Snow Candles/Diary

It snowed again last night..just when the roads were starting to clear, still, it looked pretty. The mountains were hidden by a thick wall of cloud this morning so the normal dramatic backdrop of the children's school was missing. We live in the more financially challenged part of town but we have some lovely views of the Chugach mountains as a backdrop.

The Ravens were very noisy this morning it was 'trash day' (or bin man day so to speak)and a large group of Ravens had gathered for a chat on the edge of the park... so I think they were planning a group raid of some one's bins for breakfast. They are large noisy birds, with glossy black feathers and I'm sure they have a sense of humour.

It was cold on the fingers this morning and the girls both pulled down the optional face masks that hide in their fleece hats. The thin layer of snow over huge patches of ice made for an interesting brisk walk..it's always a brisk walk because in spite of getting up at 5.30am every morning I still manage to exit the house with a very tight margin of time for the 3/4 mile walk to school...I'm just rubbish at getting the girls out of the door on time...saying that, I have to note we started out late and arrived early today so our 'brisk walk' time must be improving!

Other half has a really horrid cough at the moment poor thing, so isn't having much fun, oh dear..I just hope he gets some sleep. Still despite this he decided that making snow candles would be fun tonight so the girls got to help him melt wax, add red colouring and stir, then poke small holes in the snow and pour wax into them (adding a wick at the last minute)

you then wait a little while then carefully dig them out of the snow, we then took the whole clump of snow indoors into the kitchen sink , then gently poured water over any remaining snow to melt it away and reveal the candle...

it was good fun, they may not make terribly practical candles but they certainly make wonderful rather coral like wax sculptures ...we need longer wicks for our next attempt.

So a funny day today, one of the sort of days when you don't feel like anything got done or was achieved..yet when I think about it the usual basic chores were completed

(well more or less..don't ask about the washing up, or the clothes that need to go in the dryer..gosh darn it..and don't look at the floor..)

and the girls made snow candles, worked on arty things and read, I made cookies and bread rolls ... I've found that feeding them the instant they return from school is essential for family harmony...they are so hungry when they get home and quite horrible if hungry and not allowed to decompress. It's amazing the effect of some food and a bit of peace and quiet has on their moods, they munch and draw or read or watch "Fetch with Ruff Ruffman" on TV (for those who don't have kids who watch PBS..it's a children's challenge/quiz show hosted by a cartoon dog... actually it's very good just hard to describe!)

And now they are both tucked up in bed, sound asleep, other half is coughing and reading, more coughing than reading I'm afraid but we're trying some cough meds so hopefully that'll help, and I'm blogging and wishing the stove would kick out a bit more heat as it feels chilly tonight although the desk thermometer disagrees (perhaps we're just tired). Anyway perhaps it was a busy day after all and I just didn't realise it.... so I think I'll curl up with a good radio play in a minute and have a rest as morning will soon be here! (usually long before I'm ready for it!)