Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A bit of ridiculousness, or Only boring people get bored

That's not true. I'm sure many interesting people get bored sometimes. That's just the phrase we would use when our children would say, "I'm bored". What does this have to do with what I'm about to show? I don't know. Anyhow, we were snowed in over the weekend. The media called it "an epic storm". Thirty-plus inches. And guess what? We're in the midst of a second one, promising twenty-four more inches on top of that. What should we do? I know - let's make snow candles. I read about them somewhere a long time ago. And if I could honestly remember where, I'd give credit, or at least ask, "Hey, what did I do wrong?"

To make snow candles, you will need:

snow...

candle wicks (you can buy them in a craft store)...

Make depressions in the snow using a small bowl. Place the wicks in the center.

Melt some old candle stubs. You must use a double boiler for this - wax is flammable and cannot be placed directly on the burner.

I used a chopstick to fish out the old wicks from the recycled candles.

Pour the melted wax into your snow cups.

Let them sit in the snow for at least an hour.

When I fished them out of the snow, I found these oddly shaped wax islands. So I floated them in a bowl of water. Pretty, aren't they? Pretty ridiculous - sorry, I was bored...

16 comments:

Val said...

it's fun to try isn't it
ours turned out rather like crystally sculptures...lol

Jodi said...

Hi, Val. Did you try this? Do you have pictures? And did I miss something in the process?

monix said...

At least they are unique! Makes me sorry that our snow has gone and we probably won't have more for about 20 years.

Stephanie Ann said...

Hi Jodi,

I read about this in a book called "Nature Crafts for Kids" (I wonder if you read it in the same book because we tend to have similar books in our libraries) and I wondered what the result would be. It looks like you did everything right and they look pretty lit.

When I went to Canada, we went to a place called the Sugar Shack where they made taffy by pouring maple syrup in little snow holes with a stick in the middle. This reminded me of that--except there seemed to be less snow in Canada. :D I bet you know something about making snow taffy, I don't remember if it was pure maple syrup or if it was whipped or anything? It sounds like something else fun to do with the tons and tons of snow out there. This was such a good post for such a snowy day!

Jodi said...

Hi Maureen,

We are on our second blizzard as I type this, with another storm due Monday. Very strange. If you get a hankering to make a snow candle, come for a visit hehehe

Jodi said...

Hi, Steph,

We do have the book Nature Crafts for Kids, and that must be where I saw it. As far as making maple syrup candy, I tried it once when I was very young after reading Little House in the Big Woods. I took a bottle of syrup out to the backyard and poured it on the snow. Complete failure hahaha. I've since learned that you need to bring the syrup to a boil and then pour it on the snow (ahem!) Anyhoo, you've given me an interesting idea. Do you think you'll give it a try?j

Rosie said...

Y'all are so creative! My big plan was to try freezing a couple of snowballs to hit Gary's dad with when he comes down in April since he keeps calling to tease us about all the snow - which, for once, they DON'T have in NH! :^)

em said...

This is the time to read one of my favorite poems: "Snow-Bound by John Whittier Greenleaf. It shoul be read from a real book by the fire. But if you don't have the poem you can find it on Gutenberg - and it's illustrated! http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20226/20226-h/20226-h.htm
Margaretha
who hasn't made snow candles - but sand candles

Joy said...

The reason you are bringing up your montra, "Only boring people get bored" is because you, an intesting, creative, person found yourself bored whilst being snowed in. So to justify yourself and the obvious guilt you're sinking in (about as deep as those snow drifts) you had to admit it that interesting people do, in fact, get bored from time to time. hee hee hee ;D of course I am all jokes but I think it was very clever to try out those snow candles.

<3

Jodi said...

"Whilst"? - where are you from, New Zealand? hehehe oxo

Jodi said...

Margaretha, thank you - I will definitely look it up. I do like to read poetry, indeed, especially by a fire. And we are snow-bound. We lost all electric power today until just now. Trees and limbs are falling everywhere, knocking wires down. Fortunately, we have a lot of candles and firewood :)

Jodi said...

Thanks Rosie, put the snowballs in a ziplock bag they'll keep better!;p

Bronwyn said...

Oh Curious Acorn, don't you know that needing to do something artistic when bored doesn't need an apology? That being said, I won't forgive you haha ;-) But still--cool project!

Joan said...

I think the candles look like nasturtiums (ooh, the thought of summer!) and look brilliant in that bowl!

Joan said...

Oops, I forgot to mention how much your presentation reminds me of Goldberry's floating flowers- very symbolic for the way you and Mr. Bombadil live your life.
And that Crafty Partner in Crime looks very elven in many a picture.

Jodi said...

Hi Joan,

I bought some nasturtium seeds today. I remember sitting in your back garden last summer. Hope to see you sometime soon.

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