A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....02-28-06....Ice Castles

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUSA ~

Today is the last day of February, and spring is just around the corner, but before you get out your shorts and sandals, let's take one last look at the beauty that's only associated with winter - ice and snow sculptures.

A friend sent me these photographs last week, and they are absolutely breathtaking! Hope you enjoy them before they melt. :)

Your chariot is waiting...

Last one! Imagine all the hours that go into all of these creations, with no way to preserve them except through photographs and memory. Hat's off to these artists!

Brrrrrrr! Now who wants hot chocolate?

12-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #14

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 02-27-06 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[freema]

Oh gosh, am I first??!!

How pretty!!!

[Billie]

Good evening (*almost* morning on East Coast) - am posting Tuesday's thread a little early. Will be away most of the day tomorrow, but will check in when I can. Hope you enjoy these gorgeous ice creations!

[freema]

Look, it's snowing!! Care to meet for pancakes?!

[Billie]

Hi, freema - you beat me to my Welcome Ping Post - I feel like I owe you a prize or something. :)

[Billie]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to

Billie; Dutchess; DollyCali; Mama_Bear; The Mayor; GodBlessUSA,
and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Gogrammy.................grandson Inspectorette.......................son deadhead.......................cousin Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep.....................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom..........3 sons american_ranger...............son LadyX.......................grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son Philman_36.............2 nephews bjcintennessee........son, niece TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin gonzo...................friend's son visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty Notwithstanding........active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty Old Sarge.................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son cookcounty.............................son Himyar....................................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper....................................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend JimRobinson...............2 nephews TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Consort........................2 daughters Consort.......................son-in-law Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew dixie sass........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son painter...................................nephew SilentServiceCPOWife........husband Walkenfree................2 grandsons Walkenfree.................. 3 nephews Walkenfree..................granddaughter Zechariah_8_13.......brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.......................cousin DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son El Gato...............................nephew Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy.....2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew Jemian...................................son freema....................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son right2parent..............................son NavySEAL F-16........................son Ike..........................................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son GodBlessUSA......................cousin SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Jen's Mom........................daughter Meg33.............................grandson 911angelady........................2 sons Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter weldgophardline.......................son jrushing....................................son thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law JFC..................................nephew Earthdweller......................nephew

[luvie]

Wow! If that first one is any clue to the others, they are going to be very fun to look at. How gorgeous. I can't imagine that much ice. Thanks Billie!

[Billie]

I want pancakes - can I come!

[Billie]

Hi, Luv - they will take your breath away - be sure and look at all of them. So exquisite!

[freema]

Sure, I'll make some cherry blintzes, too!!

[Billie]

Yummm!

[luvie]

I am. I can't imagine someone creating these.

[freema]

LOL!

Some years ago at a trade show in the Astrodome, I saw an exquisite, huge ice sculpture of the Statue of Liberty crash into the chafing dishes on surrounding tables, because the feet were too small - they melted too quickly.

Who'da thunk the beautiful Lady needed big feet?

[Billie]

I wonder how many blocks of ice it took for the chariot - that's my favorite of all.

[Billie]

Oh my gosh! How awful! You know, it's a shame that all the time that goes into carving these beautiful works of art doesn't last very long. :(

[luvie]

Billie...I'm having a hard time getting the table loaded. All I am getting is a white background and red X's for pictures. I hope it's just me.

[freema]

On the other hand, when I was a girl, I heard the stories about a bride from our church who married outdoors at an ice altar built by the groomsmen- dressed in a gown covered with a white fur trimmed floor length cape. Can you imagine?!

Okay, I'm off to dream of happily ever afters... nighty night!

[Billie]

Oh, no. :( I know that freema loaded it, so it could be your connection, or possibly the server has gone down for a bit. Of course, I still have it in my browser, so I see everything okay. I hate that. :(

[Billie]

Sounds cold! But most unusual to say the least!

Nite, freema. I need to go, too.

[luvie]

I'm sure it will come back. I have never seen a whole table disappear, but I'm sure by morning I'll have it back.