The Frostbite Snow Sculpture Contest

The first weekend in February was the annual Fergus Falls Frostbite Festival. In looking over the events being hosted for the weekend, I happened to read in the newspaper there was going to be a Snow Sculpture Contest. I read this news out-loud to the family...

"People interested in entering need only to create a snow or ice sculpture in their yards and send a name, picture and address where the sculpture can be found to dailynews@fergusfallsjournal.com. The judges in the contest will pick the best entries throughout the week with prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd ($100, $50 & $25 Fergus Bucks)."

Kippy was determined to enter. As luck would have it, Friday, Feb 4th was warm enough to make our excess snow sticky. Right after school, Kip started working on making a sculpture of an otter, but she didn't get time to complete it before "the cousins" (Noah & Nixin) arrived for the weekend. I figured she would forget all about her project, but to my surprise, Saturday morning, she headed outside to finish it up. She added rocks in front of the the sculpture spelling out "OTTER". Steve called the Fergus Falls Journal by noon on Saturday, February 6th, just in time for the deadline. The paper sent out a photographer to capture an image of her sculpture & she officially was entered into the contest.

Kippy told me, "I don't care if I win, but I hope they spell my name right." Apparently, proper recognition of her work is what was important.

After checking the newspaper every day for results, Kippy found out on Friday, Feb 11th that the paper not only spelled "Angelique Lindgren" correctly,
but she won 3rd place and was awarded $25 in Fergus Bucks. She was so darn excited!

In hindsight, I really wish I would have gone out and took a picture myself, because the image that ended up in the paper really doesn't show the details & work she put into it.

$25 = one very happy girl!

Wordless Wednesday

11/28/2010

All I Need to Know about Life I Learned From a Snowman

**I am borrowing this one as a tribute to my love of Snowpeople**

It’s okay if you’re a little bottom heavy.

Hold your ground, even when the heat is on.

Wearing white is always appropriate.

Winter is the best of the four seasons.

It takes a few extra rolls to make a good midsection.

There’s nothing better than a foul weather friend.

The key to life is to be a jolly, happy soul.

It’s not the size of the carrot, but the placement that counts.

We’re all made up of mostly water.

You know you’ve made it when they write a song about you.

Accessorize! Accessorize! Accessorize!

Avoid yellow snow.

Don’t get too much sun.

It’s embarrassing when you can’t look down and see your feet.

It’s fun to hang out in your front yard.

Always put your best foot forward.

There’s no stopping you once you’re on a roll.

Ahoy, me Matey!

Arrrgg! Thar be not enough loot in t' box!!

Hand o'er yer loot or I'll make ya walk t' plank unless ya want me ta run ya thru w' me sword!!!

On Saturday afternoon, we had perfect show for another snowman creation. I love diggin' into the dress up bin to see what we can find before heading out.

We had so much fun dressing up our fierce pirate, even though the huge snow ball head made it nearly impossible to get a bandanna to work properly. There was a lot of improvisation.

The treasure chest had a lot of detail, but it didn't show up well since it is all white. Bella also tried to come out and play with us, but she got overwhelmed quickly in the deep snow and had to be saved.

I antiqued out this photo to make it look more rugged. Not very fierce... how 'bout the next one?

Givin' our meanest "ARRRRGGGG" along with our one-eyed-missing-arm-with-a-hook look. Are ya frightened now??

Yo, ho, ho... its a pirate's life for me.

Making use of the snow

The Christmas Winter Blizzard of 2009 brought lots of fresh snow and with the temperature right at 31 degrees, it was perfect snow for making snowpeople!I was so excited to play in the snow that I went out by myself and started the construction of a HUGE snowman on Christmas Day. Eventually, the rest of my family joined in because they didn't want to be left out. Thankfully, Grandma Rose ventured out and took some photos of our progress.
I like my snowmen to have a theme or at least some decoration of some sort.

We started with a Santa Snowman and then we worked on adding a companion.
We had several false starts on making "Rex", Santa snowman's faithful companion. Just as we were trying to add the eyes, Rex's head fell off... Abby was devastated because "It will never be the same!!!!!" Eventually, Steve and I fashioned a new head and this time added the eyes more carefully, so his head wouldn't be knocked off again.

Bella's leash was the perfect accessory. {Abby finally calmed down and was happy again}.

We were all soaking wet by the time we were done. Here is our final group project. {umm... no I don't know why I am crouching down.} I look like goober, but couldn't figure out how to fix myself in Photoshop.

Wait. I have an idea!

There. It looks better when I am not in the picture!

Snow bunny

Apparently, Mother-Nature forgot to consult her calendar and notice the season has changed to Spring 'cause she delivered Winter instead {{BIG SIGH}}. I would say we have around 16 inches of fresh, heavy snow.

Look at this crazy drift which is hanging over the porch. Looks like we will have an avalanche soon!
Needless to say, it was another snow day for Steve and the girls today. When it finally stopped snowing this afternoon, it was time for the clean up. The girls decided to make a snow bunny since the snow was so sticky.
Abby was in charge of rolling the bottom and the middle, while Kippy rolled the bunny head.

Pretty cute!

Another addiction of mine...

I confess... I am obsessed with snowmen - or is it snowwomen?

Maybe,I should go with the politically correct term of snowperson?
Hmmm... regardless, I love all kinds of snowpeople...

Happy ones...

Princess ones...

Spike-y ones...

Melting ones...

Funny ones...

Whether they are made from real snow or from something else...
I have one requirement... They must have a CARROT nose!
There once was a snowman with a carrot nose.

Along came a bunny, and what do you suppose?

That hungry little bunny, was looking for some lunch.

He ate that snowman's carrot nose...

NIBBLE, NIBBLE, CRUNCH!
This year, I am so excited because I went ahead and did something I always wanted to do... I have two Christmas trees! The tree upstairs is completely decorated with snowpeople! I love how it turned out and it makes me so happy, I just want to squish them all up!!

Now that you know another of my addictions, share with me your addictions!