Top 3 Ways to Embrace Winter Weather (Erin)

Well, Readers, by now, you probably have figured out that some of us live in the frigid Midwest. Along about February, I get tired of chiseling my car out of ice, getting gas in below zero temps, and trying to come up with unique sweater, skirt and fleece-lined tight combinations to wear to work. So, I was thinking about ways we all could embrace the season and enjoy the cold a little longer.

3. Bundle up and build a snow fort. What amazing fantasy setting can you build in your yard? Grab some buckets and food coloring, and you can even make colored snow bricks.
 

2. Enjoy a local snow celebration. Here in the Twin Cities, we have an annual Winter Carnival. Last year, we toured ice sculptures, listened to an outdoor concert, and ate delicious pasties from a food truck, all in below-zero weather.

1. Pair some snow ice cream with some hot chocolate and settle in with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Either reading the book or watching the movie will do. If you can dig out some white lights left over from Christmas, and a furry blanket or two, even better. (See below for snow ice cream recipe.)


Snow Ice Cream (courtesy of my mom, S. Hawley)

Ingredients:  A bowl of freshly fallen snow (NOT yellow snow!)
A spoonful of sugar
A sprinkle of cinnamon
A drizzle of food coloring (optional)

Fair warning: I started reading The Chronicles of Narnia to my kiddos when they were four or five, and there was a period of time where my oldest daughter talked to Aslan and other characters more than she talked to me. 

How do you embrace the long, cold, post-Christmas season?

Attributions:
https://pixabay.com/en/igloo-snow-fort-frozen-winter-168784/
http://365twincities.com/day-260-saint-paul-winter-carnival/
https://www.amazon.com/NARNIA-POSTER-Witch-Wardrobe-24X36/dp/B005JT1WVS
https://www.google.com/search?q=mn+winter+carnival+images&tbm