GOT ICE? (2014 FETE DE GLACE ON MAIN STREET - ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI)

Hello, it’s me, TOTA.  It has been awhile since the last post.  There is much happening in my boring life but not wanting to sound like a whiner, I decided not to write about all the “potholes” on the road.

I must confess that having a Twitter account and posting regularly on my FaceBook account took away the need for blogging.  I thought of blogging but could not find the balance of sharing without boring my readers with “too much information”. 

Since I am working in legal environment, I am not supposed to write about my work.  I could write about people I work with but then I might accidentally disclose confidential information and that would get me in a lot of trouble.

What else should I write about?  Not about snow and freezing temperature – I am sure you are sick of the winter weather and don’t need to see any snow covered backyard.  I don’t have photos of cute kids or puppies.  So here are cheesy photos from the Ice Festival (Fete de Glace) in historic downtown St. Charles …..

USA … USA … Congratulations to the US Women’s Hockey Team advanced to play against the Canadian Team for the gold medal.

Of course, the most talked about was the thrilling game between the US v. Russia Men’s Hockey game (we did not watch the game, just the highlights).  The winning was special for St. Louis since T.J. Oshie, a St. Louis Blues center, scored the winning goal in the shootout.

FETE DE GLACE - PHOENIX

(Master carver Hamamura at work creating his master piece "Phoenix").I am so envious of LG right now. He must be enjoying the sunny warm weather on the beach in Florida while we are freezing our buns here. The severe weather hit us hard across the Midwest. Missouri governor declared state of emergency and activated the National Guard in preparation for the severe winter storm that was expected to move into the region on Monday. The Guard would be assisting local communities and providing resources for dealing with possible treacherous road conditions and widespread power outages.Sunday, January 30th – After the noon Mass, we went to the local grocery store to get milk and fresh fruit. The parking lot was 95% full and people were coming out of the store with shopping carts that filled to the max. The forecast called for freezing rain, sleet and could be up to a foot of snow. Bread, milk, and melting salt were the hot items. I was so glad that we already did our shopping on Saturday. I was the only person walking around the store with a smile on my face (everyone else was so tense) while directing traffic (I sort of alert shoppers to watch out for little kids) and so people don’t trample on each other with their carts or fighting over who had their hand on the raisin bread first.

When we saw friends from church, a quickly hello and everyone kept walking since it was no time to chit chat, got to stock up and gear up for what the media labeled as “monster winter storm”. By Monday evening, the freezing drizzle made the roads very slicky and I was so relieved when CP got home safely. I was so concern that the weight of the ice and snow could down trees and power lines. Everyone kept talking about the storm in 2006 when we were not prepared and thousands of St. Lousians were without electricity for more than a week. The storm turned out to be not as severe as predicted. It is always good when the weather people were wrong - haa haaMy office closed at noon on Monday, Jan. 31st and I did not go to work the next day. CP’s company closed also at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 1st. Both offices will be closed today, Wednesday, Feb. 2nd. I was looking forward to this week of celebrations, my birthday, Lunar New Year on Thursday, Feb. 3rd and then the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 6th. Well, nothing was going to stop me from having fun on my 50th birthday and fun we shall have! Check back often for photos and my wild party at the Seniors Center - haa haa

GRACEFUL & BEAUTY (I HAVE NONE OF THESE)

I noticed that this Graceful & Beauty sculpture drew a lot of attention from the crowd and overwhelming from the male population! Look at the old man on the right and the guy in the red jacket with a white hat (neither was my husband - CP knew better that you should not display your "sinful desire" in public, especially when your short chubby old wife was standing next to you!).

I wish I was there early to watch the master carvers worked creating such delicate details such as the rose edged inside and all the correct anatomy (measurement) of such beautiful body!

Graceful and Beauty - I have none of these!

THIS CROC IS FOR YOU!

I immediately thought of the Lone Gunman aka Salabencher when I saw this alligator. No, I didn't imply that LG shed crocodile tears! Let me explain, please. It was because I usually associate alligators with Florida and LG lives in Florida. Also, I am sure LG could tell more about the reptile from all the years reading National Geographic than my useless knowledge about hockey and football!

LG - this croc is for you!

FETE DE GLACE - HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ST. CHARLES

On Saturday, January 29th, we went to St. Charles’ Fete de Glace (Festival of Ice). The festival took place on Main Street in the historic downtown. I had so much fun taking photos and watching the carvers and the master carvers working on their ice sculptures. Each carver was given 2.5 hours to complete their masterpieces. Now in its 13th year (this was our first time attending – we need to get out of our cave more often), the festival features 2-man 5-block monster carvings team competition and also individual artist using a single block of ice. Fete de Glace was so much better compared to the festival at the Loop because the crowd got to watch the ice carvers bring the ephemeral carving to life when they worked on the sculptures using chainsaws and chisels, grinders and knives, as well as hot irons and cold spray. Some of the carvers make their design decision on the day of the competition, based on the weather.We got to the festival around 1:30 p.m. just in time for the individual competition. The team competition was from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The temperature was in the upper 40s so the sculptures already dripping off. I have great admiration for these artists creating such intricate work and delicate piece of “cool” art. Check back often as I will share photos of many other wonderful sculptures.We ate lunch at Lewis and Clark Restaurant, across from the Visitors Office (No Qap, they don’t have .99 cents menu). We did not stay for the awards presentation. The Fete de Glace is unique because the sculptures are judged by the crowd. The people vote for their favorite pieces. I would have a difficult time voting for just one. Next year I plan on being there early for the team competition.

The little kids and a few big kids had fun sliding down the above "cool" slide.