It was 15.1 degrees when I got up this morning.

My main task today was to string Christmas lights along the deck's top rail. I'm half-finished now and the temp has raised to 15.9! At this rate, it may be 16 degrees by the time I finish.

This is not a big job; the front deck is 8'x22'. I'm running a single strand of C6-size LED lights just under the edge of the top 2x4. One simple strand of lights running just under the top rail. Easy Peasy? Well, if I wasn't trying to do a really good job and use tiny eyebolts and twist ties instead of a stapler.

I'm installing 3/8-inch eyebolts to the left of each upright post. To keep the strands as flat as possible, I'm using a twist-tie to secure the lights to each eyebolt.

When I take them down (January 6 - or maybe March 30? LOL) I'll simply snip the twist tie. The eyebolts will stay in place; they're so tiny they're not noticeable, and will make hanging lights much easier next year.

Every few minutes I run in the house, pull off several extreme weather garmets, drink hot tea, thaw out, add more Burt's Bees Balm to my face and lips, bundle up again, go out, drill a couple more pilot holes, twist in the eyebolts, twist-tie another section of lights, run back in the house, pull off several extreme weather garmets, drink hot tea, thaw out...

I'll be finished by dark. Tomorrow I'm putting the evergreen bunches (decorated with red ribbons, pine cones, and gold leaves) on each post. That will take 10 minutes at most.

Maybe.

Of course, while working on this project I realized an even prettier way to string them...for next year. The few additional eyebolts needed will be installed no later than September. LOL

Merry Freezing Christmas!