It’s been cold here. It was 7°F when I made 
coffee this morning, but I won’t complain because it is -16°F up north. The flannel lined jeans came out yesterday.
So, let’s go this Thursday with a tiny train door made out of ice that won’t be melting any time soon. 🙂
Do you like ice sculptures? I have always admired the skills needed to craft them.
I worked human resources at a college that included a culinary academy. Each winter semester, the chef instructors demonstrated their ice sculpting skills, and I would always be amazed at their creations.
So, when I heard there was an ice sculpture downtown at the Cocheco Mills, I headed that way to grab some shots to share with you.
Shopping done? Baking started? Favorite dessert recipe this time of year? I’m making toffee today which came from my blogging friend, Kerry, Love Those ‘Hands at Home’.
Happy Thursday – 11 days until Christmas Eve, but who’s counting. 🎄🎅🏻⛄️
Linked to Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors, December 13, 2018
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
I like seeing ice sculpture, and you know how I feel about trains, so this one is a winner, Judy.
We are a little bit warmer down here in tropical New England it was actually above 20 this morning when I left for work. I’m glad to see you aren’t stressing over the holidays. I think things here are well in hand, just enjoying the spirit of the season – may you and yours do the same.
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I definitely thought you’d like this one, Dan. 🙂 Yes, we are enjoying the holidays and all the good treats that go with it.
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Don’t forget to leave a beer out for Santa (I mean cookies).
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Ice sculpture is fascinating. I love the train headed up the hill [?]. Thanks for sharing your photos here. Stay warm, it sounds like you’re living in an icebox.
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Icebox is a good word for the weather right now. 🙂
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I’m amazed at the skill and creativity that goes into the making of an ice sculpture and there is a lot of detail in this one!
Merry Christmas, Judy!!
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And to you and yours as well. Hope all your boys are home during the holidays. 🙂
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I have always been fascinated by ice sculptures. These are awesome. Amazing skill required to create one of these beauties.
We haven’t gotten lower than 11 degrees……yet! I don’t even want to think about it! Keep your wood stove blazing. 😄
🔹 Ginger 🔹
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The pellet stove is roaring, and the propane is disappearing. That time of year, right. 🙂
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Very pretty! But I have a twitch of anxiety when I see masterful ice and sand sculptures because they’re both so transient. What if I made a queen size quilt and it lasted one week? That’s where I’m coming from I guess!
We’re in the 30s here and our snow is gone for now. Supposed to be 40s coming up next week. I’m hoping for a mild winter like they say we might get, even though no snow expected for Christmas. Stay warm, Judy, and concentrate on all the benefits of New England that balance out your brutal winter! Re-read your own posts if you need a reminder of all the really, really cool stuff you’ve got that most of us don’t!
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You certainly have a point about ice and sand creations. It would be a bummer to put all that work into and poof it is gone. 🙂 The chef instructors use to do most of theirs with a chain saw, and I never could understand how they could create such intricate displays with a chain saw. Most of us can barely trim a tree with one of those bad boys. 🙂 Glad you’re warmer, and I’ve got plenty of layers to put on and keep warm.
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Beautiful, beautiful! I will be making toffee tomorrow, following a different recipe.
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Delicious end result is the only requirement. 🙂
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Ho! Ho! Ho! Ice sculptures sure are fun. Stay warm and enjoy all of the exciting Christmas prep…it’s not “work” when you seem to be having so much fun, is it?
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I sure do love the dessert making part of it. 🙂
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Beautiful, Judy!
No, shopping not done, but have made some headway there.
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Well, you’re gaining on it then which is a positive thing. 🙂
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I’m always amazed at the amount of work people put into a project that is doomed to vanish. Like sand castles. it take a special kind of mind to work in a disappearing mediume!
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As I was looking at it downtown, all I could think was I hope it stays at least cold enough for it to last a little longer so more folks can see it. 🙂
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As with any art, but I have to believe with ice even more so, I can’t wrap my head around what happens when mistakes are made when cutting and shaping. For me that would be the end of the project. But if ice sculptors do make any errors, you never know by looking at them. They look flawless to me. – Marty
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I can’t even remotely comprehend how they create what they do. I’m always in awe. 🙂
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Oh, that Ice sculpted train is wonderful!
Favorite dessert this time of year; my mom’s cranberry crumble/squares. My jaws are salivating just thinking about it! I really do need to get the recipe from her…again.
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Ask Mom if you can share them because our absolute most favorite dessert includes anything cranberries plus fresh ones are good for you. 🙂
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Sending her an email to ask both questions!
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What an unusual ice sculpture, Judy. I can only imagine how cold it must be working on that. Brrrrr!
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The cold weather lately certainly has been conducive to ice sculpture. It feels like winter has come so early this year. Chances are looking good for a white Christmas!
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Those are amazing sculptures! I always like to see the ones from Hokkaido, Japan when the snow is over people’s heads, but this is equally amazing. Thank you for sharing.
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I looked up the ice sculpting in Japan, and that is definitely in a class all by itself – amazing skills. 🙂
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Ice sculptures are like sand sculpures… So transient… I’d be so disappointed seeing it melt away or get blown away..
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Very true. That’s why I booked it down to grab those shots because the minute I heard ice sculptures I thought of melting issues. 🙂
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Wow. I’d be standing in awe, too. I don’t know how any sculptor looks at a chunk of anything and gets to the end result. Whether it’s an ice train or the David, I don’t get it. If I look at a chunk of ice, it’s just a chunk of ice. Thanks for the reminder that some things exist just because they a well-done and beautiful, even if transient. Like dessert! Maybe you will post a picture of that toffee?
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I made the toffee late yesterday, and it came out great. The trick is to get it thin, and I was successful. I’ll have to grab a photo before I eat it all. Or maybe I just need to make another batch. Yes, I like that idea even better. 🙂
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Now you know I’m sitting here laughing. I absolutely vote for the second batch! I do intend to visit that site where you got the recipe. Dessert people need each other because there are nasty rumors out there that sugar isn’t good for us. Scandalous.
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I love watching the ice sculptors at work–we saw them several times during Winterlude in Ottawa. SO amazing! I’ll be making that toffee myself this weekend–it wouldn’t be Christmas without it!
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You would have been proud of this student of yours – I got it just right, was able to distribute nice and thin on the pan, and I bought some high quality Ghirardelli chocolate melts that worked perfect. It came out great! 🙂
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YUM! That business of getting it nice and thin is the tricky part! You have to move quickly! Enjoy, enjoy!
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Essential survival gear.
That train is amazing! The talent to do stuff like that could turn a person green with envy.
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It is truly amazing how much skill is required to produce an ice sculpture. Lovely photos!
Our favorite family cookie for Christmas Eve is “Mexican Wedding Cookies.” I know they are also called by other names. They are easy to make too. 1/2 Cup powdered sugar; 1 Cup butter softened; 2 tsp. vanilla; 2 Cups all-purpose flour; 1/4 tsp. salt; 1 Cup finely chopped nuts. Chill. Roll into small balls and bake 15-20 minutes at 325 F / 180 C. After baking, roll in powdered sugar. Let chill. 😊
Happy holidays!!
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I LOVE those cookies. They melt in your mouth. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I think tomorrow will be a good day to try it out. 🙂
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Just checking…no pressure (hehe) did you try the cookies? =)
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I’m planning to spend some time tomorrow baking. 🙂
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😊
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This is clever work. Here we have had some great rain and there might be more to come. Stay warm and cosy in the lead up to Christmas.
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I do love ice sculptures Judy but we rarely see them down here—even more reason to enjoy yours! Don’t envy your temps tho-60 here today and we complain about the cold!!
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We always marveled at the butter sculptures at the state fair. Those ice ones must be even harder to manipulate!
As far as the baking goes, getting prepared to make some mini cakes for the kiddos to decorate at our party on Wed.
Stay warm up there!!
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Mini cakes + decorations + kiddos = a might fun time for all. 🙂
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Absolutely wonderful ice sculptures, Judy! What a pity it’s not cold enough here on the coast of Norfolk to see such artists at work. We do envy you the real winter you have!
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We definitely are having a ‘real’ winter, and I don’t expect they’ll melt anytime soon. 🙂 The ice fishermen are out on the lakes in their bob houses too. 🙂
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Sounds fabulous, Judy! 🙂 Shiver … 😉
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