re-post from November 19 2001

It is unfortunate that across forty-four winters in Ontario I never knew about ice wreaths – all that cold weather wasted!  When I learned about them  I couldn't wait for the next cold snap here on Vancouver Island (actually I could wait – happily forever)  but I had to experience them and during the next period of below zero temperature I did.

I put water and snowberries and holly berries and variegated leaves in a donut pan and froze it.

Strung the small wreaths  on some clear fishing line so they would appear to float.  Hung them outdoors on a branch.  It was foggy.  I stood and stared.  They were enchanting.

How long did they last? 

They were melting as I finished taking their pictures.