Saturday, February 9, 2008

Polar Festival

Welcome to my Polar Queen realm! Glad you could stop by. A lot of fun is to be had in Bloglandia today if you know where to look. Yet another awesome event is being sponsored by eb over at Be... Dream... Play... a Polar Festival! Do stop by the main party page and see what it's all about, if you are arriving here from another path! I thought for this gathering I'd share some photos with you that I took last weekend while I was out with Ian, my son the Polar Prince! It just so happened that while he was in town from college, he wanted to go the the Apple Store to purchase the computer he has been saving up for. As luck would have it, an Ice Sculpting event was being held there at Legacy Village at the same time. After he made his purchases (connie.stop.thinking.about.iphone!) we went out to take a look. We were able to catch Aaron from Broadview Heights, Ohio's Elegant Ice Creations in the middle of creating a sculpture. What an amazing process. To start with an indiscriminant block of ice and then using a chain saw, drills, and grinders to quickly form the beautiful piece was a sight to behold. And it was completed so quickly. My son is a sculptor, currently working with a large block of marble. He just stood there shaking his head..... "Do you know how long it takes me to do that same thing with marble? Days! After I chisel, I have to go over and over the same area with progressively finer grit to get the same effect. Although....my sculpture might still be around in a few thousand years." Well said, son! It is kind of like when we are trying to carve ourselves into the people we want to become. If it is too easy, although pretty, the results probably won't last. One thing that is similar though, is that it can be pretty messy when the work is in process and the pieces are flying. Hard work does pay off. The other fun thing I noticed - once the carving was done and the polishing began, do you know what tool he used? A blow torch! An apt demonstration that fire does indeed add clarity! I knew I picked a good word! I am so very glad that I could share this with my son. He's a good boy.... and he even let his nerdy mom take his picture through the ice kids without making a fuss. We had a wonderful day together (even though it did also include the dentist - sorry son) we shared many things and he read me some of the poetry he's been working on. We talked about how we are so much alike and the ways we are different. I am so very proud of him and the man he has become. I am always sure to tell him that I love him every time we speak, but I must remember to tell him that I'm proud of him next time too. Anyone you need to tell how you feel? So I'm glad you could visit me here on the North Coast. While you are here, I'd love for you to stop by my post for ONE world - ONE heart and join the give away. Enjoy the rest of the festival!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a PERFECT contribution to the festival! Thank you so much for sharing these awesome pictures!! And marble? Impressive!!

eb said...

wow - WOW - yes absolutely perfect - so interesting, sweet and touching - and full of love - what a guy - what a Mom and boy what amazing sculpture!!!

my 12 year old created an ice sculpture with his 4th grade class a few years ago - at the Polar Plunge - that was quite impressive - I don't think they used a blow torch tho...

thank you so much for celebrating with us

so many wonderful and creative participants -

xox - eb.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful story...your son is such a good artist...I am sure he makes his Mother proud.
I am so glad that I found your blog through eb's wonderful Polar Festival.

Jill said...

How beautiful! I have always loved ice sculptures... there is just something intriguing about it. Your son is lucky to have spent a day with his wonderful mom! Nothing like a sweet boy!

LW said...

I loved the ice sculpture....

and your son is a good sport to let you take his picture in the ice..

Louise

Julia said...

A miracle in ice !! Love it !

Anonymous said...

The ice sculptures are lovely - so perfect for a polar party! But yes, marble does last much, much longer - though much harder to sculpt. Many insights here...

somepinkflowers said...

yes, yes, YES ice sculpture!

just what i needed
to see here
at the Bloglandia Polar Festival!
!!!

:-)

don't you love
how every party
person
has a different way to celebrate...
i love this,
this creative stretch and play!

here,
these are some pink*berry snow*cones.

i bet your son
can make something super
out of these...

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

As wonderful as this post was with photos and explanation of the ice sculpting....I was even more in awe of the time spent Mother and son. Now THAT'S great magic for a Festival.
Nice to meet you.
Lisa

inge said...

amazing what some people can do !

...heartwarming the moments with a son... ( I thought I was a small kids mom... but sharing similar moments as you had with you son.. I love to be a teenage mum...)

inge

Janet said...

Such a wonderful relationship you have with your son. And so nice of you to bring him along to the party! I enjoyed seeing all the photos and am always amazed at ice sculptures.

Unknown said...

Beautiful story, perfect for sharing at the this ice-ee party.

Leslie said...

This is a wonderful story for the polar party. Handsome man your son.

michelle ward said...

wow connie - these ise sculptures are wonderful. they remind me of growing up in minnesota where we has the st. paul winter carnival, complete with ice castel, surrounded by sculptures. how cool to see them being done, and with your son! terrific story, great post!!!

One Crabapple said...

First of all ! I can't believe that is your son !
Very handsommmme !

How interesting for him to be able to witness the ice carving and I wonder if he will try this now...

It must be amazing to watch.

And who would have thought ?! A BLOW TORCH !

This was a GREAT post for the Polar Fest !

xxo- Happy Mid Winter.
LOve, S

Lea said...

This was so much fun!!! Those ice sculptures amazing! A blow torch to smooth the sculpture, of course!!! I loved visiting these beauties with you and your son!

And no, you are not too late to stop by the party!!! That's another great thing about Bloglandia... we can travel back and forth as pleases! Thank you so for stopping by and sharing a polar dance with me!