jonathan. Great job.<br />mrphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995047923446626242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-28221556186068025532013-11-23T21:26:04.730-05:002013-11-23T21:26:04.730-05:00Denice,
I too live in California in the East Bay...Denice, <br /><br />I too live in California in the East Bay by San Francisco. I have been slowly making Lighted Christmas Balls for the past two years. This is the first year I plan to actually use them in a very tall, California Cork Oak tree right next to our driveway. Our neighborhood is set up on a fairly high hill, so cars driving by should be able to see it. We have approximately 25 houses and 84 townhouses here. I'm hoping that everyone here will be amazed at how beautiful they look and either want to make some for their trees this years, or plan on making them next year. I'd love to be able to plan an afternoon here every year, just like the one that they have back east. This neighborhood would look spectacular if a lot of people decorated their trees with these balls. I definitely know that it would draw a lot of attention because we are up on a hill and so many people would be able to see it.<br /><br />Jonathan, you mentioned that you will be showing people how to launch the balls into the trees tomorrow. Do you think that you could possibly post a video here, showing the process. I've watched a few that show it from a distance but I can't quite seem to fill in the blanks properly and the instruction sheet has no details on it. Is there a rope tied to each ball that remains there while they're hanging in the tree, so that you can retrieve them when the season ends? After you launch the rope over the branch, do you then tie the Christmas ball to the end and pull it up to the branch? If so, how far do you pull it up and is the other end of the rope anchored on the ground? Sorry for all of the questions, but this part of the process is what has held me back from using them the last two years. Any directions/help/tips would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />I would like to wish everyone that is making Christmas balls this year, good luck in their endeavor and God bless......<br /><br /><br />Michelle <br /><br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761860601704723534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-13271337431135950022013-11-23T21:22:34.961-05:002013-11-23T21:22:34.961-05:00Denice,
I too live in California in the East Bay...Denice, <br /><br />I too live in California in the East Bay by San Francisco. I have been slowly making Lighted Christmas Balls for the past two years. This is the first year I plan to actually use them in a very tall, California Cork Oak tree right next to our driveway. Our neighborhood is set up on a fairly high hill, so cars driving by should be able to see it. We have approximately 25 houses and 84 townhouses here. I'm hoping that everyone here will be amazed at how beautiful they look and either want to make some for their trees this years, or plan on making them next year. I'd love to be able to plan an afternoon here every year, just like the one that they have back east. This neighborhood would look spectacular if a lot of people decorated their trees with these balls. I definitely know that it would draw a lot of attention because we are up on a hill and so many people would be able to see it.<br /><br />Justin, you mentioned that you will be showing people how to launch the balls into the trees tomorrow. Do you think that you could possibly post a video here, showing the process. I've watched a few that show it from a distance but I can't quite seem to fill in the blanks properly and the instruction sheet has no details on it. Is there a rope tied to each ball that remains there while they're hanging in the tree, so that you can retrieve them when the season ends? After you launch the rope over the branch, do you then tie the Christmas ball to the end and pull it up to the branch? If so, how far do you pull it up and is the other end of the rope anchored on the ground? Sorry for all of the questions, but this part of the process is what has held me back from using them the last two years. Any directions/help/tips would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />I would like to wish everyone that is making Christmas balls this year, good luck in their endeavor and God bless......<br /><br /><br />Michelle <br /><br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761860601704723534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-77868830717514464122013-11-05T19:38:46.693-05:002013-11-05T19:38:46.693-05:00I love the pumpkins. What a neat idea and how grea...I love the pumpkins. What a neat idea and how great that he kept the proportion in mind for the distance to the highway.<br /><br />Way to go.mrphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995047923446626242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-50525294439107619062012-12-03T16:05:33.269-05:002012-12-03T16:05:33.269-05:00Hi freddue - we like to get power to that first ba...Hi freddue - we like to get power to that first ball (and subsequent balls) as sketch 8 on the instruction sheet shows. You can click on the white box with the Lighted Christmas Ball drawing and see a PDF. open up a PDF. Without seeing your lights, it sounds like you may have them already up in the tree without power. If this doesn't make sense drop me a line at lightedchristmasballs@gmail.com. Cheers, Jonathan Smithjonathan smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14166247212090652699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-91936819401851352842012-12-03T14:52:22.551-05:002012-12-03T14:52:22.551-05:00I understand how to get the balls into trees but d...I understand how to get the balls into trees but do not understand how you get power to the first ball and then to subsequent balls.fredduehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09579019964697711292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-25850400347802799252012-11-24T08:34:47.770-05:002012-11-24T08:34:47.770-05:00A really really terrific idea. How magical!A really really terrific idea. How magical!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-15603815970625721852012-10-29T12:59:02.034-04:002012-10-29T12:59:02.034-04:00So excited for 2013! I've been in Greensboro f...So excited for 2013! I've been in Greensboro for four years in January and love this tradition. The first time my husband and I drove through the neighborhood I cried because it was so beautiful- ha! Thank you for all that you do & for giving back in such a selfless way!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-84785345517093359402012-01-07T17:58:06.141-05:002012-01-07T17:58:06.141-05:00Glad you posted this, Anne. I thought it was a re...Glad you posted this, Anne. I thought it was a really nice photo. Although the deer herd and other house holiday lights will be coming down soon, the lighted balls in the trees will remain until we reach EDT. Hope to see both you and Jon soon! Papa BillBill123https://www.blogger.com/profile/02117040427695521193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-7401670411391389622011-12-09T14:30:06.718-05:002011-12-09T14:30:06.718-05:00Thanks for sharing this story; so inspiring! Merry...Thanks for sharing this story; so inspiring! Merry Christmas!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-87249816830923335842011-12-06T22:08:29.140-05:002011-12-06T22:08:29.140-05:00This is my first Christmas living in Greensboro. ...This is my first Christmas living in Greensboro. I've been in NC for 6 years and grew up in New England, but I've never seen such pretty lights in my whole life. Well, I'm 38 .. lol. But, still - I am just in awe at how beautiful the Christmas lights are in Greensboro. These Christmas balls are so unique and beautiful, but also as a whole the Christmas lights in this town are beautiful. All I want to do is drive around every night and look and look and look :-)Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07129479217783574574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20509801.post-56620453406495269092011-11-27T11:47:31.566-05:002011-11-27T11:47:31.566-05:00In the 'how to' in the right hand column w...In the 'how to' in the right hand column with the hand drawn 'Lighted Christmas Ball' there are instructions on the wiring. Everyone seems to use a different method but it gives you an idea on how to use one extension cord up to power 3 balls.Anne Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07100373159356654011noreply@blogger.com