Innovative Ice

To me there is nothing better than getting outdoors and going for a nice long trek. I love the adventure, the physical challenge and exploring new places. I also have a certain proclivity towards glaciers. I think that they are amazing, though I have never actually seen one up close. Last month I got the chance to do just that. I didn’t go to Iceland just for hiking, I was there on business. But over the weekend, I decided to get book a tour. There are several hiking and trekking tour companies in Iceland so it wasn’t hard. With the help of the front desk clerk at the hotel I was staying at, I got in touch with a company that offers tours right from Reykjavik; turns out that you[..]

Personally, I find the winter holidays to be the most special time of the year. My mother always made this holiday a wonderful one as she used to decorate the house in all things Christmas. I especially liked her Christmas decorating ideas, so I tried to follow her lead to help my own family enjoy this holiday thoroughly. There is a fine line between festive and flashy and I have always tried to give my best not to cross it. Thus, I have used for my Christmas decorations natural items and lights. I am a candle light lover so I wanted to use it outdoors but I didn't know how. My older sister helped me by giving me the idea to use ice globes in my yard, just as the people in 1970s did[..]

Mont Tremblant Lodging Families or groups planning on spending their school break at Mont Tremblant should consider a privately owned vacation rental. This Mont Tremblant lodging option rarely has additional fees for extra guests, meaning the price you see is the price you pay. You also get more common-area space for gathering together. Additionally, privately owned vacation rentals can offer more private amenities than a hotel. Try finding a hotel which would offer you your own private hot-tub! Put the Books Aside School/spring break has finally arrived, and Mont Tremblant has big events planned to make this years' holiday one to remember. In Quebec, school break runs for 2 weeks[..]

With mega resorts and generic chain hotels increasingly asserting their rule on the American accommodation landscape, finding a unique hotel stay experience is getting harder than ever. Heck, even our beloved B&Bs are starting to suffer from the symptoms of sameness. To renew your faith in American accommodation, we've checked into 5 of the country's weird but wonderful hotels to bring you a good night's sleep like no other. 1. Jules Underwater Lodge: Key Largo, Florida Life is better under the sea and the Jules Underwater Lodge is living proof. After strapping on your scuba suit, you'll dive 21 feet below to the surface to reach the air locked entrance of this former research lab,[..]

div cl Brugge, or Bruges, is perhaps 1 of Belgium’s, if not Europe’s, best locations and is definitely a must-see for travelers. Referred to as the Venice of the North, it is a certainly safeguarded area with ancient structures and is one of the most remarkable sights in Europe. Countless locations are located in this awesome place inclusive of a wide range of galleries, famous structures, churches, and even canals and roads. Lots of specialized activities that the place honors every year produce for an extra special time to visit the city. Presenting Sand Sculptures in the summertime as well as Ice Sculptures during the cold months is almost considered to be a Bruges custom.[..]

The handheld grinder is a portable unit that is used for cutting, grinding, and polishing of metal surfaces, along with shaping ice for sculptures. For ice sculptures, this has become the weapon of choice in removing the different layers in an efficient yet gentle way so no breakage will occur. This can occur because many of these hand held grinders have a variable speed control. For metal workers, this handy little tool is preferred to the stationary grinders that are bench tops. With the total weight of a handheld grinder being under 5 lbs and some as light as 1 lb, the maneuverability is unmatched. This is also common sense that a small tool is easier to use than moving around a large[..]

In Dubai's desert climate averaging 40c in the summer and mid - high 20C in the winter months, the last place you would expect to see in this desert wonderland would be an ice café! But here in Dubai where all things are possible, Dubai has indeed created a café where the temperature is sub-zero, visitors are required to wear thermal suits and shoes (provided for by the café for a nominal cover charge) and all cutlery, glasses, plates, tables, chairs, chandeliers etc are sculpted out of ice! It's an experience not to be missed and located in the Times Square shopping mall next to the famous Dubai Ski Dome located in Mall of the Emirates, complements this theme of[..]

Everybody wants to make their wedding special; a party where guests feel that they too are a part of that special love the two of you share and usually it is the differences in those small details in the decoration that achieves this. The wedding dining table is the place where guests will spend most of the time so it is important that it creates a lasting impression and you can achieve this by placing a beautiful sculpture or vase which is the first thing to catch the eye when approaching the table and is also the centre of attraction for the entire time that guests are sitting there. Ice Sculptures is the most common decorative item in weddings and are very affordable at the same time[..]

In the coldest month of the year, the hottest ticket in Japan, and maybe the whole world, is for the Sapporo Snow festival on Japan's northernmost island of Hokkaido. More than 2,000,000 visitors from all over the world descend on. Hokkaido's capital to watch it changed into the glittering, glittering, and glistening arena of a cold fairyland. For a week each Feb, the skyscrapers of Sapporo become upstaged by edifices and statues of frozen snow forming a second town in Odori Park and the streets at their feet. Ice sculptures of the past have outlined everything from traditional japanese temples, samurais, and dragons to contemporary athletes, ice maidens, political figures, and[..]

There are hundreds of hobbies throughout the world to fill peoples free time with something they enjoy doing. What if there was a way to turn your hobby into a business? Author uses his running hobby, but any hobby or craft will work just the same. I used my running hobby, but you can use any craft or hobby. A hobby is something you enjoy doing apart from the grinding work world. I always saw running as a hobby and not a sport either. What is it that you are passionate about and love to do? How would like to turn your pastime hobby or craft into a business. The list of hobbies are endless! No man is really happy or even safe without a hobby and it makes little difference what the outside[..]

Wedding expenses are soaring through the roof. Advertisers might have you believe that you must spend tens of thousands of dollars to have your dream wedding. I say it is not necessary. You can have a beautiful and meaningful ceremony on a shoestring budget. The average wedding in 2007 cost $25,000. Does that figure shock you? Does it have you quaking in your boots trying to figure out how in the world you can pull that off? Advertisers would have you believe that you must spend a fortune on a wedding in order for it to be beautiful and meaningful. I am here to tell you that simply is not true. Sure, having a 5 foot tall ice sculpture of a swan and mountains of flowers and tulle would[..]

Johnny Oops and his bride to be Sahara were standing in front of the Huppa, which in this case was made of white lattice framed wood covered in beautiful white carnations. The Huppa was a covering or canopy traditionally used in Jewish wedding ceremonies. They were facing Sahara's father, the Kabalistic Rabbi Frenbren who was conducting the wedding ceremony under the Huppa. In attendance in the garden of Rabbi Frenbren were many important Kabala religious figures from all over the world and some of Johnny's most powerful friends, and members of his flock in the Dialectic Rationalization of Materialism religion. All told over two hundred and forty people were gathered on the large back[..]

Classic elegance and all the amenities of the wedding world combine in Kiawah Island weddings, just a few minutes away from the Charleston Plantations that have traditionally been one of the hottest wedding areas in the country. with excellent wedding services and packages available, your stay at Kiawah will not only be memorable, but its excellent staff are ready always to ensure that you never need to worry about a single detail of the wedding. Why Kiawah? A vacation-style break away from the city noise and continuous traffic, while just a few turns away from the classic plantations of Charleston city which made South Carolina the queen of the colonial world, Kiawah is the perfect[..]

February 2nd, at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time on Gobbler's Knob in a small town in western Pennsylvania, 20,000 people and a national radio and television audience anxiously await the prognostication of America's favorite furry forecaster. In a tradition dating back 119 years, Punxsutawney Phil emerges from hibernation...and if he sees his shadow, it's back into the burrow for six more weeks of cold weather. The celebration of Groundhog Day in America and Canada has its roots in the ancient Roman Feast of Lights and the early Christian tradition of Candlemas Day. However, it took a giant leap in popularity - as did Punxsutawney Phil and the entire town - with the 1993 release of[..]

Choosing your wedding theme and colors should first and foremost reflect your tastes and personality. Your guests should walk into your ceremony and reception and feel that you had a hand in everything. It works best to choose your theme, before you choose your color theme. You can't really do a beach theme with that baby blue and winter white color scheme you had in mind. Your theme will also guide you as you select your wedding invitations, guest favors, and reception venue, even your bridal party's attire. So talk to friends, browse through wedding magazines, see what themes other couples have used and maybe that will give you some ideas of what you want your wedding to look like.[..]

A fashionable party is not complete without its chocolate fountain. Gone are the days of the ice sculpture, now, it's all about the chocolate fountain. Imagine what looks to be a three or four tiered chocolate wedding cake but is in actual fact warm smooth chocolate. Used at weddings, parties and even corporate events, a chocolate fountain is guaranteed to make a lasting impression on even the most diet conscious. The fountain comprises two units, the heater base and the holding basin and the auger (which is a large corkscrew). The heater must be turned on 15-20 minutes before the use and the solid chocolate put into the basin. The unit melts the solid chocolate which takes around 30-45[..]

Beach weddings are the most romantic and appealing type of destination wedding. From a simple barefoot wedding to a luxurious one, framed by the decoration of elemental beauty of the nature by the ocean's edge to its never-ending blue water glittered by the sun light, a perfect and appropriate ambiance to launch a new life together. Oscar winning actress Renee Zellweger, for example, said her vow to country singer Kenny Chesney in a simple barefoot affairs held on the Caribbean island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The surprise wedding was held only in front of closest friends and families, with the bride wore a dress designed by Carolina Herrera, without telling her favourite[..]

When planning a wedding, keep in mind that it's the small, intricate details that matters most. This applies especially to the wedding decoration. Now, one of the pieces that needs to be looked at is the wedding table decoration. Wedding tables are the center of attention at the reception aside from the the newly weds. Basically, it is where the guests stay to dine and converse during the reception. Therefore, it is indeed very essential for the wedding tables to look presentable and appealing before your guests. In the task of sprucing up your wedding table decoration, you should start by determining the tables you will need to decorate. Basically, there are three wedding tables: these[..]

c chainsaws are perfect for people who take a pride in their garden. These chainsaws are a great alternative to gasoline buzz-bombs for most household tasks - just plug in and go. No trouble getting it started, no need to lug around mixed gasoline, dry and clean or change fouled plugs or breathe that 2-cycle engine exhaust. They are lighter in weight than gas-powered saws. It means that you can handle a saw much more easily, especially if you are of a slight frame. Power is measured in amps so that the higher the amps used, the higher the power and are the only type that can be used safely indoors, you know for instance you may want to try your hand at ice sculpture. However you[..]

Attracting tourists from all over the world, La Jolla's community is one that combines trends with traditional class. Located 12 miles north from downtown San Diego, this highly prosperous community offers seven miles of coastline at an elevation of 110 feet. The land here is so desired that it's impossible to find property in La Jolla for less than 1.25 million an acre! The lucky 38,000 plus who live in this heavenly seaside town live among Mediterranean style architecture with a unique flair. From the crashing waves along the shore to the high rise buildings in the business district, you can expect everything in La Jolla to be first rate quality. Business district Even though La[..]

A picture booth can be an exciting addition to your very special day. Just imagine the excitement it would create with your guests, if they had the opportunity to take both loving and candid shots when they arrive at your wedding. The best part about it is that they're usually duplicate photos in the booths. These booths can be rented for sometimes as little as $40.00 an hour. Many of my brides have each guest step into the photo booth and take a picture right when they arrive and are ready to sign the guest book. This not only provides a fun activity for your guests to do, but it provides memorabilia for the bride and groom. Picture booths come in a variety of sizes. I have seen[..]

You have made the decision to get married during the winter months and want everything to be perfect. You and your future spouse have set the date and found the perfect dress, but still haven't had any good winter wedding ideas. The theme of your wedding is everything. You can have the most beautiful dress and the finest food that money can buy, but without a good theme your wedding will not be memorable. Finding the right theme is not hard. You just have to come up with a winter wedding idea and find the right winter wedding favors to go along with it. Finding the right theme It really isn't that hard to find a theme that will dazzle everyone. There are a lot of winter themes to choose[..]

Today's brides have LOTS of choices! Feeling overwhelmed when it comes to picking a reception location? You just need a few pointers to help you choose a reception location that's perfect for you. Follow these easy steps and you will be well on your way to the wedding of your dreams. Gosh Mom! How Did You Decide? Things are a little different now from when your mom got married. With so many choices, even the most decisive of brides can get a little unnerved. Do you have your reception in a hall or hotel? Art gallery or rustic ranch? Outside under a tent or indoors with a tented ceiling? Ice in Our Drinks Or Ice Sculpture: What Can My Budget Handle? Start by thinking of your budget.[..]

Are you planning to have your wedding in winter but you do not have any ideas what kind of theme or motif you would like to have? Why not try a winter wedding? All you need to do is to decide on winter wedding decorations. It easy because they are easily available everywhere you go and everywhere you look in winter season. One good thing about having your wedding in winter is the natural glittery, snowy backdrop, especially if you are living in a place where it snows. It is also okay if you live in a place where it does not snow because the mood will still be festive and you can easily create a magical atmosphere in the place where you will hold your wedding party. To know more about[..]

In our last article, we discussed how to turn your wedding into an event and an unforgettable experience by creating a personalized theme, element, or style. This week, I will describe the specific elements we used to create "A City Theme". In August of 2007 our company had the pleasure of working with a delightful couple who decided upon a "City" Theme. They wanted to feature their favorite cities. These consisted of New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Key West, and Pittsburgh. They held their reception at the Sheraton Station Square Train Station hotel. The reception site itself set the tone as "the train takes you from one city to the next". The guest accommodations and room block was[..]

Welcome to the WWI - that's the Winter Wedding Ideas page. But first, congratulations, both on your upcoming wedding and on the fact that you were clever enough to see the value in a winter wedding. You see, the fall and winter season's are the off season for most of the wedding industry (this may not be true in places like Aspen, Colorado where their winter landscape is a prime draw) so you have a better chance at negotiating a great price on everything from your photography to the wedding / reception location. So hunt away, if you haven't already, but not until you've settled on the winter wedding idea that you want to make come to life. Christmas Wedding Options The first among[..]

Hearts are the most timeless symbol of love and romance, which makes them ideal for a wedding. There are so many charming ways to include the heart motif in your special day, whether it is used as the main theme, or just as a few details here and there. These are some wonderful ideas on how to use heart shaped accents to play up the romantic side of your wedding day. A lovely way to begin using a heart motif is with the wedding jewelry. Crystal heart shaped pendants make fabulous bridesmaid jewelry gifts. For a bit of drama, opt for the rich red crystal bridesmaid jewelry hearts, or choose a clear crystal pendant which will be very versatile for her to wear in the future. Hearts are[..]

A good truck is vital to the success of a catering business. Customers especially will be aware of your truck when trying to evaluate the quality of your catering business' food and service. Therefore, make sure you either purchase a catering truck that has everything you will need, or make sure the truck can easily be upgraded with the necessary equipment. As you may already know, catering trucks are designed in such a way that allows a catering staff to transport and serve food, drinks and utensils to a group of people. Delivering food to a party or event requires taking many variables into account. One such problem you will likely need to address is the storage of frozen food. Some of[..]

Food, friends, and parties are a joyous and wonderful part of the Christmas season. Christmas is the time of year when large dinners and festivities reign supreme. This is also the one special time of year that many people want to make their own dining tables look magnificent. Here are some seasonal ideas for you to use to give your own table a unique and dazzling festive appeal. Traditional Touches Use a tablecloth that is green or red to create the foundation for this look. Placemats should be plaids of red, green, and gold. Napkins can match the placemats or the tablecloth. You can even match them to one of the other solid colours in the napkins. The napkin rings could be gold[..]

Did you ever pick up one of those flyer's where kids offers to do "odd jobs"? Well, it may be that doing gardening work is considered an odd job for some, but for some really odd and unusual jobs, check out this list of top 5 unusual job. Almost 9000 workers were asked, what the most unusual job was that they ever held. Some were just a little bit odd and unusual, some were completely 'over the top' odd. These are the jobs that made the list last year: 1)Cat Nanny Most of us probably know one old lady who is just a little to attached to her cats, but few take it as far as actually getting a nanny for their cat. One respondent though, had worked as just that. Taking care of 13 cats for an[..]

If you're having a birthday party then maybe you'll want something a bit different this year. Why don't you think about some of the amazing birthday party themes you could have, and see which one appeals to you most? Here are some ideas. 1. What about a 60s theme where you come dressed for the Summer of Love? With a laid back peaceful attitude and long wigs and cool clothes, you're sure to have a great time! 2. The 70s saw platform heels and sparkly over the top outfits and ambitious make up, and that was just the boys! Why not see whether you can outdo some of the glam rock stars of the era and have party you'll never forget? 3. The decade that taste forgot is often applied to the 80s.[..]

Chainsaws are designed to make the work of felling trees or branches, then cutting the material into length. They are used in a wide variety of commercial and personal settings. Tree services use them to remove entire trees or to remove branches from power line lanes or areas where they may fall and pose a threat to people or property. Personal usage includes cutting tree trunks and branches down to the right size to be split into firewood. More creative uses include using chainsaws to create wood carvings out of large trunks, or ice sculptures out of large blocks of the frozen stuff. Most chainsaws are made to last for many hours of service, as long as they are properly maintained.[..]

When I first saw Groundhog Day 2 years ago, I was awed at how inspiring a simple movie classified under the Romantic Comedy genre could be. But a movie like this cannot be put under a category. Seeing it for the second time today, I was still in awe at how amazing Groundhog Day is. Such a simple concept! A rude, foul weatherman lives a day of his life over and over again, for a period of time that is not specified. What results as the movie steers towards the end, is one of the most touching, heartfelt, and true cinematic experiences ever made. So many movies try to force connections between the viewer and the character these days, but Groundhog Day does not try this cheap film tactic.[..]

Along with every dream wedding comes all the things that make it happen. We visited two event-planning warehouses that handle every aspect of all party rental needs. Our first stop was to Ultimate Events in Palm Desert where we spoke with owner Donna Groves. Her business consists of 11,000 square feet of party rental décor. She offers an extensive collection of table linens, lighting, floral, party theme props and so much more. Donna's motto is "You Dream it, We Theme it" She told us that one of here more popular themed decor is for the bachelor party. They set up the party space to resemble a Las Vegas casino, and the guys love it. For the bride, Donna will set up her show[..]

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the US, but they are a busy one. There are several activities and events that occur on any given day. So whether you are just looking to get out of the house or if you want to take a trip to Rhode Island you are sure to be able to find something to do in February. Ranger Days are an annual event in Woonsocket. The event is held in conjunction with the John H. Chaffee Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor and the Museum of Work & Culture. Ranger Days are held at the Museum of Work & Culture and feature discussions about the history of Rhode Island. Ranger Days are free and open to the public. The Winter Bash is held in[..]

Adding an icemaker is a great way for grocery store and convenience store owners to increase their profits and enjoy a steady stream of extra income. Simply adding an ice machine can greatly enhance profits while providing the extra foot traffic that can drive still more sales. With all this at stake, it is important for business owners to know how to choose a top quality ice making appliance. While ice makers can appear to be complicated appliances, in fact the concept behind them is quite simple and straightforward. Ice makers churn out ice by using the water they are supplied; as the water pours into the mold and freezes ice cubes are created and dispensed as needed. This process is[..]

When you are planning the menu for your child's party, it is important to remember that the drinks are just as important as the food. If the party is held on a hot summer day you want a cooling beverage and if it's during the winter something warming is called for. The choices you make should be related to the age of the children who will be attending the event. Although, you will find that many beverages are suitable for any age group. If you will be serving an older crowd, consider non-alcoholic versions of drinks such as piña colada's and flavored daiquiris, such as strawberry. These can easily be made without the addition of alcohol. You have the option of buying the[..]

With all the appliances at our fingertips today, we just seem to take them all for granted. Even the dear old seniors don't relate back much to the days when they didn't have all these commodities. Sometimes though it can be a real eye opener if we allow ourselves to envision being without the many items that we have that makes our life so easy when it comes to daily living. Let's take a look at our fridge for example. The most praise we give it is when it manages to remain clean for a few days. Think about if you didn't have it though. Your food bill would go through the roof because there would be no way to preserve your cold drinks, left overs or ice cream for that matter. These would[..]

People are quite used to see hotels, towering skyscrapers that loom over the city's skyline with doors ajar for guests who would stay the night within one of their heavily-adorned rooms. However, there are other kinds of hotels all over the world, each possessing something that will surely pique the imagination of anyone who wants to travel and experience different things. The first example is a hotel carved and sculpted out of snow and whole blocks of ice-the aptly-named ice hotel. There are numerous ice hotels dotting the globe, especially in places where the weather is apt to build one. Norway has a few, and other countries like Canada, Finland, and Sweden have at least one. The[..]

That Sunday, March 17th, Feast of St. Patrick, Father Duquay told the parishioners that there would be a High Mass for the feast of St. Joseph on March 19th, petitioning Jesus' foster father to ask his Son to form a bridge of ice! He also invited the men to come with him to survey the river. When they arrived, they saw that the river was covered with a thin layer of ice floating among drifts of snow. They went from spot to spot, looking for blocks of ice floating closely together. They had gone about 1000 feet with no success, when they spotted two of the guides heading upriver to the south shore. Father joined them. Only Father Duquay and the two guides dared continue, the ice was so[..]